summer break | PlatinumSitters

Family Friendly Fun: Greenville, SC

June 19, 2022June 17, 2022platinumsitters

PlatinumSitters is based out of Raleigh, NC.. but did you know that PlatinumSitters serves 5 different states?

That’s right! We are currently in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, and Pennsylvania.

We love to highlight things to do in the areas that we serve.

Greenville, South Carolina is a family-friendly place that is filled with unique activities and adventures! We know that with summer quickly approaching, you may be looking for new experiences that you and your family can enjoy together.

Here are some fun suggestions we recommend adding to your summer to do list:

Movies

2022 Regal Summer Movie Express

Now featuring summer movies perfect for the whole family to enjoy! The best part is that tickets are just $2 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. So grab a bowl of popcorn and escape the heat by visiting one of the many Regal theatre locations.

Movies in the Park

If you can’t make it to a Regal theatre, consider visiting the CCNB Amphitheater at Heritage Park in Simpsonville for their FREE movie series!

Their schedule is as follows:

July 13: Jungle Book

August 10: Parent Trap

Greenville Zoo

The Greenville Zoo is more than fifty years old. They have over 90 species of animals for you and your little ones to enjoy!

Spring/Summer Hours
March 5 – October 31
Zoo hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Last admission is at 4:00 p.m. Gates close at 5:00 p.m.

Purchasing tickets prior to visiting is recommended.

Bowling

Certain participating bowling locations and schools around the country are hosting the first ever Kids Bowl Free program. This program is designed by bowling centers to give back to the community!

Children whose age does not exceed a limit by a participating bowling center are eligible to register for 2 free games each day of the KBF program, all summer long!

Children’s Museum of the Upstate

One of the nation’s largest children’s museums! It offers fun, play-based learning and hands-on engagement for all families.

Two locations in Greenville, SC and Spartanburg, SC

Hours of Operation:

Monday through Saturday 9 AM-5PM

Sunday 11 AM-5PM

Roper Mountain Science Center

Summer Hours (June 1-August 7)

Pet a stingray, visit outdoor dinosaur trails, and so much more..

Tuesday-Saturday: Summer Adventure 10:00 AM-4:00 PM

Friday nights: Friday Starry Nights shows starting at 6:00 PM

Closed on Sundays and Mondays

Treetop Quest

Explore over 60 obstacles and zip-lines in the trees!

Beginning at age 4+ Treetop Quest Greenville will challenge you physically and mentally as you maneuver through trees and various obstacles!

Hours of Operation:

Treetop Quest is now open for 2022 Season. See schedule and ticket availability after clicking “Tickets.”

TD Saturday Market

The TD Saturday Market presented by Prisma Health opens on the first Saturday in May and ends on the last Saturday in October.

The market is open from 8 AM – 12 PM in Downtown Greenville at Main + McBee.

Recognized as a Top 20 Event in the Southeast!

Did we mention they have over 50 vendors AND warm cinnamon rolls?

Preventing the Summer Slide

June 5, 2019platinumsitters

As a former teacher, I can attest to how much a student can backtrack during the summer months. There are so many exciting things happening–vacations, lazy days, playdates–that it can be hard to remember to keep skills fresh. However, it doesn’t have to be as humdrum as a workbook. Here are some creative things we do to keep the learning alive:

Find a PenPal

My 8 year old loves to write letters to her Mimi–and loves getting them in the mail even more! Sitting down once a week or so to share what is happening brings them closer, keeps her practicing writing and grammar, and teaches her life skills like addressing an envelope! You can write grandparents, other faraway family members or friends!

Outdoor Math

Writing math facts on paper? Dull. Writing math facts with chalk or a squirt bottle full of water? Fun! Keep it fresh by varying your materials and location and your kids will actually look forward to practicing math!

Word of the Day

Introduce a fun new word each day–or let your kids pick one themselves. Challenge them learn the definition and work it into a sentence at dinnertime. As the summer progresses, keep track and have a competition. The one to use the new words the most gets a prize!

Basketball Facts

We all know H-O-R-S-E. But what if you had to play to get name the parts of the scientific method? What about the branches of government, colors of the rainbow or the names of planets? The possibilities are endless!

Get Cookin’

Cooking and baking together is a great way to stock the fridge for the endless snacking your kids will do while home–but is also a great way to get academic. Following directions–reading! Halving or doubling recipes–math! Meal planning–budgeting and finance! Making the right choices–health and nutrition!

Family Storytime

Even if you have family of varying ages, you can engage everyone for 20 minutes during family story time. Older kids can read aloud while younger kids draw scenes or hold the book. Its a nice way to unwind after those busy summer adventures!

Free Activities to Beat The Summer Heat

May 31, 2019May 31, 2019platinumsitters

Summer is here! It’s official–and its freakin’ hot already! If you’re like us, school is wrapping up and I am looking at the next two months wondering how we will keep cool, keep our sanity, and keep busy. I did some research on some free (or super cheap!) things you can do this summer with your kids that go beyond just throwing popsicles at them.

Free Bowling

Sign up to receive up to two free games per child–every week! You will have to rent shoes but otherwise, this a great indoor activity that you can count on each week.

The Library

The local library offers so much to do! Every summer we do their summer reading program, which can earn you free perks like amusement park tickets! We also attend story time and other programming. The first week school is out, our local library has three different programs for kids!

Toy Stores

Charlotte still has old school toy stores like Toys and Company that have lots of toys on display. Lakeshore Learning Toys also has a location in Matthews which offer fun, interactive activities for kids. Local LEGO stores often offer building classes, too.

Splash-pads

Our go to “free day” is a trip to the park–and we always pick one with a splash pad! We bring a change of clothes, bathing suits, and a picnic lunch and it lasts for hours. Many of them have shaded coverings which really helps on scorching hot days. Bonus point if you bring cups and buckets to add to the water fun.

Scavenger Hunts

We often go online and print out free resources like this to guide outdoor play. Finding shaded wooded areas helps keep kids cool and the guided play keeps them entertained longer.

Tag: summer break