By Sarah Ostergaard
School’s out and you’re it, families. Summertime can be glorious, full of creativity, exploration, and education. There are so many fun and free things to do that don’t cost a cent. Take the kids and plan some local learning adventures, whether on weekdays or weekends.
The Columbia Museum of Art is free for SC residents through August 31. Check out their storytime events on the museum’s website and get the littles involved, too. For any age child (and for you, too.), you can wander the galleries and spontaneously play “I spy…” and together look for ten red things or a painting with a bird or 100s of other ideas that come to mind in the moment. Take paper and a pencil so children can create their own works of art inspired by what they see and feel. There is also a play area inside the museum and there are ready-made scavenger hunts (just ask.). Why not pack a picnic and enjoy it together in the plaza in front of the museum?
Speaking of picnics, take some sandwiches and enjoy the University of South Carolina’s beautiful Horseshoe. Be sure to wander through the picturesque gardens nestled beside or behind the historic buildings and play tag with the kids among the trees. Another USC treasure is the Melton Observatory, located very near the Horseshoe. Its Cassegrain telescope is open to the public on Monday nights from 9 to 11pm, weather permitting, for amazing views of the night sky.
The State House is definitely worth a walkabout. Using a self-guided tour you find on your phone, you can learn about Essie Mae, spot the 6 stars marking Civil War cannonfire, see the African American Monument, and note how many other monuments and historical markers you can find on the State House Grounds. Hint: there are over 30. When you need to cool down, enter the State House itself and relax and enjoy the 15 minute video about the State House. Then you can take a guided tour or walk around the beautiful building on your own and admire what you learned in the video.
The SC Military Museum also offers free admission. Explore galleries showcasing many artifacts from our state’s colonial beginnings to modern-day military operations. Peek inside over 20 real military vehicles including 3 helicopters, and see all sorts of items carried by our military members, past and present.
The Cayce Historical Museum is free on Thursdays from noon to 4pm. The museum, housed in an historic building that was a trading post then a fort then the home of the Cayce family, showcases interesting local artifacts over the timeline of the area. Events include history talks, craft activities, storytelling, and walks through the 12,000 Year History Park.
While not completely free, admission to the SC State Museum and Confederal Relic Room is $1 each on the first Sunday of every month. Also, the SC State Museum (and others in SC) are participating in Museums for All, offering discounted general admission to those receiving SNAP, EBT, WIC and / or Medicaid benefits. Look it up online for full info.
Tips for exploring museums and historic sites with kids with varying attention spans? Take snacks, alternate indoor and outdoor activities in the heat, plan time and space to get their wiggles out, and know their limits. A few shorter excursions can create memorable, positive experiences of learning together as a family.
These are just a few free summertime activities for all ages. What are some of your favorites? Look for this article on the New Irmo News Facebook page and comment with more suggestions for local, no-cost summertime educational fun.
