Summer 2026 · The CSRA Family Guide

Summer Fun
in the CSRA

Your complete guide to family events, free activities, splash pads, libraries & more across Augusta, Evans, Martinez, Aiken, North Augusta & Grovetown.

☀️ June – July 2026

☀️
Free Fun
Zero-dollar activities for the whole family
Free · Weekly
FREE Sundays at The Morris
🗓 Every Sunday, all summer
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Morris Museum of Art, 1 Tenth St, Augusta
The oldest museum dedicated to Southern art offers free admission every single Sunday, sponsored by Bank of America. Kids' art-making activities available. Pair with the Riverwalk!
Free · Special Event
Make & Take @ Columbia County Library
🗓 Multiple dates, June–July
All day
📍 Columbia County Library, Evans, GA
Drop in anytime to make (or take) a free craft at the Columbia County Library. No registration required — a perfect spontaneous outing.
Free · Nature
Messy Play Monday: Under the Sea 🌊
🗓 June 8 (Monday)
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
📍 Columbia County Library Park, Evans, GA
Sensory play event for young children at the Columbia County Library Park — ocean-themed messy play that kids absolutely love (parents: pack a change of clothes!).
Free · Nature
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park — Trails & Wildlife
🗓 Open 365 days, dawn to dusk
Sunrise to Sunset
📍 1858 Lock and Dam Rd, Augusta, GA
1,100 acres of free outdoor adventure. Spot alligators, blue herons, river otters, and summer dragonflies on boardwalk trails through Augusta's most stunning wetlands. Never any admission.
Free · Nature
Hitchcock Woods Field Program — Bluebird Monitoring
🗓 Saturday, June 13
9:00 AM
📍 444 S Boundary Ave SW, Aiken, SC
Explore one of the country's largest urban forests and help monitor bluebird nesting boxes. A wonderful nature education experience for older kids who love wildlife. Registration recommended. Verify at hitchcockwoods.org.
Free · Special Event
Eco Talk with Savannah River Ecology Lab
🗓 Tuesday, June 9
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
📍 Aiken County area (verify location)
Scientists from the Savannah River Ecology Lab lead an engaging community talk about local wildlife and ecosystems. Great for curious kids and nature-loving families.
💦
Water Play
Splash pads, swim spots & water parks across the CSRA

⭐ Riverview Park Splash Pad

North Augusta's highest-rated splash pad — a 4.9 Google rating from local families. Playground right next door. Great for toddlers through elementary age.

FREE  ·  North Augusta, SC

Aiken City Splash Pads

Two free spray pad locations within Aiken city limits. No lifeguards on duty — open during summer months. Check visitaikensc.com for exact addresses and hours.

FREE  ·  Aiken, SC

The Kroc Center Indoor Water Park

Augusta's best rainy-day water option — lazy river, small slides, kids' splash pad, jacuzzi, and a 180-ft enclosed slide. Great for all ages year-round.

Day pass fee  ·  Augusta, GA

Aiken County Rec Center Pool

Newly upgraded public pool that opened June 8, 2026. Spray jets, slides, shaded seating, and fenced-in playground nearby. Located in Graniteville.

Low admission  ·  Graniteville, SC

Langley Pond Park — Sandy Beach

A free natural swim area with a sandy beach and lifeguards on duty. Perfect for families who want a real lake-beach experience without the drive.

FREE  ·  Langley, SC (near Aiken)

Aiken State Park Swim Area

A spring-fed swimming area with a sandy bottom — feels like a Florida spring! Adults $3, kids ages 6–15 $1. Open May–September.

$1–$3  ·  Aiken, SC

📚
Libraries & Summer Reading
2026 Theme: "Unearth a Story" — dinosaurs, archaeology & discovery
📖

Columbia County Summer Reading

All ages welcome! Track reading minutes on Beanstack and earn prizes at milestones. Branches in Evans, Grovetown & Harlem. All summer long.

columbiacountyga.gov/calendar →
👶

Evans Library Baby Storytime (Ages 0–2)

Three sessions daily: 10:30, 11:00 & 11:30 AM. FREE tickets handed out at 10 AM — arrive early! First come, first served at the ticket window.

Evans Library →
🦕

Lego Club @ Headquarters Library

Mondays, 11 AM–12 PM. Drop in for free-build and themed Lego creations. No registration. Augusta, GA — great for ages 5 and up.

CSRA Kids Calendar →
♟️

Let's Play Chess with Alex

Mondays, 4:30–6:30 PM at Columbia County Library, Evans. Free drop-in chess for kids. A wonderful low-key summer activity for sharp young minds.

View Calendar →
🎨

Books & Brushes at the Kroc Center

Tuesdays, 4:00–5:00 PM. Read a book, then create art inspired by it. The Kroc Center, Augusta. Perfect for kids who need variety in their summer routine.

View Calendar →
🖐️

Make or Take @ Headquarters Library

Tuesdays, 10 AM–12 PM. Drop in to make a craft or grab a take-home kit. Augusta headquarters branch. Free, no registration required.

View Calendar →
🧸
Weekly Storytimes
All free · All summer · Across every corner of the CSRA
Program Name Day & Time Location / City Ages Cost
Tiny Tales Storytime Tuesdays · 10:00–10:30 AM Wallace Branch Library, Augusta Little ones FREE
Children's Storytime Tuesdays · 10:00–11:00 AM Friedman Branch Library, Augusta All kids FREE
Baby Bookworms Tuesdays · 10:00–10:30 AM 1237 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta Infants/babies FREE
Storytime @ Harlem Library Tuesdays · 10:30–11:30 AM Harlem Library, Harlem, GA All kids FREE
Book Buddies Tuesdays · 10:30–11:00 AM Grovetown Library, Grovetown, GA Early readers FREE
Maxwell Library Story Time Tuesdays · 10:30–11:30 AM Maxwell Library, Martinez, GA Preschool FREE
Preschool Playdate Tuesdays · 10:30–11:30 AM Grovetown Library, Grovetown, GA Preschool FREE
Evans Baby Storytime (Ages 0–2) Multiple sessions · 10:30, 11:00, 11:30 AM Evans Library, 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd 0–2 years FREE

* Evans Baby Storytime tickets distributed at 10 AM — arrive early as they go fast.

🌳
Outdoor Adventures
Nature programs & fresh-air fun
Nature · Program
Hope for Hooves Rescue Farm Tours
🗓 Tuesday, June 9
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
📍 Hope for Hooves Animal Rescue, CSRA area
Tour a working animal rescue farm and meet the animals up close. A heartwarming experience for little animal lovers. Cost and registration to be verified directly with the organization.
Nature · Evening
Nature Game Night at Reed Creek
🗓 Tuesday, June 9
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Reed Creek Interpretive Center, 3820 Park Ln, Augusta
An evening of outdoor and nature-themed games at one of Augusta's best-kept secrets. Reed Creek's boardwalk trails, wetlands, and snake-holding demos make every visit memorable.
Nature · Ages 0–5
Lil Waders at Reed Creek
🗓 Tuesday, June 9 (recurring)
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Reed Creek Interpretive Center, Augusta, GA
Nature play and exploration designed especially for the youngest adventurers. Kids wade, discover, and learn about wetland critters at Augusta's beloved Reed Creek park.
Nature · Ongoing
Reed Creek Interpretive Center
🗓 Open year-round; programs vary
Check schedule
📍 3820 Park Ln, Augusta, GA
Boardwalk trails over a real swamp, interactive nature exhibits, guided weekend swamp tours with dip nets, and snake presentations. The CSRA's most underrated family gem — kids absolutely love it.
🎬
Movies, Music & Entertainment
Live music series, movies, and imagination play
Music · Weekly
Candlelight Music Series
🗓 Every Sunday · May–Sept (2026)
7:30 PM
📍 Augusta Exchange Club Fairgrounds, 308 Hale St ⚠️ New location in 2026!
Augusta's beloved outdoor Sunday concert series returns — jazz, R&B, soul, and smooth vibes all summer. Pay at the gate (cash or card). Bring chairs and blankets. New 2026 location due to utility work at the Augusta Common.
Movies · Free
Movies on the Green — Augusta Common
🗓 Summer dates TBD — check city calendar
Activities from 7:30 PM; movie at dusk
📍 535 Telfair St, Augusta, GA
Free outdoor movies at the Augusta Common featuring popular animated films. Pre-show fun includes inflatables, games, face painting, and food vendors. Bring lawn chairs and blankets for the whole family.
Play · Museum
Playtimes at Imagination Station
🗓 Multiple days per week
Sundays 1–3:30 PM; Mon–Tue 9:30 AM–12 PM
📍 Imagination Station Augusta (children's museum)
Augusta's neighborhood children's museum offers regular drop-in playtimes with hands-on exhibits designed for young children. Verify current admission pricing and full schedule directly with the museum.
🥦
Farmers Markets
Fresh local produce, live music & community vibes
🌿

The Augusta Market at the Riverwalk

Every Saturday · 8 AM – 2 PM · March 21 – November 21, 2026. Free admission, rain or shine. Local farmers, artists, food vendors & live music on the Savannah River. A family Saturday staple.

theaugustamarket.com →
🍅

Aiken County Farmers Market

Tuesday & Thursday · 8 AM–12 PM; Saturday · dawn to noon. Year-round at 115 Williamsburg St SE, Aiken. Local produce, baked goods, honey, meats & handmade crafts. Listed on the Aiken Historic Register.

visitaikensc.com →
Page 2 · CSRA Summer Bucket List
☑️
CSRA Summer Bucket List
How many can your family check off this summer?
Watch fireworks at BOOM! in the Park
Catch a GreenJackets fireworks night
Splash at Riverview Park's splash pad
Hike through Phinizy Swamp
Spot an alligator at Phinizy Swamp
Shop the Augusta Market at the Riverwalk
Go to a FREE Sunday at The Morris
Join the Summer Reading Program
Attend a Library Storytime
Walk the Reed Creek boardwalk
Swim at Langley Pond's sandy beach
Get Messy at Messy Play Monday
Play chess at Columbia County Library
Watch a free outdoor movie
Dance at Candlelight Music Series
Tour Hope for Hooves farm
Try Lego Club at the library
Explore Aiken's Hitchcock Woods
See Nitro Circus live!
Picnic at Evans Towne Center Park
🌧️
Rainy Day Activities
When the afternoon storms roll in — no excuses needed

🎨 FREE Sundays at The Morris Museum of Art

Rain? Perfect excuse to spend the afternoon surrounded by beautiful Southern art — and the kids' crafts room. Free every single Sunday.

themorris.org →

💧 The Kroc Center Indoor Water Park

Lazy river, splash pad, slides, and a 180-ft enclosed slide — all indoors. The ultimate rainy day save for waterlogged kids who still need to burn energy.

CSRA Kids Splash Guide →

📚 Drop Into Any Library Branch

Every branch has summer programs, craft kits, reading challenges, and cozy corners. Evans, Grovetown, Harlem, Wallace, Friedman, Maxwell — all free.

Columbia County Library →

🧒 Imagination Station Augusta

Augusta's neighborhood children's museum is built for rainy days — hands-on exhibits and unstructured play designed for curious little minds. Check their schedule for playtime hours.

Check Schedule →

🧱 Lego Club at Headquarters Library

Mondays 11 AM–12 PM. Free drop-in, no registration. Augusta kids build, create, and collaborate. A calm, screen-free rainy morning activity.

CSRA Kids Calendar →

🎨 Books & Brushes at the Kroc Center

Tuesdays 4–5 PM. Listen to a story, then make art inspired by it. A perfect blend of reading and creativity for kids — free or low cost.

View Calendar →