Frankie's Fun Park Frankie's Fun Park is a great opportunity to get together as a family, eat some pizza, and play some games. With 3 go-cart tracks, 3 different mini-golf courses, laser tag, batting cages, a rock climbing wall, and more than 100 games in their state of the art arcade, there's something for everyone! Food, games, family--what else do you need?
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Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™! Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park is nestled on 43 acres of beautiful South Carolina farmland, offering camping fun for the whole family! While staying at one of their first-class RV or camping sites (furnished available!), your family can fish five stocked fishing ponds and Sleepy Creek, walk a nature trail down to the North Edisto River, and enjoy their recreation field. With an outdoor pavilion seating up to 60, Jellystone Park is an amazing opportunity to relax and get away with your family!
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The Backpacker Quality Gear! The Backpacker is Columbia's original outdoor outfitter. It's a locally owned business with an experienced staff ready to outfit your family for all your outdoor travel adventures!
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Saluda Shoals Park Saluda Shoals Park is a beautiful 400-acre park with an Environmental Education Center and Exhibition Hall, an Observation Deck, and picnic shelters. There are paved and unpaved paths for hiking, biking, and horseback riding as well as a boat ramp/canoe/kayak launch. For directions and seasonal hours of operation, check out icrc.net!
Crooked Creek Park offers a variety of programs for children and adults of all ages. Included in the activities are: woodcarving, belly dancing, pottery instruction, youth dance classes, Crooked Creek Art League, guitar lessons, adult art classes clubs/groups, computer classes, driver safety, hunter and boater education, Red Cross Certifications, aerobics, yoga, fitness 101, pilates, gymnastics, karate, and various youth league sports.
Seven Oaks Park Seven Oaks Park is a full-service recreation complex offering fitness, athletics, and instructional and cultural arts programs to the Irmo community. Seven Oaks Park’s special events, recreation programs, and volunteer opportunities are designed for youth, adults, seniors and persons with special needs. This community center offers visitors the following amenities: 30,000 square-foot facility with full gymnasium, fitness area, dance studio, art studio, art gallery and meeting rooms, 9 Athletic Fields, 6 Tennis Courts, Paved Walking Trails, Picnic Shelters, Playgrounds and a Community Garden. Seven Oaks Park also offers a variety of programs for children and adults.
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Harbison State Forest in Columbia encompasses 2,177 acres of forestland and is only nine miles from downtown Columbia. The forest has 18 miles of trails designed for walking, jogging, hiking and bicycling that will surely give your family time to recap on everything that happened during the week! Check out the Learning Trail, which offers four outdoor classrooms with lessons designed to increase one's awareness of the complexity of forest ecosystems, the Discovery Trail, with a pine Gazebo surrounded by a meadow and woods dotted with smaller picnic areas, and the Eagle Shelter, a rectangular picnic shelter that provides a great setting for outings where the goal is to get away from the hurried pace of urban living, to get a real feel of the forest. A canoe landing located near the Broad River provides access for kayaks and canoes as a put in or take out from the river too. Call the State Forest Office at (803) 896-8890 for more details.
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SC Department of Natural Resources has a packed calendar with lectures, classes, conferences, walks & talks and more! Check it out to see what's going on around Columbia!
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Dreher Island State Park. There's so much your family can do at this wonderful State park located on Lake Murray. Enjoy fishing several types of bass, take a leisurely boat ride or pack a picnic and enjoy the fresh air under one of the 13 shelters. In addition, your family can enjoy the playground, take a relaxing walk along the ¼-mile Billy Dreher Nature Trail or experience the moderate 2.1 mile hike along the Little Gap Trail. Better than doing a few of these activities is doing them all! Pack up the tent and do everything on an at-home vacation!
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Adventure Carolina Adventure Carolina offers guided trips kayaking, hiking, and paddling down Broad River. Private lessons (kayaking, canoeing) and rentals (kayaks, canoes, tubes) are also available, along with a retail store in Cayce. Private groups are welcome to set up classes and trips, so gather the family for your own adventure! (803) 796-4505
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Sesquicentennial State Park situated in the middle of the Sandhills region, features a beautiful 30-acre lake surrounded by trails and picnic areas. Check out their programs like the Owl Prowl where you can discover the secret lives of these avian neighbors, uncover their nocturnal habits and unveil their amazing adaptations, and Snakes of South Carolina, where participants will uncover local myths associated with our slithering friends and discover what makes them so helpful to humans and the environment. Check out the 3.5 mile Loop Road Trail, the 1.9 mile Sandhills Hiking Trail, the 0.4 mile Jackson Creek Nature Trail and the 6.1 mile Mountain Bike Trail.
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Lake Wateree State Recreation Area. Located on Desportes Island, Lake Wateree has ample camping space with 72 sites, including many that accommodate large RVs and all with water and electrical service. The Desportes Island Nature Trail is a great feature! It is moderate .7 mile loop around this beautiful lake. Yet another great place to experience the outdoors!
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Congaree National Park Congaree National Park houses a museum quality exhibit area within the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, a 2.4 mile boardwalk loop trail, over 20 miles of backwoods hiking trails, canoeing, kayaking, fishing and more. There's no better way to see the park than by canoe, and Congaree National Park offers FREE ranger guided canoe tours most Saturdays and Sundays. Congaree National Park also offers guided walks, talks and presentations throughout the year. All are free of charge. Learn about this beautiful National Park as a family!
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Columbia Riverfront Park & Historic Canal This 167-acre park features a jogging and walking trail, as well as picnic tables and benches. Your family can learn about the history of the Columbia canal while walking through one of the old pump houses at the park or enjoy running, bicycling, and fishing activities. 803-545-3100
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Lexington Family YMCA 803.359.3376 The Lexington YMCA offers a beautiful 160-acre facility with lake, trails, covered pavilion, wellness center with cardio and strength equipment, fishing, walking track and nature trails, outdoor basketball and tennis courts, soccer fields and more!
Downtown Family YMCA 803.799.7159 The Downtown YMCA offers a 5 lane swimming pool, wellness center with cardio and strength equipment, over 40 different group exercise classes, basketball courts, racquetball/squash courts and more!
Jeep Rogers Family YMCA at Lake Carolina 803.451.8439 The Jeep Rogers YMCA offers cardio and strength equipment, indoor track, basketball court, 8-lane swimming pool, 4 lighted tennis courts and more!
Northwest Family YMCA 803.407.8007 The Northwest Columbia Family YMCA offers an 8-lane swimming pool, wellness center with cardio and strength equipment, basketball courts, indoor track and more!
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Riverbanks Zoo & Gardens Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens is a great place for the whole family to enjoy! Animal demonstrations, 3-D Presentations, the Wild Adventures Climbing Wall, themed gardens, the Aquarium Reptile Complex, the Birdhouse at Riverbanks, and Lemur Island are wonderful learning tools for children and engaging fun for everyone! To learn more about presentation times and other features, check out riverbanks.org!
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Columbia Disc Golf Club The Columbia Disc Golf Club offers a great opportunity to have fun and spend some time together! For specifics about the many disc golf courses in the greater Columbia area, visit columbiadiscgolfclub.com!
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SC Rail Road Museum The South Carolina Rail Road Museum is fun for the entire family! All aboard! Enjoy an hour-long train ride from the first class dining car, historical passenger car, caboose, or the newly restored open air car. You can peruse any of their static display cares or walk through a display train featuring a business car, post office car, caboose, and more. Learn even more at their museum gallery and pick up a souvenir The Station gift shop! 803-635-4242
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City of Columbia Parks and Recreation City of Columbia Parks & Recreation Department oversees EVERYTHING--parks, rental facilities, arts opportunities, athletics, gardens, dog parks, pools, skate parks, and special/holiday events. Spend a Saturday together and enjoy Columbia's great outdoors over a picnic lunch in Finlay Park. Moms and daughters can enjoy Zumba classes at the Drew Wellness Center; dads and sons could spend time kickboxing! The City of Columbia offers so many services--take advantage and enjoy! For specifics, visit columbiasc.net/parksandrec.
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Columbia Rowing Club The Columbia Rowing Club offers recreational and competitive rowing (sculling or sweep) for ages 13-94 at the Richland County Rowing Center. The Club meets every third Tuesday of the month and has a "Learn to Row" program for interested beginners! For more details, check out columbiarowingclub.com!
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Lanier Sailing Lanier Sailing Academy, Lake Murray offers sunset sails, sailing lessons, and a sailing club for sailing enthusiasts! Rentals are also available. Sailing courses are 3 days, after which participants can sail up to a 25-foot-long boat on their own (with crew). (803) 317-9070

The Little Gym The Little Gym's professionally developed, non-competitive programs have been designed to build motor skills in a fun and nurturing environment while fostering enhanced emotional, intellectual and social skills. For over 30 years, parents have relied on The Little Gym to help their kids build the skills and confidence that will enhance every aspect of their lives. Children are encouraged to try their best, not be the best. This philosophy has served The Little Gym and its members well, and it now sets the standard for high-quality children’s development programs.
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Toys & Games, Etc. Toys & Games, Etc is South Carolina's best selection of Breyer horses, games for children, toddlers and adults! Don't miss game night Tuesdays (for adults) and Fridays (family night) from 6pm-until!
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Leapin' Lizards Leapin' Lizards of Columbia is the area's only parent-friendly, inflatable play center. Their affordable "Pop-In-Play" and membership options come with no time limits and are perfect for rainy day fun or giving you a break! Offering over-the-top fun for kids, your little ones can play out all that rambunctious energy while you sit down and have a slice of pizza in full view of the facility. So, drop by today and see what all the excitement is a Leapin' Lizards! (803) 787-5700
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EdVenture EdVenture is a locally-managed, not-for-profit, informal educational institution whose vision is to create new generations of lifelong learners. For any family and any child, EdVenture offers a perfect opportunity to teach and inspire young minds with their eight world-class exhibit galleries, library, learning laboratories, resource centers, and much more. With after school programs for kids, to-go programs for schools, summer camps, and professional development workshops, EdVenture offers something not just for family, but for your entire community! (803) 779-3100
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Bowling is America’s #1 participation activity with over 70 million people bowling each year! Anchor Lanes-803-732-7880 and Royal Z-(803) 788-9208 are modern bowling centers with kid-friendly bumper bowling lanes and plenty of lightweight bowling balls and small shoes for kids available.
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Plex Indoor Sports. With 2 locations in Columbia, Sandhills and Irmo, you can head to Plex this weekend! Plex Sandhills offers soccer, flag football, volleyball, inline hockey, lacrosse, a skatepark, and various camps throughout the year. Plex Ice, Irmo offers public ice skating, ice hockey, soccer, flag football, a skatepark and camps as well. Check their websites for a full listing of activities that you and your family can enjoy together!
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Richland County Public Library The Richland County Public Library has 11 branches to serve your family and expand your horizons. With weekly storytimes at each location, seasonal programs like "So Divine" for crafters and "Let's Speak English" for second-language speakers, computer classes, and literary events, Richland County cannot wait to enrich your reading and your life here in Columbia. Stop by a branch today for an events calendar! (803) 799-9084
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Lexington County Public Library. When was the last time you enjoyed a simple trip to the library together? The Lexington County Library has 11 locations also. (803) 785-2600
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SC State Museum. The South Carolina State Museum really is all of "South Caroline Under One Roof!" The whole family can enjoy discovering this great state--peruse their permanent collections and learn about South Carolina art, natural and cultural history, or science and technology. What makes the museum a perfect Sunday afternoon treat for your family, though, is that each visit is as dynamic as the last! With their changing exhibits, experience historical astronomy, discover area folk art, or get a feel for the Civil War in South Carolina. Whatever your interest, the four sprawling floors of history have something for each of you! 803-898-4921
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Columbia Children's Theatre Columbia's Children's Theatre is dedicated to bringing the finest in entertainment, education, and opportunities to children and familes throughout the Midlands and across South Carolina.Each season the Theatre puts on 5 theatrical productions with professional adult actors, created especially for children and their families. After school acting classes and summer camps, and the new YouTheatre program (producing 3 shows each year with student actors in grades 1-12) are also wonderful opportunities for creative, constructive expression that will encourage your child and be a joy for the whole family! (803) 691-4548
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Columbia Marionette Theatre Columbia Marionette Theatre is a magical place where fairy tales come to life. It’s located at the Riverfront Park entrance so after the show you can enjoy a walk along the scenic canal. Admission is only $4 and shows are on Saturdays at 11AM and 3PM. (803) 252-7366
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Ruth Patrick Science Education Center The Ruth Patrick Science Education Center (RPSEC) takes a hands-on approach to teaching to help people experience the beauty, order, and power of science and mathematics, as well as the interest and fun of discovery. The RPSEC is now offering a series of monthly programs for home school students in addition to student programs for typical field trip groups. The RPSEC also hosts special events for families throughout the year, such as Science Education Enrichment Day and Earth Sky Night. The 45-seat DuPont Planetarium, home to a 30-foot diameter tilted aluminum dome and Digistar II projection system, offers weekly programs for the public. It is also available for special shows and birthday parties. The Bechtel Telescope is available for viewing after each public show, weather permitting.

Columbia Museum of Art. The Columbia Museum of Art is a great way to slow down as a family, broaden your horizons, and have some fun! Learn about basic art concepts and German culture during Wee Wednesday's "Guten Tag" workshop, attend "Passport Into Art: Into the Mist" and participate in a FREE open studio together, or get into the season at a "Family Fun Night." However your family enjoys the Museum, have fun together!
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If you're looking to submerge your child and possibly yourself into the world of art, dance and poetry, the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation also offers classes on pottery, glazing, piano lessons, poetry workshops, dance classes, jewelry making, sculpture and an array of other activities.

Southern Pottery Workcenter and Gallery Southern Pottery Work Center and Gallery offers classes in handbuilding and wheelthrowing throughout the year. Moms and daughters can develop an artistic bent and make lasting memories! For an updated schedule, check out the website. (803) 251-3001
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Swift Water Beads & Jewelry Swiftwater Beads & Jewelry is South Carolina's premier jewelry supply store. And a wonderful opportunity for some mother-daughter creativity! Get together with other mothers and daughts at a "Women's Night Out"--you can each work on a chosen project, or everyone can do her own thing! Birthday parties (approximately 8-12) let each child design a beaded necklace and have fun creating! The staff is available anytime Swiftwater is open to assist you in designing and creating on-site. Classes in pearl-knotting, basic beading, bead-weaving, bead-embroidery, wire-working, and even basic metal-smithing are offered! For times give them a call. 803-252-2020

The following places are great ideas on where to have a birthday party:


The Little Gym  The Little Gym is the perfect way to make your child's special day an awesome birthday bash!Your birthday child and their friends will have the entire facility to themselves to take part in games, music, and fun activities created especially for them. The facilities and staff are bright, cheerful and child-friendly, so everyone will remember this wonderful day!
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Cupcake
Treat your child to something new, different, and fabulously fun: have a Cupcake birthday party! Kids will be their own chef, learn how to bake and decorate their own cupcakes, and enjoy a selection of mouthwatering cupcakes and free goodies after at Cupcake's Belle Hall or Columbia bakery! It'll be the talk of the neighborhood. And these days, it's not just for children! A growing hit at our Belle Hall and Columbia locations has been cupcake decorating parties for people of all ages. Can you think of a better way to celebrate an engagement, a new baby, or simply enjoying life together with friends and family? It's the perfect way to entertain out-of-town guests, too! Give us a call at (843) 856-7080 to make a reservation and prepare your delicious surprise. It's a sure crowd-pleaser!
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SC State Museum The South Caroline State Museum is a great place for an educational, fun-filled birthday bash. Your child can explore with the Carolina Safari, become a Mad Scientist, or navigate the high seas as a Pirate! The only problem? How will you outdo this next year?!
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Palmetto Athletic Center Palmetto Athletic Center prides itself on providing a birthday where your child is the STAR of the party! This fun-filled birthday party includes one hour of play time and thirty minutes of party time. Play time includes: Rope Swing, Foam Block Pitts, Parachute Games, 30ft. Slide, Rock Wall, In Ground Trampolines, Inflatable, and Zip line! 803-951-2090
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Frankie's Fun Park Frankie's Fun Park will jam-pack your child's special day with fun and laughter! Party packages include an all-day unlimited Fun House pass, arcade fun money, one attraction pass of your choice, and a kids meal with drink. With 3 go-cart tracks, 3 different mini-golf courses, laser tag, batting cages, a rock climbing wall, and more than 100 games in their state of the art arcade, there's something for every little one! Food, games--what else do you need for a great birthday?
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EdVenture  EdVenture may be the coolest birthday party you ever throw! Pick your year wisely--you may never top the birthday ceremony held in front of Eddie®, the world’s largest child. Included are activities for 15 children, guided museum exploration, and much more!! Bring your own food and decoration, or use the many EdVenture options to customize your child's celebration!
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Country Adventures  Country Adventures is the perfect way to celebrate a fun-filled, no-stress birthday! During your 2 hour private farm party (geared toward children 2-7), all you have to do is enjoy and bring the cake--they do all the work! Parties include pony rides (with an 85 pound weight limit), a visit to the petting farm, a tractor-drawn hayride around the farm, and a hot dog roast! 803-754-4724
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FunZone for Kids FUNZONE is an indoor, inflatable party and play center available for private birthday parties, day care field trips, mom’s groups, sports team parties, home school groups, and church youth groups. (803) 732-8900
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Laugh N Leap Laugh N Leap provides Inflatable Bounce House Rentals and Water Slides for Kids Birthday Parties and Events in Columbia SC and surrounding areas. We are a new inflatable rental company located in Columbia, SC. Call 803-647-9601 for more information. 803-647-9601
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Learning Express Bring your child in to register for the next birthday so friends and family know exactly what to get. We’ll also take care of party favors for all your guests. Our educational toy selection helps children learn and develop and is carefully selected from toy manufacturers around the world ... classic toys that have passed the test of time as well as the latest toys on the leading edge of innovation.
(803) 407-1290
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Columbia Museum of Art. The Columbia Museum of Art is more than a learning opportunity--they do a great birthday bash! Celebrate your child with an "Art-Full Birthday Celebration," for KidsPlus! members and above levels. A 2-hour party includes a 30-minute gallery tour, hands on activity, paper products, invitations, and art smock for the birthday child. With options like "Animal Art Safari," "Finding Fairies," "Gods and Goddesses," and "Jewels, Fabulous Jewels," your little one will never forget their special say at the Columbia Museum of Art!

Capital Karate. Capital Karate offers programs for youth and adults, incorporating techniques from around the world emphasizing physical fitness, self-protection, and tools for success in and out of the studio. The whole family can work toward calmer, more confident selves! For updated class schedules and other specifics, check out the website. (803) 212-7111
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Columbia Martial Arts and Fitness. Columbia Martial Arts and Fitness will whip you into shape! Muay Thai kick boxing, Jiu-Jitsu, MMA X-Fit training, and Kali are great ways for the whole family to work off dessert and build confidence! For prices, specifics, and fun, check out the website. (803) 356-9755
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irmo chapin recreation center The Irmo Chapin Recreation Center is a great way to be active and have fun. Take a family bike ride through Crooked Creek Park or enjoy the community garden at Seven Oaks Park. However you take advantage of the ICRC, relax and have fun! An athletic calendar, information for registration, and specifics about each location are maintained at icrc.net!
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Life Force Karate and Fitness. Life Force Karate and Fitness offers contemporary-traditional Karate (ages 3+), classical Jiu-Jitsu (ages 14+), fitness kick boxing (ages 14+), and kids camps and birthday parties (ages 5-12). Take class together as a family--bond and kick some butt!! For more detail on programs, take a look at their website or drop by to view the facility! (803) 783-5425
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Richland County Recreation Commission. The Richland County Recreation Commission's mission is to provide programming and recreational opportunities for children and adults with special needs, but people of all abilities can participate in basketball, kickball, and track, just to name a few. For specific programs or to lend a helping hand, visit richlandcountyrecreation.com!
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YMCA of Columbia YMCA of Columbia offers 4 great locations to serve your family: Downtown, Lexington Family, Jeep Rogers Family, and NorthWest Family. Beat the Caroline heat with a swim or encourage one another getting fit and having fun. The possibilities are endless: Health, Fitness, and Wellness; Aquatics; Sports; Teen, Youth, Family, and Parent-Child Programs, and Equestrian programs are available! To get to know each location and check out specific programs, take a look at columbiaymca.org.