Here are some inexpensive activities to entertain your kids without breaking the bank.
Sport and Skatestation USA
This roller skating fun center is located in Lexington and admission and skate rental is $10. Monday nights are family nights where admission is $3 per person or $10 for a family of four and includes skate rentals.
Frankie’s Fun Park
Who doesn’t love a great round of Mini Golf? With three Mini Golf courses and 54 unique holes, there is plenty for your family to enjoy. Mini Golf is great for all ages and skill levels and the best part is kids three and under play for free with a paid adult. You can also enjoy other activities for under $10 like the batting cages, bumper boats, drop zone and more.
State House
Are your kids a little older? Looking for something educational? Did you know that our State House offers free guided and self-guided tours Monday through Friday for a bit of history, political insight, and a roof overhead? While the legislature is in session (January – May), tours are offered every half hour beginning at 9:30 a.m. and ending at 3:30 p.m. Tours are not offered at 12 p.m. or 12:30 p.m. during these months. Visitors can also tour at their own pace using brochures available in the State House. Walk-in tours are welcomed and encouraged.
Cottle Strawberry Farm
Strawberry season is upon us. Take your kids to walk around and pick strawberries – a family favorite! A quart is only $7. But here’s where I’d splurge and have the family pick a gallon bucket ($18). That’s enough strawberries for the everyone to eat, with plenty leftover to make strawberry bread and strawberry lemonade. They are open seven days a week during the strawberry season, however, it is always wise to call ahead.
Home Depot Kids Workshop
Since I went overbudget on the gallon bucket at the strawberry farm, here’s something that’s FREE. Home Depot has a free kids workshop from 9 a.m. to noon on the first Saturday of every month. This hands-on workshop gives your kids the materials to build something with your assistance, then paint their project to take home. Kids receive a certificate, apron and pin with their project. For April, the workshop is a birdhouse. We’ve done this several times and it’s great to get the kids out of the house to do something creative.
Congaree National Park
Take a hike with your kids and enjoy the outdoors. Entrance to Congaree National Park is free. The park is open 24 hours a day year round. The Harry Hampton Visitor Center is open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed on federal holidays. Trail maps and brochures, as well as restroom facilities and water are available in the Visitor Center breezeway 24 hours a day.
Kroger Chef Junior
Kroger Chef Junior is a kid’s cooking class held on Saturday mornings at participating Kroger stores. A Kroger chef will guide your child as they learn to create a new tasty food item each month. Register for their next class on Saturday, April 13 or Saturday, April 27 to learn how to make cinnamon rolls. Classes are $7 and kids will receive an apron, recipe box, chef hat, patch and their very own Kroger Chef Junior Dough Cutter to add to their collection!
Michael’s Kid’s Classes
Michael’s craft stores have a kids club on select Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon with various projects for kids ages four and up. Prices vary based on project but are typically under $5 with many of them being free. An alternate idea if you can’t make it on a Saturday morning is to check out their website for inexpensive crafts you can make with your kids.
Columbia Marionette Theatre
Check out Puss in Boots until April 20 at the Columbia Marionette Theatre. Tickets are $10 per person and children under 2 are free. All seats are general admission, and tickets can be purchased at the door. Shows are most every Saturday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and every third Monday at 10 a.m.
Fireflies Baseball Game
The weather is slowly starting to get nicer and the 2024 Fireflies baseball season has officially started! Seats on the lawn are always $6. Bring a blanket and sit on the outfield and let the kids run around outside. Bonus: it’s near the kids inflatable jumping area.
