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

Tuesday Top Five(ish): 2009 Piccolo Spoleto Picks

by Nicole Teed

May 19, 2009

The Spoletians are coming!  The Spoleto and Piccolo Spoleto festivals kick-off this weekend, turning Charleston into an art lover's paradise.  The more formal Spoleto Festival hosts fabulous opera, theatre, dance and music performances -- perfect for date nights, but not so friendly to the short crowd.  In contrast, there are a number of Piccolo events that are not only family-friendly, they're also FREE.  Put some events on your calendar for the next couple of weeks!

Weekend Round-Up: April 3-5

by Nicole Teed

April 02, 2009

Like daffodils in the garden, the Charleston calendar has events popping up all over the place these days.  Here is some of the family-friendly fun to be had in town this weekend!

In case you haven't heard, the Cooper River Bridge Run is this Saturday. Grown-ups will have their chance to conquer the bridge then, but kids get their chance to race on Friday, April 3, at Hampton Park. The Kids Run Expo starts at 12 noon, with plenty of fun activities and treats.  Registration and packet pick-up happens until 3:30 pm, and the races start at 4 pm, with children grouped by age and kid-friendly distances. Pre-registrations is $8 with a T-shirt, or you can register and get a T for $10 on Friday.

The Summerville Flowertown Festival starts this Friday, April 3 and continues through Sunday, April 5 in beautiful downtown Summerville. This event is FREE for the whole family, and includes games, rides and crafts at the Children's Jubille on South Main.  Hours are 9 am - 5 pm Friday and Saturday and 9 am - 4 pm Sunday.

Did you build you family by adoption?  If so, this Easter celebration and egg hunt are for you!  The Chosen Child Adoption services is hosting this special event at Wannamaker Park in North Charleston on Saturday, April 4, from 10 am - 12 noon. Families with adopted children, parents waiting to adopt, and others interested in adoption are invited to attend. The event is free, but there is a $1 admission to the park.  Bring baskets for the egg hunt!

If you're bargain-hunting for spring and summer kids' clothes (and who isn't), The KidShop Consignment sale is happening this Friday and Saturday at Fort Johnson Baptist Church on James Island.  Doors will be open from 9 am - 7 pm on Friday, with many items half-price Saturday from 8 am - 12 noon.  [If you missed the opportunity to consign with this sale, Charleston Repeats and Lowcountry Tot Swap are happening later this month.]

Finally, satisfy your craving for po' boys and with the Lowcountry Cajun Festival at James Island County Park on Sunday, April 5 from 12 noon - 6 pm.  Get down to some Zydeco, indulge in some Cajun and Creole food, and enjoy children's activities.  Admission is $10 for adults, kids 12 and under are free.  No outside food or beverage allowed.

Kid-Friendly Breakfast Nooks in Charleston

by Nicole Teed

March 23, 2009

I don't know how things are around your house at dinnertime, but the 6 pm - 7 pm time slot seems to be a witching hour for my preschoolers. They're tired and cranky and hungry, and while my husband and I might like to head out to dinner sometimes, it's just not worth it. Instead, we've decided to treat the family to a meal out a breakfast on occasion, when the kids are fresh and kid-friendly food options -- pancakes! eggs! bacon! -- abound. Here are a few places I'd recommend if you and the family are eating out for the most important meal of the day.

Tuesday top five: best places to see yourself reflected in Charleston

by Nicole

January 13, 2009

From a very young age, children are attracted to the image of themselves in a mirror. It's a place to get a hold of who they are and what they look like to other people, in addition to being an excellent opportunity for making funny faces! Sometimes it's fun to go looking for yourself in less expected places -- well, less expected than the bathroom mirror, anyway. Here are five spots in and  Read more...

Tuesday top five: places to see lights

by Nicole

December 23, 2008

With early sunsets and holiday spirit in abundance, there is no time like the present to strap everyone into the car for a drive to see light displays. Here are a few places to head for some twinkling delights. James Island County Park hosts the Holiday Festival of Lights nightly through January 4th. My friend who lives in nearby Riverland Terrace says that the line has been long lately, but  Read more...

Tuesday top five: bookshelf essentials for Lowcountry kids!

by Nicole

November 25, 2008

There are some books that you simply need to have around if you are a member of the Charleston short crowd. Here are some ideas for exploring -- and adding to! -- the Lowcountry charm. Seashells of the World (A Golden Guide) by R. Tucker Abbott While your preschooler will probably need some help to use this guide, this book is the perfect way to turn that trip to the beach into a  Read more...

Children's books about Charleston

by Nicole

August 27, 2008

A number of fantastic local authors have written children's books about places to see and adventures to be had in and around Charleston. Check out these titles and delight in your child's recognition of their home city in the pages of friendly tales! Hermy the Hermit Crab now has three stories to tell from the shores of Charleston. Join him as he learns early lessons about growing up crab in  Read more...

Weekend Fun for the Whole Family

by Nicole

June 06, 2008

If you're like me, weekends are a time to enjoy life together as a family. There's something to be said for some quiet time at home, just hanging out. There's also something to be said for getting out of the house so that you don't go crazy with cabin fever. Here are my picks for this weekend, all free for the whole family. Local Blend concerts at the Charleston County Public Library Yes, I'm  Read more...

What's in a name?: Getting to know Charleston

by Nicole

June 05, 2008

I didn't grow up in South Carolina, so I never took the state history course and know very little about Charleston's rich history. (I can, however, tell you all about Arizona, if you're interested. Takers?) I'm definitely looking forward to learning more about Charleston's past with my children, and what better place to begin than with the name. Kids are naturally curious about their own  Read more...

10 Things You Must Do with Your Children Before They Grow Up

by Nicole

May 29, 2008

1. Walk the Cooper River Bridge . Park on the peninsula side, walk up to the midpoint in the late afternoon, and then watch the spectacular sunset as you descend back into Charleston. Perfect! 2. Conquer Ft. Sumter . No matter which side of the War Between the States you take, Ft. Sumter offers a unique opportunity to introduce a defining moment in American history. 3. Canoe the Edisto River.  Read more...

Five Best Ways to Enjoy Downtown Charleston on the Cheap

by Nicole

May 19, 2008

Here's a half-day walking tour of downtown Charleston designed for kids that is low on cash investment but high on fun. To keep the trip cheap, be sure to pack drinks and snacks from home. There's a fair bit of walking, so keep in mind that even bigger kids may want the option to ride in a stroller off and on. 1. Start at the Market (near the corner of North Market and East Bay Street). The  Read more...

History lessons: Rainbow Row

by Nicole

May 15, 2008

Images of the houses along Rainbow Row grace T-shirts and postcards and serve as one of the landmark sights of Charleston. While architecture and urban restoration may be a bit too much for a preschooler, a walk down Rainbow Row presents an opportunity to talk about the history of Charleston through multiple eras. The row of houses sits on East Bay Street between Tradd and Eliot. The buildings  Read more...