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

Tuesday Top Five: Ways to Celebrate Earth Day in Charleston

by Nicole Teed

April 21, 2009

Tomorrow, April 22, marks Earth Day 2009! 

In the words of author E. B. White, "Every morning I awake torn between a desire to save the world and an inclination to savor it." What a great reminder to teach our children to care for the earth and enjoy all it has to offer.  Here are five ways to do a little of both!

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.

Tuesday Top Five: Five Ways to Teach Your Child About Life Cycles

by Nicole Teed

March 17, 2009

The season is shifting again. Winter into spring, and -- sooner than we might be ready! -- spring into summer. Your children are noticing, too, even if they can't express it: coats and jackets can be left home some warm mornings, the later sunset might be pushing back bedtimes a bit. We saw a pair of cardinals in our yard the other day, and both kids watched them carefully until they flew away. 

The cycle of the seasons is just one pattern of change and renewal. Learning about the life cycles of the earth helps build a connection between us, other living things, and our planet. Here are five ideas for sharing life cycles with your children.

Tuesday Top Five: Local Ways to Get Your Farm On

by Nicole Teed

March 10, 2009

I really wanted the farmer's market to be open last Saturday.  The weather was perfect to head downtown Saturday morning and pick up some fresh produce while enjoying lemonade and boiled peanuts.  Sigh.  Soon, though, the markets will be returning and the produce will be flowing from local farms.  Here are some great ways to bring the farm home to your family, and to get your family out to the farm!

Weekend Preview: Spend Time with All of Your Valentines!

by Nicole Teed

February 13, 2009

In case you've been under a rock, the big event this weekend is the South Eastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE).  The festival will be taking over much of downtown Charleston, centered in Marion Square but with events at multiple other venues as well.  It's quite the spectacle, with great people-watching and plenty to choose from.

Family-friendly highlights:

• The DockDogs were a huge hit last year, jumping off the dock at Brittlebank Park, and they're back this time, with even more opportunities to see them.  
• Family dog favorites, the retrievers, will be showing off their stuff at demonstrations at both Brittlebank Park and Marion Square.
• The Expo at Marion Square will host a large children's area, where kids can experience reptiles from the Edisto Serpentarium, and exotic petting zoo, and rock-climbing.

Tickets are $20 for Fri, $20 for Sat, and $10 for Sunday, or $40 for the weekend.  Kids under 10 are free with a ticketed adult.  There is something for everyone, from artwork to conservation lectures to benefit oyster roasts.  Check out the complete calendar of events for more information.

Elsewhere around town:

Green the New Year: Local Sources for Ideas, Products and More

by Nicole

January 26, 2009

Teaching our children about natural resources and environmentally friendly choices is necessary, but it shouldn't feel like a burden! "Going green" may seem annoyingly trendy, but if you manage to sift past the marketing appeals to our growing eco-consciousness, behind the movement is a quiet, valuable message: simplify. It's a lesson I come back to every time my children spend more time  Read more...

Oh the weather outside is awesome

by Nicole

December 18, 2008

Some people celebrate Christmas in July. Right now, it feels more like July at Christmas. I'm looking at the forecast for the next few days after sweating this afternoon in a short-sleeved shirt. It looks like it is going to be in the high 70's from now until Sunday. I don't pretend to understand how that is possible in the middle of December. However, I think it's probably best just to roll  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...

Fabulous Fieldtrip: Blueberries!

by Nicole

June 18, 2008

Blueberry season is here, and there is no better way to enjoy this fruity summertime delight than fresh from the bush. I've mentioned Champney's Farm (4492 Rose Drive, Ravenel, SC. Phone: 843-763-6564) briefly before, but I wanted to share our recent trip to their place. It makes a great field trip for the whole family -- and it's actually in a FIELD! If, like me, you're working with your  Read more...

How to Cultivate the Tiniest Green Thumb

by Nicole

May 26, 2008

I'll be frank: I'm a vegetarian, cloth-diapering, thrift-store-shopping mother who has been dubbed the "recycling Nazi" for berating certain family members for tossing out plastic bottles. While folks in Berkeley or somewhere equally self-important might call me a lightweight, around these parts, I'm about as crunchy as they come. This spring and summer, we've been really focused on food --  Read more...

Lionfish, tiger sharks and otters, oh my! Discovering the wilderness of the urban jungle

by Nicole

May 16, 2008

Many of our out-of-town visitors have been surprised to learn that Charleston doesn't have a real zoo. (The state's large zoo, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden , is located about two hours away in Columbia.) However, that doesn't mean there is a shortage of wildlife to be found. With our coastal location and love of all things maritime, it makes sense that the best place for spotting animals in  Read more...

Top Five Things to Do on a Nice Summer Day

by Nicole

May 14, 2008

1. Go to the beach. Nothing beats kicking off your shoes, pulling on your suit, and running down the beach into the surf. We tend to head to Folly Beach and hang near the pier, but the beaches at Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms are also great. Depending on the tide, we've encountered pools full of tiny life, jellyfish washed ashore, and waves that cry out for jumping. 2. Hit the park.  Read more...