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

The Tough Stuff

by Nicole Teed

May 04, 2009

While my hope is that everyone reading this website has a home that is secure and safe, a network of supportive friends and family, plenty to eat and enough money to pay bills, I know that tough times come for many. If you are struggling with some of the "tough stuff" -- stuff that kids shouldn't have to know about but can't always avoid -- here is a list of local and national resources.  There is help out there. Get it if you need it.

Legal Assistance:

South Carolina Legal Services - provides free legal services in a wide variety of civil (non-criminal) legal matters to eligible low income residents of  South Carolina

Domestic Violence/Child Abuse:

Dee Norton Lowcountry Children's Center - an organization whose mission is to keep children safe from abuse, and when abuse occurs, to work with the community to bring healing to children and their families. 24-hour hotline: (843) 723-3600.

My Sister's House - provides services, programs and resources to empower victims of domestic violence and their children to live free from abuse. 24-hour crisis hotline: (843) 744-3242

Health Services:

MUSC Children's Hospital

South Carolina Medicaid

Charleston County Public Health Department

Social Services and Financial Assistance:

South Carolina Department of Social Services - resources for adoption, child care, foster care, financial and food assistance, child support enforcement, and domestic violence.

Foodbanks:

Lowcountry Foodbank

Fields to Families

Housing:

Charleston County Housing Authority - low-income/subsidized housing

Tricounty Family Ministries - mortgage payment assistance

Referral Hotlines: if the resources listed here don't cover your needs, please search at one of these resource clearinghouses.

211 Hotline - Trident United Way (800) 922-2283

East Cooper Community Outreach (843) 849-9220

Weekend Round-Up: April 17-19

by Nicole Teed

April 16, 2009

Do you believe that child abuse is a grown-up problem? Because it most certainly is. Come and show your support for the Dee Norton Lowcountry Children's Center at it's annual child safety and child abuse prevention event.  There will be face painting, art projects, fingerprinting and fire safety information.  Saturday, April 18 from 8 am - 12 pm in Marion Square.  (The downtown farmer's market will be happening at the same time, so yay!)  FREE.

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!

Weekend Round-Up: March 20-22

by Nicole Teed

March 19, 2009

Spring has sprung!  Tomorrow, Friday, March 20, marks the official beginning of spring!  The vernal equinox marks the date where sunlight and darkness are equal.  The change of season is definitely worth celebrating!  I'm considering an early morning trip to the beach to watch the sunrise.  How will you mark the transition to spring?
With the weather warming up, the calendar is getting busy too!  This weekend is packed with events for the whole family.

Savvy Guests: Five Things to Look for in a Preschool Game

by Nicole Teed

March 16, 2009

In case you didn't get the parenting memo, I'm here to tell you: family game nights are totally in.  Times are tight, and game nights make for a fun and inexpensive way for families to really connect.  However, unless you have a particularly precocious preschooler, Texas Hold ‘em might be a bit of a stretch.  It can be hard to find a game that meets the preschool crowd at the right level without boring the parents.

In today's guest post, toy expert Jim Silver discusses features that parents should look for when choosing games for their preschoolers.  Jim is a widely recognized and often-resourced authority on the toy and licensing industries, having worked within the publishing and toy industries for more than 20 years.  He's also editor-in-chief for TimeToPlayMag.com, a great website parents can go to for toy, gaming and entertainment information.   Read below to learn five things parents should look for in a preschool game, then check out Jim's list of top preschool games for 2009.

Weekend Round-Up: February 20-22

by Nicole Teed

February 19, 2009

It looks like it's going to be a great weekend to take it easy with the family.  The events calendar isn't crazy busy and the weather looks fair but not fabulous.  Enjoy!

The Isle of Palms Recreation Department in association with the Crabpot Players presents Alice in Wonderland, this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, February 19-21.  The curtain rises at 7:00 pm for all shows, with doors open 30 minutes prior.  $5 general admission.  24 28th Avenue, IOP. 

The Trident United Way is Counting Down to Kindergarten with free entertainment, backpack giveaways, and health screenings this Saturday, February 21 from 9 am - 12 noon at North Charleston Elementary School, near Park Circle.

As usual, Satruday brings a line-up of free events at Charleston County Public Libraries:

• Family Storytime at the John's Island Regional library at 11:00 am.
• African American "Tall Tales" presented in honor of Black History Month at the Otranto Road Regional library at 1:00 pm.
• Saturday Movie: Lion King at the Dorchester Road Regional library at 3:00 pm.

The Children's Museum of the Lowcountry is celebrating Mardi Gras this weekend (family-friendly style, of course!) with a party on Sunday from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm.  Free with admission ($7 for ages 1 and up).

Sea and Save discounted admission continues through February 28 at the South Carolina Aquarium.  $10 flat rate entry for South Carolina residents!  Go see some fishies.

[Photo credit: SXC/Shannon Pifko]

tuesday top ten: things to do with your child before kindergarten

by Nicole

January 27, 2009

You've got nine months before your little one enters into the big, big world of kindergarten. What's a family to do? Squeeze all the fun you can into the time between now and September, when the schedule of the school year will rule. Here are ten ideas for making the end of preschool memorable. 1. Play hooky. If your child attends preschool now, and your schedule allows for it, let him take a  Read more...

Weekend round-up: January 9-11

by Nicole

January 09, 2009

Are you breathing again, recovered from the holidays and ready to enjoy the new year? Here are some ways to make this weekend special with the whole family. TODAY, Friday, January 9, 2009 Get your splash on at the R.L. Jones pool in Mt. Pleasant during Family Fun Night, from 6:30-8:30 pm. This free event will include swimming (of course) and games. Dig your swimsuit out from the back of  Read more...

Tuesday top five: things that matter and things that don't!

by Nicole

January 06, 2009

Sometimes, when you're in the middle of a parenting dilemma (or just a bad day!), it's helpful to take a step back and look at the big picture. What really matters to you? What really matters to your kids? Are you keeping perspective or getting bogged down in insignificant details? What matters: Reading to your child. What doesn't: What exactly you read. Sure, sure. I'm a book snob too. I  Read more...

Children's books about new beginnings

by Nicole

January 05, 2009

Even at young ages, life is full of change. Dealing with all of that new can be a little stressful, though, and sometimes a story can help. Here are a few book picks for helping a child through a few of the big transitions that might be encountered during the preschool years. If a new baby is on the way... I'm Going to be a Big Sister / I'm Going to be a Big Brother by Brenda Bercun This is  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...

We wish you a merry christmas!

by Nicole

December 25, 2008

Christmas has arrived, and my hope is that this time of year has brought much joy, laughter, and gifts of the heart to you and your family. In the midst of the busyness of the season, make an effort to be present in the moment. Stare too long at the fire. Savor the chocolate as it melts on your tongue. Listen to the sounds of laughter and wrapping paper ripped by little hands. Give extra hugs  Read more...

Oyster stew and walks on the beach: starting our own Christmas traditions

by Nicole

December 13, 2008

For every year of our marriage, in spite of long distances and busy schedules and being poor graduate students, my husband and I and our children always went home for Christmas. "Home" is near Phoenix, Arizona where both my husband and I were raised and where both sets of parents and all three of our sisters still live. Given that we were the only ones that left -- to Michigan, to Tennessee, and  Read more...

Weekend calendar: December 12-14

by Nicole

December 12, 2008

Lots of holiday happenings this weekend! The weather looks beautiful, so get out and enjoy! Saturday brings a unique holiday presentation to Charles Towne Landing ! The Ceremonies of the Cultures will explore the theme of traditions and celebrations from the perspective of Lowcountry people past and present. Hear Gullah storytelling, learn about Native American tales and songs, and learn  Read more...

Greening the holidays

by Nicole

December 10, 2008

Aaah, the colors of the holiday season: red, gold, silver, blue, and GREEN. As our awareness of the impact our consumption makes on the environment grows, everyone is looking for ways to be more eco-friendly. There are easy ways to green your holiday without taking away from the celebration of the season. In fact, you might find that reducing consumption pushes you toward new traditions that  Read more...

Happy thanksgiving!

by Nicole

November 27, 2008

The turkey's been dressed, the pie has been made (or, in my case, purchased) and the television football schedule has been perused. While food and family may dominate the weekend, don't miss this opportunity to share gratitude for and with your children. Ask them what they're thankful for. Their answers may surprise you. Share your own ideas about gratitude. Let them give a  Read more...

Ways to give thanks

by Nicole

November 12, 2008

As a preamble to Thanksgiving in a couple of weeks -- the holiday that is all about gratitude (well, gratitude and food, if we're being honest) -- why not share some simple ways of giving back with your children? Donate used toys and clothes to charity. You might have a donation pile collecting in your garage, but the key here is to get your child involved in the decisions about what they keep  Read more...

Run, baby, run! fall road races for the family

by Nicole

October 22, 2008

I participated in the Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure last weekend on Daniel Island and I was struck by the number of children participating in the race. (I left mine at home!) There were parents pushing strollers in both the 1 mile family fun run/walk and the 5K race, and there were older kids running the whole distance. At one of the water stops, I overheard a seasoned runner dad coaching  Read more...

Pumpkin Parties and Spooky Soirees: Halloween events around town

by Nicole

October 21, 2008

Here are some of the Halloween festivities happening around town. Get out with your favorite ghouls and boys and enjoy! Halloween Extravaganza at St. Paul's Academy Head out to Hollywood (South Carolina, not California!) to enjoy a homegrown Halloween festival at St. Paul's Academy. There will be kiddie hayrides for those too young for the haunted variety, plenty of games, a petting zoo, and  Read more...

Hurricane preparation for your family

by Nicole

September 03, 2008

Earlier this week, all eyes were on the Gulf Coast as Hurricane Gustav made landfall. Now our attention turns to Hurricane Hannah, which is predicted to hit the coast somewhere between Georgia and South Carolina. In other words, HERE. While this particular storm might not be too bad, the fact is that it's hurricane season and we're vulnerable. Now is the time to get prepared. The National  Read more...

Family capoeira!

by Nicole

August 18, 2008

I love the idea of exercising WITH my children, though it's honestly not something that I manage as often as I like. Either I'm at the gym (and they're in the gym childcare) or they're at classes and I'm sitting on my butt watching. We go for family walks, sure, but have you ever walked with a preschooler? It's fun, but hardly exercise . Christopher of Fit Club Charleston wants to make it  Read more...

Father's Day Ideas: Show Dad Some Love

by Nicole

June 10, 2008

Dads spend a lot of time and effort supporting their kids in countless ways, it's only fair that they should get one day a year to bask in the accomplishment of fatherhood. Here are some ideas for gifts to make the day special for your Lowcountry dad. Most dads I know don't want or need any more stuff , so these selections focus on gifting dad with experiences to be remembered. 1. Take him out  Read more...

Ways to keep track, part deux: strategies for recording moments and years

by Nicole

January 15, 2008

My son just celebrated his first birthday, and in true second-child fashion, he has had fewer photographs taken of him than his sister. (I also decided now would be a good time to order his birth certificate. What? I never claimed to be on top of things!) And while we may all joke about neglected baby books and disorganized photos, the truth is that some kind of record of your children's early  Read more...