Spring Break is Coming, Parents Stand Ready

Spring break is coming, and if you’re a parent, you know what that means—a full week of “I’m bored,” snack negotiations, and craft projects that somehow involve glitter in every crevice of your home. While the college kids take over Myrtle Beach, you need something fun that won’t leave you sunburned, broke, or wondering why you thought DIY tie-dye was a good idea. Good news—South Carolina has plenty of family-friendly adventures to keep the kids entertained and wear them out before bedtime.

Spring Break Escapes That Won’t Break You

Most South Carolina schools are closing for spring break between late March and mid-April (check your district’s calendar before making big plans). Instead of just surviving the week, why not turn it into an adventure? Here’s where to take the kids for a stress-free, memory-filled break:

• Set Sail Like a Pirate – Climb aboard the Pirates of Charleston cruise, where kids can dress up, fire water cannons, and hunt for treasure in the Charleston Harbor.
  
  
• Make a Splash at the Aquarium – Take the kids to Ripley’s Aquarium in Myrtle Beach for a walk-through shark tunnel where you can politely admire the toothy residents without becoming lunch.
  
  
• Explore Nature Without Complaints – Wander through the towering trees of Congaree National Park or let the kids splash at Sesquicentennial State Park in Columbia, where you can rent pedal boats and kayaks.
  
  
• Commandeer an Aircraft Carrier – Let the kids roam the massive decks of the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, where they can sit in a real fighter jet and pretend they’re captaining a naval mission.
  
  
• Hang with Wild Locals – Head to Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in Columbia, where the kids can feed giraffes, watch sea lions put on a show, and come face-to-face with a 500-pound grizzly (safely, of course).
  
  

Spring break doesn’t have to be a survival test. With a little planning, you can enjoy it—we mean it!—and maybe even earn the title of Coolest Parent Ever.

Looking for more fun? Check out our guidetosouthcarolina.com/arts-entertainment for spring break staycation ideas.