Find Free (or Almost Free) Fun Things to Do with Your Kids!

Guest Post: Mary Middleton, author of Go Local Charleston: The Parent’s Guide for Children’s Activities in Charleston, SC

Entertaining children has become an Olympic sport as of late, and the expense associated with all the camps, classes and memberships is out of control. In an effort to get myself and the kids out of the house, I began cruising websites and relying on others to give me the scoop on cheap and free events around town. After some searching, I realized there didn’t seem to be one place that housed all this information, and I was spending an inordinate amount of time searching for free activities. Suddenly spending money to do something looked like a much simpler option. However, I stuck to my guns and decided to write Go Local Charleston: The Parent’s Guide for Children’s Activities in Charleston, SC, a collection of the best hands-on and family-friendly venues and activities in one location, plus have an online companion website/blog to house up-to-date information, reviews and input from the public.

Here are some tips for finding additional events that aren’t heavily advertised, are usually free, or are dirt cheap, and happen only once a year:

     1.    Cruise the strip mall: As unappealing as cruising the sidewalks of a strip mall sounds, many stores in shopping centers post the event flyers of their patrons. Oddly, on the way to the Pig    today I noticed a sign for a tractor show on Johns Island (later in May) in the liquor store window. A rather odd setting for a flyer, but if you’ve got kids who like farm equipment, that show is sure to be a winner.
     2.    Grocery store pin-up boards: The entry way doors of grocery stores where all the free newspapers are kept and the walkway to the bathrooms are prime locations for pinning up event flyers.
     3.    Churches and clubs: Churches are known for their bazaars and craft fairs, and clubs like Kiwanis, Rotary, or even fire departments can put on a mean party, too. You’ll usually have a per plate charge, but you’ll know your money is going to a good cause.

Of course, I have my tried and true recipes for fun: nature walks through Caw Caw Interpretive Center, playing in neighborhood parks we see as we’re driving around doing our errands, and taking a run with the kids on a Saturday morning and finishing up at the farmer’s market to enjoy a snack – usually one that completely undermines my running efforts. However, if you live in Charleston or plan on visiting consistently several times a year, it’s well worth your while to find a few locations you absolutely love and check into the membership cost. We have a budget set aside each year, and have consistently purchased the Charleston County Parks and Recreation pass. It is a winner – ample beach parking, lifeguards, boardwalks, showers, eating areas, playgrounds and parks all over the place, plus you get a great coupon book when you join. You can even use some of your Greenbax to discount your membership.

I hope that gets the juices flowing for summer entertainment ideas!