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.
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!Â
Got an hour or two to take a walk on the wild side at the Greenville Zoo in Greenville, SC? The Greenville Zoo offers a quick and easy zoo experience. While not large, it includes many animals kids love, and it’s an easy activity even if you only have an hour or two. Here’s all you need to know to plan your visit.
Do you think you can beat the clock at Escape Artist Greenville SC? Several years ago, some friends were visiting from out of town and wanted to meet up. When we asked them what they would like to do, they suggested that we meet up at one of Greenville’s top escape rooms, Escape Artist Greenville. We are very glad that we said yes. In fact, we had such a great time we can’t stop recommending Escape Artist to all of our friends in Greenville.
Upon arriving, we were energized immediately by owners Will and Kim Rutherford’s enthusiasm. It was impossible to not catch the excitement about trying to test our group’s wits against one of their escape rooms.
After a short explanation of rules such as “don’t tear apart the ceiling” followed by a creepy story intro we handed over our iPhones and headed into “Dr. Fratelli’s cabin”. Inside the mad scientist’s cabin, we quickly got to work looking inside and under the many objects in order to start finding clues. These clues then led to puzzles that had to be solved in order to find the special locked exit and escape the room where Dr. Fratelli had trapped us. Of course, the primary entrance remained unlocked so we weren’t actually physically locked in. It is just a game!
We were given just one hour to escape the room, but we had the ability to ask for three clues during our hour. Will was watching us through his surveillance cameras and was quick to offer the exact help needed for each clue. The puzzles were challenging but still simple enough for a group to solve.
Did We Escape?
Of course, the first question everyone asks is “Did you escape?” Actually, Will told us that only 20-25% of the groups that try the room “get out”. We made it though with only a couple of minutes left to spare and we used all 3 hints.
Will greeted us after we finished and shared his own observations of how we solved the puzzle. We then were allowed to grab our phones again so that Kim could take a victory photo for us showcasing our time.
Photo Credit: Eli Warren, used by permission from Escape Artist Greenville
Is Escape Artist Greenville Worth the Money?
Escape Artist is a little bit more expensive than most of the attractions my husband and I visit, starting at around $30/person. It was worth every penny we spent. We had so much fun working together, laughing at our mistakes, and bragging about what we solved. The room was very well designed, all of the clues were clear and worked correctly, and Will & Kim executed everything wonderfully. It’s no wonder that they have received so many 5 star reviews.
Any hints?
Well, of course, I can’t give any hints on how to solve the puzzle because that would ruin the fun, but here are a couple tips to help you have the best chances of victory:
Don’t be afraid to ask for a clue when you are stuck. It’s better to use them up than not get out!
Get started quickly. Don’t be shy about looking around the room when you enter it. The sooner you find your first clues the better.
Don’t overthink your clues. None of the clues will require knowing weird facts and you won’t mess up your clues by touching or moving objects in the room.
Playing an escape room game on your tablet or phone ahead of time will help give you an idea of the types of puzzles you might encounter.
Have fun! Don’t get too stressed out. This activity is all about having a good time.
What About Kids?
I visited Escape Artist Greenville with 3 other adults and I thought that it was a great adult activity but older children and teens would definitely enjoy it as well. Children under 16 are allowed to attend with an adult, and Will told us that he had even recently hosted a party of 11-year-olds. Will did tell us that he adapts the clues as necessary for children and that the children who have come through really have enjoyed the puzzle. All of the content in the story and inside the room was appropriate for any age audience and there weren’t any thematic elements that would scare a child.
About Escape Artist: Greenville SC
Be sure to book your time ahead of time online. Due to the nature of the event, space is limited and 2 hours advanced reservation is required.
This attraction is completely unique to Greenville. While there are other “escape rooms” in Greenville and in other cities, Will & Kim specifically designed this room and story making it a one-of-a-kind adventure.
The attraction can fit 2-8 people at a time. Your group may get placed with another group if you don’t purchase the entire 8 tickets.
In addition to Dr. Fratelli’s Cabin, there are four other escape rooms including our current favorite Starlight Motel (a spooky, interactive room for adults). You can read about Starlight Motel in our review.
There is a second location of Escape Artist Greenville, located at Hampton Station. The Hampton Station location has fewer rooms (Help Wanted and Dark Lullaby), but the proximity to dining, breweries, and shopping makes it a great activity.
The Escape Artist Greenville: SC Has Two Locations!
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!
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 [email protected].
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.
Isn’t summer break great? When there are tons of free things to do, it’s even better! So, pull out the sprinkler, blow bubbles, and send the kids outside to play. But, what do you do when you’ve already exhausted your go-to summer fun list and perhaps your budget at the same time? Fortunately, free things to do in Greenville, SC are abundant, and we also have tons of options for families looking for cheap fun. In fact, here is our list of 30+ Free (or Cheap) Things to Do This Summer.
P.S. Our definition of “cheap” is approximately $5 or less per person. For fun activities that cost more but are still fun, see our calendar.
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This list may contain unpaid mentions of Kidding Around Greenville sponsors.
The Top 5 Free Things to Do in Greenville This Summer
Did you know we have a FREE place to play mini-golf right in the middle of downtown Spartanburg, SC? Sparkle City Mini Putt is totally free! Plus, there are more fun things to do downtown in Spartanburg.
Have kids who love to make art? There are lots of places in Greenville where kids can create art. Children can benefit from local art teachers while parents keep all that paint, clay and glue off their tables, walls and carpets. Everybody wins! Here’s a list of places in Greenville where kids can make art.
Have kids who like to bowl? Kids can bowl free all summer long with the Kids Bowl Free program. They’ll get two free games every day at participating bowling alleys. Plus, the Kids Bowl Free people thought of everything with a heavily discounted Family Pass so the grown-ups can join the kids in the summer bowling fun. What a great opportunity to make memories this summer without breaking the break. We have done all the research so you can fill out the registration form and start bowling!
Is the Kids Bowl Free program legit? You bet. We have the answers to all your questions about the program so you can plan your summer and register now.
