Almost every summer break starts out exciting. Kids are thrilled to be free from school, and they look forward to sleeping in, playing with friends, and having fun. However, after the first initial wave of exhilaration, many children begin to use the common phrase, "I'm bored."
To help out parents and babysitters across the Pee Dee, I have compiled a list of ten inexpensive but fun places to go when the kids are begging for something new to do. In fact, each of these locations can offer hours of enjoyment for less than ten dollars. With everything from music to movies to puppies, there's sure to be something for everyone!
1. Florence After Five (Free). Located between Evans and Cheves Street, Florence After Five occurs on the final Friday of each month. Beginning at 5:30, Florence After Five offers a wide variety of entertainment, including local vendors and food, free kids zone, and a live band that starts at 6:00. Grab a lawn chair and relax while listening to some great talent, like Band of Oz and Nantucket.
2. Timrod Park (Free). Founded on eighteen acres of land, Timrod Park offers a playground, over a dozen lighted tennis courts, walking trails, and the historic Henry Timrod school house, which was constructed even before the Civil War. With beautiful grounds and plenty to do, make Timrod Park a stop on your list this summer.
3. Florence County Library (Free). Over the summer, the Florence County Library offers many exciting activities for children of all ages. Tuesdays offer story times for toddlers and preschool age children and a bilingual story time for children ages 2-5. Thursdays sponsor baby story times for walkers and non-walkers. The library also has puzzles, computers, movies, and a summer reading program for tweens and teens.
4. Ebenezer Park & Rail Trail (Free). A modern day park with grills and canopies, Ebenezer Park is a great place to play. If you're interested in hiking, take a walk on the Florence Rail Trail. Dog-friendly, the Rail Trail offers a four mile round trip hiking and biking trail.
5. Humane Societies (Free). With animal shelters in Florence, Darlington, and Marlboro County, there are plenty of places to volunteer at. Volunteers are needed every day to feed pets, take dogs on walk and play with cats. It's a good way to get active, both physically and in your community, and offers these pets fun and excitement during the summer days.
6. Florence Museum (Free, but donations are appreciated). Open every day except Monday, the Florence Museum offers children and adults alike culture during the summer months. While the museum offers exhibits on historical events, such as the Civil War and the Colonial period, it also offers art work from globally well-known as well as local artists. The Florence Museum is a great way to keep kids thinking out of school!
7. All Star Lanes Bowling (Free). All Star Lanes here in Florence offers two free bowling games a day to children fifteen and under who sign up for the program. The program gives children a safe activity to do throughout the summer. All Star Lanes is the only bowling alley in the Pee Dee to offer this free and safe fun.
8. The Regal Summer Movie Express ($1). Located at the Swamp Fox Cinema, children's movies begin playing the first week of June and go through the first week in August. The Swamp Fox plays two movies a week, on both Tuesdays and Wednesdays at ten in the morning, for a dollar a ticket. With movies like Goosebumps, Curious George, and The Croods, there's sure to be something for children of any age!
9. Lake Robinson ($3 per car or $5 for boats). Just northwest of Hartsville, Lake Robinson is a great site for swimming, fishing, and even boating. With a roped off swimming area for safety, Lake Robinson is a fun place to take the family for a relaxing day of swimming. The lake is also home to fish like bass and catfish, so make sure to bring a pole or two!
10. Splash Pads (Price varies). With a splash pad located at Lynches River County Park and another in Hartsville, why not give both a try this summer? Each splash pad offers a great place for kids and adults to cool off during the summer heat. The splash pad at Lynches River County Park costs $3 per child with free admission for adults with the purchase of a child's ticket. Piratesville in Hartsville is $4 per child and $2 per adult.
With these places to go and things to do, how will any child ever complain of being bored? I wish you and your family a safe and fun filled summer and I hope you take advantage of everything going on in our area. I sure will!
