🌴Sunny Skies, Best Treats and Simple Days

Hello Palmetto Parents!

We’re so glad the rain has finally cleared up! Last week felt cozy and warm inside while it rained for four days straight. But now that the sunshine and warm temps are back, we’re ready to get outside again and we have a few suggestions for you to enjoy this warm week ahead!

This week, we’re spotlighting the newly renovated Plymouth Park on James Island — a beautiful waterfront spot where kids can climb, swing, and play under the oak trees. We’re also sharing all the details on North Charleston’s Harvest Festival, happening this Saturday, complete with live music, family fun, and fall vibes galore.

Plus, don’t miss our feature on WildFlour Pastry in West Ashley — a local favorite for cozy coffee breaks and incredible baked goods — and our Palmetto Piece on how keeping parenting simple can make family life a little sweeter.

Here’s to sunshine, good treats, and slowing down to enjoy it all! ☀️

We first visited Plymouth Park a few years ago, and when we went back recently we were amazed at the difference. The whole playground has been completely redone, and the story behind it is one of neighborhood friends pulling together to make something amazing happen.

Tucked beside the water in the Riverland Terrace neighborhood, Plymouth Park has always been a quiet retreat for local families. Its location along Wappoo Creek makes it one of the most scenic play spots in Charleston, where you can watch the tide roll in under a canopy of live oaks while your kids explore the new play structures.

As of March 2025, the playground is officially open, and it’s beautiful. The new layout includes an updated playground, a safer fenced-in area, fresh landscaping, new seating and picnic spots, and better accessibility. There is a giant enclosed baseball field across the street which is perfect for those kids who need to run wild. Future improvements are on the way, including a restroom(eek!), water fountain, and picnic shelter as funding allows.

Families can also look forward to local events like 5Ks and food truck nights, which make the park feel even more like a community gathering place. While there aren’t any bathrooms yet, it’s still a wonderful spot to spend the day playing, picnicking, and enjoying the waterfront breeze.

Get ready for some fall fun at the 12th Annual North Charleston Harvest Festival in the Olde Village of North Charleston. This family-friendly celebration will take place on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 4 to 7pm along East Montague Avenue near Park Circle.

Families can enjoy live music from Charleston-based party band Flash Mob, a kid-friendly pop-up petting zoo by Crosswind Farms, games, crafts, roving entertainers, inflatables, and more. The artist market will feature local makers, and several Olde Village restaurants will offer food and drink specials.

Little ones can trick-or-treat along the street with free treat bags for children ages 12 and under from 4 to 6pm while supplies last. Costume contests for youth, groups, and pets start at 6pm with participants lining up at 5:45 PM. There will also be a mechanical bull, photo booths, and prizes provided by the City of North Charleston Recreation Department and the Park Circle Business Collective.

Admission and parking are free. The street will close to vehicles from Jenkins Avenue to Virginia Avenue starting at 2pm and remain closed for the duration of the event.

The Harvest Festival is a rain or shine event and a wonderful way to celebrate fall with your family. Grab your costumes and come by!

We love this café so much and go here so often that my husband joked I should not write about it so fewer people come take our pastries! But truly, WildFlour Pastry is too good not to share. If we are ever together as a family without much to do, my kids request a trip and we usually oblige!

This cozy, family-owned spot on Savannah Highway serves up some of Charleston’s best sticky buns, apple croissant, pecan rolls, fig and prosciutto mini quiches, and seasonal pies and much more all baked to perfection. My husband always gets the almond raspberry tart, my son usually gets the chocolate cream pie and my daughter keeps it simple with a pink sprinkle cookie. They also offer catering and custom cake orders, plus a full coffee and espresso menu. If you’re looking for something on the lighter side, don’t miss their parfait. It’s as delicious as it is wholesome with real yogurt and fresh fruit with honey.

Parents, you’ll love this - kids are encouraged to come! There’s a giant play section with a play kitchen, Jenga, and plenty of toys to keep little ones entertained while you sip your latte and enjoy a treat. If you or your little ones have dairy or gluten allergies you can call ahead and ask them to make allergy friendly pastries.

They are open 6:30am-3pm Tuesday - Friday. Saturday they are open from 8am-3pm and Sunday 8am-1pm. They are located on 1750 Savannah Hwy, Charleston (in West Ashley). If you haven’t already please give this cafe a visit! It’s one of those rare spots where parents can enjoy a moment while the kids have fun, and it doesn’t feel chaotic!

It is easy to feel like parenting should be filled with schedules, activities, and endless to do lists. Everywhere we look, there are ideas for how to make things more fun, more creative, or more productive. But sometimes the best thing we can do for our kids, and for ourselves, is to keep things simple.

Simple parenting is about focusing on what matters most. It is sitting on the porch while your kids play in the yard instead of rushing to the next planned activity. It is letting dinner be sandwiches and fruit when the day has already been full. It is saying yes to time together and no to extra stress.

When we slow down, our children often follow our lead. They play longer, notice more, and feel calmer when we are not in a hurry. The small, quiet moments often become the ones they remember most.

This past weekend my husband let our almost toddler crawl around on the rainy driveway. At first I was a little annoyed that his clothes and diaper were now soaked and I felt a surge of anxiety when I thought of how to get the baby in dry warm clothes. But I looked at how much fun all our kids were having in the rain and I decided to slow down on my mental to do list and enjoy watching our baby discover puddles for the first time!

You do not need a perfect plan or a full calendar to be a good parent. Your kids need your presence more than perfection. So take the pressure off, enjoy the simple days, and remind yourself that less really can be more.

For all the moms and dads of both two-legged and four-legged kids—this one’s for you! 🐾 Twice a month, we’ll fetch the latest on pup-friendly restaurants, tail-wagging events, and the best local spots to explore with your furry family member. Charleston is basically a dog’s paradise, and we’re here to make sure you and your pup never miss a treat.

Which fall Charleston event or festival do your family always look forward to each year?

Love, Jenna