“Cream of the Crop” Farm Tours near Kid-Friendly Columbia
With spring comes blooming flowers, juicy berries, tea plants and warm sunny South Carolina days. Summer is not too far behind. Then kids will be out of school and they’ll want to get out of the house. Parents are left to wonder how to keep them entertained.
Well, pull them away from the TV and bring them to Columbia, a kid-friendly city with indoor and outdoor activities. Or plan a day trip to other exciting areas in and around the Midlands within an hour or two of our state’s capital. Oh, and you may need to pack a bag with sunscreen, shades, insect repellant, and a change of clothes.
All the fun and excitement at our water park, museums, theatres and farms – yes, farms – will keep coming back to the Midlands. Here’s a sampling of what you can include in your plans:
SC Farms – the cream of the crop
- Ever tried to explain where milk or eggs come from? A trip to Callaham Orchards could help clear things up. While there, let the kids milk Susie, the (wooden) cow.
- Pick a basket or two of strawberries at Cottle Strawberry Farm and let your little ones help you make strawberry treats when you get back home. How about strawberry ice cream or pancakes topped with fresh strawberries grown right here in South Carolina?
- Leave the lions, tigers and bears to the circus. At Cotton Hills Farm and Market you and the kids can enjoy the petting zoo that has animals like pigs, sheep and donkeys.
Museums and Theatres
- Meet Eddie, the world’s largest child, at EdVenture Children’s Museum.
- If they enjoy puppet shows on TV, they’re sure to love them up close and personal. The Columbia Marionette Theatre’s productions include original adaptations of classical stories, new works and innovative shows.
Zoos and Amusement
- Laser tag, go carts, and bumper boats are crowd pleasers at Frankie’s Fun Park. There’s plenty of fun for the kids and the kids at heart. Check out Frankie’s new indoor playground!
- The Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens is a must see in South Carolina. Home to more than 2,000 animals, Riverbanks also has a public garden that boasts 70 acres of unparalleled beauty.
- Get ready for a wild adventure. Hollywild Animal Park is home to one of the largest collection of rare and exotic animals, many of which have been featured in commercials and movie productions.
Parks
- Go fishing, have lunch or maybe even a birthday party at one of our state parks. Sesquicentennial State Park has a beautiful 30-acre lake surrounded by trails and picnic areas. Break away from the hustle and bustle of the city and head to Dreher Island State Recreation Area. Located in Prosperity, about 30 miles from downtown Columbia, Dreher Island offers picnicking, camping and lakeside villas.
- Cool off in the pools at Palmetto Falls Water Park. The park has two water slides, a lazy river, kiddy pool and splashdown pool.