Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in charleston, SC

Urban Wildlife: Bee City

by Nicole Teed

April 13, 2009

Take a family with a good-sized piece of land and a thing for honeybees, mix in some domestic and exotic animals in a petting zoo, and throw in a restaurant and gift shop for good measure -- that should give you a good idea of what to anticipate for a day trip to Bee City.

Getting There: Follow the directions on the website and it's surprisingly easy to find. If you're leaving from West Ashley or downtown Charleston and want a nice drive in the country, you can take Hwy 61 (Ashley River Rd) the whole way there.  They're only open to the general public on Fridays and Saturdays most of the year.  Parking can be a bit of a bear if it's a busy day. Get there early to avoid crowds.

Main Attractions: While a name like "Bee City" might make you believe that bees will be the focus of your visit, the observable hive and bee-related education classroom actually sit off from the main building.  Be sure to go there, though -- it's a great window into bee life.  If your children are like mine, however, you'll spend most of your time in the petting zoo.  There are the usual suspects, to be sure: goats, bunnies, donkeys, even llamas and alpacas.  But my daughter loved the monkeys and lemurs the best, with their gentle little hands that steal "Monkey-Os" and (occasionally) shiny objects from your hand. There were also wallabies, the largest hares I've ever seen, a collection of gorgeous pheasants, and a koi pond. The petting zoo costs $3 admission for everyone ages 3 and up, plus you'll probably want some animal food for the tour ($3 as well).  I can honestly say that our outing there last Friday was the most fun my children and I have had for under $10 in a long time!

Food and Drink: You are welcome to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy it at the tables outside.  There is also a cafe inside the main building that serves up delicious home cooking.  We ate at the cafe during our visit, and I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food and absolutely thrilled with the family-friendly service.

Groups:  If you are a member of a playgroup (or you just have a lot of friends), plan ahead for a group program.  Costs range from $3 (petting zoo and talk only) to $10 (petting zoo, program, plus honey and beeswax crafts to make and take).  You'll need 15 kids minimum to pre-schedule, but if you can make it happen your group can have the place to itself during the week.

Weekend Round-Up: April 11-12

by Nicole Teed

April 10, 2009

It's Easter weekend, and the bunny has brought all sorts of activity to Charleston.  There's the return of the farmers market, more egg hunts than I can count, Hat Ladies on parade, and gorgeous weather to boot!  Put on your bonnets, grab your baskets and head out to enjoy!

Tuesday Top Five: Games to Play with Balls

by Nicole Teed

March 31, 2009

When I finally rounded up all the balls scattering our backyard the other day, I realized that we had amassed quite a collection. Soccer balls, whiffle balls, bouncy balls -- you name it, we've got at least one. Truth is, my kids play with all of them, and those balls have been the center of some great family afternoons together. If you and your kids need some new ideas for games to play with balls, draw some inspiration from this list! (And do I need to remind you that running, throwing, kicking, and hitting are great for the development of those gross motor skills? Nope, didn't think so!)

Weekend Round-Up: March 27-29

by Nicole Teed

March 26, 2009

Charleston is going WILD this weekend with animals! Take your pick of these grrrrrrreat events!

The Cole Bros. Circus is in town! See clowns, elephants, and daredevils perform under the big top this weekend at the Exchange Park Fairgrounds. Showtimes are 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm on Friday; 1:30 pm, 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm on Saturday; and 1:30 and 4:30 pm Sunday. Tickets are $12 general admission higher for reserved and VIP seating.

If fuzzy bunnies are more your style, why not enjoy the performance of the Velveteen Rabbit, offered this weekend by the Flowertown Players at the James F. Dean Community Theatre in Summerville. Shows are Friday at 7:00 pm and Saturday at 3:00 pm. $5 general admission.

Have kids and dogs? Or at least kids who like dogs? The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission is hosting a Pet Fest this weekend at Palmetto Islands County Park in Mt. Pleasant. There will be booths from local pet organizations and businesses, dogs diving off docks, and plenty of children's activities. Saturday from 10 am - 4 pm and Sunday from 12 - 4 pm. Admission is $5, but kids 12 and under are free.

Calling all early-birds! If you're a member of the South Carolina Aquarium, rally early Saturday to catch their opening from 8 am - 9 am. This is a nice chance to meet the new penguins before the weekend crowd hits.

Volunteer this weekend to help the coast and the coastal wildlife at Folly Beach. Charleston Waterkeeper has joined forces with Starbucks Coffee to host a morning beach sweep from 9 am - 12 noon on Saturday. This is a great opportunity for the whole family to volunteer together, so bring the kids and put them to work!

Finally, the end of the hockey season is nigh. The South Carolina Stingrays play their last season home game vs. the Mississippi Sea Wolves on Sunday at 5:00 pm at the North Charleston Coliseum. There will be a free family festival before the game from 3:00 - 5:00 pm.  Come out and cheer for the home team!

Tuesday Top Five: Simple Ideas for Backyard Fun

by Nicole Teed

March 24, 2009

I'm telling you, I am FEELING spring. The garden is (mostly) in, daylight is lasting until after dinner, and I'm just about ready to pack up the sweaters and shop for swimsuits! We're starting to spend more time outside, and that means finding ways to enjoy the backyard. Whether you've got a small patch of grass, acres to run, or a borrowed park, here are some ideas for making the most of the sunshine.

...like an elephant: favorite memory games for kids

by Nicole

January 12, 2009

My daughter's best friend Madeleine has a mind like a steel trap: she can tell you about the places she's gone and what she did there at a level of detail that is sometimes startlingly accurate. (She does, however, still have trouble remembering where she put her shoes!) For kids to whom memory-building might not come quite as naturally, there are some fun toys and activities for teaching those  Read more...

Midnight (or so) with the munchkins!: new year's ideas

by Nicole

December 29, 2008

The usual New Year's Eve agenda, complete with disco balls and champagne toasts, isn't exactly child-friendly. After all, the preschool crowd generally has a bedtime well before midnight and sips apple juice rather than martinis. But ringing in the new year can be a fun celebration as a family -- you just have to be creative! If you want to get out and about, the best bet for family fun on New  Read more...

Tuesday top five: holiday events for Charleston's children

by Nicole

December 09, 2008

There are plenty of special events to choose from in Charleston this month, but there are a few that are truly great times for families with kids! Here are my picks for the best of the season. 1. The Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park. This might be the tenth or so time I've mentioned this spectacular show of lights and fun at Santa's Village. I don't know how else to make  Read more...

Tuesday top five: toys we love

by Nicole

December 02, 2008

Preschool learning is all about play, which means toys are more than just mere amusement: they're the tools for exploring and enriching children's lives. The best toys bring kids and families together with plenty of room for adaptation and imagination. Here are five recommendations that will excite and inspire the little ones on your list. Smart Splash Fun Number Ducks Rubber duckies are  Read more...

Lowcountry holiday traditions

by Nicole

December 02, 2008

There's nothing like the holiday season in Charleston. I love this time of year -- the chill in the air (just enough to wear a scarf!), the shoppers on King Street, and the full line-up of holiday events for the whole family! This weekend officially kicks off the Christmas welcome in Charleston with a two days of family fun. Join Mayor Joe Riley this Saturday from 4:30 - 6 pm at Marion Square  Read more...

Holiday weekend fun!

by Nicole

November 28, 2008

I think everyone must be out shopping, because there aren't a lot of scheduled events for families this weekend. The James Island County Park Holiday Festival of Lights continues nightly this weekend. Don't miss it! Usher the holiday season in with Santa's arrival at the Mount Pleasant Town Centre, TODAY, Friday, November 28 at noon. Free. Several of Charleston's main family  Read more...

Weekend events: November 22-23

by Nicole

November 21, 2008

As is our savvy tradition, this post is brought to you by the letters T G I and F. I hope you'll find some inspiration for your weekend plans in this round-up. First, how about some awesome kid-friendly performances? The Charleston Ballet Theatre performs its second round of How the Grinch Stole Christmas this weekend. Showtimes are Saturday at 11:00 am and 1:30 pm, and Sunday at 3:00 pm.  Read more...

Read to me! storytimes in Charleston

by Nicole

November 11, 2008

Everyone loves a good story time. You sit on the floor, learn to keep your hands to yourself, hear some stories and sing some songs, maybe even do the Hokey Pokey. What's not to like? Here is as-near-complete-a-listing I can offer for Charleston area storytimes. I hope you find one near you! Charleston County Public Library Storytimes Wee Reads (children 24 months old and younger) Mondays @  Read more...

Tuesday top five: things that are better with a buddy

by Nicole

September 23, 2008

In the early years, you are your child's parent and playmate. They might show interest in other kids, and they might even have "playdates" where they play in the same room while watching and imitating a buddy, but it's not until they reach preschool age that they actually engage in interactive play. And woo buddy, then WATCH OUT. They want to see their friends all the time. My daughter is four  Read more...

Five Extracurricular Activities for Preschoolers You Probably Haven't Considered

by Nicole

June 17, 2008

There's nothing wrong with gymnastics for the little tikes, or dance lessons, or soccer. In fact, my kids like all of those just fine. However, some kids need a more unusual activity to suit their talents. Why not take a look at these preschool activities for something a little different? 1. The Yoga Mama Karma Kid studio opened recently in Mt. Pleasant, offering yoga classes for infants  Read more...