🌴 Indoor Fun, Kid's Marathon and Valentines Day

Hi Palmetto Parents!

I hope you are staying warm this week here in Charleston!

Last weekend a list of James Beard Semifinalists came out, and a few of our friends here in Charleston made the list! Chubby Fish, Hector Garate at Palmira Barbecue, Merci, and (we literally called it) Welton’s Tiny Bakeshop! Congratulations to these local friends who keep us full and fed.

This week we’re featuring:

Enjoy!

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If you’re anything like us, date nights can start to feel a little repetitive. Dinner, maybe dessert, head home. Fun, yes. Memorable? Not always. Lately, we’ve been trying to mix things up by doing more activities together instead of just eating, and Chucktown Activities in North Charleston ended up being the perfect solution.

From the moment we walked in, it felt like a place designed for grown ups who still want to play. Before you start throwing, swinging, or jumping, you can grab a beer at the Rusty Bull Bar tucked into the back of the building. That alone sets the tone for a relaxed, fun night where you can ease in and then jump straight into the action.

One of the main attractions is axe throwing, but this isn’t the lightweight, beginner version you might expect. This is real wood and a heavy axe. I could lift and throw it, but two hands definitely helped. It felt satisfying, challenging, and surprisingly empowering once you got the hang of it. When the wood gets too worn down for axe throwing, they move it to the front entrance for guests to take home as firewood or whatever else you could use it for! That small town, nothing goes to waste detail really stuck with me.

Once we needed a break from the axes, we moved on to ninja throwing stars. These were honestly one of my favorite parts. They were easier to use, super fun, and a little addictive. I almost beat my husband a few times, which made it even better.

Chucktown Activities also has several high energy games that feel playful but still require skill. The wipeout machine was more of a workout than I expected, but so fun. You either have to jump over or dodge a giant pole that is fully committed to knocking you down. We were laughing the entire time. There’s also a giant connect four style basketball game where you shoot basketballs to claim your spot. It was creative, tactile, and competitive in the best way.

We ended up spending most of our time playing indoor mini golf, which truly surprised me. I’ll be honest, mini golf usually isn’t my thing. No matter how hard I try, I always end up terrible and a little bored. This was completely different. It still feels like mini putt, but with puzzle style challenges that can either reward you with a hole in one or give your opponent a disadvantage.

We wrapped things up with a floor is lava game where the floor lights up and you have to tap the blue squares while standing on white ones and avoiding red. Once you tap all the blue squares, you move on to the next level. It was fast paced, physical, and would be a huge hit with kids.

The best part is the value. For $35 per person, you can play all of these games, which feels like an incredible deal for how much there is to do. During the week, Chucktown Activities opens at 4pm and on the weekends (Fri-Sun) it opens at 12pm.

For families, the floor is lava, wipeout, and basketball games would be perfect for energetic kids, (probably) ages six and up. The mini golf may be better suited for kids closer to seven or eight and older. As for the axe throwing and ninja stars, we’ll save those for after high school.

Whether you’re looking for a unique family outing or a date night that actually feels special, Chucktown Activities checks all the boxes. We laughed, competed, tried new things, and spent real time together. It’s the kind of place that reminds you that doing something fun together can be just as meaningful as sitting down for a meal, and sometimes even more so.

The PNC Bank Charleston Youth Marathon is a free, family friendly event held as part of the Charleston Half Marathon and is a great way for kids to experience race day excitement in a fun and supportive environment. It is also not a full marathon (but the kids don’t need to know this!) It’s only a ¼ mile long!

The youth marathon takes place on race day with a 10:30am start time at Brittlebank Park this Saturday, January 31. Kids will begin their run there and finish at the same finish line as the half marathon participants, right in front of The Joe, making it an especially exciting moment for young runners.

Parking is available near Brittlebank Park and around the finish area, but spaces are limited and fill up quickly on race morning. Families are encouraged to arrive early or use rideshare services when possible!

Parents and family members are welcome to walk children up to the start line. Adults who plan to accompany their child for the full lap should line up at the back of the group, while chaperones who are not running do not need to register. Register here!

Each participant will receive a free Youth Marathon T shirt, a Youth Marathon bib, and a Youth Marathon finisher medal, making it a memorable experience for kids of all ages.

The youth marathon is free, but advance registration is required. Families should register before race weekend to ensure their child receives a bib and shirt, as registration closes once packet pickup ends.

This event is a fun way for kids to be part of one of Charleston’s biggest race weekends while supporting Engaging Creative Minds and celebrating movement and community together.

If you’re looking for a fun, low stress event to kick off your weekend with the kids, this one is pure magic. Pluff Mud Pottery on Folly Road is hosting a special Frozen themed morning that’s perfect for Elsa and Anna loving little ones.

This weekend from 10am to 11am, families are invited to step into Arendelle for an interactive experience that goes way beyond just sitting and watching. Walk-ins are welcome, which makes this an easy yes if you’re making last minute plans.

Admission is $15 per child, and adults get in free. Each child’s ticket includes a meet and greet with beloved characters, photo opportunities, story time, and a mini dance lesson that will have kids twirling and singing along. It’s a sweet mix of imaginative play and movement that keeps kids engaged the entire hour.

Pottery painting is also available during the event, with Pluff Mud Pottery’s full inventory open for creativity. Pottery prices are additional, but it’s a great option if your child wants to create something special to take home after their magical morning.

This event is ideal for younger kids who love princesses, pretend play, and hands on activities. It’s short enough to hold their attention, but packed with enough excitement to feel really special.

Pluff Mud Pottery is located at 1411 Folly Road and is open Monday through Saturday from 11am to 7pm and Sunday from 11am to 6pm. Even after the event wraps up, it’s a great spot to keep the creativity going.

If your weekend plans need a little sparkle, this Arendelle themed morning is a charming way to make memories, snap some photos, and give your kids an experience they’ll be talking about all week. See you in Arendelle!

Some places just feel like Charleston the moment you arrive, and Ellis Creek Fish Camp on James Island is one of them. We went for the first time this past summer and instantly understood the hype. This isn’t a polished, dress up, reservation on King Street kind of restaurant. It’s humble, laid back, and eat with your hands type of spots, with one of the most beautiful marsh views you can find. The kind of place where the food and the setting do all the talking.

Ellis Creek sits along what feels like a quiet, unassuming stretch of road, which somehow makes it even better. You don’t stumble upon it by accident. You go there on purpose, and that’s exactly how a true fish camp should feel.

Here’s the strategic part: going when it’s cooler outside is actually the move. During the warmer months, Ellis Creek is packed, especially because most people want to sit outside and soak in the marsh views. While there is indoor seating, it fills up fast in the summer. When the weather cools down, the crowds thin out, the lines are shorter, and you have a much better chance of snagging a cozy seat inside. Just make sure you arrive early enough, especially on weekends, and you’ll be golden.

You order at the front window, so it helps to have your order in mind before you get there. Trust me, once you see the menu, decision making gets harder in the best way.

We started with the pimento cheese, catfish bites and hush puppies, and they were outstanding. Crispy, flavorful, and exactly what you want at a fish camp. If you’re feeling adventurous, the chicken livers with chipotle aioli are a must try. They also offer shrimp, a few solid salads, incredible fish tacos, and fish sandwiches that locals swear by. If seafood isn’t your thing, there are burger options too, plus a kids menu that makes it an easy family choice. They even have a dog menu, with options like a turkey dinner or a pup cup for your four legged dining companion.

The drink menu is just as thoughtful as the food, with a great selection of cocktails, beers, and wines. It’s the kind of place where you can keep things casual or linger a little longer as the sun sets over the marsh.

One more reason to plan your visit strategically: every Wednesday, all day long, Ellis Creek offers a $40 special for two people. You get a beer or wine, an appetizer, two entrees, and the whole thing comes in at just $40. It’s one of the best date night deals around and another reason this spot feels like a local secret worth sharing.

Ellis Creek Fish Camp is open daily from 11am to 9pm and is located at 1243 Harbor View Road in Charleston. If you haven’t been yet, consider this your sign. And if you have, try visiting when it’s a little cooler out. Fewer crowds, the same incredible food, and that marsh view never gets old.

Somewhere after having our third kid, I realized something had to give. Not because I don’t love holidays or special moments, but because the pressure I was putting on myself wasn’t serving anyone. Especially not me.

Valentine’s Day was one of those moments. I used to feel like it needed to be extra special. Cute plans. Meaningful traditions. Something memorable. But what feels special to me as a mom isn’t actually what my kids need in order to feel special.

That shift has changed everything.

Now, instead of trying to create a big celebration that matches up to what I see online, I look for tiny ways to make an ordinary day feel a little special. Things that don’t require a big show, but something they actually love!

Sometimes that looks like piling into the car after dinner, pajamas already on, and heading through the Chick-fil-a drive thru for ice cream. No changing clothes. No sitting inside. A fun surprise that requires minimal effort and planning.

A few years ago I did a balloon arch for Valentines day and my kids were not impressed. Rookie mistake on my part, because kids don’t care about looking at balloons, they want to play with them! Waking up to a bedroom with a few red and pink helium balloons is so magical and adds extra fun for a few more days. Even balloons blown up on the floor or on the dinning table is a big deal for my kids!

Those are the things they remember.

As parents, especially moms, it’s easy to confuse effort with impact. We think doing more means loving more. But kids feel love in consistency, attention, and shared joy. Not perfection.

After three kids, I’ve learned that special doesn’t have to be hard. It just has to be their type of special!

This Valentine’s Day, I’m giving myself permission to keep it simple. To choose what works for our family. To let go of the idea that it has to look a certain way, but only do what is going to make my kids feel special!

Because when mom is less stressed, the whole day feels lighter. And that, more than anything, is what makes it special.

Stay Warm!

Love, Jenna