Fun Things to Do
in
Columbia SC for Families!
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Outdoor Activities | Indoor Activities
Arts, Crafts & Workshops | Birthday Parties
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• Frankie's Fun Park Frankie's Fun Park in Columbia serves up Great Rides, Great Food and Great Times for the whole family. Go-Karts, Miniature Golf, Bumper Boats, Amusement Rides, Laser Tag, Batting Cages and an awesome Arcade are part of our mega mix of fun. Sized up for little kids, big kids and those who still think they're kids, we've got it all! With no admission fee, you pay as you play and Frankie's Ultimate Fun Package gives you more go for your dough. Frankie's is open everyday and extra late so you can kiss your bedtime goodbye.
• Harbison State Forest in Columbia encompasses 2,177 acres of forestland and is only nine miles from downtown Columbia. The forest has 18 miles of trails designed for walking, jogging, hiking and bicycling that will surely give your family time to recap on everything that happened during the week! Check out the Learning Trail, which offers four outdoor classrooms with lessons designed to increase one's awareness of the complexity of forest ecosystems, the Discovery Trail, with a pine Gazebo surrounded by a meadow and woods dotted with smaller picnic areas, and the Eagle Shelter, a rectangular picnic shelter that provides a great setting for outings where the goal is to get away from the hurried pace of urban living, to get a real feel of the forest. A canoe landing located near the Broad River provides access for kayaks and canoes as a put in or take out from the river too. Call the State Forest Office at (803) 896-8890 for more details.
• SC Department of Natural Resources has a packed calendar with lectures, classes, conferences, walks & talks and more! Check it out to see what's going on around Columbia!
• Saluda Shoals Park offers horse trail rides, paved and unpaved trails for hiking and biking, a river observation deck, boat ramp/canoe/kayak launch, picnic shelters, guided canoe and kayak trips and rentals, a fly fishing clinic, various activities for your family to enjoy!
• Crooked Creek Park offers a variety of programs for children and adults of all ages. Included in the activities are: woodcarving, belly dancing, pottery instruction, youth dance classes, Crooked Creek Art League, guitar lessons, adult art classes clubs/groups, computer classes, driver safety, hunter and boater education, Red Cross Certifications, aerobics, yoga, fitness 101, pilates, gymnastics, karate, and various youth league sports.
• Seven Oaks Park Seven Oaks Park is a full-service recreation complex offering fitness, athletics, and instructional and cultural arts programs to the Irmo community. Seven Oaks Park’s special events, recreation programs, and volunteer opportunities are designed for youth, adults, seniors and persons with special needs. This community center offers visitors the following amenities: 30,000 square-foot facility with full gymnasium, fitness area, dance studio, art studio, art gallery and meeting rooms, 9 Athletic Fields, 6 Tennis Courts, Paved Walking Trails, Picnic Shelters, Playgrounds and a Community Garden. Seven Oaks Park also offers a variety of programs for children and adults.
• Dreher Island State Park. There's so much your family can do at this wonderful State park located on Lake Murray. Enjoy fishing several types of bass, take a leisurely boat ride or pack a picnic and enjoy the fresh air under one of the 13 shelters. In addition, your family can enjoy the playground, take a relaxing walk along the ¼-mile Billy Dreher Nature Trail or experience the moderate 2.1 mile hike along the Little Gap Trail. Better than doing a few of these activities is doing them all! Pack up the tent and do everything on an at-home vacation!
• Adventure Carolina offers classes and trips on the Congaree, Edisto, Saluda, Broad and Santee Rivers. Check their calendar for a full listing.
• Sesquicentennial State Park situated in the middle of the Sandhills region, features a beautiful 30-acre lake surrounded by trails and picnic areas. Check out their programs like the Owl Prowl where you can discover the secret lives of these avian neighbors, uncover their nocturnal habits and unveil their amazing adaptations, and Snakes of South Carolina, where participants will uncover local myths associated with our slithering friends and discover what makes them so helpful to humans and the environment. Check out the 3.5 mile Loop Road Trail, the 1.9 mile Sandhills Hiking Trail, the 0.4 mile Jackson Creek Nature Trail and the 6.1 mile Mountain Bike Trail.
• Lake Wateree State Recreation Area. Located on Desportes Island, Lake Wateree has ample camping space with 72 sites, including many that accommodate large RVs and all with water and electrical service. The Desportes Island Nature Trail is a great feature! It is moderate .7 mile loop around this beautiful lake. Yet another great place to experience the outdoors!
• Congaree National Park Congaree National Park houses a museum quality exhibit area within the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, a 2.4 mile boardwalk loop trail, over 20 miles of backwoods hiking trails, canoeing, kayaking, fishing and more. There's no better way to see the park than by canoe, and Congaree National Park offers FREE ranger guided canoe tours most Saturdays and Sundays. Congaree National Park also offers guided walks, talks and presentations throughout the year. All are free of charge. Learn about this beautiful National Park as a family!
• Columbia Riverfront Park & Historic Canal This 167-acre park features a jogging and walking trail, as well as picnic tables and benches. Your family can learn about the history of the Columbia canal while walking through one of the old pump houses at the park or enjoy running, bicycling, and fishing activities.
• Lexington Family YMCA 803.359.3376 The Lexington YMCA offers a beautiful 160-acre facility with lake, trails, covered pavilion, wellness center with cardio and strength equipment, fishing, walking track and nature trails, outdoor basketball and tennis courts, soccer fields and more!
• Downtown Family YMCA 803.799.7159 The Downtown YMCA offers a 5 lane swimming pool, wellness center with cardio and strength equipment, over 40 different group exercise classes, basketball courts, racquetball/squash courts and more!
• Jeep Rogers Family YMCA at Lake Carolina 803.451.8439 The Jeep Rogers YMCA offers cardio and strength equipment, indoor track, basketball court, 8-lane swimming pool, 4 lighted tennis courts and more!
• Northwest Family YMCA 803.407.8007 The Northwest Columbia Family YMCA offers an 8-lane swimming pool, wellness center with cardio and strength equipment, basketball courts, indoor track and more!
• Riverbanks Zoo & Gardens is always a great place to go as a family!
• Carolina Adventure World Carolina Adventure World is an adventure-seeker's dream come true! There are 100 miles of ATV and single track trails of varying degrees of difficulty from 'Green' nature trails meandering along babbling brooks, streams, waterfalls and even beside a beaver pond. You can rent ATVs, Dirt Bikes, Side-by-Sides, and golf carts or just bring your own bike! The Blue Sky Zip Line allows you to glide over forests, stream beds and off cliffs!
• SC Rail Road Museum Finally, a place for the whole family! How would you like to take your children or grandchildren for a ride on a real passenger train, visit a red caboose or an authentic dining car, or even a Pullman car that once ferried earlier generations across the country? You Can! Come see freight cars, passenger cars, and even a real steam engine on display. And best of all, you can ride the train! ALL ABOARD!!!
• Leapin' Lizards Leapin’ Lizards is Columbia’s only Parent-Friendly Inflatable Play Center. They offer a clever mixture of over-the-top fun for children and amenities appealing to parents.
• EdVenture Experience the joy of learning and discovery at EdVenture Children’s Museum! A hands-on experience, EdVenture provides children, families, and teachers with the opportunity to immerse themselves in dynamic, diverse exhibits, programs, events and more!
• Bowling is America’s #1 participation activity with over 70 million people bowling each year! Anchor Lanes and Royal Z are modern bowling centers with kid-friendly bumper bowling lanes and plenty of lightweight bowling balls and small shoes for kids available.
• Plex Indoor Sports. With 2 locations in Columbia, Sandhills and Irmo, you can head to Plex this weekend! Plex Sandhills offers soccer, flag football, volleyball, inline hockey, lacrosse, a skatepark, and various camps throughout the year. Plex Ice, Irmo offers public ice skating, ice hockey, soccer, flag football, a skatepark and camps as well. Check their websites for a full listing of activities that you and your family can enjoy together!
• Richland County Public Library RCPL hosts a variety of free programs throughout the year. From storytimes to computer classes to literary events, you can find it all at RCPL. Stop by any library location to pick up a calendar of events. Visit one of the 11 branches this weekend.
• Lexington County Public Library. When was the last time you enjoyed a simple trip to the library together? The Lexington County Library has 11 locations also.
• SC State Museum. The Museum has four large floors devoted to the disciplines of art, history, natural history and science/technology. It houses both long-term exhibits and five changing exhibit galleries that will surely intrigue everyone in your family.
• The Columbia Museum of Art offers special Family Tours on the first Sunday of the month beginning at 1 pm. This 45-minute interactive tour explores the world of art in a way that can be enjoyed by all family members. Discover the Museum in a new way and learn how to talk about art with your children!
• Columbia Children's Theatre offers 4 fully-produced musicals each year targeted to families and young audiences that will include matinee and evening performances. Also, they provide a training ground in theatre arts through our KidStage series. KidStage is an intensive, production-oriented "boot camp" designed to give young performers the opportunity to rehearse and perform in productions for live audiences. Instruction will include training in acting, singing, musical theatre, dance and movement by highly qualified master-teachers and culminate in a live performance.
• Columbia Marionette Theatre Columbia Marionette Theatre is a magical place where fairy tales come to life. It’s located at the Riverfront Park entrance so after the show you can enjoy a walk along the scenic canal. Admission is only $4 and shows are on Saturdays at 11AM and 3PM.
• Ruth Patrick Science Education Center in Aiken is a hands-on approach to teaching that is designed to help families experience the beauty, the order and the power of science and mathematics, as well as the interest and fun of discovery. A visit to the RPSEC enables students, teachers and the public to experience science and mathematics in a challenging yet exciting way!
• Columbia Museum of Art. Looking for a fun and rewarding activity to do with your family? The Columbia Museum of Art offers many age-appropriate programs for children and families. Wee Wednesdays gives the tiniest tots a welcoming place to learn about art in a fun way, and Family Fun Events and camps offer you lots of opportunities to enjoy your family while learning about art!
• Mad Platter in the heart of Columbia SC has over 200 styles of pottery to choose from, glass fusing, silver clay projects and much much more! Put everyone's name in a hat, pull and paint a piece for whoever's name you drew! What a great present! Check their website for special painting days and other offers!
• If you're looking to submerge your child and possibly yourself into the world of art, dance and poetry, the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation also offers classes on pottery, glazing, piano lessons, poetry workshops, dance classes, jewelry making, sculpture and an array of other activities.
• Southern Pottery Workcenter and Gallery offers all kinds of classes including handbuilding, wheelthrowing and pottery camps.
• The Art Elements has various classes and camps sure to please everyone in your family! Come in, relax, bring everyone, catch up on stuff and paint your own pottery!
• Stop by Swiftwater Beads & Jewelry on Harden Street for a more interactive family experience. As one of the few full-service bead stores in the area, you can customize jewelry that matches your taste. The extremely friendly, knowledgeable staff can help you and your family create earrings, keychains, necklaces, bracelets...and anything else you can think of! The environment provides a fantastic selection of beads, tools, books and the most well-equipped customer work area you have seen. If you're just starting, reserve your spot at the April 26th Basic Beading Class and learn the ropes from A-Z. 1101 Harden St. 803-252-2020.
• The Columbia Camera Club offers instruction, appreciation and competition of photography the first Tuesday of the month. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Visit their web site or contact them at 786-7022 for more information.
Birthday Parties
The following places are great ideas on where to have a birthday party:
• Plex Indoor Sports We set up and clean up…all you have to do is show up! Dodgeball, Soccer, Kickball, Inflatables, Ice Skating, Volleyball and much more!
• SC State Museum Celebrate your child's birthday at the State Museum, where they can explore the Carolina Safari, become Mad Scientists or discover Dinosaurs with family and friends!
•
Palmetto Athletic Center Where the birthday child is the STAR of the party! One hour of play time and thirty minutes of party time. Play time includes: Rope Swing, Foam Block Pitts, Parachute Games, 30ft. Slide, Rock Wall, In Ground Trampolines, Inflatable, and Zip line.
• Frankie's Fun Park Frankie's offers 3 different birthday packages to suit every size party!
• EdVenture A clever backdrop to any event, EdVenture features innovative design and colorful décor that provides a festive atmosphere for all types of audiences and moods.
• Leapin' Lizards Whether it’s the best birthday party in town, team celebration, fundraiser, or corporate event, Leapin’ Lizards is the place to be. We have all the fun you’ll need and will cater to special requests. Let our friendly Leapin’ Lizards staff members assist you in planning the perfect event. Then enjoy the fun as we take care of all the set-up, clean up, and party facilitation.
• Country Adventures Join us for a fun-filled, no stress, private 2 hour farm party. Our parties are geared for children ages 2-7. We do all the work; you bring the cake, take pictures and enjoy the party with your child. Parents and grandparents love our parties almost more than the children! Your child's birthday will include pony rides (85 pound weight limit), a visit to the petting farm, a tractor-drawn hayride around the farm and a hotdog roast.
• FunZone for Kids FUNZONE is an indoor, inflatable party and play center available for private birthday parties, day care field trips, mom’s groups, sports team parties, home school groups, and church youth groups.
• Swiftwater Beads and Jewelry, 1101 Harden St, (803) 252-2020
• Laugh N Leap Laugh N Leap provides Inflatable Bounce House Rentals and Water Slides for Kids Birthday Parties and Events in Columbia SC and surrounding areas.
We are a new inflatable rental company located in Columbia, SC. Call 803-647-9601 for more information.
• Capital Karate. Have your child's birthday party at Capital Karate! 90 minute birthday parties include an exciting Karate lesson developing teamwork through games and drills! Birthday parties also include a Sword Cake cutting ceremony, gift certificate for all kids and a t-shirt for the birthday child! Parties include: Ninja Trail, Ninja Jump Rope, Dodge Ball, Battle the Purple Man, and Sword fights. Saturdays, 12:30 - 2:00pm.
• Learning Express Bring your child in to register for the next birthday so friends and family know exactly what to get. We’ll also take care of party favors for all your guests. Our educational toy selection helps children learn and develop and is carefully selected from toy manufacturers around the world ... classic toys that have passed the test of time as well as the latest toys on the leading edge of innovation.
• Columbia Museum of Art. Treat your child to an Art-Full Birthday Celebration! The Museum now offers Art-full birthday parties for Kids Plus! members and above levels. Each two-hour party includes a 30 minute themed-based tour in the galleries led by an art ambassador, a hands on art activity, paper products (plates, napkins, cups and forks), ready-to-mail invitations, and an art smock for the birthday child. $185 for up to 15 participants. For more information or to book a party, call 803.343.2163.
• The Art Elements. We are the party experts! We will have everything setup for you. All parties include one hour of studio time and thirty minutes for cake and presents! The Art Elements will provide a dedicated staff member to handle all of your needs including invitations, reservations, set up, decorating, demonstrating and clean up! Call to reserve your party room!
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