Classes and Activities for Kids in Spartanburg County

An award-winning and local, private swim school, Swim Lessons with Mary has been delivering exceptional, 1-1 swim instruction for the past 14 years. Their lessons are designed to build confidence and mastery in the water for swimmers of all ages and abilities, from self-rescue to stroke and technique. The program is rooted in the belief that 1-1 instruction is key to effective learning, providing personalized attention that helps each swimmer progress at their own pace, build self-confidence, and develop skills tailored to their unique needs and goals.

Top Questions Parents Ask About Swim Lessons with Mary:

• Are lessons truly private? Yes, Swim Lessons with Mary only teaches 1-on-1 lessons, so every session is completely private and personalized to your swimmer’s individual goals and learning style.
• How are instructors selected? Every instructor undergoes a comprehensive background check and completes extensive onboarding,  including an average of 60 hours of in-water training and 20 hours of out-of-water preparation, before ever teaching a solo lesson.
• When can we start? Year-round! Lessons are weekly recurring, on the same day and time each week. After school and weekday morning slots are available.

Swim Lessons with Mary Website: swimlessonswithmary.com

I’ll admit I was hesitant at first,  finding the right swim program can be tough,  but I am now a completely loyal customer. We’ve had lessons with 3 different instructors and each one has been kind, skilled, and so encouraging. Her instructor has such a calm, focused energy, and he knows exactly how to challenge her while still making her feel confident and safe. The progress she’s made is incredible. If you’re on the fence, go for it. You’ll be so glad you did!

— C.S.

Did you know tennis is one of the healthiest sports to play – and it’s never too early (or too late) to start? At Spartanburg Athletic Club, we offer youth tennis programs designed to introduce kids of all ages and skill levels to the lifelong benefits of the game. Whether your child is picking up a racquet for the first time or already competing at a high level, SAC has the right program to match their goals. Our professional, certified coaches create a positive, high-energy environment where kids can learn the fundamentals, sharpen their technique, and build confidence on and off the court.

Questions Parents Ask:

At what age can my child start? SAC welcomes players of all ages and skill levels – from complete beginners to competitive players. It’s never too early or too late to start.
Is tennis just for athletic kids? Not at all, SAC’s programs are designed to build confidence, discipline, and friendships alongside tennis skills, making it a great fit for kids at every level.

Contact us to learn more or schedule a tour!

The Soccer Development Project in Downtown Spartanburg is an indoor training facility offering world-class Individual & Small Group Pro Soccer Training for the local soccer community.

Stokes Music Studios offers music lessons in a variety of instruments with multiple instructors available.

Approved Learn-to-Swim lessons by the American Red Cross including preschool aquatics, parent and child aquatics, learn to swim, and private.

NOTE: Camp Mary Elizabeth is closed as of publishing due to Hurricane Helene damage. Please refer to the Girl Scouts of South Carolina – Mountains to Midlands’ Facebook page for updates.

Offers a variety of program to help with academic success including test prep and summer camps from elementary through high school

BDC After School & Summer Camp offers childcare for Staff Development Days, dance, and tumbling.
After-school pickup for districts 1, 2, 3, and 7 (Tuition $85 per week)
Summer Camps for ages 5-10+
Weekly field trips
Full-day summer care

Offers karate classes for kids, teens, and adults in 2 locations: Lyman and Taylors.

Offers a variety of classes including ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, musical theatre, pointe, tap, and competitive with classes beginning at age 2 (pre-dance/creative movement)

We offer exceptional Western and English riding lessons and professional horse training for riders of all levels and disciplines. Our program is dedicated to promoting personal growth and creating a supportive environment with a focus on safety, personal responsibility, and building life skills.

Ignite Dance Company offers summer dance classes and camps for ages 2 and up. Ignite wants to both educate and inspire their dancers.

Offers a variety of classes for kids, men, and women including karate, jiu jitsu, MMA, kickboxing, and more

Offers: Offers classes in German as a foreign language and as a heritage language. Ages 5 and up. Locations are at Simpsonville’s Holland Park Church and Spartanburg Day School.
Contact them directly about Homeschool offerings.

District 2 NSAA offers baseball, football, and cheerleading

A music class for children beginning at 18 months old. Children and their parents will use their imaginations through song and dance. This program is offered through the Lawson Academy of Arts at Converse College.

Sparkle City offers gymnastics classes for children from the time they can walk. They also have a competitive girls gymnastics team.

Offers a variety of classes beginning with creative movement for 2-3 year olds as well as pre-dance, tap, acro, ballet, hip hop, jazz, lyrical. They also have performing and competitive teams.

Offers various classes, ages 11-18. Homeschool classes, weekly classes, workshops on art, history, literature and theater topics.

Soccer organization for instruction and competition for children 3-18 years old.

Swim lessons are offered. Contact Colleen Miller at 864.585.7936.

At Arts in Motion, we work to develop, inspire and cultivate the individual talents of your child in a loving and nurturing environment. It is our mission to offer quality and comprehensive dance education through age appropriate classes, always encouraging  and nurturing creative minds in all aspects of the arts!

Clay-King Studio offers classes in wheel throwing and hand-building with clay.  Workshops allow students to create a piece in one session and we also have drop in pottery painting and clay projects, parties, private lessons, and homeschool classes.

Offers baseball, softball, and football

Soccer instruction and soccer competition for children 5-18 years old. The soccer club is located at the Carolina FC Soccer Complex.

Individuals of all ages can take lessons at the Wellness Center.

Offering lessons, boarding, and training for children 6 and up

We are visual teaching artists in upstate SC engaging all ages in hands-on experiences through art workshops and printmaking parties.

Swim lessons are offered on a month-to-month basis at the Dr. T.K. Gregg Community Center.

Contact Liz Walker at lwalker@cityofspartanburg.org, or visit RecDesk

Offers a variety of classes for kids and teenagers to learn about art and create art.

Southern Dance Connection offers classes in various forms of dance, tumbling, and cheer. Children aged 2 and up can participate in ballet, tap, and hip-hop dance. They also offer themed dance summer camps.

A therapeutic horseback riding program for handicapped residents of Spartanburg County.

Kids Golf and Fitness Academy offers a variety of fun classes such as golf, Mom/Dad and me, American Sign Language, Art, design, fitness, dance specific fitness, golf specific fitness, sports specific fitness, and more! Ages 3 and up. All skill levels, learning styles, and physical abilities welcome.

Multi-week programs for children 6-18 in multiple divisions

Offers a variety of classes beginning with Itty Bitty classes for children 2.5 years old as well as tap, jazz, lyrical, tumbling, pointe, contemporary, hip hop, modern, ballet, musical theatre, and lyrical

Offering a variety of martial arts classes for kids as well as an after-school program

Offers a wide assortment of art classes from ages 5 and up. Specific information and all the class details are available at their website.

Empower your students at Wired Minds Tutoring with services like 1:1 Tutoring, SAT/ACT prep, After-School Programs, Academic Summer Camps, and more! Let us take something off your plate through personalized education and caring staff members.

Offers football, flag football, cheerleading, baseball, softball, t-ball, and lacrosse

Discover adventure and relaxation on Spartanburg’s Pacolet River with tubing, kayaking, and pre-set camping for a hassle-free outdoor escape at Vintage View!

Offers competitive dance classes for children 6 and up and preschool tumbling classes for ages 3-6.

Offers a variety of classes, as well as family art nights and birthday party options

Offers a variety of diverse martial arts programs for children, as well as after school programs

The Painted Palmetto is a family-friendly art studio offering children’s art classes, adult art classes, open studio days, and birthday parties for people of all ages.

Location:

• 200 Ezell Street
  Spartanburg, SC 29306
  864.285.0220

For more information, visit The Painted Palmetto website.

Art Buzz Kids art classes spark your child’s creativity and imagination in a fun, interactive setting. Children have fun, get creative, and take home masterpieces!
You can find upcoming dates for their Art Buzz Kids classes on the Wine and Design website at their Greenville and Spartanburg location.

Offers a variety of private lessons in its on-site private studios including guitar, drums, piano, violin, and more

Offers gymnastics classes for boys and girls beginning with classes for children 16 months old (with parental involvement).
They also offer homeschool gymnastics classes.

Offers private lessons on guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, piano, and voice.

Spartanburg County Public Libraries offer multiple storytimes at all their branches. These storytimes include music, stories, and creative free playtime. There are 11 locations throughout Spartanburg County.

Empower your students at Wired Minds Tutoring with services like 1:1 Tutoring, SAT/ACT prep, After-School Programs, Academic Summer Camps, and more! Let us take something off your plate through personalized education and caring staff members.

Backstage Dance Connection offers a variety of dance classes beginning with a Mommy & Me dance class for children 2 and under as well as tumbling, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, Irish, ballet, tap, and clogging.

Offers recreational and competitive coed baseball and softball leagues.

Offers baseball, basketball, cheer, football, golf, lacrosse, softball, tennis, track, volleyball, and wrestling. See website for more information

The Girls Scouts of South Carolina- Mountains to Midlands offers programs to girls scouts of all abilities and backgrounds.

They offer special events, camps, cookie sales, and so much more! Upstate, SC troops are available for ages Kindergarten and up.

Summer Camp: You will also find some amazing Girls Scouts of South Carolina- M2M Summer Camp options!

Camps in Spartanburg, Columbia, and an overnight Camp WaBak in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains are available.

This art studio in Spartanburg offers pottery painting and the occasional hands-on clay day, as well as special events.

They offer a wide variety of art classes involving clay and canvases with special kids events and homeschool days. On Fridays throughout the school year, homeschool students are welcome to explore their artistic sides between 11 am and 2 pm–and receive a 20% discount.

Hearts of Clay also offers several birthday party packages. All project materials are included and birthday child receives a special gift. Outside snack & decorations welcome, and Hearts of Clay will clean up the mess.

Location:

• 660 Spartan Boulevard, Suite 200
  Spartanburg, SC 29301
  864.576.2228

Find out more on the Hearts of Clay website.

While the Parks Department does not sponsor any youth athletic leagues, the various athletic leagues use the county’s recreational fields. Their website also directs you to the various district leagues and traveling teams.

Offering lessons for Hunter, Jumper, Equitation, and Horsemanship.

Offers a variety of youth sports programs, including baseball, cheerleading, football, rugby, soccer, softball, and wrestling

Soccer Shots is a children’s soccer program with a focus on character development. A caring team positively impacts children’s lives on and off the field through best-in- class coaching, communication and age appropriate curriculum.

Thomas E. Hannah, Middle Tyger, and the Willis Road YMCA branches offer a variety youth sports.

Offers a variety of classes beginning with Mommy and Me classes for 2 year olds and including jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, pom, lyrical and contemporary

Offers baseball, softball, track & field, football, cheerleading, basketball, and lacrosse

Offers baseball, softball, football, cheerleading, and ragball (tee ball).

Offers multiple theatre classes in the fall, spring, and summer for rising K4-12th grade students

Offers a variety or recreational dance classes beginning with classes for toddlers including ballet, contemporary, modern, lyrical, hip hop, tap, and jazz

Offering lessons for all ages and experience levels

Located at Converse College, it offers a wide range or private and group classes including piano, strings, wind & brass, vocal, and specific music programs for young children including Musikgarten

Upward sports either meet at the Upward Star Center or partner sites. They offer basketball, cheer, soccer, and flag football.

Offers a variety of classes including ballet, clogging, hip hop, jazz/contemporary, Irish, and tap beginning at age 18 months.