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Posts Tagged ‘Preschool’

10+ Story Times: Greenville SC’s Fun Way to Instill a Love of Reading in Your Kids

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Are you looking for a Greenville, SC story time? There are some wonderful options for story time with your kids in the Upstate. You’ll find story times at libraries, bookstores, museums, and more! Plus, there are also some wonderful virtual story times you can check out from home. Many of these events are completely free, and others like museums require regular admission.

You’ll often find these organized by day on our Kidding Around Greenville calendar, so don’t forget to check that when you are looking for something fun and educational to do.

Greenville SC Story Time for kids
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The Ultimate Guide for Families With Preschoolers in Greenville, SC

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Do you have a preschooler? It is a full-time job to keep them entertained and making sure they are getting the best education. This guide offers a list of things to do with a preschooler in Greenville, SC and the Upstate, plus classes, preschools, and resources for your family. Your preschooler will love these activities and you will love making memories.

Preschool Family Guide to Greenville, SC

Summer Camps for Preschoolers

A great preschool summer camp experience is on this list.

The Greenville area offers a lot of summer camp options and it can be difficult to sort through them to find camps that are open to preschoolers. So, we made this list of Preschool Summer Camps because there are some really fun options for the 4 and under crowd when it comes to summer camps! Don’t miss them.


Shipshape Farm March 2024

Every day is a good day at Shipshape Farm! Come on out to the farm this summer and have an old-fashioned, tech-free, good time. We will be getting our hands dirty with critters, gardening, games, projects, and just playing around! The theme for each camp is based on a classic Children’s book. Shipshape Farm makes everyday moments into memories!

Thank you Shipshape Farm for sponsoring this article.


Things to With Preschoolers Indoors Near Greenville

Start with our big guide of 25+ Indoor Things to do with Your Preschooler in Greenville, SC. Whether you are trying to stay dry or keep cool in the a/c, this list offers you choices of things to do with preschoolers indoors.

  • Indoor Activities in Spartanburg, SC: We haven’t forgotten about our neighbors! We have a list for indoor activities for preschoolers in Spartanburg.
  • Tot Times: Tot times are a designated time reserved for younger children. Places such as museums, bounce house, gyms, and more offer tot times.
  • Story Times in the Upstate: Storytimes are an important part of cultivating a love of reading. These events are usually free and make reading fun!
  • Children’s Museum of the Upstate: Greenville is home to the Children’s Museum of the Upstate. It is one of the largest museums and one of the first to be Smithsonian affiliated. The exhibits are hands-on, and they offer special educational programs.
  • 10 Places in Greenville Where Preschoolers Can Make Art : Preschoolers are creative and love to express themselves. Nurture your preschoolers artistic skills at these places that hold space for preschoolers to create art.

Classes and Activities for Preschoolers

From art to rock climbing there are opportunities for your preschooler to take a class in Greenville. Some are year-round and some are seasonal, but they all offer enriching experiences.

Things to Do Outdoors With Preschoolers

  • Greenville Zoo: Are you visiting the Greenville Zoo? Read this article to ensure you make the most out of your visit.
  • Zoo Tots: Zoo Tots for preschoolers is an educational and fun. It is geared towards preschoolers and offers sensory play while also meeting a zoo animal!
  • Hiking with Preschoolers: There are a lot of excellent hiking trails near Greenville, SC, but if you’re hiking with young kids, the trails on this list would be a great place to start.
  • Trains: Does your preschooler love trains? Greenville, SC has spots to watch trains, trains to ride, and train-themed spots to play.
  • Playgrounds for Preschoolers near Greenville: These playgrounds near Greenville are particularly awesome for preschool kids with features perfect for younger kids.
  • Playgrounds: Not all playgrounds are built the same. We have listed 6 of the best park playgrounds in Greenville, SC.
  • Downtown Greenville’s Runway Park: A unique park with airplanes and runways, check out this Greenville mom’s review of Runway Park.

Find the Perfect Preschool or Kindergarten

Ultimate Guide to Preschools: Are you looking for a preschool in Greenville or anywhere in the Upstate? Sort Upstate preschools by programs, location and hours.

Private Schools: Is it time for kindergarten? If you’re looking for the best private school K5 or kindergarten option, this list will help you sift through all the options with location filters.

What do you and your preschooler like to do in the upstate? Tell us below in the comments.

50+ Fun, Free, and Unbelievably Cheap ($5 and below) Things to Do in Greenville, SC

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Looking for Free Things to Do in Greenville, SC?  We have some great ideas on this extremely packed list. This list is an ode to that song, “The Best Things in Life Are Free.” Make memories and take advantage of all the great things around Greenville. Enjoy!

Free Things to Do in Greenville, SC

Do you want to keep tabs on all the things to do in the Upstate? Don’t skip our giant list of Things to Do Near Greenville, SC, full of fabulous family fun any time of the year.

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Greenville Zoo: Take Your Toddler or Preschooler to Zoo Tots in Greenville, SC

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Do you know about the Zoo Tots program at the Greenville Zoo? Zoo Tots is a great way to liven up your preschooler’s weekend. With storytime, plenty of sensory play, and a meeting with a zoo animal, Zoo Tots is sure to have something that your child will enjoy! Kidding Around’s India and her 3-year old went to a recent Zoo Tots and a good time was had by all! Read on to find out about the Zoo Tots program and how you can sign-up! 

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Eat and Play at These Kid Friendly Restaurants: Greenville, SC

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Are you looking for kid-friendly restaurants? Greenville, SC has several with play areas so your kids can burn off some steam while mom and dad might even be able to enjoy the food on their plates! We are sharing our list of family restaurants in Greenville, SC, and the surrounding area, including ones where your kids can make art while you eat, watch planes take off and land, or even get into a game of bowling.

Tight budget? Check out our list of Greenville Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free

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10 Great Ideas for Next Time Dad Has the Kids in Greenville, SC

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Planning some mom time and in need of kid-friendly things to do with Dads in Greenville, SC? We’re here to help with some Kidding Around and reader-tested ideas. Here’s a list of some of our favorite places in Greenville that would be perfect for Dad to enjoy with the kids. We have lots of free ideas and some low-cost options, too! 

Fun things to do with dads near Greenville, South Carolina
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Fun Things to Do with Your Preschooler Inside in Spartanburg, SC

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Are you looking for indoor things to do with preschoolers in Spartanburg, SC? If so, local mom, Juliet has some fantastic ideas of nearby indoor activities your preschooler will love! Check out her suggestions for indoor preschool hang-outs and let us know others in the comments.

Let’s face it, walking in a winter wonderland or enjoying a warm, sunny day sounds great in theory, but not so much with your spirited preschoolers in tow!  If extreme weather has nixed your usual outdoor activities and the dreaded cabin fever has hit your household like a ton of bricks, check out these low-cost, indoor activities in Spartanburg that are perfect for preschoolers.  Keep it handy for rainy days, too.

Spartanburg Science Center

Things to Do for Preschoolers Inside in Spartanburg, SC

The Children’s Museum of the Upstate – Spartanburg

Designed for children aged 5 and under, The Children’s Museum of the Upstate – Spartanburg is a cozy venue for letting little ones burn off some energy and explore. In addition to interactive exhibits for preschoolers, padded and contained areas on each of the museum’s two levels are designed for infants to crawl or cruise around safely while parents can keep an eye on an older, more independent sibling.

The museum also has an active events calendar of drop-in events, such as Random Acts of Science, Open Art Studios, and Story Time & More. Admission is $7-9 and children under the age of six months get in free. Admission is also included with a TCMU membership.

TCMU Spartanburg

The Spartanburg Science Center

Located on East Saint John Street in downtown Spartanburg, the John F. Green Spartanburg Science Center is a great way to spend a cold winter’s day.  With interactive exhibits, a reptile room, and Legos galore, preschoolers can easily spend several hours playing, exploring new concepts, and observing nature. 

Other exhibits include a robotic arm, a science mini-theatre with short films, and a 3-person Virtual Reality experience.  Check out the Spartanburg Science Center website for current hours, admission fees, and holiday/summer camp opportunities.

Westgate Mall Children’s Play Area

Looking for some free entertainment for the kiddos? Look no further than the local Westgate Mall!  An indoor play area- perfectly sized for little hands and feet to climb and jump- is located beside the Belk department store. Bring your extra quarters and send them around the tiny carousel nearby, too.

It’s rarely crowded during morning hours, and if you bring your stroller, you can even get in some fast-paced mall walking/exercise beforehand.  Head to the food court for a special lunch treat or dessert afterward.

Storytime and Playtime

We all know how important reading is for preschoolers, and Spartanburg has great options when it comes to making reading fun. The Spartanburg Public Library Headquarters, located in downtown Spartanburg, has a fantastic setup of indoor play tables with puzzles, light boards, manipulatives, and drawing tables.  Combine these self-paced play opportunities with a storytime full of songs, books, poetry, and the occasional puppet show, and you have a preschooler’s paradise. 

Check out Spartanburg Library Events for ALL the storytimes available in the county! Most storytimes follow up with a special child-led playtime – think of carts of toys! If you only get books at Spartanburg County Library, you are missing out!

Toddler Time at Big Air Trampoline Park Spartanburg

Every Wednesday and Thursday from 10 am -1 pm when Spartanburg District 6 schools are in session, Big Air caters to its littlest customers with their Toddler Time.  Ages 6 and under have three hours to roam all of Big Air’s attractions without the intimidation factor of older children.  Admission is $12 per jumper. Big Air even guarantees your little will play hard and nap harder!

Big Air Trampoline Park

Think outside the box

Looking for activities to get out of the house AND socialization opportunities for yourself and your preschooler?  Join a local moms club – where activities like indoor crafts, parties, and playdates are scheduled on a weekly basis, check out church groups for Bible studies or MOPS that are kid-friendly.  Join a gym with a childcare center or sign up for a weekly preschool gymnastics or music class.

What’s your favorite indoor activity for your little ones?

Indoor things to do in the Upstate, SC

For more things to do inside, see our Kidding Around Indoor Guide to Upstate, SC.

McPherson Park Has a Free Mini-Golf Course in Downtown Greenville, SC

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Have you been to McPherson Park? This popular park is one of the only parks to have mini-golf in Greenville, SC, and it’s FREE! Be sure to pack your own putters and balls and get ready for a great time. The park is located in downtown Greenville and has long been a family favorite. Find out all you need to know about McPherson Park below!

McPherson Park Mini Golf in Greenville SC
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Vacation Bible School Near Greenville, SC| VBS 2023

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Are you looking for VBS? Greenville, SC and Spartanburg, SC have dozens to choose from. Maybe you’re looking for the VBS closest to home, or maybe you’re looking to visit a Vacation Bible School that fits your vacation schedule! Either way, we’ve got the list of the 2023 VBS Greenville, SC, and Spartanburg, SC programs from June through August.  All of these have a link to the church so you can get all of their contact information, directions, and information.

This list is currently being updated for 2023.

For accuracy and to ensure that the programs were open to the public, we only listed VBS programs that were publicly listed online or submitted by the coordinator of the event. If you would like your church’s VBS program added or modified, please email bethany@kiddingaroundgreenville.com.

While we try our best to provide accurate information, we always encourage our readers to check original sources before making plans. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement.

This article includes:
June 2023 VBS in Greenville, SC
June 2023 VBS in Spartanburg, SC
July 2023 VBS in Greenville, SC
July 2023 VBS in Spartanburg, SC
August 2023 VBS in Greenville, SC
August 2023 VBS in Spartanburg, SC

Columbia-VBS-2-min

Looking for VBS programs in Columbia, SC? Here’s our 2023 Ultimate Guide to
VBS in Columbia, SC.

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