FREE Summer activities!

There are a ton of free activities to do during the summer months in Greenville! 

Here is what I've found so far:

Free bowling: Registrar your children with AMF  Summer Unplugged and you will receive two free bowling games per week/per child.  The AMF  Star Lanes, located at 704 S. Pleasantburg is participating.  The coupons are valid any of the seven days a week, but only until 8pm.  The coupons will come via email on Sundays, so make sure you provide a correct address.  The coupons will NOT include the shoe rental fee.  Click here for more details



Fountain downtown:  What kid doesn't enjoy getting wet?  The fountain downtown near the reedy rive (beside the Lazy Goat Gelato shop).  This is a fun thing to do during these hot summer months.


Library Storytime and  The Reading Program:  Join others in your community for the Greenville County Library's One World, Many Stories reading program.  This reading program is designed to encourage children (and adults too!), to be getting into literature this summer.  You can enter your child and receive a reading log at your local library.  There are three levels of prizes the first being for a Free coupon for an Ice Dream at chick-fil-a, after your child has completed 10 hours of reading, or 40 books.  Your reading log will also be your ticket to several programs the library will be hosting.  To learn more check out the Greenville County Library Website.  Here is a list of the special programing:

Mad Science: Laser Lights and Electricity
Susana & Timmy Abell
The Bubble Lady
Grey Seal Puppets: A Tangle of Tales   
Animal Magic 

Each one will be participating at several of the local library's.  Click here to see a schedule.

I'm sure there are more events, so I will keep searching :)  For now, go and have some fun, will ya?

If you know of an event (anyone know if Starbuck is doing their storytime this year?), please let me know or comment in the section below! 

Greer Kids Fest and the Greek Festival

There are a couple of things for families to do this weekend.  :)

Greer Kids Fest is Saturday May 21st, from 2:30 to 6:00pm.  There will be games, inflatables, food and activities.  There is no admission cost.  There will also be a performance by Keith Conner. The fun is located at the Greer City Park and Amphitheater.

The Greek Festival is also being held this weekend.  The festival is held from May 19th-May 22nd.  Greek dancing, food, and a children's carnival play corner are just some of the fun things to do during the festival.  There are also several Greek vendors.  The event is located at the Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral at 406 N. Academy in downtown Greenville.   The admission is 1.00 for adults. Go to this site for more information, including how to print a FREE ticket!  (look under information, if it doesn't come up.)

Have a great weekend!

Artisphere- this weekend in Greenville

Whew!  Is there a lot to do in Greenville, SC, this weekend, or what?  If you haven't already decided to go to the Happy Cow Creamery, you may want to take a look at this (or you may just want to do both).

Artisphere is going this weekend May 13th-15th, 2011.  This is the 6th year of this street packed event.   The event is free, however, you will be pressed hard to find free parking, that doesn't require a lengthy walk.  The event hours are as follows:

• Friday: 4-8:30pm
• Saturday: 10am-8:30pm
• Sunday: 11am-6pm

Artisphere is a large art festival where over 100 vendors come to show off their work. Anything from paintings, to sculpting, even the culinary arts.  Last year there was an amusing chalk artist working right on the sidewalks.  This even has been voted one of the top 20 events on the southeast. (source).

Crowded streets don't always scream kid friendly, however "Kidsphere" would be fun for little ones who have a crafty itch. This will be located at the Wyche Pavilion on Saturday from  10am-7pm and on Sunday from 11am to 6pm.

Mice on Main-a family scavenger hunt

Here is a free family event that is sure to get your kids moving.  Take an afternoon and search for the popular Mice on Main, 10 uniquely sculpted critters, scattered thought downtown Greenville on Main Street.  The mice were sculpted by local artist Zan Wells.

10 hints to find the Mice are found here.  You can also find more history and merchandise on the Mice on Main website.

Make it more educational:

• read the book
• talk about the art
• count the steps it takes to get from mouse to another
• read your children the history and the making of the mice
• let your budding reader read the hints himself

Make it more fun:

• Invite another family to join you and race.  Or split up boys against girls!