There are few things that bring pure joy to your heart like simply putting a smile on a child's face. From giant, yet friendly creatures like faux flying pterodactyls and colossal-sized ladybugs, to an adventure waiting to unfold, this whimsical playground in the Palmetto State is sure to have everyone in the family beaming with enthusiasm. Take a look.

Last spring this fantastic park opened in Columbia. In it, among other fantastical things, you'll find terrific pterodactyls like the one above - that also provide shade on sunny days.

Plus a fossil garden where children dig and discover ancient fossils like this T-Rex head and the bones laying just beyond it in this mammoth sandbox.

Over at another feature in the park, kids can slide down the rabbit hole (disquised as a fallen tree at left in this photo) and then take a bouncy ride on a dinosaur.

It seems everywhere you turn, this imaginitive new park has some truly unique activities.

Play a tune on the oversized chimes, pump your own water from the well...

...and then just take off your socks and shoes and run barefoot through the soft grass, checking out all the humongous lady bugs.

OH, but that's not all. This new park, called Waterfall Junction and located at Riverbanks Zoo, has several tiered treehouses and canopy walkways to explore.

And you can even build your own bungalow with the giant flat lincoln logs.

Waterfall Junction is open year-round at the Zoo and is totally worth the price of admission - which by the way is FREE as long as you paid to get in the zoo. At this writing, adult tickets at the zoo gate are $15.95 for ages 13+, children ages 2-12 are just $13.50 and kids under two are free. Oh, and those prices we just listed -- they ALSO get you into the zoo and the botanical gardens for the day.

Seasonally, from sometime in March until November, the water features (a 25-foot waterfall and the splash pad) are activated for playtime. The zoo tells us there is always a licensed lifeguard on hand at this park, even in the colder months when the water features aren't activated.

This whimsical park is a super addition to the zoo as well as the list of South Carolina activities guaranteed to put a smile on a child's face. Live nearby? You may want to consider an affordable annual family pass. According to a source at the zoo, family passes start at $99. More information about Waterfall Junction and a link to zoo ticket pricing can be found here.

From giant dinosaur fossils to dig up, to multi-level treehouses to explore and a 25-foot waterfall, this colossal park provides a whimsical playdate for the whole family.

Did you know that Riverbanks Zoo opened this new attraction in April 2016? Have you visited yet? We'd love to hear about your experience in our comments!

For another fun family outing, A Trip To This Chocolate Milk Factory In South Carolina Is Guaranteed To Make You Feel Like A Kid Again.