Hey Charleston Parents,

We were able to stay relatively dry during last week’s storm and I hope you did as well!

Before the storm we visited Boone Hall Farms and loved the circus, hayride, mini golf, inflatable maze, and duck races, with going on Friday being our top tip for avoiding weekend crowds.

From spooky beach storytelling and fall festivals to pony parades and a free Children’s Day Festival, Charleston has plenty of family-friendly ways to celebrate fall this weekend. Lots of fun to be had as a family.

For a quick bite thats casual, quick and perfect for the whole family, take a stop over in North Charleston at Shake Shack. The first in the state!

With the storm this past weekend, we braved the drizzle for a playground trip before the storm, and the kids loved flying down the slippery slides, reminding me that sometimes a little fresh air and messy fun can save everyone’s sanity. Hopefully its a great reminder for you too.

Have the best week!

We made it to Boone Hall Farms before the hurricane rolled into Charleston this weekend, and we had the BEST time! My biggest tip is to go on a Friday rather than waiting for the weekend. We loved having time to explore, and my kids were literally begging me to stay longer!

The circus was incredible, and the kids absolutely loved it. My youngest, who is officially a toddler now, enjoyed the hayride, while the older kids preferred the mini inflatable maze over the big corn maze. Mini golf was another hit, and the mini duck races with water guns, right across from the pig races, were such a fun surprise!

I packed snacks and left lunch waiting in the car for the ride home, which made the whole outing so much easier. If you’re looking for a fun fall activity with the kids, Boone Hall Farms is definitely worth adding to your list. Just check the current schedule before heading out, especially after stormy weather!

I know Boone Hall Farms is one you’ve probably heard of, and maybe you’ve already been, but honestly, it’s one of the best fall activities around Charleston. And the hayride? It has to be one of the best in the country! There’s just something about riding through the farm with the kids, enjoying the fall atmosphere, and watching them take it all in that makes the whole experience feel special. It’s one of those classic fall outings that really lives up to the hype.

If you’ve been meaning to update your family photos but the thought of coordinating everyone for a full photo session feels a little overwhelming, this is for you!

Local mom and photographer Kayla Vaughters of Vaughters Photography is offering several fall mini session dates this November at some of Charleston’s prettiest spots. We’ve loved working with Kayla (we just did a maternity shoot with her and have her lined up for our newborn photos).

Kayla’s approach is relaxed and playful, focusing on real connection and personality rather than perfectly posed photos. Her sessions are especially great for families with little ones who would rather run, explore, and be silly than sit still and smile at the camera.

This year’s fall mini sessions include:

Whether you’re looking for updated family photos, something for your holiday cards, or simply want to capture this stage of life before the kids grow another inch, these minis are a fun way to do it without committing to a longer session.

And if you’ve got toddlers, energetic kids, reluctant husbands, or a family pet who refuses to cooperate for photos... Kayla gets it. Her goal isn’t perfection — it’s capturing your family as you actually are.

Visit https://www.vaughtersphotography.com/blog/2026-fall-mini-sessions/ to see more of Kayla’s work and book your fall mini session.

Friday, October 16 | Ghostly Tide Tales | Isle of Palms | 6–7 PM

Get into the Halloween spirit with a family-friendly evening of spooky storytelling on the beach. Bring the kids for local ghost stories around an open fire at Front Beach. The event is free.

Saturday, October 17 | Fall Family Festival | Hollywood | 1–4 PM

Head to the West County Aquatic Center and Hollywood Town Hall for a free afternoon of family fun at Fall Family Festival. Kids can enjoy jump castles, a climbing wall, face painting and games, while parents can enjoy music, food trucks and crafts.

Saturday, October 17 | Pony Up Family Funfest | Johns Island | 3–6 PM

Spend the afternoon with horses, food trucks, a pony parade, games and more at Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding's annual Pony Up Family Funfest. It’s a fun fall outing for animal-loving kids and families.

Saturday, October 17 | North Charleston Harvest Festival | North Charleston | 4–7 PM

Head to Olde Village in Park Circle for this free fall festival featuring live music, an artist market, costume contests, trick-or-treating, a petting zoo, inflatables and plenty of kids’ activities. North Charleston Harvest Festival will also include trick-or-treating runs from 4–6 PM, with costume contests beginning at 6 PM.

Sunday, October 18 | Children's Day Festival | Mount Pleasant | 12–5 PM

The 38th annual Mount Pleasant Children’s Day Festival is back at Park West Recreation Complex. Families can enjoy carnival rides, inflatable slides, pony rides, games and live entertainment. Admission and activities are free, with free parking and shuttles available.

Sometimes you just need an easy dinner that everyone will actually eat, and Shake Shack is one of our favorite options for exactly that. We love the burgers, the crispy crinkle-cut fries, and, of course, the shakes. It’s the kind of place where the kids are happy, the adults are happy, and nobody has to spend the evening negotiating over dinner.

The customer service has always been so helpful, too, which makes a difference when you’re juggling kids and trying to get everyone fed. And one of the best parts about the North Charleston location? It’s right near the parking lot entrance at Tanger Outlets, so you don’t have to trek deep into the outdoor shopping mall with hungry kids in tow. That convenience alone makes it worth remembering for your next quick family meal.

Another thing we love about this location is that the kids can walk around a little while we eat. Since Shake Shack sits right by the entrance to the outdoor shopping center, it’s easy to grab a table, enjoy our burgers and fries, and let the kids stretch their legs without feeling cooped up inside a restaurant. It’s the perfect setup for families with little ones who have a hard time sitting still through an entire meal. We get to enjoy our food, the kids get a little freedom to move around, and everyone leaves happy!

This is also the first Shake Shack location in South Carolina, making it an exciting addition for local burger fans. Whether you’re shopping at Tanger Outlets or just looking for an easy place to grab lunch or dinner, it’s a great option to keep in your back pocket.

If you’re a milkshake family like we are, you can’t skip dessert. A few flavors worth checking out are Oreo Cookies & Cream, Strawberry, Chocolate, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup when available. There’s something for everyone, whether you prefer a fruity shake or a rich chocolate treat. Shake Shack’s shake menu can vary, so check the current menu for available flavors.

You’ll find Shake Shack at Tanger Outlets Charleston, located at 4840 Tanger Outlet Blvd., North Charleston, SC 29418, right near the parking lot entrance so you don’t have to walk far into the outdoor mall. The location is listed as open daily from 10am to 11 pm.

If you’re looking for a low-stress family meal where the burgers are good, the fries are a hit, and the kids can move around a little, Shake Shack is definitely worth adding to your Charleston family rotation.

With a hurricane headed our way this weekend, I knew there was a good chance we’d be cooped up inside with three kids who needed to burn off some energy. So, naturally, I decided the best plan was to brave the weather and get outside while we still could. Sometimes being a parent means making questionable weather decisions in the name of everyone’s sanity, and this turned out to be one of my better ones.

Honestly, the rain wasn’t even that bad! We headed to the playground, and what started as a way to get the kids moving turned into one of the most fun outings we’ve had in a while. The kids went flying down the slides, which were extra slippery from the rain, and I’m pretty sure they were going twice as fast as usual. Every trip down was met with more giggles and an immediate request to do it again. Apparently, a little rain makes an ordinary playground about a hundred times more exciting.

There’s something funny about parenting during storm season in Charleston. You spend half your time checking the forecast, making sure you have enough groceries, and wondering how you’re going to entertain everyone if the power goes out. But before the weather gets too bad, you also have to decide whether it’s worth getting everyone out of the house for a little fresh air. Sometimes the answer is yes, even if it means coming home with damp clothes, messy hair, and kids who look like they’ve been on an outdoor adventure.

And honestly, I’m glad we went. The kids got their energy out, we made some fun memories, and I bought myself a little breathing room before a potentially long weekend indoors. Of course, always use your judgment and stay inside when conditions are unsafe, but if you catch a break in the weather, don’t underestimate the power of a little outdoor play. Sometimes the best parenting decision is letting the kids get a little messy, embracing the chaos, and remembering that a rainy playground can be just as fun as a sunny one.

Have the best week!

Love, Jenna