9 Fun Things to do in Columbus, Ohio with Kids
9 Fun Things to do in Columbus, Ohio with Kids
We love visiting Columbus! It is such a great city for families and offers a nice variety of fun things to do with kiddos. If you want to visit museums or get outside and enjoy nature and wildlife, you will find plenty to do in Columbus.
COSI
COSI is The Center of Science and Industry and it is our favorite place to visit while in Columbus. My kiddos loved all of the exhibits, chemistry shows, and interactive demonstrations. This museum brings science to life and really makes learning fun for young ones.
Our favorite things to do at COSI:
- Ride a unicycle on a high wire
- Visit the Planetarium
- Energy Explorers Exhibit
- Big Science Park
- Gadgets Cafe – A BIG FAVORITE!
- Ocean Exhibit (see above photo)
- Progress Exhibit
Read more and see more photos from our trip to COSI HERE.
Be sure to check the website before planning your trip because COSI closes for a few weeks (usually in September) for its annual cleaning.
COSI // 333 West Broad Street – Columbus, Ohio 43215 // 614.228.2974
Legoland Discovery Center
Above photo via
{{ Opening September 21, 2018 }}
We have visited the LEGOLAND® Discovery Center in Atlanta, Georgia and we had so much fun. We can’t wait for the one in Columbus to open so we can enjoy it as well.
The LEGOLAND® Discovery Center attractions:
- 4-D theater – A 3-D movie with some wind, rain (a light sprinkling), and snow (bubbles). There are several movies that run throughout the day.
- Merlin’s Apprentice Ride – Pedal faster to make the cart fly higher. The ride spins in a big circle.
- Kingdom Quest Ride – Similar to the Buzz Lightyear Ride at Disney World and Lego Ninjago Ride at Legoland. Zap skeletons and trolls to save the princess.
- Earthquake Table – You can build a tower and see if it survives the shaky table/earthquake.
- Lego City Play Area
- Miniland – This is a fascinating place! You get to see the local city built entirely of LEGO’s!
- Lego Car Racers – We build race cars and then raced them on the testing ramp.
- Duplo Farm
- Lego Friends
- Duplo Village
Here are some pics from our trip to ATL so you can see the attractions.
Above Merlin’s Apprentice Ride
Above: Earthquake Tables
Above photos LEGO Car Racers
LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Columbus LLC // 165 Easton Town Center – Columbus, OH 43219
Hocking Hills State Park
Above photo (Upper Falls) via
The whole family will enjoy the drive through Hocking Hills State Park. There are several hikes with some leading to waterfalls. The park offers a short trail and a longer trail for each sight you want to visit.
Beautiful Sights at Hocking Hills State Park:
- Rockhouse Trail
- Cedar Falls Trail
- Old Man’s Cave
- Upper Falls
- Summer Outdoor Activities – Archery, Fishing, Camping and Picnicking
Hocking Hills State Park // 19852 State Route 664 S – Logan, Ohio 43138 // 740.385.6842
Columbus Museum of Art
Above photo via
Above photo via
The Columbus Museum of Art is a wonderful place for a family to spend a few hours. In addition to its impressive art displays, the museum has a dedicated Kid’s area with a nice variety of hands-on activities for children.
The museum is free on Sundays and parking is always free.
Columbus Museum of Art // 480 East Broad Street – Columbus, OH 43215 // 614.221.6801
Scioto Mile
Above photo via
Above photo via
Scioto Mile is located in the heart of downtown Columbus and is comprised of 175 acres along the Scioto River. The whole family will enjoy the walkways, bike paths, parks, and play areas.
Top Things to do at Scioto Mile:
- Scioto Mile Fountain – 15,000 square-foot water play area
- FREE Outdoor Climbing Wall
- Walk the 4 miles along the Scioto River
- Bring a bike or rent one for about $8.00 and bike the greenway trails (Bring your own helmet).
- Enjoy the view of downtown and take a picture with the deer on the Rich Street Bridge.
Above photo (Scioto Mile Fountain) via
Scioto Mile // 233 Civic Center Drive – Columbus, Ohio 43215
Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
Above photo via
The Columbus Zoo is a large and beautiful place. It is full of beautiful animal exhibits, play areas, and rides. There is plenty to do here to keep the whole family happy all day! The zoo allows outside food and drinks (no straws or alcohol).
Columbus Zoo & Aquarium Attractions and Rides:
- Zoombezi Bay Water Park
- Dinosaur Island – See the Australian and Islands region of the zoo from this boat ride. The kiddos will love seeing the animals and 20 animatronic dinosaurs.
- Carousel
- 4D Theatre
- Train Ride
- Pony Rides
- Playgrounds
Above photo (Sea Dragon Roller Coaster at Columbus Zoo) via
Columbus Zoo // 4850 Powell Road – Powell, OH 43065 // 614.645.3400
The Wilds
Above photo via
The Wilds is one of the largest wildlife conservation centers in the world covering over about 10,000 acres of reclaimed mine land. You can decide whether you want to take the Safari Transport or the Open-Air Safari (most prefer the Open-Air Safari unless the weather isn’t so great). The tour lasts over 2 hours making a couple of stops along the way. You can get off of the bus at the stops if you like.
The kiddos will love seeing the camels, wild horses, bison, white rhinos, giraffes, and cheetahs. You can also feed the fish, but you will need to bring some quarters to buy the food. See all of the animals at The Wilds HERE.
If you want to stay overnight, The Wilds offers three options:
- Nomad Ridge – Yurts located on the property with viewing decks. NOTE: The Nomad Ridge yurts are for those 21 years or older only
- The Lodge – A private lake-side cabin that accommodates up to 12 people
- Cabins at Straker Lake – Seven cabins with 3 bedrooms and two bathrooms (each). Sleeps up to 6 people.
Above photo via
The Wilds // 14000 International Road – Cumberland, OH 43732 // 740.638.5030
The Book Loft
Above photo via
Imagine yourself in a maze, and the walls are made of shelves – full of books! This maze consists of 32 rooms and there are hundreds of books around every corner! Well, you can stop imagining and head over to The Book Loft in Columbus! This place is so big, you are even given a map when you enter the bookstore. It is a great place to get lost in and it is definitely a book lover’s dream.
The Book Loft is located in the German Village in Columbus. In addition to The Book Loft, the village has lots of shopping, restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, and pubs. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon or even a whole day!
The Book Loft // 631 South Third Street – Columbus, OH 43206 // 614.646.1774
Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Above photo (the Palm House) via
The kiddos will love the gardens, especially the Children’s Garden and the Butterfly Garden. In the Children’s Garden, there is a waterfall and there are some play pools so you might want to bring swimwear, towels, and a change of clothes. There is a nearby building with family restrooms where the kiddos can change. The garden also has a climbing net, a fairy garden, and a playhouse.
In June 2018, the conservatory opened a Farmers’ Market. The market is an outdoor market and is located in the main Conservatory parking lot. It’s a wonderful place to get some local produce from farmers and grab some snacks from food trucks.
Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens // 1777 East Broad Street – Columbus, OH 43203 // 614.715.8000
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About The Author
KristyB
Wife. Mom. Graphic Designer. Photographer. Professional Nap Taker. Part-time Traveler (with kids in tow, of course!)
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I live in Columbus Ohio and I didn’t know there were this many places. But I have another one in mind, it’s King’s Island amusement park. It’s super fun to visit and you can get seasonal passes that let you park free and get in free but it has a kid park and a regular park. It’s super fun and I recommend that you visit.
Thank you, Jimma! This sounds like so much fun! We have family in Ohio so we will have to check it out the next time we visit!
Great post. Thanks for sharing
Thanks, Juna!
Wow, I had no idea there were so many varied places to visit in Ohio! Some of these bring back memories of trips my siblings and I had with our parents, and then of trips my own kids and hubby and I took together. I would be most interested in the outdoor attractions and the Museum of Art.
Those are both great choices!
Wow! your kids must be having so much fun wih such and informed mamma! Love the list thanks for sharing
You’re so sweet, Tania! I have a bad case of the wanderlust and I take them everywhere. They seem to like it though!
I know this is for kids but I think I would absolutely LOVE COSI! Never knew of it before but now I need to be there! What have I been missing?
Oh yeah! COSI is great for adults, too! There were lots of grown-ups there when we visited. I think they have so many exhibits that there is something for everyone to enjoy.
This is a terrific list! I haven’t been to Columbus but I’m definitely saving this.
Thanks, Megan! We go there a lot for business and we are always looking for a good time while we’re there.
I’ve never been to Columbus, but now know there’s plenty to keep our family busy if we make it there. These all look like so much fun!
Yes! There is so much for families to do in Columbus.We love it there!
I think kids visiting Ohio would enjoy this list of activities. The list would keep everyone busy having fun for a few days.
Oh, yeah! There’s so much to do just in Columbus!
So many cool things to do with kids. I never thought of taking my kids to Ohio.
I didn’t either until we had a business trip and we found so many fun things to do with the kids we extended our stay.
I’m always traveling with my kids, so I’m always on the lookout for things the whole family can enjoy. This is a great list with options for so many different types of activities.
Thanks, Christa Anne! I’m the same way!
The new LEGOLAND Discovery Center sounds awesome! We’re heading to LEGOLAND California next month and I’m sure we’ll want to check out the other locations soon after!
That sounds like so much fun, Marcie! We went to Legoland in Florida and the Discovery Center in Atlanta. My kids are LEGO-crazy! I would love to take them to California one day.
I’m in Indianapolis, Hi neighbor! We definitely need to take a road trip after seeing all the cool things to do in Columbus.
HELLO, Erica! I want to take the kids to Indianapolis! I bet there’s a lot of activities for families there.
I have never been to Columbus but it seems like a fun place, I like the look of the botanical gardens.
Yes, the botanical gardens are gorgeous, Ellie!
We often travel to Ohio with my kids to visit family. I am going to have to try to see a few of these things to change things up a bit next time we go.
That’s awesome, Rachel! Your whole family will have plenty to do while you’re visiting!
I have never been to Ohio but these recommendations sound like good places to start whenever I do visit. Thanks for sharing!
No problem! I hope you get to visit soon!
I have never been there but I would love too and once I visit that place I will definitely go in those places that you mention in this article, it so beautiful!
I hope you do Rachael!
I have never been there but it looks really a nice place to visit with my kids and I am sure they will love and enjoy to see and play in Legoland.
Yes! Legoland is always a good idea when you’re looking for a place to entertain the kids.
Looks like a great place to visit. I’ll definitely go here one day with my family. Will be saving this! Next trip to Ohio,
I hope you get to go, Preet! We always have a lot of fun when we visit there!
My son will definitely enjoy the Legoland Discovery Center. We visited something similar in Korea, and Yue really had a blast playing with Legos.
I don’t know what it is about kids and Lego’s, but they LOVE them. The great thing about The Legoland Discovery Centers is that they clean up all the Legos for you after the kids are done playing!
Scioto is my favorite off this list! It has so much to do!! I love it!
Scioto is great, Ashley! It’s a great way to get the whole family outside.
Columbus sounds like a great town. I’d love to spend a day in the book maze, it sounds amazing!
Oh, yeah! The Book Loft is the perfect place for book lovers!
I love children’s museums. They’re so interactive and fun, and I’ve always wanted to visit a Legoland. How cool!
We love children’s museums too, Taryn! And Legoland Discovery Centers are a lot of fun! My kids could stay there all day (and they have!).
Oooh I’m a big kid and now want to visit all these places in Ohio! Legoland centre looks like great fun!
Oh yes! We love Legoland! That is a great place for kids and families.
Great list! If I ever get to Ohio, I’ll definitely pay these places a visit!
I’m so glad! We travel there for business and to visit family so we are always looking for fun things to do while we are there.