Columbia has several great, local places to eat that have been around a long time, including Groucho’s Deli, where kids eat free on Saturdays!
The kids eat free offer is for dine-in on Saturdays after 4:00 pm (until 8:30 pm), one kids’ meal for every adult meal purchased.
Maybe that love of kids and family time is because its owner, who founded the deli in Columbia in 1941, was an orphan. Continuing in generosity, Groucho’s offers community giveback programs and loyal customer rewards as well.
That free kids’ meal comes with a sandwich, drink, and a side. Kids’ meal options include PB&J, grilled cheese, or all-beef hotdogs, so if you have a picky eater, this place is great. For a healthier option, you can go with pretzels over chips and drinks include 100% juice, milk, and water options as well.
Groucho’s flavor is quality deli. They do not use frozen or precut meats. No restructured meat products, soy byproducts, or fillers. This is fresh food, and you can tell.
What are they most well-known for?
STP Dipper
Giant Salads like “My Wife’s Salad Bowl”
House sauces, dressings, and dips such as Formula 45, my favorite (available by pints as well)
Their soups, especially potato
Signature pasta salad
They also have veggie options, heart-healthy options, and smaller portion options. Just check out their massive menu with great photos. You can order online for pick up or delivery. Also, they offer catering.
Groucho’s Deli Columbia, SC Locations
They have locations in:
Five Points (the original)
Sparkleberry (northeast Cola near Spring Valley)
West Columbia
Irmo
Lexington
Forest Acres (currently closed, re-opening soon).
There are other locations in Chapin, Blythewood, Camden and even more now reaching throughout the state and into North Carolina and Georgia as people discover this tasty family business.
Sparkleberry has the roomiest seating, in our experience.
So, it’s a great place to have a family dinner on the weekend, where kids eat free and parents can order whatever they want.
Looking for fun, educational, toddler-friendly farm events near Columbia? Crosswind Farm has lots of events, including special holiday events to homeschool days. They also offer traveling birthday party services and traveling petting zoos as well as birthday parties on location, animal photo shoots, and more.
We have experienced a few of their events, and the kids really enjoyed them. We also got photos from them, and they are some of our favorites. Here’s what you need to know if you’re interested in their many different services.
Getting to Crosswind Farm
The drive to Crosswind Farm is about 1 hour from Columbia, and not a lot is on the way. The area is beautiful farmland and woods, though. Just before you get there, you’ll turn past an old church before your turn between two farms.
Careful, don’t miss the sign on the left in a wooded drive for Crosswind Farm at 799 Target Road, Holly Hill, SC 29059.
Family-Owned Farm
You’re going to be driving right up to this family-owned business’ family home. There’s plenty of parking. You’ll likely be greeted by a large, friendly dog or a barn cat. There are several of each that roam freely. A stray chicken or two is another common, fun sight.
Keep in mind, Crosswind Farm is a family business, and it is at their home so you will walk right past their home from parking to the animal pens and fields.
However, there is a food truck as well as a building containing restrooms, a huge shaded barn you can sit in, and plenty of hand sanitizer stations.
Inside the Farm
Once inside, you’ll pay at the barn for the event and whatever extras you want to add on. For us, toddler Tuesdays were just $5 and adults are free. Add-ons, like food for the animal or pony rides, were only a couple of dollars as well.
Plus, there are numerous animal pens to greet and pet and plenty to play with for free. To start, there is a swing set tree house and sandbox hidden under it. Plenty of little cars to drive, a couple of bouncy houses, and more.
Overall, it’s a laid-back place kids can alternate between toys and animals in a farm experience.
When to Go to the Farm: Special Events
The farm is NOT open daily. The Crosswind Farm Facebook page is the place to go for an updated list of the farm’s upcoming events. Crosswind Farm hosts holiday events, homeschool learning days with themes such as bees, and Toddler Tuesdays monthly.
Book Crosswind Services:
Or, check out the Crosswind Farm website to book them for private tours, parties and visits. They are very affordable, and here are some of the services they offer.
private birthday parties
private tours
field trips
animals visits/birthday/petting zoo at your location
It’s summer berry season, and if you love blueberry picking, Columbia, SC has a few patches and local farms that are perfect for upick blueberries. Need details? We’ve got you covered! Berry season is short, so get ready to fill up your basket at one of these local farms.
Things to Know Before You Go Blueberry Picking
First off, speaking from the experience of someone who picks blueberries in Columbia yearly, here are some tips to make your experience better for kids:
You will need bug spray. These berries grow in the shade of bushes that can last decades, and in our experiences that moist, green area invites those itchy monsters. Whatever you use, you’ll want to use it well to make sure this experience isn’t just scratching and aloe-inducing.
2. Also, going early in the day really seems to help. This way you can beat the crowds and the heat!
Several of the usual patches will be closed for the 2023 Season
Now, blueberry picking is one of our favorite summer traditions, and so are blueberry dumplings- YUM! While Columbia, South Carolina is a capital city, it is also the center of a very agricultural state, so you usually have no trouble finding blueberry picking.
Typically, three farms close to Columbia provide blueberry picking. Unfortunately, both last year and this year unpredictable weather has forced most of them to close.
For example, PK Blueberries, our family favorite, and Double A Farms, a very popular option, both remain closed or have made announcements that they do not have enough crop for this year.
But, if you’re still desperate to get your hands on those little berries, there are a few options still!
Patches Open for Blueberry Picking: Columbia, SC
Berry Hill Farm
Berry Hill Farm is open now for blueberry picking! This farm has been around for 40 years and uses organic pesticides only.
First, here are a few things to know before you go:
It is not walker friendly but there are lower fields they will try to help make wheelchair accessible.
They are open from 7:30 am – 1:00 and 6:00 pm till dark, Monday – Saturday. Yes, they are closed in the afternoon, the hottest part of the day, and you will likely be glad. Also, they are closed on Sundays.
Please note, the blueberries are $1.75 per lb and they only take cash or check, no cards. However, you will not need buckets; they have their own for you to use.
You can call the farm ahead of time to make sure they are open, but do not call late at night or on Sunday.
Berry Hill Farm 219 Bluefield Road, Lexington, SC 803.957.4203
Smith Blueberry Farm
Smith Blueberry Farm is a pesticide-free blueberry farm in Leesville, SC will open for upick on June 17, 2023, from 7 am to 10 am. They will have sporadic upick dates, so follow their Facebook to see which days they will have the patches open to the public.
Their general season hours are Monday – Saturday from 7 am to 11 am, and 5 pm to 8 pm. Sunday hours are 5 pm to 8 pm. Please call ahead to make sure the patch is open before heading there.
Smith Blueberry Farm 341 Holley Ferry Road, Leesville, SC 1.803.532.6219
Southern Blues Blueberry Farm
If you cannot make it to Lexington, Southern Blues Blueberry Farm in Chapin also has blueberry picking near Columbia.
They are the same price as Berry Hill, $1.75 per pound. It is upick and honor system pay. They are open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 8 am- 4 pm according to their Facebook page.
Southern Blues Blueberry Farm 216 East Boundary Street, Chapin, SC 803.227.9660
Redmond Road Blueberries
Redmond Road Blueberries is a mom-and-pop operation in Lexington, SC. Remember, the season is short (end of June), but online posts look like people are filling up here this season.
They are also closed during the heat of the day and on Sundays. Their hours were listed as Monday and Tuesday, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.; Wednesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
You can find upick blueberries in nearby Oak Grove Farm, but you’ll need to keep an eye on their Facebook page for updates about hours. You can also contact them directly by phone to see if they are open the day you want to go. You can also purchase prepicked blueberries, eggs, and the occasional pork for the bbq from them.
Oak Grove Farm 872 Old Sandy Run Road, Gaston, SC 803.917.2694
Farms That Are a 1+ Hour Drive from Columbia, SC
Up for a longer drive? You’ll find options in North, SC (Orangeburg County) and a few in Aiken/North Augusta. These farms are all about one hour’s drive away, including Honalee Farm, Herbs N Berries, and Kiser Family Farm.
Did we miss anyone? What is your favorite place to go blueberry picking near Columbia?
Did you know Columbia has three South Carolina state parks? If you’re looking for South Carolina state parks near Columbia, SC, you’ve come to the right place. We have all the info on these great parks, plus tips on how to make the most of your visit and save some money, too!
Are you trying to spend more time outside or hit the #1000hoursoutside challenge? While just being outside in nature has so many benefits according to the American Psychological Association, that is a lot of hours! But don’t worry; Columbia has you covered with hiking and biking trails, nature trails, lakes for paddling, and lots more!
Of course, Columbia has dozens of city parks, an award winning zoo and botanical gardens, but there’s also lots of more nature, including a Columbia state park on Lake Murray. Plus, we have big news and some ideas on how you can save money on park admission.
To find out about the hiking, splash pad, paddling, and camping available at Sesquicentennial State Park in northeast Columbia, check out our Kidding Around Review of Sesqui.
Quick facts on Sesqui:
Hiking around the lake, short portion of the trail is paved but most is not.
Playground, pavilion, picnic spaces
Splashpad is gorgeous and free with park admission.
Boat rentals for the small lake at the park: Pedal boats, SUPs and kayaks, very affordable at $5-10 per hour.
But, if hiking isn’t your thing and you’re looking for swimming or spending time at a larger lake, here is what you need to know.
Pine Island State Park: NEW!
Big News: the Columbia area is getting a new SC State Park right on the lake this summer.
An island formerly owned by the company SCANA, which supplied power to the region, Pine Island is set to become South Carolina’s newest, and smallest, state park yet. This island provides public water access and already has over 20 acres that include boat ramps and picnic areas.
But you don’t have to wait to cool off at the lake. Luckily, there’s already another state park out there on Lake Murray!
Northwest from downtown Columbia to the Irmo/Lake Murray area you’ll find Dreher Island State Park. Many enjoy this 50-acre island on Lake Murray.
Good hack to know: even though it is an island, you can drive on State Park Road to get there- no boat needed! However, boating is permitted and there are boat ramps available. On the island, you can explore woods, beaches, playgrounds, and wildlife including rare birds on the lake.
The park has three different short walking trails and three playgrounds. You can find a visitors center with wifi where you can also buy a few things or use picnic tables. Camping, swimming (at your own risk), geocaching, fishing and scuba diving are permitted. Note, dogs should be on a leash and may not be allowed in camping villas.
Without your Park Passport, Dreher Island State Park costs $3 for adults, $1.50 for seniors, $1 for kids 6-15 and free for kids 5 and under. It’s open from dusk to dark, with hours changing seasonally.
Just about an hour’s drive from Columbia, Aiken State Park is waiting. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, this park has a long history and many opportunities for you to enjoy nature. Hike through hardwood forests, paddle down the Edisto River, camp, picnic, and enjoy the outdoors at Aiken State Park.
Bonus Hacks! SC State Parks Tips to Save You Money & Maximize Fun
Admission Discount
SC STate Parks offer admission discounts up to 50% for seniors, military and disabled people. Each park’s discount will be slightly different. For Dreher Island, you can get your park admission for HALF the standard admission rate if you can show an ID (or handicapped placard) to prove you are: -Disabled -SC National Guard -Over 65
Ultimate Outsider Challenge
Here’s another secret to maximizing the fun with these parks. They offer an Ultimate Outsider program. Simply pick up or order your Ultimate Outsider Guide, do activities and collect stamps from each park to become an Ultimate Outsider! It’s a fun challenge to get you motivated to do more outside.
As you might know, a SC Park Passport is an affordable way to get access to hundreds of acres of wilderness, free activities, learning, events and more.
Here’s How it Works: First, you can get your All Park Passport online or at any South Carolina State Park Office. Your pass hangs in your car rearview mirror, like a handicapped placard and comes with a card for inside exhibits. It’s just $99 for your entire family for the whole year of access.
For this, you get unlimited access to all the state parks in the state. That means everything from Hunting Island Beach, to several lakes, to hiking in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains at Caesar’s Head and Table Rock. Actually, that is 47 state parks.
So, if you went to one every month, it would take you nearly four years to see them all. On the other hand, if you went to one every week, you could finish in a year!
Now, you can explore Columbia state parks, and beyond, for a discount!
Columbia’s National Park
For information on our FREE National Park, home to a unique synchronized firefly phenomenon (for which our local baseball team is named), check out our Kidding Around review of Congaree National Park.
Please, tell us your favorite Columbia are South Carolina State Parks!
Have you attended the Sumter Iris Festival? Celebrating the gorgeous Iris flower and the onset of summer, the Sumter Iris Festival brings many opportunities for totally FREE family fun. That’s one reason among many that the Sumter Iris Festival is on our summer bucket list. Is it on yours? It should be! Way more than a flower show, here’s what we love about the Sumter Iris Festival and its home, Swan Lake in Sumter, South Carolina.
Only about an hour from Columbia, the Sumter Iris Festival is one of my favorite South Carolina festivals. I remember going as a kid and the irises becoming my favorite flower. The park includes peaceful dirt walkways around the lake, shaded by massive trees and Spanish Moss. You’ll find, nature, swans, boat rides, irises, bathrooms, and plenty to do during the Sumter Iris Festival.
About the Sumter Iris Festival
The Sumter Iris Festival is several days long at the end of May, and it’s a great event for kids since admission and most of the kid stuff is FREE.
When is the Sumter Iris Festival?
This year, it kicks off Memorial Day weekend, on Thursday night May 25th, 2023 with the opening ceremony. The Taste event begins, with music, food vendors, boat rides, and more. Friday though, is when the family time really gears up. In fact, all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday things are happening.
Lots of FREE Things to Do at the Sumter Iris Festival
Not only does the park feature beautiful nature, gorgeous blooms in the Swan Lake Iris Gardens, vendors and performances, and an excellent playground, but it also offers kids’ rides, library story time/theater performances of The Phantom Tollbooth, free goodies, antique and classic car show, and a petting zoo.
Even better, the rides, little petting zoo, admission, and more are completely free. Kids might spot performing dance teams and theater troops, classic cars, Cocky and other mascots, and more.
Here were some of our favorite parts of last year’s Sumter Iris Festival:
Free kids rides
Free crafts/story time/goodie bags
Petting zoo
The playground with the firetruck
Nature
banana split
While all admission to the festival and most kids’ activities are free, you’ll want to bring cash/cards for parking, food, and drinks. Likewise, face painting was offered among a lot of free crafts and activities for kids but was actually very pricey, so keep an eye out for that.
Expect it to be hot as it’s the end of May (25th-28th, 2023), and expect crowds as this festival is increasingly popular as it’s been featured in Southern Living and others.
Have you heard about Kroger Chef Junior? This program offers a low-cost opportunity for kids to learn a new cooking skill in a mini-cooking class. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to spend a little quality time with Mom or Dad. Kroger Chef Junior is a program found at participating Kroger stores in South Carolina and Georiga, including both Columbia, SC and Atlanta, GA. We tried the Kroger Chef Junior in Columbia, SC and had a blast.
Each month is a different simple recipe, usually themed. For example, we went in May and did Fiesta Corn for Cinco de Mayo. It was very fun and something we look forward to doing again! So, here’s everything you need to know about Kroger Chef Junior from registration to what to expect at the class.
Kroger Chef Junior: Does Your Store Participate?
First off, go online to the Kroger Chef Junior Website and put in your zip code to find the locations close to you that offer Kroger Chef Junior. Currently in Columbia SC, two Kroger stores offer Kroger Chef Junior, and both are in northeast Columbia. One is off Two Notch Road just before Sandhills Mall – near the Target and Spring Valley High School – while the other is northwest on Robert’s Branch Parkway.
Once you select a location, you will need to register for the class.
Date and Time: Kroger Cooking Classes for Kids
As for when it is, classes are offered on select Saturdays between 9:00 am and 1:30 pm. As I said, there is one recipe class per month. That recipe is offered two weekends out of the month.
The slots to sign up for are 30 minutes, but it is pretty brief, closer to 15 minutes. Kids try the recipe one at a time, so it is not long to wait their turn or long to stay focused.
Cost for Kroger Chef Junior and What’s Included
The cost is $7 per kid, parents do not need to register. Included is:
a reusable apron they can put their name on
a single-use paper chef hat (adjustable),
a patch that can be ironed or sewn on (one for each recipe),
their own take-home durable plastic kitchen tool (this time measuring spoons),
pocket to keep recipes
and a recipe card of the day (good quality).
Age: Who is Kroger Chef Junior For?
There does not currently appear to be any age restrictions on the program. I took a four-year-old, and the instructor provided plenty of help. Older kids we saw also seemed to enjoy it. While you know your kid best, based on the setup, I’d say a three-year-old who is already helpful in the kitchen might be old enough and a ten or eleven-year-old with beginner interest in cooking might enjoy it, but mostly kindergarten to third graders are the target.
Also, there are enough spaces to book siblings or a playdate, but since kids work one at a time, I took one kid as a quick mommy and me experience (while I grabbed something from the store) as some special time where he got all my attention. If you’re looking for a way to do that, this is great.
The short one-on-one setup also works well for a beginner play date for kindergartners or others into parallel play with nuerodivergence, which is one reason we chose it.
Experience: What to Expect at Kroger Chef Junior
Right away, it was very easy to find the Chef Junior class. There were plenty of signs. It was located near an entrance as a display sort of off to the side near produce (and in the Two Notch Road location right by the Starbucks). A long-standing table, that would be wheelchair accessible, was decorated sort of like a picnic and held all the ingredients. The area had a lot of stimuli, so do be prepared for that.
My kid was thrilled with all the materials provided and could not wait to jump in and get started! The kids were allowed to forgo certain ingredients they didn’t like, and nothing particularly hazardous was used for this recipe, such as flames and sharp knives. It was very simple, but a big confidence builder and fun.
The recipe was definitely something he could make again at home, even on his own, which is a great skill. It also encouraged him to try something new. Although his experiment was not his favorite result, we do look forward to trying others.
This program and provided take-home materials set kids up to want to do more at home, after the class.
Afterward, as we did a little shopping, everyone in the store was very impressed with his chef’s ensemble, which made his day!
Main Takeaways from Kroger Chef Junior Experience:
One Simple Recipe a Month, two Saturdays to choose from
$7 a kid, register online
One Kid at a time, brief activity
Excellent materials
Very fun learning experience
Great for ages 4-8, first playdates, mommy/daddy and me outings
More Cheap Fun in Columbia
Looking for more free and cheap activities for kids in Columbia?
Looking for fun things to do in Charlotte, NC? Here’s a list of just a few of the fun things in the Charlotte area. Don’t forget to let us know your favorite things to do in the comments!
Here’s just some of the fun that awaits you in the Queen City! Be sure to check back as we add more first-hand accounts of adventures we have in the Charlotte area.
