No matter what your situation is – stay-at-home mom, work from home mom, mom with a part-time job, mom with a full-time job, single mom, married mom – there are times when you simply need to sit at your computer and get things done. Bill paying, article writing, lesson planning, MLM selling – whatever it is you do, it can be difficult to get it done with your children around.
Here are some places around Columbia where you can bring a laptop, bring your kid, and hopefully get a couple of hours of work done while feeling good about the fact that it wasn’t done because your kid was staring at a screen for the same amount of time you were (although that is one way to get things done). You can also feel good about the fact that they were engaged in an activity outside of your home, maybe even with other small humans.
Disclaimers:
- Always wash hands after visiting these places.
- Bring some money. Most will mean buying lunch, ice cream, something.
- Keep an eye on your kid while you are working.
Public Library – Visit various branches of the public library. They all have a children’s area and your child can explore while you work. The main branch of Richland Library has a closed in area on the business floor created specifically for parents. This space provides one computer and may be used by adults who are performing schoolwork or career/small business-related tasks and have at least 1 child with them. Parents or guardians must supervise children at all times while using this space. Visit Richland Library and Lexington County Public Library online for more information about their programs and offerings.
Columbiana Centre has two places – the food court has a great space by the merry-go-round with toys the littles can play and ride and there is the play area near Build-A-Bear. 100 Columbiana Cir, Columbia, SC 29212
Indoor Playgrounds – Chick-fil-A, McDonalds. Tour around and visit different playgrounds. They are not all the same!
Coffee Shops – Another space for older children who maybe have their own work to do. Grab and table and work together.
Outdoor Playgrounds – Might seem a little conventional, but log into your hotspot and you’re good to go! Most playgrounds offer benches or picnic tables for you to grab a seat.
Flight Bounce Houses and Adventure Park – Great for older children! Take advantage of the inflatable bounce house or trampoline park offerings such as obstacle courses and more! Some locations offering roller skating and ice skating too! Grab a seat and your computer and watch your child while you work at their two locations –
South Carolina State Museum – Discovery Zone. Do you know about this indoor play area with a stage, light table, and more (including WiFi!)? 301 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201
Surge Adventure Park – Grab a metal picnic style table and you’re all set! 230 Business Park Blvd, Columbia, SC 29203
Altitude Trampoline Park – They have massage chairs, mini sofas, and large metal picnic type tables. 7451 Garner’s Ferry Road, Columbia, SC 29209
Summit Adventure Park – Like similar trampoline parks in the area, this facility offers metal picnic table style seating where you can type away on your laptop while watching your kids play. 2245 Charleston Highway, Cayce 29033
