Another school year has come and gone, and the summer (and summer heat) are already in full-swing. We all want to make our children’s summers as memorable as possible, and soak up that extra time we have with them without the school schedules, homework, school projects, etc. to worry about.
We also know that three months at home can quickly turn chaotic without activities to fill the day for our children. Thankfully, Columbia — and even our own homes and backyards — have plenty of things to do. We’re also just a few hours from great places to discover, whether for a family vacation, or just a day trip.
We’ve put together a list of places to go and things to do in and around Columbia to help plan your family’s summer fun list. Whether you are looking for things to help burn off steam before bedtime and get your kids up and moving, water activities to cool off in the summer heat, or something to get through those rainy days at home, here are 100+ ideas to help you and your children stay busy, and make some memories together.
Water Fun ::
- Spend time outside in the kiddie pool
- Visit Palmetto Falls Water Park at Fort Jackson {Tuesdays-Fridays are open to the public, weekends are military only}
- Play in the sprinkler
- Set up the water and sand table
- Go out to Dreher Island
- Play at the beach at Lake Murray
- Get an old school slip n slide, or better yet make your own
- Hit up some friends’ pools
- Take swim lessons
- Have a water balloon fight
- Go tubing on the river
- Visit the Splash Pad at Saluda Shoals Park
- Splash around for the day at the new Waterfall Junction at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
Day Trips ::
- Two hours to the mountains, two hours to the beach … check out our list of kid-friendly day trips
- Head up 77 to Charlotte and visit Discovery Place and then snack on the Swedish meatballs at Ikea {bonus: Ikea has an incredible kids play area with a climbing wall and much more — check your potty-trained children in and enjoy shopping by. your. self.}
- Take a ride on Thomas the Train at Tweetsie Railroad
- Spend the day at the family friendly beaches of Charleston, Folly and Isle of Palms
- Visit the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry in Charleston
- Road-trip it to Atlanta and visit the Georgia Aquarium. It is the biggest in the world!
- Take a drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains
- Visit the Biltmore Estate in Asheville
- Get wet and wild at Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Park in North Charleston
Get Cultured ::
- Take a tour of the Columbia Museum of Art {or check out Gladys’ Gang which includes story time and a creative studio activity related to the art exploration theme}
- See the latest puppet show at the Columbia Marionette Theatre
- Spend a few hours exploring Edventure
- Check out the South Carolina State Museum
- Stargaze at the Planetarium for Second Shift Twosday
- Grab tickets to the latest kid-friendly production at Columbia Children’s Theatre
Out and About Around Cola Town ::
- Take me out to a Fireflies baseball game
- Visit Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens, and while you’re there, explore the new Sea Lion Landing
- Who needs to travel? Plan a staycation!
- Try a cronut at Soda City Market
- Paint your own pottery: The Pitter Patter in Lexington and Mad Platter downtown are great options
- Paint a masterpiece in the family and kid’s classes at Studio Cellar
- Take a walk along the riverfront
- Have a one-on-one date with either mom or dad
- Grab your camera and take some fun family photos at one of these great outdoor spots
- Go through a car wash
- Take advantage of the $1 kid-friendly summer movies at Regal Cinemas
- Vacation Bible School — check out a church close to you {almost all of them host one}
- Go to a drive-in movie at the Big Mo
- Check out story times and summer reading programs at your local library: Richland and Lexington counties
- Play laser tag at Frankies Fun Park
- Feed the Giraffes at Riverbanks Zoo
- Go fishing and feed the geese at Sesquicentennial State Park
- Visit a Farmer’s Market — many have activities for kids
- Check out FREE classes for babies and toddlers at Richland Library and Lexington County Library, including puppet shows, art classes, and story times
- Check out the many local parks and playgrounds in and around Columbia
Snack Time ::
- Have a doughnut date at Krispy Kreme or Dunkin Donuts
- Make homemade ice cream
- Eat breakfast for dinner
- Make homemade pizza
- Bake cookies for the neighbors
- Pick blueberries at Berry Hill Farm
- Visit a roadside watermelon stand
- Enjoy a treat at Sonic {half price drinks from 2-4 p.m.}
- Get custard at Rita’s
- Bring dad or mom lunch at work
- Let the kids plan and make dinner
- Eat dinner outside on the patio
- Make banana splits
- Hit up a snowball stand
- Break out the grill and a pizza stone and make pizza outside one night
- Make homemade popsicles
Move that Body ::
- Go on a hike through Fourteen Mile Creek
- Take a bike ride through Harbison State Forest
- Tumble at The Little Gym Lexington or Columbia, My Gym or Gymboree (first class is free)
- Fly high at HiWire Trampoline Park in Irmo or Northeast Columbia – Monday – Saturday, 9-10 a.m. is dedicated to kids 6 and under
- Have a jump rope contest
- Play Red Rover
- Challenge your neighbors to a game of Flashlight Tag
- Grab your friends and have a bicycle parade through your neighborhood
- Go bowling {check out Kids Bowl Free}
- Play miniature golf — Frankie’s Fun Park is a great option
- Have a family dance party {Pandora has some nice stations for this!}
- Make an obstacle course
Enjoy your Home ::
- Build a fort in the living room
- Build a sand volcano
- Have a family movie or game night
- Have a lazy PJ day
- Camp in your backyard
- Decorate your driveway with sidewalk chalk {make your own for an extra project}
- Blow bubbles
- Catch fireflies
- Plant a garden
- Make plastic egg fireflies
- Finger paint
- Play hopscotch
- Make a bug motel
- Make s’mores in your backyard with a fire pit or homemade solar oven
- Make sun tea on the deck
- Get postcards from the places you visit and send them to friends and family just for fun
- Create your own at-home summer camp
- Round up old clothes and toys and donate them
- Eat breakfast for dinner
- Make a board game or create an interactive game
- Host a tea party for your dolls and stuffed animals
- Make recycled crayons
- Play hide-n-seek in your neighborhood
- Make puppets {from paper bags} and masks {from paper plates}
- Host a block party
- Plan an at-home spa day-manis, pedis, fancy hair styles
- Get ready for back to school clothes shopping by trying on last year’s clothes and having a fashion show
- Write and illustrate a summer adventure book
- Learn how to fold origami cranes
- Start a scrapbook
- Make homemade silly putty
- Host a book swap with your friends
- Fly a kite
- Act out your favorite book … dress up like the characters, make up songs based on the story line or create a related craft
Final Tips on putting your family’s Summer Activities List together::
- Ask your kids what they want to do this summer and add it to the list … make it unique to your family
- The goal is to HAVE FUN with your family!
- Add to it as the summer goes on! You’ll think of great ideas as you go.
- Display your list on a chalkboard, on the fridge, on a poster board … whatever works for your family. {Search Pinterest for creative ideas.}
Well done Hannah!