Searching for indoor activities for preschoolers near Greenville, SC? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up some of the best things to do with preschoolers inside in the Upstate. Let the indoor fun begin!
I love kids. I especially love my kid. Want to know what I don’t love? I do not love sitting at home for hours trying to come up with a variety of activities that both entertain and accommodate his non-existent attention span.
Enter Kidding Around Greenville.
We have compiled a list of 25 things to inside to keep you and your preschooler busy! This list focuses on indoor and cold weather activities so stay tuned for a future sequel that focuses on the summer months. Of course, regardless of the weather outside unless the activity requires cold weather most of these activities are a fun choice any time of year!
***Spartanburg Spring Fling has been canceled and will not return. There will be no further Spring Fling Events in Spartanburg.***
The annual Spartanburg Spring Fling runs April 26-28, 2024 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.
Heading to Spartanburg’s Spring Fling? Here’s What You Need to Know
I’ve got 4 words for you: Breakfast Tour in Greenville. If there’s anything better than breakfast, it’s having breakfast three times in one morning. John Nolan, owner of Greenville History Tours, feels the same. He’s created a culinary tour of three breakfast-focused restaurants in Greenville that will leave you not only content and full, but yearning to schedule time to go back and spend an entire morning at any of them.
Kidding Around Greenville got to try this breakfast adventure and we cannot wait to share it with you.
Culinary Tours
If you are unfamiliar with John Nolan and his culinary tours, they are easily one of the best events in Greenville. It doesn’t matter if you’re visiting town, have lived here for years, or just moved in. John has mastered the art of delivering the VIP experience to guests of some of the town’s best restaurants, all the while regaling guests with tales from Greenville’s past, complete with photos.
At the Chef’s Table Culinary Tour, chefs at the restaurant stops mingle with guests, take them into their kitchens, and share food and drinks. John points out the ruins of textile mills, explains how the town was named, and shows old photos of Main Streets. I got to go on one of these tours and it was incredible. I’ve since taken my husband and the experience was just as good.
So when John reached out and told us at Kidding Around Greenville that he was launching a breakfast tour, I was all in. Breakfast is my ultimate favorite meal of the day. Game on.
Breakfast Tour
The restaurant scene is exploding in Greenville but the breakfast places aren’t getting much love. This tour highlights some of the best places in the area and wow, are they yummy.
Founded and established in Greenville, Southern Pressed Juicery is focused on helping you take care of your health and well-being.
Their menu consists of fresh juices, acai bowls, smoothies, and salads. There’s even a Sweet Treats section with an assortment of doughnuts.
Biscuits Next
We continued on… and before we knew it, John had stopped the van at our next destination, Biscuit Head.
Truthfully, this was the place I was looking forward to the most because…biscuits. I love them. I love making them and I love eating them.
Biscuit Head opened in 2013 and has been busy ever since. Their whimsical design and creative dishes keep guests coming back for more. They even have their own cookbook that patrons can purchase.
We had a divine dish of a poached egg with lime zest, a lime crema, and a grilled chicken biscuit with avocado and mango salsa. The biscuit was so good but what pushed this dish off the charts was the jam bar.
This jam bar was crazy. It was all kinds of homemade jam, like sweet potato chai, peach, and raspberry, plus butters like the s’mores butter. It was just as tasty as it sounds. I can still taste the flavors as I write this. This was my favorite part. I should have asked for another biscuit just so I could try more jams.
And Biscuit Head sells all of their jams to go. Winner.
Oh, and the owners surprised us with a little mimosa to round out the meal. As with everything else they served, it was excellent.
Tacos…or Croissants
The last stop on your tour will either be Papis Tacos or Le Petit Croissant.
Papi’s Tacos has delicious tacos with an incredible view of the Reedy River. Their menu also features nachos and burrito bowls. And for your sweet tooth, you’ll find churros and gelato.
Le Petit Croissant specializes in artisan chocolates and pastries, but they also have a breakfast menu featuring avocado toast, B.E.C. (bacon, egg, and cheese), quiches, and other breakfast sandwiches and croissants.
Want to go?
Tours take place every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 9 am.
I’d do this again in a heartbeat… especially as a date. As a working parent, I’d also have no hesitation to reserve a spot for a client coming into town or as a breakfast meeting. It’s such an interesting idea for a creative outing in Greenville whether you are a native or just visiting.
It’s also a great way to begin a Girls Day Out or even a special Moms Morning Out or something similar. It makes a fantastic gift for friends as well.
Breakfast is underrated in my humble opinion. John Nolan and Greenville History Tours elevates breakfast the way it should be and delivers a memorable experience at the same time.
To sign up, go to the Greenville History Tours website (you can also register for John’s other great history and culinary tours as well).
Want more tours?
We have a huge list of all the foodie, history, nature, and family tours (plus a few really unique options).
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. Escape Artist Greenville was even voted one of the Best Escape Rooms in 2025 by Newsweek, how cool!
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!
The Lake Jocassee Gorges have been featured as National Geographic’s “50 of the World’s Last Great Places – Destinations of a Lifetime” and it’s only an hour from Greenville, SC. Devil’s Fork State Park and its Lake Jocassee are an easy and beautiful spot to explore this local wonder.
For more destinations within a couple hours of Greenville, see our popular day trip page.
I love the outdoors and grew up hiking, biking, camping, and doing all kinds of great activities outside. Hoping to instill that same love in my young children and searching around for outdoorsy things to do, I’m continually amazed at the Upstate and all that it offers for not only outdoor enthusiasts, but for those same outdoor lovers who have kids.
Lake Jocassee has been on my South Carolina bucket list since I heard of it last year. I then saw that the Lake Jocassee Gorges were featured as one of National Geographic’s “50 of the World’s Last Great Places – Destinations of a Lifetime.” Um – I live really close to this destination of a lifetime. I needed to go, like now.
About Lake Jocassee
Lake Jocassee was created in 1973 through a partnership with the state and Duke Power. The dam at the Jocassee Gorges is 385 feet high and 1,750 feet long. The lake itself fills 9,000 acres with water that reaches depths of over 385 feet deep. There are even companies that take scuba divers out on the lake!
Lake Jocassee is known for its crystal clear waters that are fed with cool Appalachian waters that fall from dozens of gorgeous waterfalls that are only accessible by boat. Areas of the lake are also part of the only temperate rain forest east of the Rockies. The shoreline is undeveloped, which makes you feel like you are deep in the wild.
The lake is incredible, breath-taking, and stunning. I had seen photos but really, they just don’t do it justice. Being there, breathing that mountain air, swimming in the water, listening to the silence of nature, and just being awed by the entire environment is a wonderful feeling.
What to do at Lake Jocassee with Kids: Kayaking
There’s plenty to do with kids at Lake Jocassee but the first time I ventured out to the lake, I chose to rent a tandem kayak and take my two kids out on a little boating adventure. A tandem kayak – specifically a sit on-top one like the one we had – normally fits two adults, each of whom are paddling. In my instance, I sat in the back seat, my nearly-three-year-old in the middle, and my six-year-old in the front seat. I did all the paddling (of course).
We rented the tandem for four hours, which included life vests for each of us plus a waterproof case for my phone and keys, an emergency whistle, and a map of the lake.
I really wanted to see at least one magical waterfall so we started out on our adventure. I also brought along a bag of snacks, water, and sunscreen, plus we all wore hats. Being out of the water can be brutally sunny and the last thing I wanted was for anyone to get sunburned (spoiler: I got some sunburn because apparently I failed to reapply the sunscreen when I should have).
It was really easy paddling in the kayak. I’ve kayaked before – not tandem with kids along though – but it is easy to learn if you have never done it. The water was so clear and we could see little fish and rocks. My girls loved the new experience.
Since the water level was low enough, we stopped a bunch of times in different coves, secluded beaches, and sandbars to jump into the water, take photos, and have snacks. I’ve since gone back to the lake several times and now have my own kayak so I can drop it in further up the shoreline from the rental place, which cuts down on the time to get to the waterfalls. I made it last time but it’s pretty far, especially in a kayak.
There is also a little island near one of the waterfalls to dock the kayak and swim around. That place was really fun.
For an awesome kid kayaking clinic, check out our review of doing one with Jocassee Wild Child.
If you have your own kayak or SUP
I’ve since gotten my own tandem kayak, pretty much for the purposes of kayaking at Lake Jocassee, and the best way to see the waterfalls is to drop the boat in the furthest parking lots at Devils Fork State Park. A handy map of the waterfalls is here. It’s a FAR paddle, about an hour to Wright’s Creek Falls. It’s worth it but be prepared, especially for the intense storms that pop up on the lake.
When you get into the park (go early, it gets crowded), make a left and pass the first parking lot on your right. Drive past the campgrounds and to the unmanned gate where you pay your entrance fee. Keep going down the curvy road until you come to a fork where there are two signs: “non-motorized boats/motorized boats” and “non-motorized boats only.” Go left to the non-motorized/motorized boats drive.
You’ll come to a parking lot and boat ramp where you can drop the boat in. Then head directly across the lake. Here is a map of the waterfall locations.
Devils Fork opened a new boat ramp in 2020 that is right past the campgrounds on the right. If you choose to drop in here, the paddle to the waterfalls will be even further. But you can just paddle around the area and still have a blast if you don’t want to go that far.
The lake is also an awesome place to go stand up paddleboarding. You can use your own off any boat ramp or rent them.
What to do at Lake Jocassee: The Beach
Really, there’s a beach. It’s surrounded by rocks that you need to climb down but it truly is a beach, albeit a small one. I wasn’t prepared with chairs and an umbrella so we used towels and rocks and it worked fine. I saw later that could have rented chairs, umbrellas and tubes from Eclectic Sun though, since they are set up right next to the beach. The lower the water level, the bigger the sandy beach. If the water level is high, you may only have rocks to sit on.
There are no lifeguards, just a yellow flotation line in the water, which is probably more for the boats than swimmers. The water felt great and we ended up having our lunch there on the beach.
There is also a small playground near the front of the parking lot near the Pavilion, plus picnic benches and grills.
Be sure to note that the lake is inside of Devil’s State Park, which means you have to pay the entrance fee, which is $8/adults, $4/ages 6-15, free for kids six and under. It is also free entry every Tuesday all year round. During the busy summer months and holiday weekends, you need to get to the park early (no later than 8:30 am) in order to park. Capacity is always reached during summer weekends early in the day.
If the lot fills up, you’ll have to wait to get in. Check the website and SC State Parks Facebook page or Devils Fork on Twitter since they will update it when the parking lot is full. You could choose to reserve a parking spot ($50, which includes admission for two guests and a paved parking spot).
What else to do at Lake Jocassee with Kids
Jocassee Wild Child
Take your kids on an awesome nature expedition around the lake with Jocassee Wild Child. The tour is around four hours and includes waterfalls, nature exploration, and really cool history lessons. Read our review here.
Boat Tours
Since many of the waterfalls are only accessible by boat, enterprising companies offer boating tours. Jocassee Lake Tours was the one that I was leaning towards for this excursion. They have tours where they take you to the waterfalls and let you jump in the water and swim around before going to the next waterfall.
Fishing
I don’t know anything about fishing. I do know that we saw some fish in the lake and that, according to Google, there are tons of great fish in the lake just asking to be hooked. We saw some people in canoes fishing so if you want to teach your kid the right way to do things, this could be the lake to do it in.
There are also fishing tours available to choose from. Be sure to purchase your SC Fishing license before casting a line.
Vacation Rentals
Jocassee Outdoor Center features several different rental properties on their website for guests to browse through if they are looking for the right place to take their family for a vacation.
You can also look through the SC State Park website to find cabins and villas.
Camping
Camping at Lake Jocassee is awesome. Primitive tent sites line the lake and there is a short path to a private beach behind tent site #1. There is a bath house on site and bathrooms. You need to reserve sites far enough in advance, usually a year, especially the ones that are right next to the lake. You may get lucky if you keep an eye on the state park website or by calling the Ranger station. You can also camp at an island at the lake that is accessible by boat only. I totally want to do this!
You can hike an easy one-mile loop at Lake Jocassee named after the rare wildflower that blooms there in the spring: Oconee Bells Nature Trail. More info here on the trails at Devils Fork State Park. This is the only hiking trail inside Devils Fork. There are miles and miles of trails within 30-40 minutes of the park though like at Gorges State Park, Twin Falls, Kings Creek Falls, and other waterfalls on the Foothills Trail.
But don’t forget…
Sunscreen
More sunscreen
Bug spray
Hats
Towels
Water shoes or shoes that you don’t mind getting soaked
Water
Food/lunch/snacks – the food options at the park are very limited. If you can bring your own, do it.
Any personal tube or water toy you would want to relax with in the lake by the beach
Beach chair and umbrella
Sunglasses
Change of clothes and extra diapers
Places to rent boats, kayaks, canoes
*Make sure to call ahead and reserve your boat. Some days, especially the weekends and holidays, are crowded.
Eclectic Sun LLC This outfitter is located at the Pavilion right when you enter Devil’s Fork State Park. They will drop your kayak/canoe/paddleboard right in the water for you. They also have a small concession stand. This is what they have available to rent:
Single kayak
Tandem kayak
Stand up paddleboards
Canoes
Pontoon boats
Beach umbrella
Beach chair
Lake floats
238 Buckeye Drive, Salem, SC 864.944.1191
Jocassee Outdoor Center They aren’t directly on the lake but only a few minutes away and will drop your rental at various points in the lake. This is what they have available:
Pontoon boat rentals Four-hour Waterfall Tours by boat (call for pricing)
Jocassee Keowee Rentals Stephanie, the owner, is consider the Jocassee Lake Lady. She knows her stuff and is a wealth of useful information. She rents out canoes and pontoon boats.
864.704.0004
Jocassee Lake Tours This company offers boat tours, kayak tours, full moon rising tours, senior tours, and adventure tours. They also have a kids kayak camp and rent kayaks by the day.
Jocassee Dive Shop When the kids are big enough to SCUBA dive, this company will help make it happen. They offer charters to the lake and have lots of rentals available like masks, fins, snorkels, wetsuits, etc.
710 Dive Buddy Lane, Salem 864.944.9255
Jocassee Charters These people are ones the go to for an awesome fishing experience at Lake Jocassee.
If you’d like to take a peek into some of the many outdoor activities available in our area, all in one place at one time you need to put Get Out! Greenville on your calendar. Local mom Kristina tells us why this is one event any lover of the outdoors needs to get to. Read on for a rundown of what happens at this event and when and where it happens!
There are few places I’d rather be on any given day than someplace in the outdoors of the Upstate. Whether it’s hiking the trails, splashing in the waterfalls, kayaking in the lakes, or trying out new things like stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and rock climbing, I’m in. I just want to be outside. And there is an entire festival devoted to this kind of thing! Get Out! Greenville is happening this fall, and it’s totally free.
What you’ll find at Get Out! Greenville
Here’s what you can expect: rock climbing demos, a chance for the kids to test out kayaks and SUP boards in actual pools, outdoor-themed crafts, trail races (Ultra 50K, 30K, 10K, and 3K), the Greenville CX-Cup race (bike racing), an REI fashion show, frisbee toss, slacklining, and tons of games. Food trucks will also be on-site if you want to grab lunch or coffee.
Get Out! Greenville is a big celebration of the outdoors and it’s an event you really don’t want to miss, especially if you’re interested in learning more about what activities are available for families in the Upstate when it comes to all things nature-related. I took my kids last year and we had a blast! They absolutely loved the paddling pools. My oldest discovered she has quite the skills with a SUP board. We were there for at least two hours and didn’t even get to everything that was offered.
This year, the event lineup also includes sessions on things like how to pack your backpack for camping or hiking, how to tie figure eight knots, how to identify certain plants, and how to make sure you’ve got an ideal first aid kit in the outdoors. The exhibitors are pretty amazing, too. Places like the US Whitewater Center in Charlotte, Sunrift Adventures, The Gorge Zip Line, Mountain Goat Indoor Rock Climbing, SC State Parks, and Climb Upstate will all be there. Kidding Around Greenville will also have a booth so come over and say hi! We love meeting our readers and introducing ourselves to new families.
If you love the outdoors, be sure to mark Get Out! Greenville on your calendar!
12:00pm – Kids Short Track Mountain Bike Race (20 mins, ages 8-17)
12:30pm – Beginner Short Track Mountain Bike Race (30 min, ages 12 & up)
1:15pm – Expert Short Track Mountain Bike Race (45 min, ages 12 & up)
2:15pm – Campfire Contest
Park Hop End Of The Summer Celebration Park Hoppers get to celebrate each year with an end-of-the-summer celebration, where they recieve the earned prizes. If you are unable to join us at Get Out! Greenville and pick up your prizes, please contact Park Hop to arrange an alternate pick-up. Not sure what Park Hop is? We’ve got the Ultimate Guide to Park Hop in Greenville, SC!
Do you love free fun outdoor festivals? Spartanburg Soaring is the perfect event for the whole family. You’ll find kites of all shapes and sizes, live music, free activities, vendors, food and so much more! We can’t wait to see all the kites at Spartanburg Soaring this year!
Local mom Liene reviews Piney Mountain Bike Lounge in Greenville, SC. This unique bicycle shop and taproom should be on your summer bucket list!
There is one spot that definitely needs to be on your bucket list this summer if you live in Greenville and have kids who enjoy riding bikes – Piney Mountain Bike Lounge!
Piney Mountain Bike Lounge is a cross between a bicycle shop and a taproom, complete with a pump track out back! Located between downtown and Paris Mountain, the Lounge caters to mountain bikers on their way to and from the mountains. It has also become a gathering spot for the local community to come together and share their love for riding – or share their love for craft beer while their kids are busy wearing themselves out on the dirt bike course!
Why we love Piney Mountain Bike Lounge
Our most recent visit was a weekday. The boys were all still running full steam, wearing on my last nerve. We still had several hours of daylight, and so we loaded up three kids, three bikes and three helmets and headed to Piney Mountain Road.
Although the exterior looks much like it did when it was the Landscapers Supply, the interior has been completely revamped. On one side is the bar, serving up craft beer alongside what is the bicycle repair space. On the other side is a lounge, complete with couches, a foosball table and handlebars in the place of mounted trophies. The center is filled with all the latest cycling gear and bicycles, trail maps on the walls of favorite dirt biking destinations in the area. Finally, in the back you’ll find the former loading dock, converted to outdoor patio. Full of picnic tables, the space overlooks the pump track, a small, looping trail system that you can ideally ride continuously without pedaling.
Since their grand opening in March, Piney Mountain has settled in with a rotation of food trucks to make the Lounge truly a one-stop evening hot-spot. Including Upstate favorites such as Automatic Taco, Ellada Kouzina and Chuck Truck, for the current schedule check the website or follow Piney Mountain Bike Lounge on Facebook. For the beer enthusiasts, a list of the 14 regional and local craft beers on tap can be found here. The pump track is closed when it’s wet for safety reasons as well as to protect the track, and a waiver must be signed before use. Usually one of us will take the boys & bikes around to the track and get them set up, while the other orders food and beer and gets settled in at one of the tables by the track – then it’s just a matter of shouting out a few encouraging words to keep them circling the track while we enjoy our meal.
Piney Mountain offers a variety of tune-up and service options as well as a demo option if you’re looking to buy a bicycle but not quite ready to commit. For those with kids in middle or high school that might be interested in a mountain biking team, NICA (the National Interscholastic Cycling association) is coming to Greenville and often meets with Piney Mountain – check out Upstate Composite on Facebook for more info.
When it comes down to it, I’m really more of a Swamp Rabbit Trail gal than a Paris Mountain cyclist, but Piney Mountain is a great addition to the cycling scene in the Upstate. Whether you’re looking to get your bike ready for the season, catch up with friends after a day at Paris Mountain, or just ‘cycle’ through some of that energy in the kids on these long days, make sure to swing by the Lounge this summer!
Plan your own trip to Piney Mountain Bike Lounge
20 Piney Mountain Road, Greenville
864.603.2453
For more information about Piney Mountain Bike Lounge visit their website. They can also be found on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook
See Liene’s original post on her blog, Femme au Foyer, here.
Would your family love Piney Mountain Bike Lounge as much as mine does?
Meet Liene
Mother of three young boys, Liene is constantly on the move since returning to Greenville in 2012. Whether she’s exploring the state parks and natural areas of the Carolinas or teaming up with other moms to organize activities for the kids, she’s always searching for the next adventure in the Upstate. For everything from hiking, travel, cooking and crafts to multicultural & global education posts, visit her blog, Femme au Foyer.
Jennifer Curry reviews the Downtown Spartanburg Headquarters Library. For more ideas of things to do inside see our list of Things to Do Inside in Spartanburg!
Looking for a place your kids will love that is always free with tons of stuff they can borrow to take home and enjoy? Does this magical place exist? Yes! The Headquarters Library in Downtown Spartanburg is full of excitement every day and has free items to borrow that everyone in your family will enjoy.
What makes the Headquarters Library so great?
Located on the 1st floor of the Headquarters Library is a massive children’s area that is enclosed and contains books, hands-on learning toys, a children’s computer lab, and more! As soon as you enter the area, you find the train depot. This special space has a gigantic train mural for the Hub City, as well as a train wall and the train depot where librarians await.
In this space, you will find several different hands-on activity tables such as the light-up magnetic blocks. Children are drawn to the space because of the toys and colors, but the library has specifically chosen activity tables that help children learn and be creative. Plus, this is not your typical “quiet” library space – play is encouraged!
Even more exciting is the beautiful outdoor children’s garden that includes a fully enclosed playground. Not only is the playground enclosed, it does offer shade! With a mixture of climbing equipment and musical play instruments, this playground is a hidden gem. There is plenty of seating for parents, so you can rest easy while your children run and play.
Plus, there are restrooms in the children’s area including family restrooms and a private nursing area.
Even your big kids will want to stay
Also located on the 1st floor is a room made just for tweens. If your kids are between the ages of 10 and 12, they are welcomed to the Tween Zone. This room is a hang-out space for this age group and is where several events just for tweens are held.
Did you know the Headquarters Library also has an entire private space just for teens? The Teen Services department is located on the 2nd floor (also the main floor of the library). Tell your teens to look for the orange walls.
This space not only holds the young adult book collection, it also is a unique hang-out space just for teenagers – no adults allowed! With televisions, computers, tables, booths, and even a stage, teens are invited to enjoy this space designed just for them. The Teen Services department hosts several teen-only events each month as well.
This library offers free programs too
Spartanburg County Libraries offer a huge number of free programs each month. Since Headquarters Library is the main branch, there are multiple programs happening here weekly. For example, the Headquarters Library hosts over 10 story time programs each week!
In addition to story time programs, the Headquarters Library also hosts movie viewings, author lectures, books clubs, and more. They even offer fitness programs such as yoga. All of these programs are free of charge!
During the summer, the library hosts a summer reading program for all ages (separate programs for children, teens, and adults). Each division offers prizes to those who complete their summer reading program. The adult and teen programs encourage patrons to attend the free library programs, which count towards winning the summer reading prizes.
Often, people are under the assumption that libraries are just for checking out books. This could not be further from the truth. One visit to the Headquarters Library will let you see there is so much more available to patrons than books.
For example, the third floor of the library offers a large computer lab for those needing internet, Word programs, or printing. In addition, the Headquarters Library also has private study rooms patrons may use. If you or your teen has a big project, these are great spaces to utilize.
But, more than books and computers, the Headquarters Library also has an entire audiovisual section that allows individuals to borrow movies, television series, music, video games, and more. These are not old movies or music either – these are brand new releases you may borrow for free. This section is located on the main level.
Did you know you can also check out magazines from the library? Instead of spending money on subscriptions or stocking up on new magazines at the grocery checkout aisle, you can borrow magazines from the library. Headquarters Library has a huge magazine section with current and past issues.
Additionally, the Spartanburg Libraries offer several library apps that you can use from home (i.e. Freegal, Hoopla, Overdrive, Zinio). These apps allow you to use your phone or device to check out eBooks and audiobooks outside of the library. But, that’s not all. These apps allow you to borrow and download current music, movies, television, and magazines to your devices for free as well.
Having fun isn’t hard when you’ve got your library card!
While program events are free and open to the public, if you want to take advantage of the library’s collection (or borrow materials), you will need a library card. Library cards are free to Spartanburg County residents. You just need proof of identity and proof of residency (if your driver’s license includes your current address, you can use it).
Most books, magazines, and music CDs may be checked out for 28 days. DVDs, Blu-Ray discs, and video games may be checked out for 7 days.
The Headquarters Library is located at 151 S. Church Street in downtown Spartanburg. It is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Sunday from 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Has your family ventured to Headquarters Library yet this summer?
Meet Jennifer Curry
Jennifer relocated to Spartanburg seven years ago, and now spends her days working from home and taking care of her two kids. She loves this area because we can go from rural areas to urban areas to the mountains within an hour. Her favorite things to do with her kids are using their imaginations and visiting Spartanburg County local libraries. Follow Jennifer at www.litlovingmom.com.
