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Posts Tagged ‘Free’

Watch Free Holiday Movies at NCG Theaters (2023): Here’s How

Posted on by Maria Bassett |

Free holiday movies? Yep, you heard that right. NCG Cinemas has brought back their FREE Holiday Family Film Fest. Your family can load up on holiday cheer for free with three different holiday family movies throughout December 2023, and it won’t cost you a dime! We love free family fun and we know our readers do, too! Happy, happy (free) Christmas family fun!

NCG free holiday film festival

NCG Cinemas 2023 Holiday Film Fest Schedule

13 December days with free Christmas movies at NCG movie theater? If that doesn’t put a little jingle in your step this season, we’re not sure what will. See the following movies free at NCG Cinemas in December 2023! Plus, each movie showing will have the option for a sensory-friendly viewing for 2023.

  • The Grinch (2018): December 8th-10th, 2023 at 10 am
  • ELF: December 15th – 17th, 2023 at 10 am
  • The Polar Express: December 18th – 24th, 2023 at 10 am

NCG Free Christmas movie calendar

  • December 8, 2023, see The Grinch free at 10 am
  • December 9, 2023, see The Grinch free at 10 am
  • December 15, 2023, see Elf free at 10 am
  • December 16, 2023, see Elf free at 10 am
  • December 17, 2023, see Elf free at 10 am
  • December 18, 2023, see The Polar Express free at 10 am
  • December 19, 2023, see The Polar Express free at 10 am
  • December 20, 2023, see The Polar Express free at 10 am
  • December 21, 2023, see The Polar Express free at 10 am
  • December 22, 2023, see The Polar Express free at 10 am
  • December 23, 2023, see The Polar Express free at 10 am
  • December 24, 2023, see The Polar Express free at 10 am

Free Christmas Movies Near Me?

Is there an NCG Cinemas with free Christmas movies near me?

In the Upstate, we are lucky to have NCG Cinemas right in Spartanburg, SC. You’ll be able to see NCG’s free Christmas movies at the Spartanburg location on the designated days.

NCG Cinemas Spartanburg
1985 E Main Street, Spartanburg

Not in the South Carolina Upstate? To see if there is an NCG Cinemas near you, head to the NCG Cinemas locations website.

New for 2023: Sensory Friendly Showings

For 2023, with each regular showing of the movie, the theatre will also host a sensory-friendly showing at the same time. When purchasing your tickets, be sure to select the showing you think is best for your child or family.

More Info for NCG Free Holiday Movies

  • Will there be popcorn and snack deals for the holiday film fest?

For 2023, guests can purchase a $5 Kids mini combo, which comes with a drink, popcorn, and a small treat (typically, fruit snacks). One combo per ticket.

  • Do I need tickets for the free movies at NCG Cinemas?

All guests will need a ticket and will reserve an assigned seat when purchasing their tickets online. Tickets sell out quickly, so purchase online.

Regal Cinemas holiday movies in 2023

More Christmas Movies, Cheap!

$5 Holiday Classics at Regal Cinemas

Holiday in Greenville, SC, Celebrate Christmas, Greenville, SC

Find lots more holiday things to do in our HUGE holiday guide to Greenville, SC.

(2023) Where You Can Find Free School Supplies Near Greenville, SC

Posted on by Kidding Around Team | 4 Comments

Did you know there are a number of community events giving away free school supplies in Upstate, SC? Do you know of a family who needs help purchasing school supplies this year? A new school year is almost upon us. For most families a trip to the store for new supplies is imminent. These events will distribute free back to school supplies, so you have one less thing to worry about this school year!

A recent study revealed that most families of school-age children in the US spend between $500-700 on new school supplies. This amounts to a whopping estimated 80.7 billion dollars! That’s a lot of composition notebooks!

This article includes:
Free School Supplies Events in Greenville, SC
Free School Supplies Events in Spartanburg County
Free School Supplies Events in Anderson County

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30+ Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free or Cheap in Greenville, SC

Posted on by Kidding Around Team | 23 Comments

Are you looking for discounted kids meal deals at restaurants where kids eat free? Greenville, SC has some options to fit what your kids are craving. You may be wondering “What about deals where kids eat free near me”? We have all the location information you need! Finding meals that your kid will enjoy is made easy at these local restaurants that offer meal deals throughout the week. Grab your calendar and add these restaurants to your meal plan routine for a cheap and stress-free dining experience with the family!

kids eat free greenville
Quick Links to Find Kids Eat Free Offers For The Day You Need!
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Local Artist’s Coloring Book is the Carolina Tour You Get to Color: Plus, FREE Pages

Posted on by Maria Bassett |

Local artist Brandi Grover has always loved art, developing her passion in elementary school and growing into a mixed-media artist here in South Carolina. And she’s turned that passion into a book, or really several books, that let others join in on the fun. Yep, we’re talking about coloring books, specifically Brandi’s newest coloring that will take colorers on a trip across the Carolinas.

Brandi with coloring book at Echo Mountain

About Brandi

Brandi dabbles in lots of art including minimalist portraits, digital art, and window paintings. In fact, if you visited Gio’s Pastry Shop, you may have seen her work there along with other Upstate businesses. But today, we’re talking about her coloring books. She has 10 in total.

Her newest book features scenes from across both North and South Carolina. Brandi says these pages illustrate some of the most loved places across the Carolinas, as they are the result of social media polls where her friends and clients weighed in to determine what should be included. The project grew from just scenes of local gems, to become an exploration of the most beautiful spots from Charleston, SC all the way to Hendersonville, NC, and lots of places in between.

Color Your Way Through the Carolinas

The new coloring book, called Explore the Carolinas, is available for sale on Brandi’s website, as well as at several local spots including Steam Coffee and Cream and Gio’s Pastry Shop in Fountain Inn, SC.

You can also order Explore the Carolinas on her website. Actually, you can order several of her books on her website, including a cute coloring book with trucks and tractors, another with dinosaurs, and yet another with sweets and yummy-looking desserts. She also has a Mandala book for older colorers looking for a quiet way to wind down and relax.

The books can be purchased online directly from her and picked up locally in Gray Court, or shipped. But, you also have the option of purchasing her books from Amazon. Her website has a link to purchase on Amazon as well, so it’s easy to find exactly what you’re looking for.

Brandi’s books check all the boxes for a great local gift. Explore the Carolinas would be great for anyone who loves the outdoors, visiting the Carolinas, or maybe someone moving or new to the area.

Explore the Carolinas by Brandi Grover

Want to Try a Few Pages?

We have the coolest bonus for Kidding Around readers. Brandi made a 6-page Greenville, SC Heritage Green coloring book for us, featuring our very own explorer, Golly! We know your kiddos are going to love them. We love them, too. The pages of this book are totally free for our readers!

Download your free 6-page Greenville, SC: Golly on Heritage Green Coloring Book

The download contains coloring pages for:

  • Heritage Green
  • The Children’s Museum
  • The Upcountry History Museum
  • Greenville County Museum of Art
  • Hughes Main Library
  • Greenville Theatre

So, what are you waiting for? Print your free Golly Coloring Pages, then keep the fun going and go order one of Brandi’s coloring books!

Explore the Carolinas Coloring book artist, Brandi Grover

Pop-up Classrooms at TCMU Spartanburg: Get Ready for Kindergarten FREE!

Posted on by Maria Bassett |

Is your child about to enter kindergarten? TCMU Spartanburg is helping kids get ready to start school with totally free pop-up classrooms! Kids will have an opportunity to experience a classroom setting, learn and practice classroom skills, visit the museum, and the class includes take-home activities. The weekly classes are totally free. Below you’ll all the details about registration, what to expect, class requirements, and more.

About the Pop-up Classrooms at TCMU Spartanburg

The pop-up classroom program runs from June 5th -July 31st, 2023. Students and their caregivers will attend one 1-hour class one day a week. Classes are offered Monday -Friday at 1 pm or 3 pm. Attendance once per week is required to stay in the program.

The program is open to any rising kindergartener, both K4 and K5. In addition to the weekly classes, students and caregivers get free admission to the museum plus take-home activities.

Why Get Ready for Kindergarten at TCMU?

“The transition to Kindergarten is both exciting and challenging! Research shows that only 27% of South Carolina public school Kindergarteners entered the school year with sufficient skills, knowledge, and abilities to engage with Kindergarten-level instruction (WestEd, 2021). Pop-Up Classrooms, which are based on the South Carolina Kindergarten Readiness Assessment, The Spartanburg Academic Movement’s Early Development Instrument (EDI), and South Carolina First Step’s Profile of a Ready Kindergartner, are designed to help children with this important life transition. Each classroom session focuses on a different skill necessary for young learners to be successful in a real classroom and is structured similar to a normal school day. TCMU-Spartanburg’s museum classroom will be set up like a real classroom, to help familiarize young learners with this new type of environment. Children will have the opportunity for structured and unstructured play and take-home activities each week to continue learning at home.

Pop-Up Classrooms at TCMU-Spartanburg are partially funded by South Carolina First Steps.

How to Apply

You’ll need to fill out this form to apply for the Pop-Up Classroom program.

Space is limited and not all students will be accepted into the program. Applicants will be told if they have been accepted into the program by May 25th, 2023.

For more information about the program, visit TCMU Spartanburg Pop-Up Classroom website.

TCMU Spartanburg

Find out more about The Children’s Museum of the Upstate’s Spartanburg location!

School bus

Visit Spartanburg Spring Fling!

Posted on by Maria Bassett | No Comments

The annual Spartanburg Spring Fling runs April 28-30, 2023 in the streets of downtown Spartanburg. If you are new in town or have not been to Spring Fling, plan to visit this special outdoor festival with your family. Most local families agree this is an event they look forward to all year.

Spring Fling in Spartanburg

Heading to Spartanburg’s Spring Fling? Here’s What You Need to Know

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Free Indoor Activities for the Crazed, Upstate Parent

Posted on by Taryn Gamble | 1 Comment

Looking for free indoor things to do in Greenville? KAG contributor Taryn has some ideas for you! In this list she’s bringing you some indoor spaces that are totally free to visit, provide your crew with entertainment and even some chances to learn a little something new.

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Jump Off Rock: Drive for the View, Stay for a Picnic & Hike in Hendersonville, NC

Posted on by Maria Bassett |

Have you seen the panoramic views at the top of Echo Mountain from Jump Off Rock? Just a few minutes outside Hendersonville, NC in Laurel Park, NC is Jump Off Rock Park. You’ll drive straight to the top for some gorgeous views, and while you’re there you can do a little hiking or enjoy the grassy mountain top lawn for a picnic with a view. Admission is free and that’s not the only reason this park is so great for families. Here’s why we love Jump Off Rock.

This article includes:
What is Jump Off Rock?
Why Do They Call it Jump Off Rock?
Picnics at Jump Off Rock
Hiking Trails
Is Jump Off Rock a Good Place to Bring Kids?
How do I get to Jump Off Rock?

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Hub City Railroad Museum: Take Your Tiny Train Lover To This Railside Museum in Spartanburg, SC

Posted on by Kidding Around | 3 Comments

If you have a train lover in your family we have all the info you’ll need to make the most of an afternoon at the Hub City Railroad Museum! Our review includes a brief history of the Hub City, some history and details about this free museum, and when to go.

COVID-19 Museum Opening Update
According to the website, “After a year of being closed, the Hub City Railroad Museum is open again. Come by on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm and check out our recently added display about the Pullman Company. We also have a new order of tee-shirts that have just arrived. There are some restrictions in place due to the virus. We will request that you wear a mask and we will be limiting the number of visitors at one time. We will be periodically sanitizing the museum, especially frequently touched items. Your understanding is appreciated. The caboose is still undergoing a major renovation, but there has be significant progress made. Stop by and peek in to see how the construction is going.”

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Food Banks & Groups that Feed the Hungry in Spartanburg

Posted on by Kidding Around | 4 Comments

Do you sometimes wonder if there is anything you personally can do to help those in need right in Spartanburg? Or maybe you know some kids who would benefit from a free breakfast and lunch program in Spartanburg over the summer? We’ve put together this list of local organizations helping out in Spartanburg – organizations that need your help too!

Did you know that Spartanburg county has the highest occurrence of food insecurity in the entire state?

Whether your family includes some of the over 40,000 people in Spartanburg who don’t know where their next meal is coming from, or your family would like to find out easy (and fun) ways to help, we’ve got the info you’ll need. You’ll also find information on free breakfast and lunch programs for kids this summer in Spartanburg!

Did you know your food stamp benefits get doubled at the Hub-City Farmers Market? Read one local mom’s review of the market.

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