Museums on Us - Bank of America

Get free general admission to 150 museums by presenting your Bank of America debit or credit card the first Saturday and Sunday of each month.  If you haven't gone to the Edventure Children's Museum in Columbia, this is a great time to try it out. Edventure, the southeast's largest children's museum, is home to 350 hands-on exhibits.  There are endless opportunities for exploration, creativity and good old-fashioned fun. Drive a fire truck, build a house or talk to a skeleton.  This stimulating and exciting environment encourages children to imagine, discover and understand their world.

Ages: designed for 12 and younger
Date: October 1 and 2

Time: Sat 9 to 5 and Sun 12 to 5
Where:  211 Gervais Street, Columbia SC

Cost: Children and Adults: $9.50, Seniors (62+): $8.50, Military (with ID): $8.50, Children under one: Free
Contact: Edventure -  (803) 779-3100

Barnes and Noble Storytime

Join us October 1 when Skippyjon Jones drops by for a visit! Bring your camera so you can have your picture taken with Skippyjon Jones. 


Ages:  Kids

Date: September 30 & October 1

Time:  11:00 am 

Where:  Barnes and Noble, Magnolia Mall

Cost: Free

Contact: Barnes and Noble

Home Depot Kids Workshop

Make a fire rescue helicopter.


Ages:  geared toward 5 to 12 

Date:  October 1

Time:  9:00 am - 12:00 

Where:  Home Depot

Cost:  Free

Contact: Home Depot  (843)661-2597

Krispy Kreme Coffee

Wake up for free tomorrow.  Free cup of coffee at Krispy Kreme Thursday September 29 in honor of National Coffee Day.  Of course you may want to get a doughnut while you're there....

Stephen Joseph costumes

These costumes/play clothes and so cute!

Zulily Stephen Joseph event

6th Annual Festival Lynches River

October 1, 2011 from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Fun for the entire family!

• Boy Scout demonstrations
• DNR Fishing Simulator
• 5K Trail Run/Walk
• Hugh Giles' Regiment living history camp
• Waccamaw Tractor & Engine club
• Cold Blooded Encounters
• Nature Photography with Klein Photography
• Sunrise Farm and Apiary
• FMU hands-on snake displays
• Florence Darlington Stormwater Consortium
• Martha Johnson – Storyteller
• McCall's Farms
• Chick-fil-A
• Pee Dee Beekeepers Association

• Hay rides/canoe excursions
• Horsefeather Farms' Petting Zoo
• Wink Pottery
• FCSO K-9 demonstrations
• Stage entertainment
• Kid's crafts & activities
• Nanny’s Ice Cream
• Stateline Foods
• C & R Concessions
• Cornhole Tournaments
• Armed Forces
• Todd's Twisted Balloons
• Inflatables/bouncy houses

Contact the Environmental Discovery Center (843) 389-0550 for more information or visit our Facebook page!

ScienceSaturdays

Mad Scientistpalooza - Who knows the mysteries our wacky scientists, and you, will create next! Join us in the laboratory as we go “mad,” to find out!


Your Saturdays will never be the same!  What’s fun, educational, and happens every first Saturday at ScienceSouth? Well it’s ScienceSaturdays of course! Don’t miss the chance for your kids to engage in hands-on, minds-on science activities at the ScienceSouth Pavilion at Freedom Florence.

ScienceSouth will divide participants into groups according to age level (5-8 and 9-12) so that each group can get the most out of their respective activities. ScienceSaturdays are $20 per child, which includes a light snack.

Space is limited to 40 children so book now! There must be 10 children registered for a ScienceSaturday to occur. Registration for each ScienceSaturday ends at noon on the Friday prior to the ScienceSaturday.

Date:  October 1

Ages:  5 to 12

Time:  9:00 to noon

Where:  ScienceSouth
Cost:  $20
Contact:  ScienceSouth at (843) 679-5353 ext. 312 or their website

Cupcakes Tuesday!!

Sweet the new cupcake store is opening Tuesday.  I'll definitely find room in my schedule to make a stop.  Woo Hoo!

Posted on their blog:

“Sweet. A cupcake company.” is officially opening its doors on Tuesday! We’ll be ready with a gourmet selection of our signature designer cupcakes, icy cold milk, locally roasted coffee drinks, and arms ready to embrace our enthusiasts!
Tuesday’s menu flavors include: Confused – Night and Day – The White House – Paint The Town Red Velvet – Clockwork Orange – Palmetto Cream – Salted Caramel – The Burris – Gimme S’more – and the Gluten free cupcake of the day! See our flavor-full Menu here.
We’re open 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Come see us at 1257 Celebration Blvd! How SWEET is that?!

Florence kids this week - 9/25/11

Click here to see what is going on in Florence this week for the kids.

Performing Arts Center Family Series

September 23rd and 24th - Garry Krinsky: Toying With Science


November 29, 2011 - 6:30pm
San Jose Taiko has mesmerized audiences and critics alike with the powerful, spellbinding and propulsive sounds of taiko, the Japanese drum.  Inspired by traditional Japanese drumming, company performers express the beauty and harmony of the human spirit through the voice of the taiko as they strive to create new dimensions in music and movement.

San Jose Taiko was founded in 1973 by young Asian Americans searching for an outlet to convey their experiences as sansei, or third-generation Japanese Americans. Looking to Japan for inspiration, they were drawn to the empowering sounds of the taiko, the Japanese drum, an instrument that embodies the spiritual essence and heartbeat of Japan.  

Suitable for all ages

January 31, 2012 - 6:30pm

Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad, a stirring drama with music is a classic tribute to the great American who freed herself and hundreds of her people from the bonds of slavery. Her courage helped to change the world. Share her adventurous life, the joys, sorrows, and challenges faced by this brave woman, with your children in this accurate and deeply moving musical history lesson.Suitable for grades 3-12

March 22, 2012 - 6:30pm

Jason and the Argonauts showcased at IPAY 2008, receiving standing ovations at both performances. Following three successful UK & Ireland tours, including hit performances at the Bank of Scotland Imaginate Festival, the show toured in the USA, including the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the New Victory Theatre, New York. In 2009 it traveled to venues and festivals in Australia, including the Sydney Opera House.Suitable for grades 3-8

Where: FMU Performing Arts Center Box Office

Cost: Buy all 4 shows for $40 Adults/$15 Children (can also buy individual show tickets
Contact: Website -  (843) 661-4444

And the winner is...Kelly

The winner of the Halloween countdown calendar is Kelly Boklage.  Please email me or message me in FB with your address and I will get that out to you.  Congratulations!

Llama Llama Red Pajama storytime

Llama Llama book by Anna Dewdney. In this infectious rhyming read-aloud, Baby Llama turns bedtime into an all-out llama drama! Tucked into bed by his mama, Baby Llama immediately starts worrying when she goes downstairs, and his soft whimpers turn to hollers when she doesn't come right back. But just in time, Mama returns to set things right. Children will relate to Baby Llama's need for comfort, as much as parents will appreciate Mama Llama's reassuring message.

Ages:  Preschool through Kindergarten (book recommendation)

Date: September 4

Time:  11:00 am 

Where:  Barnes and Noble, Magnolia Mall

Cost: Free

Contact: Barnes and Noble

Last day for Halloween giveaway

Don't forget - the last day for the Halloween giveaway is today.  All you have to do is leave a comment to enter one time (pretty easy for something free).
You can also leave a comment on Facebook ( I found out you can't leave a blogger comment without a blogger password.)  I'll do the random drawing tonight!

Do your kids go crazy waiting for Halloween to come?  I have a Halloween countdown calendar to give away to one lucky reader. Please click here to enter.

I will pick a random number from comments to this blog entry on September 23.

• Enter one comment on this blog post for one entry.

• If you would like to enter a second time - get one of your friends to "like" the Florence Kids facebook page, or sign up for email updates to the Florence Kids blog.  After they sign up for one of these add another comment to this blog saying that your friend joined..

Good luck everyone!

Your kids will love this Fire Truck! The kit comes complete with stickers and a working siren! Bring the kids into any Lowe's store and build a FREE wooden project. Each participant also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project.


Ages: geared toward 5 to 10

Date: September 24
Time: 10:00 am

Where: Lowes

Cost: Free

Contact: Lowes stores

Cupcake costume

Someone with a little girl HAS to get this costume.  SO CUTE!

You can get it at Kohl's-hurry they are running out....

Kids' Sewing Class

Kids' Sewing 101: Headtime Story
Level 1 1ses/3hrs

• Sewing machine basics
• Simple construction

Ages: 8+ years old
Date:  Saturday September 24
Time:  9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Where: Jo-Ann's, 1945 West Palmetto
Cost: $35
Contact: Jo-Ann's -  (843) 665-4576

Performing Arts Center Family Series

September 23rd and 24th - Garry Krinsky: Toying With Science


November 29, 2011 - 6:30pm
San Jose Taiko has mesmerized audiences and critics alike with the powerful, spellbinding and propulsive sounds of taiko, the Japanese drum.  Inspired by traditional Japanese drumming, company performers express the beauty and harmony of the human spirit through the voice of the taiko as they strive to create new dimensions in music and movement.

San Jose Taiko was founded in 1973 by young Asian Americans searching for an outlet to convey their experiences as sansei, or third-generation Japanese Americans. Looking to Japan for inspiration, they were drawn to the empowering sounds of the taiko, the Japanese drum, an instrument that embodies the spiritual essence and heartbeat of Japan.  

Suitable for all ages

January 31, 2012 - 6:30pm

Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad, a stirring drama with music is a classic tribute to the great American who freed herself and hundreds of her people from the bonds of slavery. Her courage helped to change the world. Share her adventurous life, the joys, sorrows, and challenges faced by this brave woman, with your children in this accurate and deeply moving musical history lesson.Suitable for grades 3-12

March 22, 2012 - 6:30pm

Jason and the Argonauts showcased at IPAY 2008, receiving standing ovations at both performances. Following three successful UK & Ireland tours, including hit performances at the Bank of Scotland Imaginate Festival, the show toured in the USA, including the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the New Victory Theatre, New York. In 2009 it traveled to venues and festivals in Australia, including the Sydney Opera House.Suitable for grades 3-8

Where: FMU Performing Arts Center Box Office

Cost: Buy all 4 shows for $40 Adults/$15 Children (can also buy individual show tickets
Contact: Website -  (843) 661-4444

29th Florence Greek Festival

The 29th Annual Greek Festival of the Transfiguration of Our Savior Greek Orthodox Church of Florence. The members of the church are proud to share the culture, heritage, and traditions of Greece with the greater Pee Dee community. Enjoy yourselves and take advantage of the festivities. Take time to visit the Byzantine Church and do not miss the Greek music and the live entertainment of the Greek dance troupe.

Ages: all

Date:  September 22nd through 24th
Time:  Varies by day-see website
Where: Greek Orthodox Church of the Transfiguration-2990 S. Cashua Drive
Contact: Website -  (843) 662-5471

Garry Krinsky presents Toying with Science

Garry Krinsky will use his circus skills, mime and audience involvement to bring scientific principles to life in Toying with Science at Francis Marion University’s Performing Arts Center.


Krinsky’s performance will be the first of the four Family Series of shows scheduled for the FMU Performing Arts Center. In addition to the Family Series there are also four other series in the season that include Broadway shows, concerts, dance and a variety series as well as a wide range of acts in the Black Box Theatre.


With a commission from the Museum of Science in Boston, Krinsky created Toying with Science in 1995. It has been touring non-stop across North America with stops at some of the most prestigious theatres and festivals.


Toying with Science is a fast-paced varied and dynamic program combining circus skills, daring feats of balance, mime, original music and audience involvement to explore gravity, leverage, fulcrums and simple machines.  Krinsky involves the audience in investigating these basic scientific principles.  His science toys come to life with motion, music, humor and insight as he turns his audience members into stars.


The performances are scheduled for 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on the Sept. 23 and 2 p.m. on the Sept. 24. Tickets may be purchased at  www.fmupac.org, via telephone at (843) 661-4444, and at the FMU Performing Arts Center Box Office. Telephone ad personal ticket sales are available Monday through Friday between noon and 5 p.m. Subject to availability, tickets may be available for purchase at the door. 


The PAC is located in downtown Florence at the intersection of Dargan and Evans streets.

Ages: kindergarten through 6th grade

Date:  September 23rd and 24th
Time:  23rd-9 or 11 am, 24th-2 pm
Where: FMU Performing Arts Center Box Office
Cost: $15 for adults and $5 for children
Contact: Website -  (843) 661-4444

Halloween giveaway

Don't forget - the last day for the Halloween giveaway is September 23rd.  All you have to do is leave a comment to enter one time (pretty easy for something free).

Do your kids go crazy waiting for Halloween to come?  I have a Halloween countdown calendar to give away to one lucky reader. Please click here to enter.

I will pick a random number from comments to this blog entry on September 23.

• Enter one comment on this blog post for one entry.

• If you would like to enter a second time - get one of your friends to "like" the Florence Kids facebook page, or sign up for email updates to the Florence Kids blog.  After they sign up for one of these add another comment to this blog saying that your friend joined..

Good luck everyone!

Parent's night out

FunFair Science

Hear ye! Hear ye! Come one, come all for popcorn, pizza, and physics! Everyone’s a winner when you explore the mechanics behind carnival games, and how to master each one. Just step right on up and have an extraordinary time with us at our “never before seen” carnival of science!

Registration ends: September 21

It’s been a hectic week and you’re looking forward to a nice evening sans kids. The only problem is, “what about the kids?” Forget the babysitter, and bring them to our Parents’ Night Out (PNO). PNO is every fourth Friday of the month from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Enjoy a “guilt-free” night on the town knowing that your kids are not only having fun but learning too! So go to the movies, check out a new restaurant, or delight in a quiet night at home. The choice is yours. PNO is for children ages 5-12. The cost is $30 per child and $15 for each additional child. No need to worry about dinner, we have that covered too! Space is limited. Registration ends the Wednesday before PNO. The kids will have so much fun that they’ll be calling it Kids’ Night Out!

Ages: 5 to 12

Date:  September 23 (registration ends Sept 21)
Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Where: ScienceSouth Pavillion at Freedom Florence
Cost: $30 per child and $15 for each additional child (includes dinner)
Contact: ScienceSouth -  (843) 679-5353, Email: Info@ScienceSouth.org

Online Storytime at Barnes and Noble

This month's book is "llama llama home with mama" read by its author Anna Dewdney.

Ah-choo! Uh-oh, Llama Llama's nose is feeling tickly, his throat is feeling scratchy, and his head is feeling stuffy. Back to bed, no school today for Llama Llama! Instead, he's home with Mama. By lunchtime, though, he's beginning to feel a tiny bit better. But now someone else has the sneezes . . . Mama! And who will help her feel better? Why, Llama Llama, of course! Anna Dewdney's fun-to-read rhymes are sure to help children and their parents get through those under-the-weather days.  


B&N Storytime

Talk Like a Pirate

Ahoy there mateys!  Today is international talk like a pirate day.

In case you need some pirate ideas for the day....Cool Mom Picks Blog

Florence kids this week - 9/18/11

Click here to see what is going on in Florence this week for the kids.

Music with friends

Here is a great inexpensive way to teach your young children about music.


Erin is a mother of five and music-with-kids expert. She shares her expertise on her website Dibble Dibble Dee. She offers plans to start your own Music With Friends classes with weekly lesson plans. She shares all the information and lesson plans for free.

Kids' Cake Decorating

Witch's Brew Cake

Wilton® Kids'
Cake Decorating 101 

• Introduction to cake design
• Buttercream icing & decorating methods

One 2–hr session

Ages: 8+ years old
Date:  Saturday, September 17
Time:  1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Jo-Ann's, 1945 West Palmetto
Cost: $30
Contact: Jo-Ann's -  (843) 665-4576

Kids' Knitting Class

Kids Can Knit!

Kids' Knitting 101

• Cast on & bind off
• Create a knit stitch
  FREE supplies courtesy of Lion Brand®
  while supplies last.

Ages 8 & older

One 3–hr session


Ages: 8+ years old
Dates:  Saturday, Sep 17
Time:  9:30am to 12:30
Where: Jo-Ann's, 1945 West Palmetto
Cost: $35
Contact: Jo-Ann's -  (843) 665-4576

Children's Fall Festival

This will be the seventh fall festival held by the library, with past attendance exceeding 3,000 people.  Through colorful performances, activities and crafts, children will learn about the value of money, and how to save and spend it wisely. Children will be treated to live vocals and innovative puppetry by Lee Bryan, “The Puppet Guy,” as he makes all ages smile with his exciting family entertainment. Bryan has received national recognition, including an Emmy nomination for his work on the PBS Salsa! series. Also featured will be the acclaimed children’s theater group, Porkchop Productions, providing an entertaining play designed to educate and delight children of all ages. Special demonstrations by Mad Science Productions of Myrtle Beach will amaze young and old alike with a demonstration about counterfeit money. The festive atmosphere will be further enhanced with musical performances by Cook’s Drumming Circle.


Children will have the opportunity to get an up-close view of the Florence police and fire departments as police officers and firemen will be present along with a police car and fire truck to add to the festivities. Dewey D. Fox, the Florence County Library’s official mascot will be along to meet and greet. Food will be available for sale during the event.



Ages:  All

Date: September 17

Time:  noon - 4:00 pm 

Where:  Florence County Library

Cost: Free

Contact: Florence Library

STEM Saturday

Ready, Set, Aim!

Registration Period: August 30-September 13

Explore simple machines by building a Popsicle stick catapult that demonstrates a working lever.

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are the building blocks of the future. Each month ScienceSouth offers STEM Saturday, a FREE hands-on workshop in a STEM area. The monthly workshops run on the third Saturday of the month from 9:00 to 10:30 am at the ScienceSouth Pavilion at Freedom Florence. Space is limited to 20 children per session. Failure to attend a registered workshop without two days notice will result in future STEM Saturday ineligibility.
**Limit of two children per household.**

Ages: 8 to 12

Date:  September 17
Time: 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Where: ScienceSouth Pavillion at Freedom Florence
Cost: Free
Contact: ScienceSouth -  (843) 679-5353, Email: Info@ScienceSouth.org

Halloween giveaway

Do your kids go crazy waiting for Halloween to come?  I have a Halloween countdown calendar to give away to one lucky reader. Please click here to enter.

I will pick a random number from comments to this blog entry on September 23.

• Enter one comment on this blog post for one entry.

• If you would like to enter a second time - get one of your friends to "like" the Florence Kids facebook page, or sign up for email updates to the Florence Kids blog.  After they sign up for one of these add another comment to this blog saying that your friend joined..

Good luck everyone!

Cheer N America Cheerleading Program

Exciting 7 week program for youth. Make friends and have fun while learning the fundamentals of Cheerleading!  Registration will be held Sept. 10.  Classes start on Sept. 24. Registration and class times are the same.

Ages 5-6       12:10-12:50pm
Ages 7-9       1-1:40pm
Ages 10-14   1:50-2:30pm

Ages:  5 to 14
Date:  Start September 24
Where:  YMCA
Cost:   The registration fee is $11 ($6 for Y members) and $10 per class
Contact:  843-206-1639 or email

Florence kids this week - 9/11/11

Click here to see what is going on in Florence this week for the kids.

Mornings at the Museum

My Many Colored Days by: Doctor Seuss
Here is a completely new and different kind of book by Dr. Seuss! Using a spectrum of colors, a menagerie of animals and his familiar bouncing rhyme, Dr. Seuss wrote this book about feelings and moods in 1973. This book provides a way for parents and caregivers to talk to children about emotions through the colorful large-scale paintings jumping off the pages. This rare and beautiful book is bound to appeal to both the young and young at heart.


The Florence Museum is pleased to offer Mornings at the Museum, an interactive story time for children ages birth to four.  These half hour sessions will take place the second Monday of each month.  Mornings at the Museum will begin at 10:00 AM with each session to include a story, hands-on activity and exploration of objects directly relating to the museums permanent collection.  This has been designed to engage young learners and foster a life long love and awareness of art, science and history.

Ages:  birth to 4
Date:  September 12

Time:  10:00 am 

Where:  Florence Museum

Cost:  Free

Contact: To register for Mornings at the Museum please call  843-662-3351, Florence Museum

Kids' Cake Decorating

Decorating 201 - Monster Bash Cake
Level 2 1ses/2hrs

• Roll & cut out fondant designs
• Decorate with fondant border

Ages: 8+ years old
Dates and Times:  Saturday, Sep 10 3:00pm-5:00pm or Saturday, Oct 15 5:00pm-7:00pm
Where: Jo-Ann's, 1945 West Palmetto
Cost: $30
Contact: Jo-Ann's -  (843) 665-4576

Store Closing

As I read about another notice of a store closing (Books-A-Million) this time it makes me so sad.  I have no idea if they are closing because of their lack of business here in Florence or just their company in general decided to close it.

I just wanted to remind everyone to PLEASE support your local businesses that you like. I know a lot of people are having money problems out there and can't buy what they used to but please try to support "your stores" as much as you can or they won't be there anymore.  You don't want to live in a town with nothing to do.  (Sorry I still haven't recovered from Katie Mac closing!!)

If you are a local business out there with kid events/sales going on please let me know and I'll help you out with free advertising as much as I can.

Now on a lighter note - I'm going to have a contest soon for a fun Halloween item.  Coming soon so keep your eyes open....

Storytime-Froggy Eats Out

Froggy Eats Out by Jonathan London.  It's a special occasion, so Froggy and his parents are going to eat dinner in a fancy restaurant. When they arrive at the restaurant, Froggy's mom has a few rules for him: "Be neat, be quiet, and don't put your feet on the table." But it's so hard for Froggy to sit still. He fidgets, he squirms, and he sssllluuuurrrrpppps his spaghetti. Then he spots Frogilina across the restaurant-now it's impossible for Froggy to follow the rules!

Ages:  2 to 6 (book recommendation)

Date: September 10

Time:  11:00 am 

Where:  Barnes and Noble, Magnolia Mall

Cost: Free

Contact: Barnes and Noble