Your guide to family fun in the Upstate this weekend

Let the holiday weekend stretch just a little bit longer. Maybe some slow outside time will be just the thing you need. Did you know that you can borrow park and museum passes with your library card through the Greenville County Library System? That option includes South Carolina State Park passes. Check out the full list, including availability, at greenvillelibrary.org/museum-park-passes. And for more things to do, ways to beat the heat, family fun ideas, news and so much more, visit us at upstateparent.com.

To include your organization’s family friendly events in Upstate Parent, email chris@worthyplace.com.

Things to do this weekend

A Creek Ranger Hike is July 5 at Paris Mountain State Park. For registration and details, visit southcarolinaparks.com/paris-mountain/programs-and-events#jump.

Yoga is at 3 p.m. July 5 at TCMU-Greenville. Join in to practice mindfulness, breathing exercises, and stretching. The class is led by a volunteer certified yoga instructor. This Healthy Hustle class is included with admission. Visit tcmupstate.org.

Starry Nights programs are at Roper Mountain Science Center July 5. “Magic Tree House: Space Mission” is at 4:30 p.m. “Cosmic Adventure” is at 6 and “STARS” is at 7:30 p.m. Advance ticket purchases are required. For details, visit ropermountain.org.

Amp’d Up Fridays Concert Series is at 6:30 p.m. July 5 at the Mauldin Cultural Center outdoor amphitheater. For details, visit mauldinculturalcenter.org/events/festival-season/amp-fridays.

The Greenville Drive plays at 7:05 p.m. July 5 and 6 at Fluor Field. For tickets, visit milb.com/greenville.

The TD Saturday Market is 8 a.m. – noon July 6 in downtown Greenville. For vendors, children’s events and more, visit saturdaymarketlive.com.

This week

Mini Makers: DinoROAR Discovery is 9 – 10 a.m. July 9 at TR Makers Co. Unleash your inner dino detective and journey through a land of prehistoric wonder. For details and registration, visit trmakersco.org/product/mm-su24-k3/.

$1 Summer movies – “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” and “PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie” are shown at 11 a.m. July 9 and 10 at select Regal theaters. See details at regmovies.com/static/en/us/smx.

A native plant swap is at the Greer Farmers Market from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. July 9 at Greer City Park. Visit greerfarmersmarket.com.

Wednesdays at the World of Energy – The Pilot Club of Seneca and BrainMinder Puppets – This free, one-hour program for ages 5 – 12 is at 10 a.m. July 10. Adult supervision is required. Large groups must call in advance to ensure there is enough space. duke-energy.com/energy-education/energy-centers-and-programs/world-of-energy-at-oconee-nuclear/upcoming-events.

STEM Story Time for ages 5 and younger is at 10 a.m. July 10 at the Spartanburg Science Center. The program is free. Register online at spartanburgsciencecenter.org/stem-storytime.

A Community Concert for Opioid Awareness is 6 – 9 p.m. July 11 at Fire Forge Brewery. Proceeds will benefit the POWER Collective’s efforts to provide education, awareness, prevention, and intervention in relation to opioid and other substance use. For more details, call Phil Clark at 864-467-4099 or visit justsaysomethingsc.org.

Furman University’s Lakeside Concert is at 7:30 p.m. July 11. Admission is free. Visit furman.edu/academics/music/camps-conferences/music-by-the-lake.

Get tickets now

Laser Days of Summer are coming up in July at Roper Mountain Science Center. Music like Tom Petty, Taylor Swift, Journey, Pink Floyd, Bowie, the Doors, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Beatles, Metallica, Queen and much more will be showcased. For details and tickets, visit ropermountain.org/public.asp?titleid=lasersummer.

All summer long

“Finding the Force…Awakening an Empire,”a Star Wars exhibition, is open at the Upcountry History Museum through Nov. 3. The exhibition brings together a unique presentation of the history, the costuming, the creatives, and the characters, highlighting the legends and legacies of this storied franchise, and providing insight into the elements that have consistently connected us to a galaxy far, far away for over 45 years. For details, visit upcountryhistory.org.

Paris Mountain State Park’s summer events include Creek Ranger Hikes (July 5 and 19 and Aug. 2) and Turtle Trail Naturalist Hikes (June 28 and July 26). For registration and details, visit southcarolinaparks.com/paris-mountain/programs-and-events#jump.

Spartanburg County Public Libraries’ Summer Reading Program continues through July 31. Program times vary. Register for June events, including Solar Chef: Harnessing the Sun's Energy with DIY Ovens, Science Heroes: Adventure of the Lost Treasure, Jungle Jim, The Great Oreo Taste Test Challenge, Wildlife Geeks, Columbia Marionette Theatre and more. For details, visit spartanburglibraries.org.

Summer Reading 2024 continues through July 27 at Greenville County Library locations. Sign up online and get details about free events at greenvillelibrary.org/summer-reading.

The Sullenberger Aviation Museum is open in Charlotte. For details and events, visit sullenbergeraviation.org.

Lil Boogers LaZoom's Kids' Comedy Bus Tour runs at noon Sundays – Fridays and at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturdays through Aug. 31 in Asheville. Ride the big purple bus for the educational and entertaining LaZoom’s Kids’ Comedy Tour. It features a blend of Asheville’s history and kid-centric comedy. Learn about the city’s past and see the sights with outlandish tour guides, hilarious comedy skits and all sorts of special appearances. Tours are one hour and geared towards ages 5 – 12 but with jokes written for kids of all ages. The cost is $27 each. Learn more at lazoomtours.com/lil-boogers.

Summer Adventure is 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (last entry at 3 p.m.) Tuesdays – Saturdays through July 27 at Roper Mountain Science Center. The new Butterfly Encounter allows visitors to interact up close with hundreds of our flying friends, all native to the Southeast. Last entry into the exhibit is at 3:30 p.m. as part of Summer Adventure. Get details and tickets at ropermountain.org.

Park Hop is a free, summer long scavenger hunt at park and recreation venues throughout Greenville and Spartanburg Counties. This scavenger hunt encourages children and families to discover featured parks throughout the summer while searching for answers to clues within each park. Get the ParkHop app on GooglePlay or the App Store. Visit parkhop.org.

TCMU is open Mondays in the summer. Both TCMU locations – Greenville and Spartanburg – will be open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mondays through Aug. 5. Visit tcmupstate.org.

Greenville County water parks are open. For details, visit waterparks.greenvillerec.com.

Wings in the Air is open at TCMU-Greenville. Soar to new heights and explore the cultural corner, where guests will embark on an adventurous journey to Colombia. Visit tcmupstate.org.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Grab some free adventures with your kids this week