I have two pandemic babies. My oldest daughter was born in 2019 and my youngest just this year. My oldest loves to sanitize her hands, was overjoyed when she received her first face mask (“like mama and dada!”), and her best friend is either JJ from Cocomelon or the Roomba. We’ve spent a lot of time at home.
Now that pandemic life is ending, we’re making it a point to get outside enjoy this gorgeous Charleston spring weather, visit some local attractions, and have fun!
10 Perfect Springtime Activities For You and Your Toddlers:
Hunt for Treasures
Scavenger Hunts are a great way to keep your toddler busy. They can be as simple as finding rocks in the backyard or you can create a list of objects for your little one to find. Be sure to check out a few of these lists too:
- Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt (FREE Printables)!
- A Downtown Charleston Scavenger Hunt for Kids! (FREE Printable)
- Finding Adventure With Kids in the Lowcountry (Plus a FREE Printable!)
Picnic in the Park
Ever feel like you’re always at the playground? One way to make our trip extra special is to pack lunch or snacks and enjoy a picnic together. Even better, grab a few toddler snack boxes from Lillie Fuel, and your picnic is packed for you!
Up for a bigger adventure? Check out our guide to South Carolina State Parks.
Splash Around
There’s nothing my toddler loves more than playing with water! No matter what area you live in, there are plenty of places with fountains, splash pads, and waterparks where your little ones can splash around:
- Play in the sprinklers and infamous Pineapple Fountain at Waterfront Park in Downtown Charleston.
- Check out the sprinkler fountains at Wannamaker County Park in North Charleston and James Island County Park.
- For a full day of fun, visit one of the Charleston Country waterparks:
Build Sandcastles at the Beach
There is something about the beach that kids never get tired of! Even if the springtime water still feels a little chilly, we love to bring our shovels and buckets and head to the beach to play in the sand. Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island are our favorites. There’s lots of wide-open space, seashells, and tidal pools perfect for toddlers.
Shop Local at the Farmer’s Market
Springtime means that many local farmer’s markets have officially resumed! Strolling through your local farmer’s market is a great way to introduce your toddler to where our food comes from and introduce new fruits and vegetables. And of course, you can also find a toddler’s favorite thing: SNACKS! Check out this handy Guide to Farmers Markets Around Charleston to plan a visit to your neighborhood market.
Visit Animal Friends
My daughter loves animals. While the South Carolina Aquarium is usually our go-to, here are a few more attractions close by to meet some more furry friends:
- Visit the Animal Forest at the Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, which houses animals like otters, a black bear, puma, and others that were indigenous to South Carolina.
- Copahee Horses and Goats offer animal encounter farm tours in Mt. Pleasant (advance booking required).
- Tour The Goatery at Kiawah River on John’s Island where you can learn about farm animals and meet lots and lots of goats!
- Meet and feed farm animals at the All Things Acre Petting Zoo in Summerville (advanced booking required).
- Lily Grace Farms Petting Zoo and Party Venue, also in Summerville, offers private farm experiences, pony rides, and is a great place to host a birthday party (advanced booking required).
If you’re up for a longer drive, you can visit the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC, or the Bee City Zoo in Cottageville, SC.
Pick Berries
Berries are officially in season! In South Carolina, strawberry season is upon us and blueberry season will follow shortly. Picking fresh berries is fun and if your toddler is anything like mine, playing in the fields will be even better! Plus, you get to take home a delicious bounty for all of your favorite recipes. See Your Local Guide to Berry Picking to plan your trip.
Work It Out
Looking to entertain the kids and also do something for yourself? Pack up the snacks, the drinks, and the stroller and head out for some exercise.
- Explore the beauty of nature and head to one of these kid-friendly hiking trails.
- Attend a stroller class with a group like Fit4Mom Charleston or Fit Mommy Charleston. This is a fun way to sneak a workout in, entertain the kids, and meet other mom friends.
Plant Flowers
Planting flowers, herbs, or vegetables is another great outdoor activity for you and your toddler. After all, what could be more fun for your toddler than playing with dirt? Once you’re finished planting, you can have your little helper water the plants each day and watch them grow! Maybe we can also even teach my daughter not to pick all of the petals off of the flowers? I’m cautiously optimistic…
Need to buy some plants? Be sure to check out local stores like Abide A While and Hidden Ponds Nursery. They also have friendly experts that can help you choose flowers that will flourish in your yard.
Get Messy
Outside is a perfect place for all of the messy activities kids love. Here are a few of our favorite “messy” play ideas to do in your backyard.
- DIY Bubbles
- Oobleck or Slime
- Cloud Dough or Playdough
- Science experiments like the Hidden Colors from Busy Toddler
TIP: Use a large plastic storage bin to help contain the activity. I also like to have a bin of soapy water ready for my toddler to “clean up.” She loves to wash her hands and any cups/scoops/toys she used in the bins.
Need more ideas?
- Resource Roundup :: Kids Activities
- A Local Summer Bucket List
- Charleston Summer Bucket List {50+ Ideas for Fun with Kids}
- 20 Easy Stay-at-Home Activities for Baby
