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
Have you been on the hunt for ways to celebrate the 4th of July in Columbia, SC? It’s time to bring out the red, white and blue because there are family-friendly events happening all weekend long offering things such as parades, concerts, Columbia fireworks, baseball games, and more!
We’ve gathered a list of these Independence Day events all around Columbia, SC, and know you will find the perfect celebration for you and your family below!
Have you ever heard of Carolina Gymnastics? Whether you’re looking for a Parent and Me class for your tots, an awesome place to host your next birthday party, or a sport to introduce your older kids to, you should give Carolina Gymnastics a try! A local mom and Kidding Around Columbia writer has been taking her young daughter to gymnastics classes here for the past several months and has some great insight we think you will love!
Carolina Gymnastics: Parent and Me Classes
When my daughter began walking, and became more of a “toddler” than a baby, I knew I needed to find something for her to do on a regular basis. Not only to get us out of the house, but to challenge her, teach her new skills, and socialize with other tots her age.
After some searching, I came across the Parent and Me classes at Carolina Gymnastics and I knew I had to give them a try. It was comforting to know that Carolina Gymnastics has been in business since 1976 and was the very first privately owned gymnastics center in all of South Carolina.
Group Class Room
The class we are a part of usually starts out in the Group Class Area. Complete with a climbable castle replica, wall murals, slide, and small foam pit, this room is so cute and fun for small kiddos. Tiny gymnasts are also given the opportunity to free play in the “big gym” where they can jump on the trampoline, swing on the bars, walk across the beams, dance to the music, and so much more!
Independence to Explore at Their Own Pace
Each family can do one free trial class to be sure the classes are a good fit. About halfway through our trial run, it was safe to say that my daughter was HOOKED. The Parent and Me class is set up to give toddlers space and independence to explore and try things on their own time, but with tons of guidance from the coaches.
I really love that throughout the class I am able to participate with my daughter and learn how to safely teach her new skills such as forward rolls, cartwheel basics, bridges, and so much more. It is so cool to see her learn and achieve new skills even at such a young age! Now, at almost two years old, her favorite thing to do is swing on the bars and jump into the large foam pit.
More Classes at Carolina Gymnastics
There are so many flip-tastic classes at Carolina Gymnastics:
Parent and Me
Ages walking to 2 years old
Preschool Gymnastics
Ages 3 – 5 years old
Advanced Preschool Gymnastics
Ages 4 -5 years old
Girls & Boys Recreational Gymnastics
Ages 6 and up
Tumbling Classes
Ages 6 and up
Twist and Tumble at Your Next Birthday Party
Looking for a unique place to host your child’s next birthday party? Carolina Gymnastics could be a great fit! Parties include:
1.5 hour celebration
Age appropriate games
Invitations
Goody bags
Special t-shirt and medal for birthday child
Gym play
There are two different packages to choose from. You can either provide your own cake or have the gymnastics center provide one for you. Depending on the number of guests you have at your party and the package you choose, parties can cost anywhere from $220 to $310.
Are you interested in learning about Congaree National Park events? Many people don’t know that our national and state parks have pretty cool events all throughout the year. One of them – the Owl Prowl – is quite the adventure at Congaree National Park in Columbia, SC and Kristina has all the details.
The more I’ve visited local, state, and national parks, the more I’ve learned about the Ranger programs offered, and wow, every single one I’ve been to or done with my kids has been awesome. When I saw an event for the Ranger-guided Owl Prowl in Congaree National Park in Columbia, SC, I immediately signed up.
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?
Have you heard about the sunflower fields at the Draper Wildlife Area? If you are looking for a magical place to take family photos or just a place to visit for fresh air and a change of scenery, we found a place just south of Rock Hill that won’t cost you a dime to enjoy. The Draper WMA Sunflower Fields are only in bloom for a few weeks over the summer, but if you hurry you can see them in full bloom.
Are you searching for an indoor place to have fun with your family in Northeast Columbia, SC? Whether you’ve got toddlers, teenagers, or a mix of both, Flight Adventure Park Sandhill location is the perfect place for you! Here your kiddos can jump on trampolines and bounce houses, roller skate, play laser tag, and more! Below you will find all you need to know about Flight Adventure Park – from purchasing ticketto information on all the awesome attractions! If you are looking for ice skating instead of roller skating, check out Flight Adventure Park in Irmo! They offer many of the same activities, but not all, so be sure to check each location’s website when planning your trip if you have something specific in mind to do while there.
Have you ever been to Emily Douglas Park? Are you looking for a laid-back playground with a space to cool off in downtown Columbia, SC? We’ve got the perfect place for you and wow, is it nostalgic in all the best ways! Complete with a sprinkler, separate play spaces, large green space, dog park, and community center, your family will love this simple, fun-filled neighborhood park!
Interested in discovering more parks around Columbia? Be sure to check out our huge guide of the best playgrounds around!
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 visited the Riverbanks Zoo Garden? The Botanical Gardens and Waterfall Junction at Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC are fun to visit any time of year, with a variety of attractions that keep everyone entertained, like the big attraction: Riverbank Zoo Splashpad!
At the Riverbanks Botanical Gardens and Waterfall Junction you will find several beautiful and award-winning flower gardens, a huge splash pad, a dinosaur fossil dig, and several areas for exploration and play. We’ve got all you need to know to plan your trip from a mom who visits frequently!
Visiting The Riverbanks Zoo and want to see the animals? You’ll want to jump over to our guide for the Riverbanks Zoo, as this piece focuses on the amazing gardens and water play spaces at the Riverbanks Botanical Gardens.
Tickets for Riverbanks Botanical Gardens
Tickets can be bought online prior to your arrival or at the gates. To save a little bit of time, we recommend purchasing tickets in advance! Tickets to the gardens and Waterfall Junction are included in tickets for the animal side of the zoo. We discuss more about tickets and annual membership options in our guide for Riverbanks Zoo.
Parking for Riverbanks Gardens and Waterfall Junction
You can get into the Botanical Gardens/Waterfall Junction one of two ways.
If you’re looking to stop by and say hey to the animals first, parking in the main zoo lot at 500 Wildlife Parkway will be the best option for you.
The second way to get to the Botanical Garden and Waterfall Junction side of the zoo is to park in the lot specifically designed for the gardens at 1300 Botanical Parkway. This parking lot is a bit smaller than the main lot and fills up quickly, especially on the weekends. Also found beside this parking lot is a nice-sized picnic shelter. Since outside food is not allowed in the zoo, this is a perfect spot to have a packed lunch before loading back into the car after your day of fun!
Regardless of which parking lot you decide to park in, you can get to both the garden and animal side of the zoo easily. There is a tram that takes you back and forth or you can walk across the bridge connecting each side. If you’ve got littles or a lot of things to carry/push, it would be best to utilize the tram as the walk is a bit long and can get somewhat strenuous at times.
Stroll Through the Gardens
At the Riverbanks Zoo Botanical Gardens, you will find more than 5,700 species of plants spread across 70-acres. And let me tell you, it is just as beautiful as it sounds! With several different gardens such as the walled garden, bog garden, and shade garden (just to name a few) there are no areas that won’t be fascinating and wonderful to look at!
Even in the cooler months, the zoo does a fantastic job at making sure the gardens still look as beautiful as possible. There are restrooms and sitting benches all throughout the gardens. Also, the walkways throughout the gardens are paved, making pushing strollers or wagons easy.
Riverbanks Zoo Splashpad
Within the Botanical Gardens, you will find Waterfall Junction – Riverbanks Zoo Garden’s very own huge splash pad and kiddy play zone! This area spans across 3-acres and includes a splash pad, life-size dinosaur fossil dig, a large treehouse, playhouses, and an open green space for endless fun and imagination!
Waterfall Junction is open year-round, however, the splash pad is only open throughout the summer. All water functions turn off 15 minutes before closing.
Splash Pad at Waterfall Junction
You haven’t been to a splash pad until you’ve tried out the one at Waterfall Junction! It is massive and will have your kiddos laughing and playing in the summer sun for hours.
Recently, the splash pad got a bit of an upgrade and now features soft, rubber flooring making it much less slippery and easier on little toes, however, water shoes are still a great idea.
Think of the splash pad as 2 separate levels. The largest and first area includes a 25-foot waterfall surrounded by several water sprays all around. From here, your children can play and walk through a pretend stream complete with running water.
Toddler Splash Zone at Waterfall Junction
A little further down you will find a wooden bridge and another set of stairs down to the toddler splash zone. The toddler zone is operated by buttons to turn the sprayers off and on. There are a variety of water sprays here, no zones with standing water for added safety, and no sprayers that shoot out an intense amount of water.
There are also several Adirondack chairs and large umbrellas for shade that can be found here. Speaking of tots…if your children are not yet potty trained, swim diapers must be worn while at the splash pad!
We Love Waterfall Junction
There are several things to love about the splash pad, but one thing worth giving extra attention to is the fact that there are lifeguards that can be found all throughout the water areas!
While there aren’t many places with standing water, the splash pad itself is pretty spread out making it difficult to see your kids at all times, especially if you’ve got more than one to keep track of. It definitely gives some peace of mind knowing that there are extra sets of eyes on your tribe!
Right next to the largest part of the splash pad you will find a covered picnic area that offers plenty of shade, tables, and chairs, and a great place to set down your bags or enjoy lunch and snacks. You will also find a concession stand, changing stations, and restrooms close by.
Dino Dig
Do you have any dino lovers in your family? If so, you won’t want to miss the dino dig! Here, you will find a huge sandpit with replicas of life-sized dinosaur bones scattered all around. There are plenty of buckets and shovels for your kiddos to use and put their archaeologist skills to the test!
Because this area is made up of sand, I highly suggest going here either before or after your children are done at the splash pad and have on their dry clothes. Most of the dig area is covered by large shades, however, there are a few parts that aren’t. If your kids are anything like mine, they will gravitate towards those tiny areas that aren’t shaded so I highly recommend bringing extra sunscreen and sun hats!
Green Space
In the middle of Waterfall Junction sits a large green space with endless amounts of open-ended fun! There are several hula-hoops, a wooden balance beam, and big building blocks that can be found here. Bring some bubbles or a ball to share, spread out a towel and have a family picnic, or just let your kids jump and run…the options are endless in this space!
Other Things To Do at Waterfall Junction at Riverbanks Zoo Garden
Also found within Waterfall Junction are giant tree houses, playhouses, and a small, hidden playground. The tree house is 2 stories tall and gives great views of nature all around. The playhouses are situated right off of the green space and are great areas for the imagination to flow freely.
To find the playground you will have to go to the toddler area and head left into what looks like a little grassy area. There is a wooden play structure with climbing ropes and a tunnel slide that can be found here. I like this area because it is a bit quieter than the other attractions and is a nice place to go for a bit of a break and reset if needed.
Waterfall Junction Checklist
There is a lot to remember when you’ve got to load up your kids for a day out of the house, especially when there is a potential for water to be involved. Here are some things we don’t want you to forget when you visit the Riverbanks Zoo Splashpad at Waterfall Junction:
For the splash pad and Waterfall Junction
Water shoes
Towels
Sunscreen
Water bottles
Sunglasses
Sun hats
Dry change of clothes
Swim diapers if not yet potty-trained
Ball or bubbles for green space – not necessary, but fun!
For the gardens
Stroller or wagon – can be rented at the zoo if needed
