Places to Take Kids in Charleston, SC
Bowling, museums, parks, trampoline parks, shows and classes for school-age kids.
With events coming up
-
American Gardens
park · Charleston, SC
A nearly one-acre public greenspace in the heart of downtown Charleston - mature live oaks, tiered fountains, and free year-round community programming (live music, outdoor movies, a Sunday market, and more).
174 King St, Charleston, SC 29401
Hours: Daily 7 AM - 9 PM
-
Baxter-Patrick James Island Library (CCPL)
library · Charleston, SC
Public library branch — free weekly story times and kids/teen programs; check the branch calendar.
1858 South Grimball Rd, Charleston, SC 29412
-
Bees Ferry West Ashley Library (CCPL)
library · Charleston, SC
Public library branch — free weekly story times and kids/teen programs; check the branch calendar.
3035 Sanders Rd, Charleston, SC 29414
-
Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site
park · Charleston, SC
Charles Towne Landing marks the site of the first permanent English settlement in the Carolinas (1670). Families explore the Animal Forest of native wildlife, walk the trails and gardens, board a replica 17th-century sailing ship, and join ranger-led nature and living-history programs.
1500 Old Towne Rd, Charleston, SC 29407
-
C
Charleston County Parks (CCPRC)
park · Charleston, SC
Charleston County Parks & Recreation Commission — county parks, rec centers, nature programs and family events across the county.
-
Charleston Gaillard Center
theater · Charleston, SC
The Charleston Gaillard Center is downtown Charleston's main performing arts hall and home of the Charleston Symphony, hosting Broadway tours, concerts and family shows.
95 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC 29401
-
Charleston Music Hall
theater · Charleston, SC
The Charleston Music Hall is a historic downtown performance venue hosting concerts, holiday shows and family-friendly performances, including occasional kids-free nights.
37 John St, Charleston, SC 29403
-
Children's Museum of the Lowcountry
museum · Charleston, SC
The Children's Museum of the Lowcountry in downtown Charleston is a hands-on museum for young children, with interactive exhibits on art, science, water play and imaginative play.
25 Ann St, Charleston, SC 29403
-
Hurd/St. Andrews Regional Library (CCPL)
library · Charleston, SC
Public library branch — free weekly story times and kids/teen programs; check the branch calendar.
1735 N. Woodmere Drive, Charleston, SC 29407
-
James Island County Park
park · Charleston, SC
James Island County Park is a large Charleston County park with the Splash Zone water park, a climbing wall, trails, a dog park and fishing docks. It's home to the drive-through Holiday Festival of Lights every winter and hosts nature programs for little ones.
871 Riverland Dr, Charleston, SC 29412
-
John L. Dart Library (CCPL)
library · Charleston, SC
Public library branch — free weekly story times and kids/teen programs; check the branch calendar.
1067 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403
-
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
festival · Charleston, SC
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens on the Ashley River is known for its historic gardens, the Audubon Swamp Garden, a nature train and boat tours, and a small zoo and nature center. Seasonal events include holiday tours and visits with Santa.
3550 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414
-
Main Library at Morrison (CCPL)
library · Charleston, SC
Public library branch — free weekly story times and kids/teen programs; check the branch calendar.
1142 Morrison Drive, Charleston, SC 29403
-
McLeod Plantation Historic Site
park · Charleston, SC
County park — nature programs, festivals, and family events throughout the year.
-
South Carolina Aquarium
museum · Charleston, SC
The South Carolina Aquarium on Charleston Harbor features the two-story Great Ocean Tank, a touch tank and the Sea Turtle Care Center, where families can see rescued sea turtles being rehabilitated. It also runs kids' programs, beach sweeps and seasonal events like Aquarium Aglow.
100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, SC 29401
-
The Charleston Museum
museum · Charleston, SC
Founded in 1773, The Charleston Museum is known as America's First Museum. Its exhibits cover Lowcountry history and natural history, and it runs kids' workshops and family nights throughout the year.
360 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403
-
T
The Little Gym of West Ashley
class · Charleston, SC
Kids' gym with classes and programs for babies through grade-schoolers in West Ashley.
1662 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407
-
West Ashley Library (CCPL)
library · Charleston, SC
Public library branch — free weekly story times and kids/teen programs; check the branch calendar.
45 Windermere Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407
More places to visit
A
-
Ashley Lanes
entertainment · Charleston, SC
open to visitBowling & family entertainment — watch for weekly family nights, kids-bowl-free, and holiday specials.
1568 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407
C
-
Charleston RiverDogs
sports · Charleston, SC
open to visitMinor-league baseball at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park — famously fun family promo nights & fireworks.
360 Fishburne St, Charleston, SC 29403
-
C
Citadel Mall IMAX Stadium 16
theater · Charleston, SC
open to visitWest Ashley movie theater with an IMAX screen, at Citadel Mall.
2072 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407
K
-
K
Kids Play Garden (West Ashley)
play · Charleston, SC
open to visitDrop-in learning and play center for ages 1+, with classes, camps, preschool and birthday parties.
57 Windermere Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407
Hours: Mon–Fri 8 AM–6 PM, Sat 10 AM–9 PM, Sun parties/special events only
M
-
M
Mace Brown Museum of Natural History
museum · Charleston, SC
open to visitFree College of Charleston natural history museum with fossils, dinosaur and mammal skeletons, and artifacts.
202 Calhoun St (2nd floor), Charleston, SC 29401
Hours: 11 AM–4 PM six days a week, closed Wednesdays
O
-
O
OutSlide In
play · Charleston, SC
open to visit7,200 sq ft indoor playground inside Citadel Mall in West Ashley for kids up to 12: a multi-level soft play structure with slides, climbing obstacles, tunnels and bridges, plus a pretend-play mini city for little ones. Cafe and lounge for parents, and three party rooms. Pay once and play all day; your wristband lets you leave and come back.
2070 Sam Rittenberg Blvd (Citadel Mall), Charleston, SC 29407
Hours: Mon–Sat 10 AM–7 PM, Sun 1–6 PM
S
-
Sportyard Training & Trick Shots
sports · Charleston, SC
open to visitIndoor sports gym on James Island with turf and courts: drop-in play, trick-shot games, classes, clinics, camps, tournaments, parents night out and birthday parties. Memberships from $79/month per child include unlimited drop-ins and most events.
1750 Signal Point Rd, Suite 920, Charleston (James Island), SC 29412
Hours: Mon–Fri 2–8 PM, Sat 10 AM–8 PM, Sun 10 AM–7 PM
-
Summit Adventure Park
entertainment · Charleston, SC
open to visitTrampoline park & indoor playground — jump attractions, birthday parties, family fun.
1964 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29407
Get the weekly list of kids 5–12 picks
Daily or weekly emails with upcoming Charleston Tri-County family events. Free, no spam, unsubscribe anytime.