School is out, and you’re looking for ways to keep the little ones entertained over the summer. Sports camps, art camps and Vacation Bible School are awesome ways of keeping the kids social and giving you a break – but what about the wee little ones who are too young for the organized events.
Below are some of the free or low-cost events happening in the Lowcountry that toddlers, preschoolers and their older siblings can enjoy. Also check with the particular business or organization before planning your trip to get most up-to-date information and scheduling.
Beaufort County Library Summer Reading program
When/Where: All branches of Beaufort County Library June 11 through July 21.
Info: It's never too early to share the joy of books with your children. The library’s summer reading program is now open for kids age 2 to teens. The themes for Summer Reading 2012 are: “Beginning Bookworms” ages 2 and 3 ; “Dream Big – Read!” ages 4 – 11; and “Own the Night” for teens. Children must read or have read to them a minimum of five books or audio books to complete their reading agreement by July 21. Weekly prizes are offered as an incentive for visiting any library branch.
Cost: Free
Contact: www.beaufortcountylibrary.org/
Events at Beaufort County Library this summer
- 10 a.m. June 12, kids can meet Cinderella at the Bluffton branch. Don’t forget your camera.
- 6: 45 p.m. June 14, bedtime stories for ages 3 and up at the Hilton Head branch.
- 2 p.m., June 15, story time at the Bluffton library
- 5 p.m. June 18, students ages 10 and up can join the Bluffton branch of the library for Carolina Shadows, a ghost story program featuring Tim Sonefelt
- 11 a.m. June 26, the staff from TD Bank will be at Bluffton branch for Books & Bucks for ages 5 to 10
- 1 p.m. June 22, kids age 2 to 5 can enjoy the songs of Beth Green, the Music Lady at the Hilton Head Island branch. The Music Lady will perform at 3:30 p.m. for children at the Bluffton branch
- 10 a.m. June 27, children 3 and up can enjoy Porckchop Theater’s production of Chicken Little at the Hilton Head branch. Children in the Bluffton area can come to the 2 p.m. show at the Bluffton branch
- 2 p.m. June 29, Booksalicious Family Program, 14 Promenade St., Suite 304, Bluffton
- Bedtime Story Time with Ms. Wendy at 6:30 p.m. July 23 at Panera Bread Café in Tanger One Outlet Center. Come in your best PJs with your favorite stuffed toy. Have fun with stories, poems and songs and take home a goody bag. Must register at Children’s desk in the Bluffton Library.
The Bluffton and Hilton Head Island branches will also host Family Movie matinees:
- 2 p.m. June 16, Despicable Me at the Bluffton branch
- 2 p.m. June 23, Big Miracle at the Bluffton branch
- 1 p.m. June 30, a movie for ages 4 and up at the Hilton Head Island branch
- 2 p.m. June 30, The Secret World of Arrietty
Children’s movies for $1
When/Where: 10 a.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays at Cinemark Theatres in Bluffton
Info: Cinemark is showing children’s movies. Shows start at 10 a.m.
- June 12-14, Happy Feet 2 (PG)
- June 19-21, Rio (PG)
- June 26-28, Kung Fu Panda 2 (PG)
- July 3-5, Despicable Me (PG)
- July 10-12, Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2 (PG)
- July 17-19, Dolphin Tale (PG)
- July 24-26, Puss in Boots (PG)
- July 31-August 2, Winnie the Pooh (G)
- August 7-9, Yogi Bear (PG)
- August 14-August 16, Charlotte’s Web (PG)
Cost: $1 per show if purchased at the box office or 10 shows for $5 if purchased in advance.
Contact: www.cinemark.com/summer-movie-clubhouse-2012
Monday fun at The Sandbox
When/Where: Mondays starting June 18 at The Sandbox, 18 Pope Ave, Hilton Head Island
Info: At 9:30 a.m., create your own pottery plate that will be ready the following Friday. Advance registration is recommended. Then, come back at 1:30 p.m. to decorate your own cupcake.
Cost: $15, which includes the price of admission or $10 for members.
Contact: Call 843-842-7645 or visit www.thesandbox.org/summer-fun-series
Crafty Kids at The Sandbox
When/Where: 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays June and July at The Sandbox, 18 Pope Ave, Hilton Head Island
Info: Come discover the craft of the day and then stay and play.
Cost: Varies depending on craft.
Contact: Call 843-842-7645 or visit www.thesandbox.org/summer-fun-series
Artistic Wednesdays at The Sandbox
When/Where: 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays in June and July at The Sandbox, 18 Pope Ave, Hilton Head Island
Info: Each week will be a different theme. Come enjoy an interactive art class, create your own picture frame, sand hand mosaic or alligator and then stay and play.
Cost: Varies depending on craft.
Contact: Call 843-842-7645 or visit www.thesandbox.org/summer-fun-series
Imagination Hour at The Sandbox
When/Where: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Thursdays at The Sandbox
Info: Story time followed by arts and crafts, games or science projects. Each week will feature fun themes. This is designed for parents and caregivers to interact and to assist their child with each project. Stay and play after the program.
Cost: Included in admission/membership fee.
Contact: 843-842-7645 or www.thesandbox.org
Coastal Critters
When/Where: 10:30 a.m. Fridays in June and July at The Sandbox, 18 Pope Ave, Hilton Head Island
Info: Volunteers from the Coastal Discovery Museum will talk about our local critters followed by a related craft to take home. Learn about Loggerhead Sea Turtles, dolphins or butterflies. This presentation will have some artifacts but no live animals.
Cost: Included in admission/membership fee.
Contact: Call 843-842-7645 or visit www.thesandbox.org/summer-fun-series
Gregg Russell Family Concerts
When/Where: 8 p.m. every night except Saturdays through Aug. 24 under the Liberty Oak in harbor Town on Hilton Head Island
Info: Gregg Russell has been a Hilton Head tradition for more than 30 years. There are games, interviews, sing-a-longs and great entertainment.
Contact: Call 671-3590; or visit www.greggrussell.com for more information.
Yotsie the Puppeteer at Coligny Plaza
When/Where: 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday through Labor Day
Info: Enjoy the delightful and fun atmosphere with Yotsie the Puppeteer at Coligny Plaza.
Contact: Call 842-6050; or visit www.colignyplaza.com for more information.
Coligny Plaza Summer Entertainment Schedule
When/Where: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. through Labor Day at Coligny Plaza's center kiosk on Hilton Head Island
Info: Various children’s entertainment takes center stage. Mondays include Monday Night Magic with Gary Maurer; Reggae band Positive Vibrations performs on Tuesdays; Candance Woodson & the Domino Theory Band perform on Wednesdays; The Steppin Stones take the stage on Thursdays; and there’s a Family Dance Party on Fridays.
Contact: Call 842-6050; or visit www.colignyplaza.com for more information.
Shannon Tanner Children’s Concerts
When/Where: Concerts are at 6:30 and 8 p.m. each weeknight at Shelter Cove Park.
Info: This is another Hilton Head tradition. This will be Shannon Tanner’s 24th year performing family shows at Shelter Cove Harbour. Kids always join me on stage for dancing and singing.
Contact: Call 422-4270 for information or visit www.shannontanner.com
Summer Jam Series
When/Where: Tuesdays from 7 to 10 p.m. June 19 through Aug. 7 at Shelter Cove Park.
Info: If you’re looking for a little jam session this summer, stay out a little later with the kids and check out the Summer Jams series sponsored by the Island Rec Center. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the family friendly music and Kid Zone. The special Summer Jams concert will be from 6 to 10 p.m. July 4. Enjoy the patriotic night until the fireworks go off at around 9 p.m.
Cost: Admission is free, but concessions and activities will be sold separately. Proceeds benefit the Hilton Head Island Recreation Association’s Scholarship Fund.
Contact: www.islandreccenter.org/page.php?ID=206
Water Fun Day
When/Where: Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. June 28, July 5, 19, 26 and Aug. 2 at Shelter Cove Park.
Info: Treat the kids to a day filled with all the wet and wild fun. The event includes water rides and games.
Cost: $5 admission and adults are free of charge. Concessions will be sold separately. Proceeds benefit the Hilton Head Island Recreation Association’s Scholarship Fund.
Contact: www.islandreccenter.org/page.php?ID=207
Lawton Stables, located in Sea Pines Plantation
When/Where: Lawton Stables, 190 Greenwood Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928. The farm's operating hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. everyday except Christmas.
Info: For a day out, bring all the family to visit the small animal farm with a collection of goats, sheep, donkeys, pot-bellied pigs, chickens, rabbits and even a llama (not sure if it’s a drama-free llama or not). Leave your own pets at home when visiting the animal farm and only feed the animals the approved food provided by the Stables.
Cost: Free
Contact: call 843-671-2586, email info@lawtonstableshhi.com or visit www.lawtonstableshhi.com/animal-farm
FREE BOWLING
When/Where: Station 300 in Bluffton
Info: Kids can learn the art of bowling for free this summer. Parents just pay the cost of shoes. Parents need to sign their children up on the web site below, and it will walk you through the program as well as give details on what bowling times are available.
Cost: Cost of shoes
Contact: www.kidsbowlfree.com/station300
