Events in Columbia, SC: Don’t Miss a Thing

How do different animals survive in their habitats? Investigate animal adaptations with Rosemary from Richland County 4-H — there may even be some live examples!

Homeschool families, this afternoon is for you. October’s lineup includes the 4D Theater film Animal Kingdom (2 to 2:30 pm), a Planetarium show on The Solar System, and the hands-on STEAM program Matter Matters (both 2:30 to 3:30 pm). Explore the museum and connect with other homeschoolers; registration for programs opens September 18.

Love it or not, candy corn takes center stage with games, activities and sweet treats to enjoy while you play. (grades K–5)

Take a self-guided tour through a variety of self-regulatory tools in a low-stimulation auditorium with gentle lighting. Calming materials like fidgets and noise-reducing headphones are available, and staff trained in accommodations are on hand for support.

Visit the W. Gordon Belser Arboretum during its Monthly Open House on the 3rd Sunday of every month from 1–4 PM. Admission is free, and donations are welcome.

This 10-acre nature preserve features diverse native plant communities across multiple habitats, peaceful walking paths, a botanical garden, a waterfall, and unique outdoor exhibits, offering a quiet, educational escape into nature right in Columbia.

Get hands-on building towers, robots, creatures, and more. Who can build it tallest? Who can build it strongest? Build freely and find out!

Make cauldrons bubble and potions swirl in this spooky STEAM program that’s perfect for young witches and wizards.
📍 Location: Richland Library Main, 1431 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29201
👉 Read more
🧒 Ages: School-age children

Discover the birds that call Historic Columbia’s gardens home! Join local birder John Tjaarda and Historic Columbia Assistant Horticulturalist Jake Armstrong for a guided bird walk through the gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion. More than 100 species of resident and migratory birds can be spotted here, and you’ll learn to identify them by sight, sound, and behavior. Meet at the front gate on Blanding Street. Binoculars encouraged, not required. Registration required; the program won’t take place in rain or winds over 25 MPH.

Discover how gross things can actually be really cool science in this hands-on STEAM program. (grades K–5)

Test your knowledge of SC Children’s Award Nominees by authors with last names A–G and compete against others in a Battle of the Books. (families with children)

Meet an archaeologist from SC DNR and excavate a tabletop archaeology unit to uncover mock artifacts. You’ll learn the steps archaeologists take in the field and how they analyze their finds back in the lab.

Celebrate Bat Week by learning about these magnificent creatures and why they’re so important, with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

Head to ANY Home Depot on the first Saturday of each month for a free, in-person kids workshop. All supplies are provided, but may run out.

Registration not required, but highly encouraged!

🔗Click HERE for more detailed information about Home Depot Kids Workshops, plus which themed kit you’ll build each month!

The South Carolina State Museum invites individuals, families, and groups to Accessibility Mornings (the second Saturday of each month)—a free, sensory-friendly museum experience designed for guests who are neurodiverse or have other disabilities. The morning offers a calmer environment with optional activities, open gallery exploration, accessibility supports including ASL interpretation, sensory-friendly shows, and a dedicated sensory room. Activities are free, with limited space for shows, and guests are welcome to explore at their own pace.

👉Click here to learn more information and register

2026 Characters

• January 10, 2026: The Pigeon from The Pigeon Books
• February 14, 2026: The Red Crayon from The Crayon Books
• March 14, 2026: Disability Celebration Day!
• April 11, 2026: Cookie Mouse from “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie”
• May 9, 2026: Pete the Cat
• June 13, 2026: Rainbow Fish
• July 11, 2026: Penelope the Dinosaur
• August 8, 2026: Elephant and Piggy
• September 12, 2026: Taco Dragon from “Dragons Love Tacos”
• October 10, 2026: Jasper Rabbit
• November 14, 2026: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
• December 12, 2026: Clifford the Big Red Dog

Visit the W. Gordon Belser Arboretum during its Monthly Open House on the 3rd Sunday of every month from 1–4 PM. Admission is free, and donations are welcome.

This 10-acre nature preserve features diverse native plant communities across multiple habitats, peaceful walking paths, a botanical garden, a waterfall, and unique outdoor exhibits, offering a quiet, educational escape into nature right in Columbia.

Head to ANY Home Depot on the first Saturday of each month for a free, in-person kids workshop. All supplies are provided, but may run out.

Registration not required, but highly encouraged!

🔗Click HERE for more detailed information about Home Depot Kids Workshops, plus which themed kit you’ll build each month!

The South Carolina State Museum invites individuals, families, and groups to Accessibility Mornings (the second Saturday of each month)—a free, sensory-friendly museum experience designed for guests who are neurodiverse or have other disabilities. The morning offers a calmer environment with optional activities, open gallery exploration, accessibility supports including ASL interpretation, sensory-friendly shows, and a dedicated sensory room. Activities are free, with limited space for shows, and guests are welcome to explore at their own pace.

👉Click here to learn more information and register

2026 Characters

• January 10, 2026: The Pigeon from The Pigeon Books
• February 14, 2026: The Red Crayon from The Crayon Books
• March 14, 2026: Disability Celebration Day!
• April 11, 2026: Cookie Mouse from “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie”
• May 9, 2026: Pete the Cat
• June 13, 2026: Rainbow Fish
• July 11, 2026: Penelope the Dinosaur
• August 8, 2026: Elephant and Piggy
• September 12, 2026: Taco Dragon from “Dragons Love Tacos”
• October 10, 2026: Jasper Rabbit
• November 14, 2026: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
• December 12, 2026: Clifford the Big Red Dog