Over 100 Things to Do in Columbia

Summertime — Water Water Everywhere ::

Visit a splash pad, spray pool, mist pad or water park {here is a list in the Columbia area}
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 our own
Hit up some friends’ pools
Take swim lessons
Have a water balloon fight — attack Dad when he gets home from work ?
Build sand castles
Throw glow sticks in the tub and go “night swimming”
Dance in the rain (and do a rain dance if it hasn’t rained in a while!)
Go tubing on the river (like on the Riverwalk)

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 nosh 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

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
See the Mr. Potato Head exhibit at EdVenture — it’s a lot more than just spuds
Check out the South Carolina State Museum {$1 Admission is the first Sunday of each month}
Columbia Children’s Theatre
Visit the Bugs! Giant Robotic Creatures exhibit, take in a 4d movie and check out the planetarium at the South Carolina Museum

Take me out to a Blowfish baseball game
Plan a trip to the Columbia Fire Department Museum
Visit Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens
Who needs to travel? Plan a staycation!
Have lunch in Five Points — El Burrito is supporting local musician and Super Dad, Aaron Graves who was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Every Wednesday you can get Aaron’s Lunchbox for $5.
Try a cronut at Soda City Market
Paint your own pottery: The Pitter Patter in Lexington and Mad Platter downtown are great options
Take a walk along the riverfront
Have a one-on-one date with either mom or dad {take one kid and spend some quality time}
Grab your camera and take some fun, family photos at one of these great outdoor spots
Go through a car wash
Go to a drive-in movie at the Big Mo
Play laser tag at Frankies Fun Park
Go fishing and feed the geese at Sesquicentennial State Park
Visit a Farmer’s Market — many have activities for kids
Volunteer at Pawmetto Lifeline — older children 11-15 can enroll in Paw Pals where they will receive instruction in humane education
Find a new playground
Check out FREE classes for babies and toddlers at Richland Library and Lexington County Library, including puppet shows, art classes, and story times

Go on a hike — our local favorites include Fourteen Mile Creek Trail and Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve (both in Lexington)
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
Hula hoop
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
Play miniature golf — Frankies Fun Park is a great option
Have a family dance party {Pandora has some nice stations for this!}
Make an obstacle course

Build a fort in the living room
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
Finger paint
Play hopscotch
Make s’mores and sing campfire songs in your backyard
Make sun tea on the deck
Get postcards from the places you visit and send them to friends and family just for the heck of it
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 neighbor hood
Make puppets {from paper bags} and masks {from paper plates}
Host a block party
Plan a 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