Columbia, SC is a city with attractions and activities that are fun for the whole family. Sometimes, it can be hard to think of new things that your kids might enjoy. I’ve compiled a list of the top things for kids to do in Columbia, SC so you can make the most of your time with your little ones.
The 15 best things to do in Columbia, SC for kids include sports activities, educational fun and entertainment! Let’s take a look at each of these below.
Sports Activities in Columbia, SC for Kids
| Place/Activity | Location | Website |
| Trampoline Park | 741 Fashion Dr, Columbia, SC 29229 | Click Here |
| Bowlero Bowling Alley | 900 Axtell Dr, Cayce, SC 29033 | Click Here |
| YMCA Sports Leagues | Locations Vary – Click Here for the full list | Click Here |
| Horseback Riding | 300 Saddlemount Drive, Hopkins, SC 29061 | Click Here |
| Frankie’s Fun Park (mini golf, batting cages, bumper boats and more) | 140 Parkridge Dr, Columbia, SC 29212 | Click Here |
1. Flight Adventure Park
Flight Adventure Park is a 90,000-square-foot trampoline park and sports center. It’s the perfect place to take your little ones who need to get some energy out!
This massive family fun center has it all.
Here are some of the things you’ll find at Flight Adventure Park:
- Olympic-size foam pits
- Obstacle courses
- Indoor turf field
- Rollerskating
Pro tip: this is also a great place to host a kid’s birthday party or event! They offer packages for a birthday party your child will never forget.
To check out all that Flight Adventure Park has to offer, click here.
And if you simply want your own trampoline, you can usually find them on Amazon like this one.
2. Bowlero Bowling Alley
Bowlero Bowing Alley in Cayce, SC is a Columbia classic. There are 24 bowling lanes and an arcade for kids.
While the kids bowl, the adults can enjoy a sports bar and lounge area.
Bowlero is another great spot in Columbia for a kid’s birthday party!
They also have weekly specials like unlimited bowling or half-priced arcade games. These vary per day of the week. Check out the weekly specials on their website.
3. YMCA of Columbia Sports Leagues
The Columbia branch of YMCA offers many sports leagues and clinics for kids to get active and join a team. This is a great starting point for your child who has an interest in sports!
Here are some of the sports leagues your child can join:
- Basketball
- Flag football
- Soccer
- Volleyball
- Tennis
These programs will teach your child the fundamental skills of the sport. And, they get to learn about teamwork and sportsmanship firsthand!
The YMCA also offers sports clinics to help build skills in certain areas, as well as swim lessons. You can learn more about these programs here.
4. Sawyer Equestrian
Does your child love animals? If so, they might enjoy trying out horseback riding!
Sawyer Equestrian offers horseback riding lessons and camps for children of all ages in Columbia, SC.
Lessons: Riding lessons are available for children of any age, starting as young as 2 years old. You can get one half-hour session each week for $150/month.
There are also packages available for 2-3 sessions per week.
Camps: Camps at Sawyer Equestrian are a great way for kids to learn more about riding and meet new friends. Camps are for children ages 5-15. They include riding lessons, grooming the horses, and team-building activities.
Learn more about these services on their website.
5. Frankie’s Fun Park
Frankie’s Fun Park has been a family favorite in Columbia for decades! They have mini golf, aquatic bumper boats, batting cages, an arcade, laser tag, and bumper cars.
It’s a great spot for kids of all ages!
Our recommendation is to start with a game of putt-putt. There are 54 holes and it’s only $10 to play! Plus, kids 3 and under can play for free with an adult.
Frankie’s is also the perfect spot for a children’s birthday party or event. They have different birthday party packages that include game tickets, ride passes and food options.
Check out their website for more information.
Educational Fun and Learning for Kids
| Place/Activity | Location | Website |
| EdVenture Children’s Museum | 211 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201 | Click Here |
| South Carolina State Museum | 301 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201 | Click Here |
| Richland Library | Multiple Locations – Click Here | Click Here |
| Columbia Children’s Theatre | 3400 Forest Drive, Columbia, SC 29204 | Click Here |
| Congaree National Park | 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061 | Click Here |
1. EdVenture Children’s Museum
EdVenture Children’s Museum is a Columbia staple for a fun learning experience! Admission is $13 for children and adults, but free for kids under 2.
The museum is best known for “Eddie”, the larger-than-life mascot built for children to learn about the human body.
You can climb inside Eddie to see how the heart, stomach and more work! It’s such a fun learning experience for children.
Other displays here let kids pretend to be a firefighter, farmer, chef, nurse and more. Every display here is super interactive and playful.
EdVenture also hosts monthly events and summer camps. Learn more on their website.
2. South Carolina State Museum
The South Carolina State Museum is the largest museum in the state. It’s easy to spend all day here checking out exhibits with your little ones!
General admission is $9 for adults and $7 for children 3-12.
Here are some of the amazing things you’ll find at the SC State Museum:
- Permanent dinosaur, war, and American history exhibits
- A 55-foot digital dome planetarium
- 4D theatre
- An observatory with a telescope and outdoor viewing area
Learn more about the exhibits and upcoming events on their website.
3. Richland Library
A library is a wonderful place for children to grow a passion for reading and learning!
At the main branch (Richland Library Main) you’ll find over 200,000 square feet of creative spaces.
For kids, there is a children’s room, homework resources, board games, and more. The library also hosts storytime events, puppet shows and book clubs.
Find more about all the library has to offer here.
4. Columbia Children’s Theatre
Theatre is a great way to build your child’s love for the arts.
Columbia Children’s Theatre is a professional theatre for young audiences. They put on classic and modern plays for children and families.
They even encourage the children to take part in the shows!
For kids who want to take it a step further, they offer after-school programs, summer camps and voice lessons. Summer camps start for children as young as 3 years old, up to teenagers.
Find more information about what’s playing now or programs for your kids on their website.
5. Congaree National Park
Congaree National Park is the only “national park” in the state of South Carolina.
The park sits on the Congaree River and has miles of hiking trails, plus kayaking and canoeing. The wildlife you’ll find here is also very diverse!
A stroll here with the little ones is the perfect time to learn more about this park’s amazing ecosystem.
If you’re up for it, you can even camp out here! While you’re at it, check out our blog on places to camp near Lake Murray, SC.
For more information about Congaree National Park, visit their website.
Entertainment for Kids
| Place/Activity | Location | Website |
| Riverbanks Zoo | 500 Wildlife Pkwy, Columbia, SC 29210 | Click Here |
| Columbia Fireflies Baseball | 1640 Freed Street, Columbia, SC 29201 | Click Here |
| Escapology Escape Room | 717 Lady St D, Columbia, SC 29201 | Click Here |
| Saluda Shoals Park (splash pad) | 5605 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29212 | Click Here |
| Dave and Buster’s Arcade | 100 Columbiana Cir Suite 5, Columbia, SC 29212 | Click Here |
1. Riverbanks Zoo
Riverbanks Zoo is one of the top family-friendly attractions in the state. And nothing beats getting the kids out for a day of fun watching and learning about animals!
Here are some of the different ways to spend your time at Riverbanks Zoo:
- Check out the indoor and outdoor animal enclosures
- Feed the lorikeets or giraffes
- Walk through the botanical gardens
- Get adventurous on the ropes course
- Pet farm animals at the petting zoo
Riverbanks also has a zoo camp and youth programs for your little animal lover!
Plan your visit to Riverbanks Zoo by visiting their website. And if you’re looking for other zoos or aquariums, check out this article on our site that talks about some of the best in Georgia and South Carolina.
2. Columbia Fireflies Baseball
The Columbia Fireflies are a minor league baseball team who plays at Segra Park. A baseball game is a perfect way to entertain your children on a Spring or Summer night!
The environment here is very family-friendly. During every home game, there’s even a kid’s area with inflatables, games and more.
Plus, if your child has a birthday during the baseball season, you can have a Fireflies baseball party! Different packages are available for a birthday a the ballpark.
Find more information about the season and upcoming games here.
3. Escapology Columbia
Escape rooms are a great way to teach your children about teamwork and problem-solving.
At Escapology, your family will have an hour to break out of your room by solving puzzles and finding clues.
Here are some of the different rooms you can book:
- The Lost City
- Scooby Doo’s Spooky Castle Adventure
- Budapest Express
You can book a room here! And if you enjoy the thrill of escape games, check out these board games on Amazon.
4. Saluda Shoals Park
Saluda Shoals Park has everything your family needs for an entertaining day outdoors.
There are many paved paths throughout the park for nature walks or biking. Kayak rentals are also available if your child loves to be out on the water!
This is also one of the only parks in Columbia with an inclusive playground.
During the warmer months, kids love the splash pad at Saluda Shoals.
The splash pad is a water spray ground for children to run around and play. Park entry is $5 and splash pad wristbands are only $3.
Find more information about Saluda Shoals park here.
5. Dave and Buster’s
Dave and Buster’s offers a classic arcade experience that younger and older kids can enjoy!
They have many arcade games, virtual reality games and bowling for the kids.
It’s fun for adults, too! While the kids play games, adults can play pool or watch a game at the sports bar.
Dave and Buster’s is also a great place for birthday parties and events. They have different party packages on their website with more information.
Looking for a place to eat before or after all of your adventures? We recommend:
