Best Things to Do With Children in Greenville, SC

What's better than spending the day with your children, or grandchildren, doing something fun?

If you don't know where to start or are looking for a new idea, keep reading! Here is a list of things to do with children in Greenville, some of them are free, including museums, parks, and interactive learning experiences.

Greenville Zoo

Which child doesn't like to go to the zoo?

Opened in 1960, the Greenville Zoo hosts today African Lions, Masai Giraffes, Giant Anteaters, two Griffon Vultures, Spider Monkeys, Orangutans, Leopards, Ocelots, reptiles, and many other animals on a 14-acre (5.7 ha) ground.

A visit to the zoo usually takes an hour and a half, and it costs $12 per adult and $9 per child age 3-12. Special rates are available for Seniors 65+, militaries, and their families.

The park also hosts special events all year round, corporate events, educational programs for children from K4 through high school, and overnights private events.

The zoo is close to Cleveland Park, Greenville's biggest park with excellent playground equipment, a softball field, volleyball and tennis courts, a Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and eight picnic shelters.

Roper Mountain Science Center

Opened in 1985 and part of the Greenville County School District, the Roper Mountain Science Center includes a campus featuring facilities for studying life and natural sciences, space, and physical sciences.

The facilities, rich in interactive learning experiences, include the Darrell W. Harrison Hall of Natural Sciences, the Simms Hall of Science, the T.C. Hooper Planetarium, the Living History Farm, the Daniel Observatory, the Butterfly Garden, the David E. Cromwell and Edward H. Stall Arboretum, the Wilkins Conference Center, and over a mile-long nature trail.

The observatory's refractor telescope is the eighth largest of its type in the U.S. and was initially placed at Princeton University in 1882.

The center also hosts events and programs like Friday's Starry Nights in the planetarium or the Summer Exploration Camps.

The Children's Museum of the Upstate

Opened in 2009 in Downtown Greenville on the cultural campus of Heritage Green, the Children's Museum of the Upstate is the United States' 7th largest children's museum.

The 80,000 sq ft museum features 20 interactive exhibit galleries and over 100 hands-on activities about arts, sciences, health, nutrition, and humanities, designed for children from ages 1-15.

Visitors can simulate flight into space, design their own Formula 1 race car, go shopping in the Publix Market or climb the Bib's World tire climber! The museum has been created to encourage learning and exploration by stimulating everyone's curiosity.

The high standard and unique activities provided by the Children's Museum made it earned the title of becoming an affiliate of the Smithsonian in 2014.

Judson Booksellers & Storytellers

Located in the center of Downtown Greenville in the historic family courthouse, M. Judson Booksellers & Storytellers is a local independent bookstore and the perfect place for children who devour books.

The bookshelves are filled with an amazingly curated book choice for readers of all ages to choose from.

Judson Booksellers & Storytellers offers special events to meet authors or learn about new books and try locals food in collaboration with Camilla Kitchen or locals bars and restaurants.

The bookseller's aficionado readers can also join book clubs to meet and discuss with other avid readers. At the same time, children can participate in the new program to get a cookie in exchange for the review of the book they have read.

Lake Conestee Nature Preserve

Situated right behind the old Greenville Braves Stadium, the Lake Conestee Nature Preserve opened in 2006 and consists of 400-acre (160 ha) of hardwood and evergreen forest, extensive wetlands, and a large number of species of reptiles, mammals, and birds.

National Audobon Society designated the park as an Important Bird Area of Global Significance since about 214 different species reported in the park.

The park also hosts monthly events open to the general public, such as guided hikes, yoga classes, and educational activities for children from pre-k through high school-age students. There are also a fantastic playground, baseball fields, and miles of trails available for children on a mountain bike enjoyment.

The park offers its visitors 13 miles of trails (6 miles of paved pathways and 1 mile of boardwalk) around Lake Conestee and the Reedy River. The trails are usually flat and perfect for children and beginners.

Mice on Main

Mice on Main is the must-go free activity for everyone looking for a way to entertain kids in Downtown Greenville!

Nine bronze mice were placed along Main St. in Downtown Greenville in the early 2000s by Jim Ryan for his high school senior project. Local sculptor and illustrator Zan Wells brought to life the mice that, in 2007, inspired Linda Kelly to write a book about them from the idea of her granddaughter.

Need help organizing the "mice hunt"? Print the tips available on Mice on Main official website and give them to the children one at a time.

Also, set a prize for the end of the game, like cool ice cream or a hot chocolate, to celebrate the success of founding all the mice. And don't forget to take a picture with every mouse to remember the fun day later on! The nine bronze mice are a popular attraction for both children and adults alike!

Swamp Rabbit Trail

The Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail, with its 22-miles multi-use greenway, is a great way to enjoy a day cycling around with the whole family.

The path is flat and easily accessible by bike for both adults and children. Children will love the sense of adventure while exploring the paths that follow the bed of a former railroad trail.

Fountains and restrooms are available along the trail and many other attractions, cafes, and restaurants for a lovely meal break.

The City of Greenville GIS Division, with support from the City's Parks and Recreation Department and the Greenville County Recreation District, created an interactive map for you to check before going and while on the trail so you won't get lost!