Find Your Way Out of The Corn Maze at Greyrock Farms at Night

Fall is here and it’s time to head to a local farm for a corn maze, hayride and more! Local mom Kristina visited Greyrock Farms in Moore and is giving us all the details here. This local farm includes multiple corn mazes, fresh produce and pumpkins, and a working dairy farm!

Corn maze scary fun at night, kid family fun at the farm during the day is exactly what Greyrock Farms and Green Acres Produce is all about. With one of the last remaining dairy farms in the Upstate, they have a farm stand with fresh produce and fruit from April through October, and the Fall is all about pumpkins, dairy tours, and old-fashioned fun on the farm.

One of the great things I really loved about Greyrock Farms is that it is the perfect size to let your kids run around where you keep an eye on them. For no cost, the farm has playgrounds, swings, and different play structures made out of typical things you’d find a farm.

They have parking on-site, just follow the signs. The largest sign you will see when you pull up is for “Green Acres Produce” – that’s the place you are looking for. Also, be sure to wear sneakers or closed toe shoes. It’s a farm where there are ants and other crawly things so just be prepared.

Corn Maze & Dairy Tours at Greyrock Farms

If you really want to get lost in the six-acre corn maze (which is fairly easy to do), it’s $8/person and kids under two are free. You can also tour the dairy farm for $6/person and see a cow getting milked and check out all the baby cows. The tour is conducted on a hayride and ends at the pumpkin patch, where you can pick your own pumpkin right off the vine. Tours are Saturdays at 10 am and 2 pm and Sundays at 2 pm.

If you want to do both the tour and the corn maze, it’s $12/person and kids two and under are free. There are actually two corn mazes – a smaller one and a big one – which is great for kids of all ages to choose from.

Nighttime corn maze entertainment happens every Friday and Saturday night in October until 9 pm. But you have to bring your own flashlight!

Birthday Parties & Group Fun at Greyrock Farms

If your child has a fall birthday, Greyrock Farms is a perfect venue to host a party. They have a huge picnic shelter right in the middle of the big play area so kids can enjoy the farm and celebrate the birthday child.

The Standard Dairy Farm Birthday Package includes an hour shelter reservation, wagon ride and dairy tour and costs $150 for 12 children ($8/each additional child). The Ultimate Dairy Farm Package includes everything on the standard package plus goody bags, cow train, and paper products and decorations. That package is $200 for 12 kids ($10/each additional child).

If you want to go all out, choose the Cooowww-riffic Dairy Farm Package which includes everything in the aforementioned parties plus a cow cake, 12 cupcakes and ice cream cups, and a baby calf at the party that can be bottle fed by guests (awwww!). This package is $250 for 12 kids ($12/each additional child). All packages include a party hostess, set up and breakdown, and access to the play areas. Parents are free to bring food, ice cream and cake.

The farm also hosts lots of church groups and field trips over the fall as well. The corn maze especially sees lots of activity for group outings (and it makes a great date activity, especially at night!). They will even do a big bonfire if your group wants to really get in the fall spirit.

Greyrock Farms is ideal for family fun during the fall but don’t forget they also have strawberry picking come April. That’s actually how I first heard of them – my oldest daughter had a field trip there one spring to pick strawberries. They were absolutely delicious and I was delighted to learn about all the activities the farm has for families in the fall season. They are open through the end of October so be sure to put this great farm on your fall bucket list.

Visit Greyrock Farms

Greyrock Farms & Green Acres Produce
5750 Anderson Mill Road, Moore
864.576.2784

Looking for a fall event that your whole family is sure to enjoy? Check out Greyrock Farms Second Annual Fall Farm Day! Enjoy a family fun day on the farm! During fall farm day there will be hayrides, pumpkin picking, playground fun, inflatables, kids crafts, games and more!

October 6th10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Visit the Greyrock Farms & Green Acres Produce Facebook page.

Seasonal farm hours:

Monday – Saturday 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday 1 pm – 6 pm
Fridays and Saturdays in October – open until 9 pm

Has your family visited a local farm yet this fall?

These Dance Lessons Only Cost Approximately $15 a Month

Looking for a class that will instill your child with social skills, physical agility, grace, promote confidence interacting with the opposite gender and be useful for various events throughout their entire life? What if I told you most if not all the equipment was supplied and the cost was about two bucks and some change per lesson? Sounds too good to be true right? Well it’s not, this is the Gold Star Youth Program ballroom dance club. ~Lindy Wilson, KAG Contributor

A little about Greenville Ballroom Dance

The Greenville Ballroom Dance club is led by ballroom professionals Roy Jordan and Dottie Schipper, who volunteer ten hours of instruction time a week. Roy has very diverse and advanced training across a variety of ballroom dance styles, having taught for over a quarter century. Dottie co-directs the program which started 14 years ago and has won various awards for community service. The club is based on an idea that started in New York inner city schools to bring ballroom dance to students from all walks of life. Watch the documentary “Mad Hot Ballroom”, currently on Netflix, if you’d like to know more,or check out the Hollywood version of the story, called Take the Lead which stars Antonio Banderas.

The only cost is currently a small “club” fee of $15/month, which is more or less to encourage accountability and regular attendance. The full costs are covered through a combination of volunteering and donations, including the competition entrance fees for advanced dancers and their costumes. That works out to about $3-4 per weekly class depending on how the month falls. Children in advanced levels take more than one lesson a week at no additional costs. Classes take place almost every week, through school breaks and are only cancelled for major holidays, so no worrying about shifting schedules–just show up!

What to expect if you attend a Greenville Ballroom Dance Lesson

When we went to our first class a few months ago, we were cheerfully greeted as my daughter was fitted for dance shoes and given a new pair in her size for FREE, along with a name tag and labeled storage box as well as a practice CD of dance music. They don’t always have every shoe size but they try to keep as much on hand as they can, all funded by donations. They only ask that the shoes remain on site stored in each child’s own container and not worn outside. There’s also skirts and various other dance apparel available, including donated high end gowns the older girls can wear for performances. However for class, any neat and casual outfit is fine. This is preferably swishy dresses or skirts that girls can move in, and for boys, slacks and a nice top. If they don’t have shoes for you, a comfortable pair of dress shoes is fine, ideally leather soled. The dress code is highly encouraged but you won’t be sent away for sweats and sneakers. (My daughter wears dresses I buy on clearance at Target for around $5, along with tights and a cardigan if it’s cold. The first day she wore some supportive sandals but she was immediately given dance shoes.) Girls should also tie back their hair and fancy updos per ballroom competition caliber are appreciated.

All school age children are welcome (approximately ages 6-18) and boys especially are welcome, because as with most dance programs, there tends to be a gender imbalance. There are quite a good amount of boys already though so your sons won’t feel like the odd man out. (Classes seem to average 40% male/60% female from what I can see). Ballroom is particularly enriching for guys as it encourages good leadership skills, confidence and for later down the road, ease in socializing with girls. The middle schooler who has the self assurance to whisk a girl around the dance floor is a guy who will never lack for female admirers! There is also the light footed dance cross training aspect that can help in sports, as in the classic “football player taking ballet” advice. For more artistically inclined kiddos, this is a physical way to learn rhythm and design.

While not heavily entrenched in music theory, learning the basic differences between ¾ time for waltzes and common 4/4 time for foxtrot/rhumba/what have you, expands their understanding in ways not otherwise experienced. The spatial reasoning, independent split second decision making and timing awareness necessary for ballroom blows me away most days, even the ones I’m fully caffeinated on! Unlike other forms of dance such as jazz or ballet, where you are given a specific routine or exercise, ballroom has its basic steps, a myriad of variations and then you are left to circle around the floor with your partner in whatever fashion you find fit.

Classes meets Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 5 pm – 6 pm. Beginner classes are Monday, followed by intermediate on Tuesday and advanced on Wednesday.
Classes meet at the Long Branch Baptist Church, 28 Bolt Street, Greenville. Arrive early for extra practice. Additional practice is available free to everyone every weekday (except Friday) from two until 6 o’clock. This practice time is highly encouraged.
The fifteen dollar membership fee is collected every month. Dress nicely- think comfortable and neat.
Classes are structured to accommodate all levels. Slower dances are reviewed at the beginning of class each week with basics explained for any newcomers and then more advanced dances are introduced at the end of the hour.
Practicing at home is highly recommended. CDs are provided for guidance and YouTube is great for visual demonstrations between classes.
Gold Star Youth had a United States Ballroom Dance winner in the pre-teen division at the National Dance Competition last Labor Day in a Orlando. You will find several pictures on Facebook. Come check it out!

The details on Greenville Ballroom Dance

When: Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays 5 – 6 pm. (Monday: Beginnings, Tuesday: Intermediate, Wednesday: Advanced)

Who: School age children (approximately 6 – 18 years-old)

Cost: $15 per month club fee.

Free classes: free workshops, free competition gowns, free practice shoes, free CDs, and two showcases at no charge per year

Where: Long Branch Baptist Church, 28 Bolt Street, Greenville

You are welcome to try Greenville Ballroom Dance for free before paying the monthly club fee.

Contact: Dottie Schipper 864.414.5500 dottieschipper@me.com, or Roy Jordan: RoyJordan10 @AOL.com

Visit their Facebook page for more details.

Do you want to give Greenville Ballroom Dance a try?

Spend a Day Enjoying the Natural Beauty at The Dillard House

Looking for a fun day trip not too far from Greenville? Have you heard about Dillard House? Everybody loves a good day trip and local mom Andrea Beam took her children to Dillard House just for that purpose! Today she’s telling us all about the grounds, the family friendly horseback riding, farm animals and more.

(This post has been edited to reflect 2018 pricing information.)

For more day trip options, check out Kidding Around Greenville’s extensive list of day trips.

Today I am going to talk with you about The Dillard House in Dillard, GA. Have you been? I went for the first time last year and loved it. Every minute of it.

So did my boys.

Our day trip to The Dillard House

Located on 768 Franklin Street in Dillard, Georgia, The Dillard House has a lot to offer you and your family.

First, let’s talk about the scenery. Breathtaking would be an appropriate adjective. As you near the property, you feel like you’re driving through the mountains of Tennessee. I don’t know about you, but I love to feel like I’m a million miles away from home. (Because Tennessee is exactly one million miles from my house).

Though you may feel like you are far away, it’s actually only about a two hour drive from Greenville. Unless you drive like me – then you are looking at an hour and a half, maybe less.

I have friends who make the trip just to eat at their family style restaurant. It is open seven days a week and serves a mean breakfast!

Although yummy, the food is not the reason we go. On the gorgeous grounds you can enjoy horseback riding, fishing and a small petting zoo. The prices are also reasonable.

When we took our boys, we paid $20 for them to ride a horse for fifteen minutes. That may not sound like a long time, but for a child fifteen minutes on the back of a horse is an eternity. Or, if you’re looking for something a little longer, a 30 minute trail ride for children and adults (6 and up) is just $35. The staff is friendly and very helpful. You are able to take pictures, so make sure to have your camera on hand.

There are guided trails for longer periods of time available for adults and older children. I certainly plan to take my son back in the future.

The kiddos will also enjoy feeding the animals.

Please check their website for a list of activities offered. It is very informative.

The Dillard House is one of my favorite day trip destinations. I strongly encourage you to pack up your car and go.

Plan your own trip to The Dillard House

768 Franklin Street, Dillard, GA
800.541.0671

Visit their website or their Facebook page.
Hours vary daily. See their events page for details.

Has your family ever visited The Dillard House?

5+ Places to Learn about Science in Greenville

Like to learn through play? We here at KAG like to have fun but that doesn’t mean we can’t also make things educational. While you can turn most anything into a teaching moment, there are certain activities that lend themselves more naturally to that than others. Local mom Lindy puts together this list of 5 great places to learn about science, many courtesy of some homeschooling friends!

Roper Mountain Science Center

Roper Mountain Science Center– located pretty central in the Greenville area and right near both the 385 and 85, this is something you must check out. There’s a planetarium, hiking trails, butterfly garden, various classes throughout the year, and much more. Read about the benefits of a membership here.

Children’s Museum of the Upstate

The Children’s Museum of the Upstate– with a big climbing structure, tons of hands on exhibits and various special events, there’s something for everyone. The first floor features a lot of physics- how cars, airplanes, and even space ships work (many in a video game format). There’s also an exhibit on the human body including a digestive system slide! The upper level features a farm/agricultural area for young toddlers. There’s an architectural exhibit where you can play engineer. Downstairs there’s a mini water systems and canal play area. There’s a music/sound room and much more! Read this list for an idea of what you could spend a day doing at TCMU.

Visit Greenville Zoo!

The Greenville Zoo is of course also educational. With special events and classes happening depending on the season and general biology all around, you can learn quite a bit. Read all the signs, discuss why this animal happens to do this thing or that. Why are certain animals found in some places but no where else? Then play on both the playground inside the gates as well as Cleveland Park’s playground outside the entrance. Be sure to discuss the physics of movement and bodily anatomy that allows for all that running around.

Clemson University

Clemson University’s SC Botanical Gardens with Geology Museum– we’ve previously discussed all the stuff you can do around campus. So of course for a science article, we had to include the botanical garden and geology museum. The Botanical Gardens look very fun for kids and includes a children’s garden, while the geology museum is aimed at all ages. The two are also right together so double the learning for half the effort!

Paris Mountain State Park

Paris Mountain State Park– this is a favorite hiking spot. Yet all those trails also offer a lot of hands on teaching opportunities. Each fourth Saturday there are also various classes and special events to hone your natural science skills even more. This includes lots of learning about animals, flora and fauna, as well as ecology. You can also camp, check out multiple trails and even swim! Paris Mountain also offers group hikes for reasonable fee with a ranger.

A little bonus

Try a science inspired group of activities at Runway Park.

Do you have a favorite place to learn about science in Greenville?

Ride An Indoor Ferris Wheel and Carousel at Kangaroo Jax

You know those days when you are awakened by your kids at the crack of dawn and it’s raining or it’s too hot or too cold outside and there is just no way you are dealing with energetic little people in your house all day? Kangaroo Jax, an indoor bounce house complete with a ferris wheel, carousel, arcade games, and concessions can help you out. Read on to learn all about this new, indoor play place your kids will love!

Thank you to Kangaroo Jax for supporting Kidding Around Greenville by sponsoring this website giveaway. Read on to find out how you can win a birthday party!

About Kangaroo Jax

I first heard of Kangaroo Jax through a friend and honestly did not believe it to be as cool as she said. Kids can bounce around for as many hours as they like for one admission fee? And they can ride a carousel and ferris wheel for no extra charge?

This place does exist and it’s as neat as you’ve probably heard. Not only do they have an enormous space filled with things to help your kid get out energy, they also do birthday parties!

Admission Pricing

Monday through Friday, kids are $10 each and Saturday and Sunday $12 each. There is no limit to how long your child can play. Kids up to 12 years old are welcome to play at Kangaroo Jax.

But what about the little kids? During the week, children ages 2-5 can play for just $7 from 10 am – 2 pm.

What about kids under the age of two? Can they come? Yes! There is actually an entire space at Kangaroo Jax dedicated to kids under four years old. As a parent of a child in this age range, I love this feature because it helps my peace of mind to know that no big kids will accidentally be knocking around my little one.

If you bring children younger than two years old by themselves, their admission ticket is $7. If you bring them with an older sibling, they are free. We like free.

Birthday Parties

A good birthday party is one where parents have little to no work to do and kids have all the fun. That’s the secret sauce at Kangaroo Jax. They do everything for parents, from setting up the room with balloons and table settings to ordering and serving the food, which comes with the Mega Party and Ultimate Party packages.

The baseline Jax’s Birthday Party includes 10 guests, two hours of party room use, set-up and tear down, online invitations, paper goods and balloons, and one party host. This party package is $249 Friday – Sunday and $169 Monday – Thursday.

The Jax’s Mega Party includes all of the above in addition to two slices of pizza plus one soft drink per child and is $279 Friday – Sunday and $199 Monday – Thursday.

The Jax’s Ultimate Party includes all of the above plus party favors. This party is $300 Friday – Sunday and $229 Monday – Thursday.

Parents can add more than 10 children for a party to each package for an additional fee. If they want more pizza or extra balloons or extra drink pitchers, those options are available as well.

The only thing parents can bring to the party is a birthday cake/cupcakes. No other outside food or drink is permitted. When the party is over, all of the guests are able to play on the main floor until closing time.

And for us procrastinating parents, Kangaroo Jax allows parents to book a party with only three days’ notice. However, they do recommend booking your date ahead of time, especially on weekends, since they tend to fill up fast.

Tips When You Go

I took my kids to Kangaroo Jax on a big school holiday so there were a lot of kids, but it never felt too crowded or overwhelming since the place is huge and there are lots of things to do. I love that this place is open on most school holidays and breaks (and even snow days) and all summer when the kids are out of school. It has gone straight to the top of my “things to do with kids” list.

One thing to note is that your kids will need socks, so be sure to bring them or have an extra pair or two in your car.

Also, fill out your waiver online to save time so when you get to Kangaroo Jax you won’t have anxious kids waiting to play!

Kangaroo Jax has concessions including pizza, pretzels, and even coffee, which makes it pretty easy to spend a good chunk of time there. The owners were insightful about the needs of families when they designed the place.

So when you need a break and the kids need a place to get out their enormous supply of energy, try Kangaroo Jax!

Kangaroo Jax
2437 Laurens Road, Greenville
Monday-Thursday: 10 am – 6 pm
Friday-Saturday: 10 am – 8 pm
Sunday: 11 am – 6 pm
864.902.5297
https://kangaroojaxs.com/

The Giveaway

One very lucky Kidding Around Greenville reader is going to win an Ultimate Birthday Party Package at Kangaroo Jax! This party package includes ten guests, 2 hours in the party room, set up and break down, one party host, pizza, soda and party favors.

This giveaway starts now and end at midnight on July 3, 2018!

You must be 18 or older and live in the USA to enter this giveaway.
You must use a valid email address to enter this giveaway.
One entry per person per day.
We will contact the winner via the email address provided within three [3] days of the giveaway ending. The winner will have three [3] days (72 hours) to respond via email. If the winner does not respond within the three [3] days (72 hours), the prize will be forfeited and another winner chosen. Directions for claiming the prize will be given via email. A valid photo ID and/or mailing address may be required.
For a complete list of Kidding Around Greenville SC’s giveaway policies and terms and conditions, see the Kidding Around Greenville SC policy page. By entering this giveaway, you agree to comply with Kidding Around Greenville SC’s terms and conditions.

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What’s your child’s favorite thing to do at Kangaroo Jax?

See Red Pandas, Black Bears, Gray Wolves, and Pet Goats & Sheep at This Nature Center Near Asheville

After I saw photos from the Western North Carolina Nature Center in Asheville, NC, I knew that my family would have to go. We love outdoor adventures and seeing animals, so I knew that my kids enjoy a visit. When we decided to finally visit, the WNC Nature Center was even better than I anticipated. If you haven’t been, you need to schedule a visit. And guess what? If you already have a Greenville Zoo membership, you can get half off admission to the WNC Nature Center.

Find a place to stay near Asheville, NC. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.

Why the WNC Nature Center is so cool

The WNC Nature Center focuses on animals and plants in the southern Appalachian mountains so you’ll get to see animals that roamed this area eons ago up to the present day. The uniqueness of this aspect helps guests to understand more about their own environment and animals they may see in the area.

The center is built into nature with lots of shade, walkways, and natural playgrounds. It’s not huge so it’s very manageable for a day trip, especially with smaller children. The exhibits are interactive and fun for kids of all ages and the park is hardly commercialized.

The center is expanding though and has been building into their 2020 vision plan with new merchandise areas, a new (and beautiful) entrance, expanded parking and restrooms, and even a new name – which we don’t know yet.

What You Will See at the WNC Nature Center

You will start your visit in the Appalachian Station where kids can see a variety of small animals and reptiles. Children will also enjoy interacting with a textured wall and looking at rocks under microscopes.

Then, you will venture outside where you will follow paved and wooden sidewalks through animal exhibits. Most of the animals are behind glass or chain link fences but the exhibits themselves are large and full of animal play structures. These animal exhibits include: otters, raccoons, foxes, gray wolves, cougars, coyotes, bobcats, black bears, hawks, owls, and more. There is a brand new red panda exhibit with the cutest, fluffiest red panda ever. And the red wolf exhibit is an educational experience unto itself.

While exploring, you will also find the Trillium Nature Trail, a .6 mile nature trail to allow children to see the beauty along the Swannanoa River.

Kids will enjoy the Arachnid Adventure, a playground based on spider web jungle gyms. This playground also is surrounded by spiders hiding on the surrounding trees making a fun “eye-spy game”. There are also other playgrounds scattered throughout the park where kids use natural materials to build and play with.

Otter Falls also has a slide that kids can play on while they watch the active animals enjoy the water.

Your visit will end at the Western North Carolina Farm where kids will get to pet animals and even pretend to be farmers themselves in an interactive play zone with small wheelbarrows and tools inside the huge barn. Be sure to check out “water painting” nearby. A gem mine is also next to the barn and the buckets can be purchased in the little shop.

A new Songbird Garden is near the wolves and built like a big wall but cutouts to try to find the birds that are pictured on the wall.

Sensory Bags are available for free

For parents of children with autism or sensory processing disorders, free sensory bags can be signed out at the gift shop upon entering the center. They are sponsored by KultureCity, a national non-profit, and include headphones, a fidget toy, and a feelings chart.

Signs are posted throughout the park indicating areas to perhaps use the headphones. It’s great that the WNC Nature Center now has these available!

Should I bring a stroller?

If you’ve got small kids, bring a stroller or rent one ($10) there. There are lots of hills and little legs will probably get tired. There are plenty of places to rest and enjoy the animals and playgrounds but yes, strollers would be ideal.

Our Experience at the WNC Nature Center

We came later in the day, so we ended up missing the petting zoo (it closed at 4 pm) and didn’t have time to explore the trail. My kids had such a great time though that we hardly missed the extra activities. We easily spent two hours exploring and could have spent another 30 minutes if the nature center would have been open longer. We tend to be slow visitors to attractions, so your family may tour the center quicker especially if you don’t have small children who want to play in the play areas.

I really enjoyed that the layout and outdoor walkways seemed more like a nature walk than zoo. The animals were active in the cool fall air and most of them were easily visible. The paths were easy to follow, though it was confusing figuring out which way to turn to explore the center without missing any of the exhibits.

My kids favorite exhibits were the Otter Falls and the WNC Farm play area. I personally loved watching the cougars and was thrilled to get some wonderful photos even through glass. I was disappointed that glass and fences made it difficult and even impossible to get good photos of some of the animals, but at least the animals were easy to see in person.

Some concessions are available through vending machines and new concession areas will likely be opening in the next year. The center also has plenty of picnic space for families wanting to bring a lunch. The WNC Nature Center is also right beside a large park with a playground, picnic shelters, and public pool. The center has restrooms in the ticket access, barn near the petting zoo, at the arachnid climbing playground, and in the Appalachian Station which are wheelchair accessible.

Open: 7 days a week, 10 – 3:30 pm
Admission: $13.95/ adults ($1 off for seniors), $13.95/ youth (13-15), $9.95/ kids (ages 3 – 12) 2 and younger free, half off with Greenville Zoo membership
75 Gashes Creek Road; Asheville, NC 28805
828.259.8080
WNC Nature Center

Have you ever visited the WNC Nature Center? What did you think?

5 Tips for Visiting the Greenville Drive

It’s baseball season and in Greenville, SC, that means it’s also the perfect opportunity for some quality family time at an affordable price!

Since moving to the Upstate, KAG guest contributor Lauren Lochel had been looking forward to visiting Flour Field and seeing the Greenville Drive play a game. Lucky for us, they did not disappoint! She shares with us her trips and tricks for enjoying a Greenville Drive game with your family.

1. Check for Promotions

It happened to be “Bark in the Park” during our visit, which worked out perfectly for our family! All the dogs were on leashes and very friendly! This not only provided a good distraction for our 22 month old, but we enjoyed seeing all the furry friends as well. However, if you have allergies or a child with a fear of dogs, this would not be a great game for you to attend! This information can easily be found on the Greenville Drive website.

2. Take Advantage of FREE Parking

Park at County Square (for FREE!). You can easily walk from this lot OR you and your family can enjoy a free Trolley Ride! It was a very short wait and we enjoyed it. The Trolley also runs throughout the entire game so whenever you need to head home, just head back out and catch a ride back to your car!

3. Take What You Need

The Greenville Drive has changed their bag policy so you’ll want to read it closely before you go to the stadium. Gone are the days of being able to walk right in with a diaper bag stuffed with everything you care to bring!

4. Beware and Be Aware in the Play Area

With good intentions, the rules state that children should be under a certain height and should be supervised while playing. Unfortunately, neither of these things were happening on Sunday afternoon! My husband and I took a couple of turns taking our daughter to run and play, but it didn’t last long because it was a little chaotic! Stick close by your little one if they need a play break…this is not an area I would advise one to sit and watch!

5. Get Tickets in Advance

The Sunday we went also happened to be Masters Sunday so the crowd was a little lighter than usual. My husband went back on a Friday (fireworks) night with his brother and the game was sold out! Standing room only!

Has your family been to a Greenville Drive game? What tips do you have?

A Model Train Museum is Now Open in Taylors Mill

Does your little one love trains? A great addition to Greenville’s list of indoor kid spaces is the Model Trains Station at Taylors Mill. Our KAG writer Anna Artz was fortunate to get a one-on-one tour with chief Engineer aka Model Train Station Chairman, Bob Rayle. For a list of even more train related things to do in the Upstate see our list Trains in Greenville.

About the Model Trains Station

Mr. Rayle is the quintessential train hobbyist whose eyes sparkle when talking about the new Model Trains Station, “It’s run by train enthusiasts and made for families to have fun. We enjoy seeing smiling kids and see them getting excited when they see the trains and of course, to promote the hobby.” The Model Trains Station is run by volunteers. It is a registered 501 (c) 3 and charges a minimal admission fee. They also have a donor program and family membership for avid fans of trains. Bob also talked about phase 2 of their plans for future education programs. The Station plans to “…teach electricity to little kids, all about light bulbs, circuits and switches.” They are also open to hosting birthday parties, corporate events and meetings.

Where Is the Model Trains Station

Housed in Taylors Mill Development, an upcycled old mill building complex, the Model Trains Station occupies about 16,000 square feet of space alongside artist studios. Visiting the Model Trains Station is like going to a giant train workshop. The building itself is fascinating, a former textile bleachery, the space is raw and full of history. The Model Trains Station joins the rest of the creative Taylors Mill group in making historic buildings an alternative venue for the community. The mill gets busy when the weather gets warmer. (See their March calendar for special events, food truck festivals, a weekly farmer’s market and the Made South Craft Fair in the fall).

Model train on track next to rocky mountain with tunnel

The Model Trains Station opened last December 2017 with their fantastic O-scale Christmas village set-up. Presently, the holiday decor has long been removed but the three running Lionel train lines continue to be a source of fun especially with a scavenger hunt designed for the kiddies to explore and enjoy the train village. My kids enjoyed running around hunting for the hidden figures. They were also delighted that they could play engineer themselves and operate a Thomas the Train railroad within the village.

Also featured in the exhibition space is a donated model of the city of Baltimore (HO train). Beautiful and professionally done cityscape, children will have fun viewing the trains running thru an urban landscape. On the other side of the room, is an HO scale model of Waynesville. Beautifully done by a master artist, the mountains surrounding the realistic lake are a labor of love. Lots of little scenes to spot in this scene, but you may have to lift your child to get a closer look or bring a step stool. (MTS plans to add a viewing platform in the future).

When you and your tots are tired of looking at trains on the move, MTS has a play corner where toddlers can tinker with wooden toy trains. The play area is located right beside a structure which will house their train repair depot. MTS plans for the office to have glass windows so visitors can see trains being repaired. Currently also in the works is a G scale railroad German Village donated to MTS, in pristine condition. There’s also the really cute N scale railroad set-up by the children’s play area.

Our visit ended with soft rumble of the Norfolk Southern Line in the background. Yes, the mill is situated right next to a train track! One of the staff mentioned that they will most likely have an outdoor camera hooked up to a TV inside the building so one can see the train as it passes by. Meanwhile, railroad enthusiasts can view the dispatcher ATCS display of train locations along the NS, in real-time. Little details like this combined with the knowledge and enthusiasm of its volunteers is what makes this place truly special. We’re so glad they’re here to stay!

How to enjoy the Model Trains Station

Play the scavenger hunt which can be found at the Lobby. Submit your completed form for a chance to win a raffle.

Play engineer and run Thomas the train track in the Lionel O display.

Talk to the resident volunteer engineer and ask them about how the models were made.

Check out the dispatcher ATCS display.

Learn about the different types of model train scales: G, O, HO, N, while examining the display cases filled with trains and model villages.

For tots, play with toy trains in the children’s area.

A few things to know

If you’ve never been to Taylors Mill, be prepared to drive thru a seemingly group of old buildings. Look for a red sign.

To view some of the exhibits, you will need to carry your child to see some of the details. Bring a step stool if you can. Our visit lasted about 2 hours.

Inside the development, there is a big parking lot across the former bleachery buildings or Dock 2. Model Trains Station is in the building called Print Works 1, to the right of Southern Bleachery. You’ll have to climb a few steps to get to a glass door entrance. There is no ramp for strollers. Upon entry, the first thing you’ll see is a multipurpose hall, keep on walking till the next set of doors that leads to the artist warehouses and the train museum.

Public restrooms available (but not as spotless as one would like).

Visit the Model Trains Station

Hours: Friday and Saturday, 11 am – 5:30 pm, Sunday, 1 pm – 5 pm

Spring Break 2018 Special: Open from Tuesday through Sunday

Children (2- 12) $4, Children under 2 are FREE

Adults $6, Seniors $5, Military $5

Visit their website here.

250 Mill St. Suite BL1250, Taylors, SC, 29687

Tel. 864.605.7979

Would your kiddos love a visit to Model Trains Station?

Your Kids Will Love Miss Nelson is Missing

Thank you to the South Carolina Children’s Theatre for sponsoring Kidding Around Greenville.

Once again, the kids in room 207 are out of control! What will Miss Nelson do to get them to stop misbehaving and learn their lessons? Find out at South Carolina Children’s Theater’s production of Miss Nelson is Missing.

The Story

The kids in room 207 were misbehaving again! Spitballs stuck to the ceiling. Paper planes whizzing through the air. They were the worst-behaved class in the whole school. Until Miss Nelson goes missing that is. Will they be able to trick their substitute? Be careful what you wish for in this hilarious musical that has sold out shows all over the country.

Dates & Times

March 23, 2018
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
*this show is SOLD OUT

March 24, 2018
11:00 am – 12:00 pm

March 24, 2018
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

March 24, 2018
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

*All seats are $9.50. Click here for tickets.

Location

The Salvation Army Kroc Center
424 Westfield Street
Greenville, SC 29601

Giveaway!

One lucky Kidding Around Greenville reader is going to win a pair of tickets to see Miss Nelson is Missing on Friday, March 23rd at 6 pm!

This giveaway starts now and ends on March 15th.

You must be 18 or older and live in the USA to enter this giveaway.
You must use a valid email address to enter this giveaway.
One entry per person per day.
We will contact the winner via the email address provided within three [3] days of the giveaway ending. The winner will have three [3] days (72 hours) to respond via email. If the winner does not respond within the three [3] days (72 hours), the prize will be forfeited and another winner chosen. Directions for claiming the prize will be given via email. A valid photo ID and/or mailing address may be required.
For a complete list of Kidding Around Greenville SC’s giveaway policies and terms and conditions, see the Kidding Around Greenville SC policy page. By entering this giveaway, you agree to comply with Kidding Around Greenville SC’s terms and conditions.

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Have you ever taken your kids to see a SCCT production?

5 Inexpensive Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day as a Family

This post contains affiliate links.

Can you believe that it’s February? That means Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. I have a few ideas to share that are great family friendly activities. As an added bonus this is a list of inexpensive ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day as a family. No need to break the bank just to say “I Love You.”

#1 Have a Valentine’s party

My 4 year old gave me this idea. She heard her older brother talk about his class Valentine’s party, and has since declared that we are having our own party. I am totally on board. My husband and I are planning to have cupcakes, balloons, and music.

Chocolate Moose is offering tons of great chocolates, cake pops and cupcakes for pre-order. Orders must be in by February 13th.

#2 Make Valentine’s cards

Don’t bother with the generic cards from the store. Take this opportunity to use all the glitter and glue you want. The kids will love making homemade cards for their grandparents, classmates, and other loved ones.

If you are challenged in the crafty department, Michael’s has a special Valentine’s Day-themed Kids Club event. For only $2 and 30 minutes your child (age 3+) can make Valentine’s Day cards while you shop. The event is happening on Saturday, February 10th from 10 am – Noon. Check website to confirm details of specific stores.

#3 Family Movie Night

Cozy up on the couch with blankets and pillows. Pop popcorn and watch a classic movie like, A Charlie Brown Valentine, or a family favorite. We will definitely have Frozen & Shrek in our rotation. (As if our kids needed another reason to watch either movie.)

#4 – Family Dinner Date

Include the kids in your dinner plans! Dress everyone in their Sunday best and head out to an amazing restaurant. Just make sure your children are old enough to conduct themselves accordingly in a “fine dining” establishment. If not, dine at a kid friendly eatery. Here are 6 Great Restaurants to Take Your Kids (That Aren’t Fast Food).

Don’t forget about our Kids Eat Free Directory.

Groupon offers a list of local restaurants that currently have discount deals that would be perfect for a family on Valentine’s Day!

#5 Sing Along

Okay, this is totally for me. Turn on your favorite Pandora playlist about love and belt them out with kiddos. I am pretty sure this will turn into a dance party at our house. I currently have Whitney Houston’s Greatest Hits & The Greatest Love Songs of the 80’s ready for a major karaoke battle! My kids are a bit young to know many of these songs, but they will love seeing Mom and Dad act silly.

Finally make this a month of love. Find creative and fun was to share love with your family all month long. Whatever you decide to do have fun!

Meet Sherrica

Sherrica Sims is an Upstate native who is a stay at home mom of 2 precocious kids. She loves creative outlets and spending time with family. You can follow her thrift shopping adventures at Thrift Chic on Facebook.