🌴 First Day Q's for Kids, Charles Towne Landing and Poogan's Smokehouse

Hey Palmetto Parents!

Happy first day of school to some, and first week back to all. It was the best summer yet and I hope you are ready for the fall semester and school year. If you’re feeling like you are behind before the school year even starts, you are not alone!

To help keep everyone’s week running smoother, we have some great tips and recommendations for this week. First is a great activity you can do with your kids, no matter what there age may be. Visit Charles Towne Landing for a fun outing with your kiddos.

Another great activity is to check out the farmers market in Marion Square on Saturday mornings. This is always the best for kids and parents alike because outdoor time for kids and fresh coffee for Mom and Dad. Spending your Saturday morning here is always a win for everyone.

After a fun morning at the farmers market, make your way over to Poogan’s Smokehouse. This local spot is the love child of Poogan’s and BBQ. They have the best bbq twist on all your favorite bar food and have great options for kids.

While you are at dinner don’t forget to ask your kids all about their first week at school. Use the list of 5 questions to ask your kids that will actually get them talking.

Thank you for being our reader and happy back to school week!

Hey guys — Daniel and Courtney here, founders of Palmetto Parents.

We launched Palmetto Parents in March 2024 as a personal project for our own family. Today we're sharing another one: Storybook Studio.

It began the way most of our ideas do. We were looking for something for our boys that didn't exist. We wanted a book where they were actually in it: their face, their name, a story about something they're going through. We couldn't find one that did it well.

So we built it.

How it works:

Charleston families get it first — before we open it to anyone else.

Go build one.

Your kids won’t want to put it down.

See your kid as the hero of their own story, and tell us what breaks. We're two parents who made this ourselves, and we'd rather hear it from you now than find out later.

When you need an outing that buys you a few hours and actually wears the kids out, Charles Towne Landing is one of my favorites — and somehow we'd never taken the boys until this summer. It's about 35–40 minutes from Summerville, over on the West Ashley side, and it packs a lot into one state historic site: this is the spot where Carolina's first English settlers came ashore back in 1670.

The hook for little kids is the Animal Forest, a natural-habitat zoo tucked into the maritime forest with otters, bison, bears, bobcats, and more. My 4-year-old could have watched the otters all afternoon. From there it's a short walk to the Adventure, a full-size replica of a 17th-century trading ship you can actually climb aboard — ropes, cannons, the works. Between the animals, the ship, and wide-open lawns to burn off the last of that summer energy, there's enough here to fill a morning without anyone melting down.

A few logistics. The grounds are open daily 9am–5pm, and the Animal Forest runs 10am–4:30pm. Admission is $12 for adults, $7 for youth ages 6–15, and free for kids 5 and under. Plan on three to four hours if you want to see it all. The main paths are wide and mostly stroller-friendly, though the history trail gets a little rugged in spots.

One honest August note: it's outdoors and it will be hot, so go right at open when the animals are more active and the shade of the maritime forest still counts for something. Bring water and a hat. It's at 1500 Old Towne Road in Charleston — an easy drive up the interstate.

Even though it’s still hot in Charleston, there’s something special about starting a new school year with a Saturday morning tradition. Head downtown to the Charleston Farmers Market at Marion Square for a morning of local food, fresh produce, artisans, live music and plenty of community.

Founded in 1989, the Charleston Farmers Market has grown into a true Lowcountry tradition, bringing together local farmers, growers, food makers, artists, musicians and neighbors from across the region. You’ll find everything from fresh produce, plants, herbs and flowers to breakfast and lunch vendors and handmade goods.

They are open every Saturday morning from April through November. Parking around Marion Square can be hard to find, but if you get there early enough it should be no problem. Especially if you have early risers, like we all do. They are open from 8am-2pm.

Located in the heart of Charleston’s Historic District, the market is a great excuse to get out of the house, grab a coffee and breakfast, let the kids explore and enjoy a slower Saturday morning together. It is a perfect way to let the kids run around while you get to sip some iced cold coffee.

So grab the family, head downtown and make the Charleston Farmers Market part of your new school-year Saturday routine.

If you’re downtown looking for a casual, kid-friendly spot that won’t break the bank, I’ve got you. Poogan’s Smokehouse is a great place to grab a quick bite with kids, especially when you want something relaxed without the louder, rowdier atmosphere you can sometimes find downtown.

It’s also a great walk-in option if you’re exploring the French Quarter and don’t have a reservation. Located at 188 East Bay Street, Poogan’s Smokehouse serves up slow-smoked barbecue, Southern sides and their house-famous ribs.

The restaurant shares its roots with the Charleston classic Poogan’s Porch, which opened in 1976 and became famous for its namesake stray dog, Poogan. Poogan’s Smokehouse opened in 2015 and has created its own reputation with hearty barbecue and an extensive bourbon and whiskey selection.

When we went, we ordered the turkey melt and the Four Porksmen, which had a serious amount of meat and one of the cutest menu names. There are also salads and other lighter options, plus plenty of beer and several cider choices.

The staff was amazing and there were plenty of kids having fun and being loud, without disrupting the whole restaurant. They kids menu was great as well with plenty of classic kid options that will keep them happy and full.

If you’re already downtown with the kids and want something easy, casual and filling, Poogan’s Smokehouse is one to add to your list.

To help you get back into the rhythm of the school year, I wanted to write about something all parents can struggle with… getting their kids to talk about their days! For some reason, when our kids are littles, they don’t stop talking. But as the get older there is less and less they want to share. If your child’s daily response to “How was school?” is simply “good”… followed by absolutely nothing else, you’re not alone!

Sometimes kids need a question that gives them a little more to work with. Instead of asking about their entire day, try asking something specific, silly, or unexpected. You might be surprised by what comes out! I find the big questions are harder to answer, but the more detail specific, or silly, the better.

This one can be especially good for younger kids. Maybe someone said something silly, a classmate made them laugh, or their teacher did something unexpected. It also gives you a glimpse into what your child actually notices during the day. This is always a good chance to make sure your child’s sense of humor is something you need to ‘work on’. Personally, I want to raise funny kids!

Rather than asking, “Did you make any friends today?” try asking about something concrete. This can be helpful if your children’s desks are in small groups that get moved around. You may learn who they're gravitating toward, who they enjoy spending time with, or whether they've been sitting alone.

This opens the door to both the good and the challenging parts of school without making it feel like an interrogation. And if they mention something that was difficult, you have a natural opportunity to ask a few more questions.

Maybe they wish recess was longer. Maybe they didn't like an assignment. Maybe they wish they had gotten to play with a certain friend. Sometimes this question brings up things your child wouldn't think to mention otherwise. This is a great way to help them connect with their teachers if something needs to be changed.

This might be my favorite because there isn't a “right” answer. It lets your child decide what was interesting, funny, exciting, confusing, or important to them.

And don't feel like you have to ask all five every afternoon. Pick one and see where it goes. Sometimes the best conversations happen when you're buckling them into the car, making dinner, or getting ready for bed, not when you sit them down and officially announce that it's time to discuss their day.

Because eventually, those one-word answers may turn into stories you wish you could hear just one more time. And there is nothing cuter than hearing about their own little worlds!

Have the best week!

Love, Jenna