Looking for something to do indoors near Greenville, SC and Upstate, SC? The best thing about indoor places and things to do is that they make a great bucket list for any day (no matter what the weather). This list includes museums, indoor play places and arcades, restaurants with playgrounds, and more.
All places on this list also offer drop-in or registration-free activities for children making each the perfect place to head on that day that’s just too hot, or when it’s rainy and cold, and you need to get out of the house.
Tips for navigating this list: This list is divided by categories and by county. Click the anchor links below to quickly access the section that you are looking for. At the top of the list, we list sponsored listings that include more information about those particular venues. Below the sponsored listings, you can access the general listings which include all of the indoor activities in Greenville. If you would like to be added to our list, email [email protected]
Disclaimer: This list is intended for informational purposes and none of the contents should be considered a specific recommendation or endorsement from Kidding Around or its staff. All advertisements are marked “sponsored.”
Indoor Things to Do by South Carolina County
Greenville, SC: Things to Do Inside by Category
- Arcades in Greenville
- Art Studios in Greenville
- Bounce Houses in Greenville
- Bowling in Greenville
- Escape Rooms
- Indoor Playgrounds in Greenville
- Libraries in Greenville
- Museums in Greenville
- Restaurants with Play Areas in Greenville
- Roller and Ice Skating Rinks in Greenville
- Shopping with Play Areas in Greenville
- Trampoline Parks in Greenville
- Unique Indoor Places
Spartanburg, SC: Things to Do Inside by Category
2023 KABOOM Family Favorites 1st Place: Family Theatre & Performing Arts 2023 KABOOM Family Favorites Finalist: Indoor Family Fun
2023 KABOOM Family Favorites 1st Place: Theater Program
2023 KABOOM Family Favorites Finalist: Youth Organization
Now celebrating its 35th year, SCCT is the largest children’s theatre in South Carolina and serves over 30,000 children and their families annually through performances and special events, theatre classes, on-site residencies, school tours, and outreach programs. SCCT recently opened its brand-new theatre facility in downtown Greenville, and envisions a community where ALL children experience the transformational impact of theatre, which nourishes creativity, grows empathy, and inspires confidence.
We hope you and your family will join us in the fun!
SCCT produces five (5) MainStage productions per year. Join us for our 22-23 season! This year’s productions are:
- Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! (Sept 23 – Oct 9, 2022) (Ages K5-3rd)
- Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Nov 18 – Dec 11, 2022) (All ages)
- The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (Jan 27, 2023 – Feb 5, 2023) (Ages 3rd-8th grade)
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show (March 3 – 12, 2023) (Ages Pre-K-3rd grade)
- Once on This Island (May 5 – 21, 2023) (Ages 3rd-adult)
SCCT also offers FREE Tell-Me-A-Story Theatre performances for little ones (pre-K to early elementary) in our lobby throughout the year. At these lobby shows, favorite children’s books are acted out for our youngest audiences, and we encourage audience participation! Check our website for dates.
SCCT’s Theatre Arts Conservatory offers year-round drama classes for students ages 3-18. Theatre classes develop skills that help students academically and socially while also providing students with a positive place to belong, develop friendships, and discover their potential and abilities. Click here to learn about our Theatre Arts Conservatory and be sure to check our website throughout the year for current class listings!
Thrilling one-hour adventures
Is your family overdue for an adventure? Bring your entire family and see how well you can work together to solve the mysteries of the room! While portions of our challenges do require adult minds, you’ll be amazed at what your kids will solve and how excited and engaged they’ll be.
Prefer to have a night out with only your adult friends? Leave the kids at home and book a private adventure with us. You’ll have a blast laughing together as you solve your way through our interactive challenges.
Now with two locations in Greenville! Adventures run Thursday-Monday, and you can check availability at Escape Artist.
Ready for a challenge?! Arena X is the all-new competitive ninja tag concept from Big Air. It’s the first and only business in SC to offer this style of technology and gameplay.
Arena X is a high energy, multiplayer indoor arena where players of ALL AGES challenge their opponents to reach the highest score. In this timed experience, players search for and tag glowing beacons located throughout the arena by scanning their unique wristband. The objective is to collect as many points as possible. There are 25 unique challenges to navigate and 125+ beacons to scan in this 2-story arena. Who will YOU challenge?
Check it out: Arena X Memberships now available starting at $25/month.
The Children's Museum of the Upstate
SPONSORED 864.233.7755 Two locations, Greenville & Spartanburg, SC
2023 KABOOM Family Favorites 1st Place: Indoor Family Fun
2023 KABOOM Family Favorites 1st Place: Best Birthday Party
2023 KABOOM Family Favorites Finalist: Field Trip
2023 KABOOM Family Favorites Finalist: Baby/Toddler Programs
Looking for a place to play AND learn on rainy days?!
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate, with locations in both Greenville and Spartanburg, is THE go-to family destination for indoor exploration! TCMU-Greenville offers 23 unique exhibits focused on programming areas such as arts, humanities, sciences, health, nutrition, the environment and community engagement. TCMU’s downtown Spartanburg location houses 6,000 square feet of exhibits designed to support children ages birth to 6, with a focus on early childhood development and Kindergarten readiness.
Free weekly programming, such as Story Time & More, steamWORKS, and and Open Art Studios, provide opportunities
Offers: Rock Springs Church Bowling Center offers 12 lanes of bowling, as well as bowling parties. Looking for more information? Check out our Kidding Around review of Rock Springs Church Bowling Center.
Offers: Combine shopping with fun, by heading to the Haywood Mall. The playground is a great place to let kids get out their wiggles.
Offers: Inflatable play for all ages, including Open Jump for preschoolers, Family Jump and Parents Night Out
Kangaroo Jax is a bounce house facility located in Greenville, SC. They offer unlimited play with admission pricing that includes the use of the indoor carousel and kiddie ferris wheel! They also offer birthday party packages with competitive rates.
Lee's Indoor Playhouse
864.644.8456 900 East Main Street, Easley, SC
Lee’s Indoor Playhouse offers indoor bounce houses and tiny towns to explore. They offer unlimited playtime with admission tickets, birthday parties, parents’ nights out, toddler times, and more.
Offers: Open play gym is the perfect opportunity for small children to get some exercise while having fun.
Related: Read our review of Acrosmith Gymnastics!
Barnes and Noble
Greenville and Spartanburg, SC
With a Lego® table and kids’ reading nooks, Barnes and Noble is a great place to stop on a rainy day. Plus, you can enjoy a coffee at the indoor Starbucks while your kids play.
Bonus: Free Story Time most Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 am.
PurrPoseful Art Studio offers a wide array of art classes for children between the ages of 8 and 18 who have a love for animals and a passion for art! Summer Camp Registration Now Open!
Offers: An indoor play space, including a separate baby and toddler area, plus cafe and retail space.
Roller Time Family Skate Center Easley
864.671.6433 719 Ross Ave , Easley, SC
The skate center offers roller skate sessions, private parties, and special events the entire family will enjoy. Open skate sessions are available Friday and Saturday. Sundays are currently reserved for private parties.
Offers: 32 Bowling Lanes, shoe rental, birthdays, arcade
Happy Kids Playhouse
(864) 556-9601 225 Pumpkintown Highway, Pickens, SC
Creative play with inflatables indoors for ages 10 and under. $10/child, $8/sibling.
The Foothills Playhouse is a non-profit community theatre that offers wholesome, family-friendly classic and original productions.
Indoor playground with bounce houses and indoor playground equipment
Offers: An indoor play space for kids aged 0-6 plus cafe.
Big Air Trampoline Park
864.626.5252 Two locations, Greenville & Spartanburg, SC
2023 KABOOM Family Favorites Finalist: Indoor Family Fun
2023 KABOOM Family Favorites Finalist: Kids’ Birthday Party
This giant trampoline park, with a location in Greenville and in Spartanburg, includes a rock wall, jousting, a ninja course, a laser maze, a slam dunk basketball area, a foam pit, a zipline, a toddler area, and much more! They also offer special toddler times, birthday parties, and group events.
Birthday Parties: Choose from 60, 90, or 120 minute jump party packages to fit your party’s needs. From pizza & drinks, to dedicated party host & clean-up – it’s ALL INCLUDED! All you do is bring the cake and enjoy the party!
Offers: Trampoline Park
Offers: Mini golf, go-karts, indoor playground, laser tag, batting cage, arcade, bumper boats, and more. Priced per attraction.
2023 KABOOM Awards Family Favorites Finalist: Indoor Family Fun
2023 KABOOM Awards Family Favorites Finalist: Birthday Party
2023 KABOOM Awards Family Favorites Finalist: Field Trips
2023 KABOOM Family Favorites Finalist: Sports Programs
Located in Simpsonville, Palmetto Gymnastics offers a Play Time for kids up to the age of 10. Cost is $5 per hour on Wednesdays and Friday from 10-11 am and 11 am – 12 pm. Families must pre-register by calling the gym. They also offer gymnastics & ninja classes, birthday parties, field trips, and summer camps.
Birthday Parties: Parties at Palmetto Gymnastics include gym time and time for refreshments. Various packages are available for both structured gym time and non-structured gym time, ninja course, tumble track, and more, depending on your preferences.
Offers: Inflatables and Pre-K only jump time on school day mornings
RELATED: Mom Review: Pump It Up
Central Clemson Recreation Center
864.624.1138 130 Commons Way #4107, Central, SC
The facility offers a variety of activities, including specialized exercise classes, sports, and aquatics. Affordable memberships and day passes are available. You can locate the recreation center event calendar, pricing, and reservations on their website.
CCRC offers after-school care for children aged kindergarten – 5th grade from 3:00 – 5:30 PM. Offers pick up from Central Elementary and Clemson Elementary.
The facility offers 3 birthday party packages that include:
1. the dining hall with pool party, 2. the dining hall with basketball, or 3. basketball with a pool party.
Packages start at $113 for non-residents and $90 for residents
The museum offers an extensive Heritage Collection. There are three quarterly rotating exhibitions with artifacts and antiquities that allow visitors to examine the rich history of Pickens, South Carolina’s art and historical pieces. Admission is free.
Offers: Roller skating, an arcade and a three story indoor playground
Offers: McDonald’s food with indoor play space for younger children, often free wi-fi.
Locations with Indoor Play Place:
2157 East Main Street, Duncan
5634 Calhoun Memorial Hwy, Easley
308 West Wade Hampton Boulevard, Greer
2111 Woodruff Road, Greenville
2200 Augusta Road, Greenville
5050 Old Buncombe Road, Greenville
114-M West Butler Road, Mauldin
3453 Highway 153, Piedmont
7611 Augusta Road, Piedmont
2137 Old Spartanburg Road, Spartanburg
924 North East Main Street, Simpsonville
2023 Family Favorites Finalist: Indoor Family Fun
You can find free events for kids almost every day at the Greenville Library system, just don’t forget to grab a couple of bucks for parking if you head downtown. These events are not just fun, but also help your children develop literacy skills. We list most of the Greenville Library events for kids on our Greenville Calendar, but you can also check the calendar on the Greenville Library website or grab one of their free bi-monthly magazines.
In addition to the daily programming the Greenville Main library has a PAL Learning Center full of educational toys for children. The individual branches also have hands-on learning stations and computers for children.
Anderson Road Branch – 2625 Anderson Road, Greenville
Augusta Road Branch – 100 Lydia Street, Greenville
Berea Branch – 111 N Hwy 25 Bypass, Greenville
Five Forks Library Branch – 104 Sunnydale Drive, Simpsonville
Fountain Inn Library Branch – 311 N Main Street, Fountain Inn
Greer Branch – 505 Pennsylvania Avenue, Greer (currently closed for expansion/renovation – should reopen fall 2019)
Hughes Main Branch – 25 Heritage Green Place, Greenville
Mauldin Branch – 800 W Butler Road, Greenville
Pelham Road Branch – 1508 Pelham Road, Greenville
Simpsonville Branch – 626 NE Main Street, Simpsonville
Taylors Branch – 316 W Main Street, Taylors
Travelers Rest Branch – 17 Center Street, Travelers Rest
2023 KABOOM Awards Family Favorites Finalist: Art Program
Offers:The Treehouse Cafe and Studio offers sandwiches, sides, coffee and treats with toys, coloring, painting and crafts for children and families. An art teacher is available to work with your child on crafts and painting projects you can purchase at the studio.
See our review of the TReehouse Cafe and Studio.
DEFY houses 30,000 square feet of connected, world-class trampolines, foam pits, a flying trapeze, aerial silks, trampoline basketball, dodgeball, launch ramps, and Greenville’s first aerial ninja course.
Offers: Golden Lanes and Skate offers 32 lanes for bowling, as well as a roller skating rink, Tiki Bar, and pool tables.
Bob Campbell Geology Museum
864.656.4600 140 Discovery Ln, Clemson, SC
The museum offers a beautiful display of fossils, minerals, and rocks. Located at Clemson University, the museum houses both geological and paleontological exhibits. In addition, a display of fluorescent rocks that seems like magic will thrill the entire family!
Urban Air Adventure Park
864.551.4933 [email protected] 1025 Woodruff Rd., Greenville, SC
Offers: Vino and Van Gogh offers art classes for adults and children as well as private parties and events.
Offers: Indoor roller skating rink that offers homeschool skate times, open skate, birthday parties, fundraisers, and other special events.
Note: The Greenville County Museum of Art is temporarily closed.
The Greenville County Museum of Art also offers family-friendly Sunday programs at 2 pm for free as well as occasional children’s art workshops and camps. There is no admission fee to visit this museum!
Offers: Video & Arcade Games and pizza
Offers: Roller skating, an arcade and an indoor playground
Offers: Visit local artist gallery exhibits. Each first Friday (5-9 pm), a free art activity is available for children.
Greenville Gemstone Mine offers a place for children and adults to mine for gemstones in Greenville, as well as a unique shop selling jewelry and home decor items.
Two Locations in Greenville:
205 N Main Street
700 Haywood Rd. #2008
Chick-fil-A
Upstate, SC
Offers: Chick-fil-A food with an indoor play space for younger children
Locations with an indoor play area:
5175 Calhoun Memorial Highway, Easley
3890 Pelham Road, Greenville
1564 Laurens Road, Greenville
1225 Woodruff Rd, Greenville
1379 W. Wade Hampton Boulevard, Greer
3420 Highway 153, Piedmont
135 W. Butler Road, Mauldin
659 Fairview Road, Simpsonville
2801 Wade Hampton Boulevard Suite C, Taylors
22 Benton Road, Travelers Rest
Game Kastle offers a fresh new alternative for gamers to shop for the latest titles and accessories, play casual games together, or compete in tournaments. They hold classes on building or painting game miniatures and terrain, as well as learn-to-play new games.
Offers: Greenville Rec’s Pavilion Recreation Complex offers an indoor ice skating rink and a bounce house facility with a number of bouncing house style equipment for kids to jump.
Offers: Roller skating with toddler rink
Offers: Bowling, Escape Rooms, Laser Tag, a Game Zone as well as a full restaurant!
Offers: Video & Arcade Games and pizza
Spartanburg Location
660 Spartan Boulevard, Suite 250
864.574.4748
Greenville Location
253 Congaree Road
864.297.6400
Offers: 32 lanes of bowling, birthdays, and special event pricing and weekly specials
The Pickens County Library System offers a variety of free programming, events, and classes at four branches throughout Pickens County. Educational computer games for children, an extensive collection of literature and audio, and a unique “Library of Things” rental program of games and toys are available.
Hampton Memorial Library- 304 Biltmore Road, Easley, SC 29640
Village Library- 124 N Catherine St., Pickens, SC 29671
Sarlin Library-15 S Palmetto St., Liberty, SC 29657
Central-Clemson Library- 105 Commons Way, Central, SC 29630
Trapped in the Upstate offers a variety of escape rooms for all ages.
Offers: Paint your own pottery with drop-in times, story time and other events, group events and camps.
Upstate Pinball & Arcade Museum
864.881.1876 109A West Trade Street, Simpsonville, SC
Upstate Pinball & Arcade Museum in Simpsonville has some of the best games from the 80s and 90s. With over 50 games including pinball, Pac-man, and ice hockey foosball, you’re sure to have a blast. They also have birthday party options!
At the Sigal Music Museum, explore the exciting world of music through exhibitions, concerts, and music classes for both children & adults.
2023 KABOOM Family Favorites Finalist: Educational Family Fun
Learn about the history of the Upstate area and enjoy traveling exhibits. There’s usually one traveling exhibit that’s perfect for kids, and the rest of the museum has lots of audio, video, and hands-on sections of exhibits that the whole family will enjoy. You can find a list of their family-friendly events and fantastic exhibits on their website.
Offers: Roller skating and an arcade
Paint your own pottery studio offering pottery painting, canvas painting, and glass fusing. The studio offers specialized rates for birthday parties, groups, fundraisers, and after-hour events.
Birthday party prices start at $12 per child with a $30 party fee during normal hours
Parents can bring snacks, drinks, and dessert for the party.
Anderson County Main Library – 300 N. McDuffie St, Anderson
Belton Branch Library – 91 Breazeale Street, Belton
Iva Branch Library – 203 W. Cruette Street, Iva
Jennie Erwin Branch Library – 318 N. Shirley Avenue, Honea Path
Lander Memorial Branch Library – 925 Greenville Drive, Williamston
Pendleton Branch Library – 650 S. Mechanic Street, Pendleton
Piedmont Branch Library – 1407 S. Carolina 86, Piedmont
Powdersville Branch Library – 4 Civic Court, Powdersville
Westside Community Center Branch Library – 1100 West Franklin Street, Anderson
A family-owned bowling center with 20 lanes, offering affordable standard rates, group rates, and party packages. The facility also houses an arcade, billiards, and air hockey along with a snack bar and grill.
Stormrest Games is a tabletop gaming store that offers a board game playing space along with games for purchase. Unsure how to play Dungeons & Dragons? The staff will help your family learn everything you need to know.
Kroc Greenville’s vision is to ensure everyone has access to excellent and affordable youth and adult wellness and community programs. Kick start your membership to our 74,000 square foot facility, and enjoy access to aquatics, fitness, sports, and more!
Offers: Indoor Play and Party Center located in Asheville, NC! Ideal for children aged 10 and younger. They are a sock facility, meaning no shoes or bare feet are permitted in the play area.
Check out the Kidding Around Review of Mountain Play Lodge
More Things to Do in Upstate, SC
Would you rather be outdoors? Check out our Things to Do Outside in Greenville list!
Discover more amazing things to do in the Upstate with our huge Things to Do Guide.
Do you have any other suggestions of things to do in Greenville SC on a rainy day? Let us know in the comments, and we might just add your ideas to our list!
Can you please share free parking to visit the library? I wouldn’t consider an event free unless parking is included. $1 an hour may not seem like much to you, but it is for some.
Hi Lauren! That’s a great point, I just didn’t think about while I was writing the post. We typically try to go to the smaller branches and save our visits to Main for the weekend & evenings ourselves.
Another tip to keep in mind is that if you go during the late afternoon and plan to stay past 5:00, you will not be charged when you leave. The ticket booth closes at 5:00. We’ve done this on several occasions!
Which place is this?
Great tips!! Thank you, ladies!
There’s always free parking downtown , look on side streets , or walk from the new QT , it’s only 3 blocks if that
Great tip, Kellee.
What an amazing list!
Thanks, Deirdre!
There is also the Glazing Pot for painting pottery off Pelham Rd. in Greer.
Thanks, Erin! I will add that!
I don’t drive, can anyone tell me where I can stay with my grandchildren that provides entertainment, pools, arcades, etc. Kids are ages 5, 8, and 13.
I just emailed you Charlotte
my brother and family (kids:14year old boy, girls ages 2 and 3) are coming to visit for 4 days. the weather will be a little cooler this week, any suggestion for things for those ages to do besides the museum?
This weekend you could catch Pinkalicious (tickets are selling out quickly). I would also suggest the Greenville Zoo, it’s small but the animals will be more active with the cool weather and the 2 & 3 year old will love it. Going down Main Street and looking for mice is fun, and you can hop in a store like Mast General or OP Taylors for a break (my kids love both of those stores). There will also be an International Festival in Greer this weekend that looks like fun: https://kiddingaroundgreenville.com/event/international-festival
Great list! The Burger King in Hwy 290 also has a great indoor play place. And they have one of those new drink machines that allows you to mix your own soft drink.
There is Sky Zone over on Laurens Road. Similar to Gravitopia. Very nice (and cool) facility!
Thanks Missy!
We have been to Pump It Up in Mauldin & love it on rainy days. Adults jump free on family night (and perhaps other times too). Also, the new Chick Fil A in Mauldin has an indoor playground.
Sorry I might have missed the answer but where is the pirate ship? We love pirate..anything. .thanks!
I think you should include skating rinks too!
The Color Clay Café on East North Street is also a great place…rain or shine. They are a paint your own pottery studio, but have mosaic, clay building, canvas painting and glass fusing.
Is there an indoor play area that would be good for a 1 year old who can not walk yet? she loves to climb. Is there a blow up climbing thing anywhere?
Hi there
I’m new in greenville and I have a 1-year-old daughter who can not walk yet.
I wanted to know if there is any mother and child classes here in greenville?
Yes, there are Mother/Child classes at Gymboree Play & Music, Piano Central Studios (Kindermusik), The Little Gym, The South Carolina Children’s Theatre (Kindermusik), and there is also a Parent/Child story time at the library for babies. I hope that helps!
Visiting from Central Georgia! Thanks for the great list of suggestions!! I am here with my 13 month old while my husband is coaching a swim meet at Aquatic Center. I will definitely check these places out!
The Miniature World of Trains listed above no longer appears to be an option. The website is inactive and the phone number is no longer in service.
Thank you. We’ve removed them from our list. I believe that they have closed in order to restructure as a non-profit.
Mini World of Trains has moved from Wade Hampton location to 250 Mill Street A Taylors Mill, Taylors, SC d/b/a as Model Trains Station
Did Monkey Joe’s on Laurens road close?
It did.
I believe a new kids place – Kangaroo Jac’s has now opened in the old Monkey Joe’s location – you may want to list it above!
Hi! Are there any places offering drop off camps/ activities for kids today (December 23) so parents can finish last minute shopping?
Hi I will be in Taylors, SC June 28-2 what are some things my 2, 11, and 12 can do for cheap?
Yellowbobbypins Art Camp offers small group art classes. Mommy and Me Art Parties let you explore a variety of art activities with your little one (geared towards ages 2-5) without the prep or clean-up. $10/child. Elementary Art Night takes place each Thursday from 6:30-8:00. Students explore a new medium, style or art technique each week. $10/child
Can u please start including things for homeschool kids and folks living in the Clemson and Seneca areas??
We are looking at expanding our coverage into that region.
Thanks for the feedback. We will certainly look at more things to do in those areas. In the meantime, you may find these posts helpful:
Homeschool Guide: https://kiddingaroundgreenville.com/guides/homeschool
10 Indoor Activities in and around Clemson: https://kiddingaroundgreenville.com/10-indoor-things-to-do-clemson-sc
Clemson University is not just for college kids: https://kiddingaroundgreenville.com/things-to-do-at-clemson-university
Review and guide to the SC Botanical Gardens: https://kiddingaroundgreenville.com/be-sure-to-plan-a-trip-to-the-sc-botanical-garden
Review of Lake Hartwell in Clemson: https://kiddingaroundgreenville.com/twelve-mile-recreation-area
Our Summer Camp Guide has camps in the Clemson area: https://kiddingaroundgreenville.com/guides/greenville-sc-summer-camps