Where to keep the kids entertained this weekend
As Hurricane Matthew approaches South Carolina, uncertainty about the weather makes it difficult to plan weekend activities.
One thing forecasters seem to agree on is that there will be rain.
With schools closed for the rest of the week, and a soggy Friday and Saturday predicted, finding things to do with the kids is a priority since cuddling up quietly with books and beverages just doesn’t appeal to many of them.
So we’ve collected a few inside offerings, available as long as power remains on and streets remain safe:
EdVenture: The children’s museum is having Emergency Camp sessions Thursday and Friday. Camp EdVenture educators will offer activities for ages 4-12. Camp EdVenture will be open from 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. and will cost $35 per child. Parents must provide lunch and snacks for their children. Register at https://www.ultracamp.com/clientlogin.aspx?idCamp=603&campCode=ecm.
Saturday, EdVenture is having Mascot Mania from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Children can dress up as characters and compete in a dance off. Costumes are encouraged. Mascots that will be in the museum include PBS characters Word Girl and Jet (9 a.m. – 2 p.m.), Olly the Otter (10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.), Mason of the Columbia Fireflies (10:15-11:15 a.m.), Airport High School Eagle, A.C. Flora Falcon, Newberry College Nighthawk and EdVenture Mascots.
Activities include corn hole, make your own megaphone and pom poms, and a mixing colors Bio-lab activity. Admission is $11.50 per person, free for members. www.edventure.org.
Columbia Museum of Art: The museum offers half-price admission through Friday.
Take the kids and roam through exhibits with Art Explorer Backpacks, which are designed to encourage families to enjoy the galleries with interactive activities. Each backpack includes a sketchbook with colored pencils, binoculars, a compass, and hands-on activities that relate to the theme of the backpack chosen.
Kids also can visit the Interactive Education Gallery, a creative space to create art based on prompts from the CMA collection and featured exhibitions. This gallery is always free. www.columbiamuseum.org
S.C. State Museum: The museum is extending a special offer for out-of-school kids and displaced families now in the Midlands. All kids, ages 12 and under, along with all evacuated families, will receive free general admission Wednesday through Friday. The museum will be monitoring weather and will provide daily updates on its website and social media pages. www.scmuseum.org
Richland County Public Library: Weather permitting, the library has several events scheduled during the next few days at various branches. These events include Storytimes, Read to a Dog, Teen Gaming, and a visiting author. Go to www.richlandlibrary.com for a list of all activities and check to confirm the library is open if the weather is bad.
The Plex: Both locations of The Plex (Village at Sandhill In Northeast Richland and Irmo) are open, offering skating (roller at Sandhill, ice at Irmo), HiWire trampoline jumping and arcades.
This story was originally published October 5, 2016 at 3:28 PM.