The Ultimate Guide to Classes & Activities for Kids in Columbia, SC

Goldfish Swim School is coming to Lexington! Goldfish Swim School is South Carolina’s premier learn-to-swim program offering indoor, year-round swim instruction to children ages 4 months to 12 years-old in a safe, fun and family-friendly setting with highly trained instructors, small class sizes and shiver-free 90-degree pools. Goldfish offers perpetual lessons and families can enroll at any time. Goldfish Swim School highlights include flexible class times, free make-up lessons and a proven, confidence-building curriculum.

Facility highlights include an air-conditioned viewing gallery for parents to watch lessons, individual/private changing rooms, blow dry station, snack bar, retail shop and warm, tropical décor. For more information, please visit the website.

Register now for fall recreational soccer with South Carolina United FC! Make new friends, learn new skills, and have lots of fun! Open to all children ages 3 to 16. Season starts in September. Visit SCUFC.com to learn more. Click here to register today!

Summer Camp: Capital City Gymnastics offers a summer camp experience that’s sure to be unforgettable. Activities will include games, crafts, science, mobile library, snacks, and of course, gymnastics!

Classes: Offers preschool, recreational, and team gymnastics. They also offer a free trial class.

Classes: The USC School of Music offers piano lessons for ages 5 and older at the Music Center for Piano Studies.

They offer beginner, elementary, young artist, and advanced young artists piano programs for K5 – 12th grade

Classes: Offers music lessons for beginners and up for Guitar, Piano, Singing, Voice, Drums, Bass, Banjo, Mandolin, Violin, and Ukulele. Lessons are offered daily.

Locations:

Columbia: 3630 Rosewood Drive, Columbia
Irmo: 1061 Lake Murray Boulevard, Irmo
Lexington: 226 Barr Road, Lexington

Soccer Stars offers soccer classes from 12 months up to 5 years old. Classes are specifically designed to improve your child’s soccer skills while also building their social skills and self-confidence.

Offers dance classes with competitive teams and recreational classes. They offer a free trial class. They offer a range of pricing for classes starting at 1 class per week for $65 monthly with an unlimited class option.

Classes: Offers classes in Pre-Ballet, Pre-Tap, Ballet, Tap, Pre-Jazz, Jazz, Contemporary, and Modern. Classes are for ages 3 through adult.

Fine Art and Pottery studio

Classes: Art classes for kids and teens, adult classes, family events, and private art lessons.

Camps: Offers summer art camp, both half-day and full-day, pottery wheel camp, and teen camps.

After School: After-school program with pickup for all District 5 schools. After school helps with homework assistance and math tutoring.

Offers private music lessons, Rockband class, Theatre classes, and Mommy and Me style music PLAY.
Music lessons are offered for all ages, skill level, and almost any instrument.

They offer six locations throughout the Columbia area.
Locations: Cayce, Downtown, Lexington, Irmo, Northeast, and Sims Music.

Classes: In addition to full-scale productions, Village Square Theatre offers Junior Arts workshops and classes. Classes include musical theatre, dialect workshops, audition workshops, performance workshops, acting for adults/teens, kids acting for a range of ages, and more.

The ages for classes are 5 and up.

Classes: Tony Thomas Family Karate offers after-school, children’s karate, advanced children’s karate, and teen/adult karate.

Programs are offered on various days of the week in late afternoon/evenings.

Classes: Star Music Academy offers private musical instruction half time (30 minutes once per week) or full-time ( 60 minutes once per week) for students. They work with beginner, novice, and expert musicians. A recital in fall and winter allows students to perform what they have learned.

They teach a multitude of band and orchestra instruments.

Locations:

Classes: TNT offers classes specializing in Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and MMA for ages 3+ and adults, broken into age groups. Contact the facility for specific pricing information.

The YMCA of Columbia is a charitable organization working toward a better community for all. We strengthen the foundation of community through: Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility.

Classes: Palmetto Performing Arts offers performing teams, Hip Hop, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, Tap, and Acro. Classes are available for all ages and skill levels.

Birthday Parties: You can host your next birthday party with Palmetto Performing Arts. Contact the center for more information regarding pricing and details.

Summer Camp: Summer camps are available, and are based on themes. Camp ages range from 3- 18, and are grouped by age range.

Offers classes for young artists and teens (ages 8 – 17) as well as adults. Group art events also available. Check out the website for more details

Private lesson costs: $28-$45 depending on age level

We are a mobile sports business that brings qualified coaching and the required equipment to you! Want to add a gymnastics class to your daycare or church? Give us a call!

New gymnastic and ninja classes coming to Crooked Creek Park!

Chess tournaments, casual play, and chess coaching.

Classes: Biblical based dance classes. Instructors are professionally trained dancers. Classes are available for ages 3 and up, with Tutu’s and Tippy Toes, Beginner Levels, Building Technique, and Graded Technique offered.

Classes: Offers multiple leagues, including youth soccer, youth baseball, youth flag football, and adult soccer.

Youth soccer is offered in early fall and early spring
Youth baseball also has t-ball, coaches pitch, and kids pitch divisions
Youth flag football is offered for K5 – 8th grade.

We offer aerial dance classes for adults. We have a variety of classes that suit all levels.

Ballet school offering classes for ages 3 – 20 in ballet, tap, and contemporary dance. Classes are also available for adults.

First Turns: Ages 3 -6
Emerging Artists: Ages 7 – 11
Advanced Dancers: Ages 12- 20

Classes: A Basketball specific training facility that offers training groups for youth ages 6 and older that are based on skill level to improve basketball skills through confidence building, fitness training, strength and conditioning, speed and agility, sport-specific training, and massage therapy.

Classes are offered in 1-hour increments,

Brussell’s Gymnastics offers several classes for children of all age levels as well as programming throughout the year. They also have Sprouts Morning Out for crawlers through 5 years old where kids can play and bounce around in the padded play areas.

Summer Camp: Brussell’s Gymnastics is offering a Summer Day Camp for rising kindergartners – 7th graders. Activities will include Arts & Crafts, Science & Cooking, and Games & Fitness.

Classes: Offers private volleyball lessons to ages 13 – 18 years old.

Check out their website for more information and programs that they offer.

Classes: Multi-season soccer program that offers mini (ages 2 – 3 years old), classic (3 – 5), and premier (school aged) soccer programs.

Classes & Programs: ACRO B.O.S.S., Broadway Baby, Performance Company, The Company, Musical Theater, Tiny Rockstars, and Star Dance Classes.

Camps: They offer a variety of camps throughout the year, see website for details.

Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission offer a variety of programs across 4 Columbia Parks: Crooked Creek, Melvin, Mungo, Saluda Shoals and Seven Oaks Parks.  Sports rotate seasonally but include soccer, basketball, martial arts, Racquet sports, and dance just to name a few.

Offers: Preschool and recreational gymnastics classes for ages walking to 6 and up.
Classes available include beginner, intermediate, advanced, tumbling, and ninja. Classes are 45-55 minutes in length.

They offer a free trial class.
The gym is open Monday – Saturday

Offers dance classes in hip hop (ages 8 – 18), ballet (ages 5 to adult), contemporary (ages 8 – adult), and Creative Movement (ages 3 – 6).
They also offer the Celestial Stars Dance Company for ages 8 – 18. An audition is required.

Culinary service that offers full-service catering, private chef, meal prep/prepared meals, and cooking classes for groups. Classes can be held at The Food Academy, or they can come to you! Please contact 803-404-8618 or email  thefoodacademy15@gmail.com for booking information.

Tea parties, photography, educational workshops, landscape design, native plant nursery

Dream Riders is a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship  (PATH) accredited facility that offers Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT) horseback riding lessons to individuals with special needs.

They offer therapeutic fun through physical, emotional, and recreational interaction with the animals. Instructors are PATH certified.

Classes: Offers a multitude of youth sports programs, including Dixie Youth Baseball, Youth Football, Youth Softball, Youth Soccer, Youth Basketball, Lacrosse, Track and Field, BMX, Cross Country, Wrestling, Girls Youth Volleyball, Summer Basketball, Cross Country, Little Tikes Sports Programs, Family Junior Golf Program

Classes: Capital Karate offers Family Martial Arts, Krav Maga/ Self defense classes. A free trial class is offered.

Birthday Parties: Set-up to clean-up is all covered. Capital Karate provides fun activities and more for the party.

Classes: Offers Music, Drama, Dance, and Tumbling for babies and kids.

Carolina Show Company also offers Camps on select dates.

Classes: Legacy Martial Arts offers classes for young children beginning at age 4, all the way through teens and adults.

Birthday Parties: Legacy Martial Arts birthday parties are fun for all kids, whether they have marital arts experience or not. Parties include some basic instruction as well as activities and all set-up and clean-up.

Summer Camp: Legacy Martial Arts offers a Summer Camp for kids with fun and active educational activities of all kinds.

After School Program: Legacy Martial Arts offers an after school program that provides a positive place for kids to spend time after school.

Four locations: 

5225-C Sunset Boulevard, Lexington, SC
7579 St. Andrews Road, Irmo, SC
494-4 Town Center Place, Columbia, SC
4711 Forest Drive, Columbia, SC – Suite 10
1056 S Lake Drive, Suite B, Lexington, SC

B-Hive Daycare and Learning Center LLC offers daycare services, tutoring, summer camps, and after school care. Weekly rates are available on their website.

Join us for our Parent and tot dance classes. At Rising Star Performing Arts Studio, we’re dedicated to nurturing young dancers in a safe, joyful, and supportive environment.

You can also join RSPAS for Creative Arts Summer Camp! This summer, let your child’s imagination soar at our Creative Arts Summer Camp! Packed with dance, music, art, and theater activities, it’s the perfect place for kids to explore their creativity, make new friends, and have a blast.

Classes: In addition to theatrical productions, this professional theatre offers after-school classes, voice lessons, workshops, and summer camps for ages 3K and up in the performance arts. Classes involving various themes in drama and dance are available.

The Columbia Children’s Theatre is locate inside the Brookland Lakeview Empowerment Center.

An outdoor class for little ones to roam, explore, and learn about the outdoors.

Classes: Offers theatre classes in dance, voice, and drama for musical theatre. Auditions are required for the musical theatre company and occur in summer.

Additional lessons for company members include Private; Duo; Trio; Quartet; and Small Group, Junior Ballet Group Classes, Ballet/Contemporary Group Classes, and Acrobatics Classes. Private to Quartet singing lessons are also available.

Pop-Up Classes and Freestyle Kits To-Go available.

Gymnastics and Tumbling – noncompetitive/recreational programs
UMP squad ninja classes
Camps

Ages 3-10

35 years of developing happy, confident, & strong children.

Classes: Empire Gymnastics offers the following classes:

• Parent and Tot Gymnastics
• Pre-school Gymnastics
• Girls’ Gymnastics
• Boys’ Gymnastics
• Tumbling
• Ninja

Summer Camps: Empire Gymnastics offers a Summer Camp for rising kindergartners – 8th graders. Activities include crafts, games, field trips, gymnastics, outdoor time, and more. Visit their website for more information.

Classes: Crooked Creek Riding Academy offers private and group horseback riding lessons. Beginner riders are required to take private lessons until they are able to walk and trot without assistance. Lessons include how to properly care for the horse, horsemanship, safety, and proper independent riding.

Riding lessons are commitment based and require payment weekly to secure spot.

Prices: Weekly lessons are $75 per lesson; A-la-cart lessons are $85 per lesson with no commitment required

Great gym in a great location!

Youth Aerial Silks Summer Camp! Your child can learn the basics of a fun circus art that gets their blood pumping! Taught by Ellie Blackwell, a certified aerial silks instructor!

Classes: Puretone Academy offers private and semi-private voice lessons, as well as keyboard/piano lessons. Additionally, the Puretone Vocal Arts Academy offers artist development programs and a summer music video school.

We are a cheerleading gym that offers many different programs such as all-stars, rec classes, tumbling, and camps.

Classes: Offers martial arts classes to preschool to adult students. Classes are broken into age groups, including ages 4-5 years old, 6-10 years old, 11-13 years old, and adult classes.

Classes: Mud Club, art classes for kids after school.

Summer Camps: Mad Platter offers camps for young kids ages 3-6 and older kids age 7 and up.

All Star Gymnastics offers a Gymnastics classes for a range of ages along with Summer Camp. Please call the gym for more information.

Cheerleading and gymnastics gym that offers lessons for all ages. Contact the gym for additional information.

Offers art classes and workshops from beginner to advanced. Classes are geared toward teens/adults. Classes are typically 6 weeks long, with styles such as collage, realism, use of acrylics, watercolors, oil painting, and more.

Classes are offered throughout the week and Saturdays. You must register to attend.

Classes: Lake Murray Gymnastics offers gymnastics classes for all ages of children, from just walking through the 12th grade. Classes are offered during the school year and summer. They also offer Ninja, Cheer, and a parent’s night out program.

Birthday Parties: Lake Murray Gymnastics offers birthday parties that include one hour of time in the gym with balance, foam pits, trampolines, and more, plus 30 minutes in the party area.

Summer Camps: Lake Murray Gymnastics offers summer camps for preschoolers to school-age where campers will train in small groups and practice gymnastic skills. Kids will also participate in arts & crafts, games, and strength training.

Parent’s Night Out: Ages 4 and up on Friday nights from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Register in advance.

Classes: Offers Western Riding lessons to all ages. Training is available on-site and off-site around the Columbia area. Contact the facility to learn more about pricing, schedules, and age ranges for riders.

Classes: Offers horseback riding lessons and equine education to all ages. The facility is open Monday – Friday, and Sunday.
Contact the facility for additional information about pricing, age groups, and specific information about lessons.

Classes: Spartan Academy offers classes for children through adults. Child and youth classes include Kids BJJ, Youth BJJ, and Kids/Youth MMA.

They offer free trial classes.

Classes: Offers music lessons in strings, guitar, banjo, keyboard/percussion, voice, general music, folk instruments, woodwinds, and brass instruments.

Kindermusik: Carolina Academy of Music offers Kindermusik, classes geared toward young children and preschool-aged children to explore a multitude of instruments.

Summer Camp: Twinkle Camp is available as a week-long summer camp, with daily group lessons, arts and crafts projects, arts enrichment, and a final concert.

Classes: Offers gymnastics classes for preschoolers as well as school-aged children. In addition to gymnastics, they also offer Ninja and tumbling classes.

Birthday Parties: 1 1/2 hour long party with instructional gym time, foam pit, trampoline, and lots more. Option to add cake service.

Summer Camps: Carolina Gymnastics has a partial-day Summer Camp for children ages 3-12. Activities include gymnastics, crafts, a foam pit, games, snack, and trampoline. There are also themed dress-up days to make the experience even more fun and memorable for kids.

Classes: Sawyer Equestrian offers riding lessons all year for all ages and skills. Lesson ages begin at age 2 with private lessons for 3o minutes per week. Additional packages are available for hour-long lessons for older riders.

Summer/Winter Camps: Day camps are offered and involve grooming, tacking, riding, and horse education. Art projects are made and team-building games are played. Camps are available for ages 5 – 15.

We offer mommy-and-me music classes, group piano, voice, and ukulele lessons, and private instruction—creating fun, enriching musical experiences for children and families.

Classes: Offers group classes for Level 1 – Level 5 in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Lyrical/Jazz, Adult Intermediate/Advanced Ballet, and Variation.

Summer Camp/ Summer Intensives: Summer Intensive camps are offered based on age and skill for ages 3 and older. There are multiple dates to choose from.

Classes: Martial Arts classes for all ages, also self-defense classes for teens and adults.

Birthday Parties: BGR8 Martial Arts parties include games and a mini-lesson, cake cutting with a real sword, and a whole lot of fun!

Discover a fun, safe, and nurturing horseback riding school offering English and Western lessons, homeschool classes, and Tiny Tot programs in a family-friendly, nature-based setting.

Classes: Offers classes various days throughout the week. They have a spring and fall schedule.
Class themes include Musical Theatre Dance, Group Voice, Acting, and more.
Ages are 8 and up (some classes are for older students only).

Offers dance classes Monday through Friday, including tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, and more.

We are an indoor playroom that has a climb on structure, infant area, soft play area, and some areas for imaginative play. We also offer a music class weekly and other classes during the week as well. A place for families to come play, connect with other kids and parents, and make memories!!
Our playroom offers private birthday party/event rentals. We offer mobile rentals for inflatables & soft play!

The official training center of Ann Brodies Carolina Ballet. CDE offers dance classes year round for infants through adults in styles such as ballet, tap, jazz and contemporary. Morning/mid-day homeschool classes also available. Summer classes available as well.

Classes: Irmo Music Academy offers lessons in guitar, piano, voice, singing, drums, bass, banjo, violin, ukulele, and mandolin. Lessons are available every day of the week.

Locations: 

Columbia: 3630 Rosewood Drive, Columbia
Lexington: 226 Barr Road, Lexington
Irmo: 1061 Lake Murray Blvd, Irmo

Classes: Silver Jax All-Star Cheer offers cheer fundamentals, tumbling, and flexibility. Classes are grouped by levels and age, with 6 and under, 7 to 10, and 10 and older classes available.

Additional offerings include camps, school training, choreography, and ballroom dancing.

Dance studio offering classes in tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, acro, musical theater, pointe, pom and creative movement for ages 12 months to adult!

Summer Camps: Summer dance camps for kids ages 2 to 12. Partial day camps are available at a wide variety of times, including evenings. Styles of dance include ballet, jazz, tumbling, hip-hop, and creative movement.

We are a family-owned mini farm in the heart of Lexington, SC. We offer horse riding lessons, mommy and me classes, toddler equine exposure sessions, animal meet & greets, farm/summer camps, private tours, birthday parties, field trips, music/art/storytelling classes and photography sessions. We have a large variety of animals including horses, a mini horse, a mini mule, a mini cow, goats, sheep, a pig, chickens, ducks, peacocks, turkeys, guinea fowl, rabbits, hedgehogs, an alpaca, a llama, cats and a dog.

Check out Kidding Around’s Review of Horse Crossing Farm

Classes: Offers instruction in musical instruments to ages 3 and older. Instruments include violin, viola, cello, and classical guitar.

Offers recreational, competitive, and company competitive dance. Trial classes are available.

The studio also offers studio rental for small engagements for $45.00 hourly for instructors for clinics, workshops, pop-up shops, and dance parties.

Classes: H. Haney Golf Academy offers lessons for juniors (kids 6 to 16), groups, and adults. Lessons are offered during the week and on Satrudays.

Summer Camps: H. Haney Golf Academy offers one-week camps for ages 6-16. Campers learn to improve their golfing skills through assessments, drills, and training.

Classes: Equine facility that offers horseback riding lessons, including group, private, and semi-private mounted lessons for ages 4 and older.
They also offer safe fundamentals and basic horsemanship lessons.

Contact the farm for specific pricing, schedules, and more.

Classes and Programs: Offers martial arts classes for kids as young as 4, school-age kids, teens, and adults.

• After school program
• Home school class
• Summer Camp

Classes: Shelby Nord Piano Studio offers private lessons for piano. Shelby Nord is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music in piano.

Classes: Offers cooking and baking classes for children. Class themes change regularly.
Classes are offered at various Kroger Grocery stores.  Registration is required.

Offers outdoor music classes with instruments for babies and toddlers through 4-year-old children. Music memberships are available.

Learn more about Tempo Music and Arts in our KA review!

Classes: The Karate Dojo offers classes for kids and adults beginning at age 3.

Summer Camps: The Karate Dojo offers a Summer Karate Kamp that focuses on martial arts instruction, skill, and training. Campers will leave camp with newfound confidence. * 2025 summer camp information TBD

Pong Gang offers equestrian classes year-round. Classes offered include Western riding, English riding, and a Tiny Tots class.

Summer Camp: Pony Gang is a private residential and day camp for ages 6-14 years old. The camp is focused on helping campers build self-confidence, self-awareness, and self-acceptance. Campers will spend lots of time outside. No horse experience is necessary. There are limited spots available so be sure to register quickly. There’s also an overnight option (girls only).

They offer both recreational and competitive soccer programs and have multiple facilities around Columbia.

Classes: Cayce Gymnastics Center offers classes in recreational and competitive gymnastics for youth. Contact the gym for more information about age grouping and specific classes.

Classes: Youth soccer programs based on skill and age. Programs are available for ages 2 through 6th grade.

Elite Soccer Training is offered at:

We are an outdoor, academic, secular co-op looking to revolutionize the way our children are educated.

We offer Music Together, a music and movement class for children ages 0-5 and the grownups who love them.

Classes: The ICRC Children’s Theatre offers a theatrical arts and performance program for youth. The theatre performs several theatrical productions throughout the season. Children can sign up to be in the productions, assist with technical, and more!

Classes: Premier Martial Arts offers kids martial arts, adult martial arts, Karate, Krav Maga, and Kickboxing.

Birthday Parties: Birthday party packages include martial arts games, board breaking, and cake cutting with a sword! Contact the facility for more details about party package pricing and additional details.

Classes: Workshop Theatre offers classes for all ages in Audition Workshop for Beginners, Private Voice Lessons, and Private Acting. Classes for ages 16 and older include Private Directing.

Classes: Carolina Playmakers works with aspiring baseball players to improve their skills and player development. Private lessons are 60-90 minutes in length. Lessons focus on hitting, pitching, speed, and more.

We are a family business that provides face painting using a clean technique to prevent the spread of germs. We are rated 5 stars across all platforms. We also offer characters , mascots, body art, and concessions.

We offer hands-on nature-based workshops for children of all ages.