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

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...

here comes kindergarten!

by Nicole

January 22, 2009

While 2009 seems like it just began, spring will arrive soon, then summer, then fall. Before we know it, the buzz of a new school year will be upon us. If you, like me, have a child that will be entering kindergarten in the fall, the thought of sending your little one off to the big kid school makes your heart beat a little faster. (In fact, I visited our neighborhood elementary school last  Read more...

Yes, it's already time to think about kindergarten

by Nicole

October 13, 2008

Chances are if you read this website, you're a parent of a preschooler. And chances are that at some point, that preschooler has to grow up and go to kindergarten! If your child will be five years old by next September, the time is now to start thinking about elementary school options. Public, private, charter, or homeschooling? Neighborhood school or magnet? Parochial or not? The choices are  Read more...

Tuesday top five: the back-to-preschool lowdown

by Nicole

September 02, 2008

My daughter started back to preschool this morning, much like many of her friends and kids across the Lowcountry. Summer fun has been awesome, and now it's time for preschool fun! (Because preschool SHOULD be fun, not work, yo.) If you are seeing your child off to preschool for the first or fourth time this year, here are some tips for making the transition smooth! 1. Plan ahead. Make sure  Read more...

Weekend events for the whole family: August 16-17, 2008

by Nicole

August 15, 2008

It's the last weekend before school starts! Time to get out and enjoy! Why leave Fido out of the family fun? The Animal Planet Expo is coming to town on Saturday, bringing with it exotic species, Frisbee-catching dogs, pet adoptions, a kids' zone, and water and misting stations (misting stations!) for your pet. Trot on over to the Ladson Exchange Park Fairgrounds from 10 am - 4pm for some  Read more...

Back-to-school safety: check the registry

by Nicole

August 13, 2008

We don't like to think that there are people living around us that might hurt our children. The sad fact of the matter, however, is that there are. If you haven't ever checked the sex offender registry for your neighborhood, now is a good time. Be sure to look at your block, near your child's school and bus stop, and anywhere else your kids spend a good amount of time. The official state website  Read more...

Back-to-school: sales tax holiday this weekend!

by Nicole

July 31, 2008

This weekend is the annual back-to-school sales tax holiday for South Carolina. (If you didn't already know that, it is a sign that you are spending too much time in the house with small children. Seriously.) To be honest, the sales tax discount alone isn't enough to force me out in the August heat with every other crazy parent. Combine it with other discounts though (or make a big purchase of  Read more...

Back-to-school prep: immunizations

by Nicole

July 30, 2008

If your child is attending daycare, preschool or (gulp!) kindergarten this fall, you'll be asked to provide a record of his or her immunizations OR an exemption. Avoid the last minute scramble by getting your stuff together now! The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) provides a detailed list of the immunizations required for different childcare and school  Read more...

Heads up: it's time to think about back-to-school

by Nicole

July 24, 2008

It's hard to believe, I know, but July is almost over. It won't be long until August is too, and the kids are headed to preschool and kindergarten. Just in the last couple of days, I've received some news about back-to-school sales that seemed too good to keep to myself. Stride Rite , maker of the only shoes that seem to fit my daughter's foot, is having their annual buy-one-get-one-half-off  Read more...