Columbus, Ohio is a city rich in history and attractions. It proudly serves as the third capital of the state, hosts Ohio State University, and is the birthplace of Wendy’s. With a population of over 2 million residing in the Columbus metro area, there is always something to see and do along the scenic Scioto River. Specifically, this list will highlight kid-friendly activities for both younger and older children.
American Whistle Corporation in Columbus, Ohio
The American Whistle Corporation is a fun and entertaining way for kids to learn. They have been in business since 1956. The whistles made here are unique as this factory is the only place in the US that makes metal whistles. The whistles are made of solid brass and are made to last a lifetime. There is also a gift shop, where you can buy more than just whistles.
The factory tour is 45 minutes long and provides education and entertainment for the entire family. Everything about how whistles are made is explained during this tour, and visitors can even see some of it happening. Tours must be booked online, in advance.
Orton Geological Museum in Columbus, Ohio
Ohio State University is home to many great schools. Inside Orton Hall on The Oval, you will find the School of Earth Sciences. The museum gallery is open to the public, and entry is free. The collection was started in 1874 but President Edward Orton. Today there are more than 1,000,000 pieces in the museum. You can visit the Din-O-Store for STEM books and toys, along with other fun gifts.
Ohio State University Airport
The Ohio State University Airport is a full-service FBO. There is a 350,000 square ft. Airport Transportation & Aerospace Campus, flight training, and air transportation services. Visitors can learn about the history of Ohio’s participation in aviation throughout history. You can take a self-guided tour and browse the artwork. You can also watch the airport function from the observation deck. Grab a bite to eat at the homestyle diner. There is also an airport scavenger hunt to enjoy.
Anthony Thomas Candy Factory in Columbus, OH
When it comes to family-friendly fun and things to do in Columbus, Ohio, the Anthony Thomas Candy Factory is sure to excite the whole family. It produces around 50,000 pounds of chocolate daily, and is one of the biggest family-owned and operated factories in the area.
They produce a wide variety of candies and chocolates, including unique Ohio-themed items which are sold at any of their 13 Ohio locations or online. You can buy a basket of buckeye candies, a bouquet of chocolate roses, or their 1-pound Columbus Skyline bar. The entire 154,000 square feet of factory can be toured, but you need to schedule this tour in advance. It takes about an hour, and you can learn how candy is made from raw materials to packaged items.
North Market Farmers Market in Columbus, OH
The North Market is 145 years old year and specializes in all things authentic, fresh, and local. There are special events, dining, and shopping opportunities for the whole family to enjoy in the historic downtown Columbus North Market, or the Bridge Park Market in Dublin. Artisans, merchants, and vendors gather in this indoor location to sell unique gifts, international foods, specialty items, flowers, fresh produce, seafood, poultry, and meat. In the summer months, between 8 am and 12 pm on Saturday mornings there is also a Downtown Farmers’ Market which forms part of the larger North Market, where farm items are sold by merchants and local makers along with entertainment and live music.
Easton Town Center in Columbus, OH
Shopping at Easton Town Center is quite the experience. There are more than 200 stores, including upscale dining and entertainment. There are various hotels in the area, fresh produce on sale, a comedy club, a dine-in movie theater, designer stores, and a number of restaurants. There is a variety of fun family activities including stores that sell donuts, cookies, and ice cream, kids can shop for school, they can peruse and explore the Legoland Discovery Center, or they can play in the Town Square Splash Pad (for free). You can keep an eye on their website for special events like holiday activities, fitness events, and live music. An exciting recent addition to the Easton Town Center is the Escape Game Columbus.
Scioto Mile in downtown Columbus, OH
When you think about downtown Columbus, we might forgive the notion that ‘natural wonderland’ does not immediately come to mind. However, Scioto Mile is exactly that. It encompasses around 175 acres of parkland providing the perfect setting for festivals, concerts, and outdoor activities along a series of paths and parks. There are a number of smaller daily events scheduled throughout the year, like yoga classes, live music, and food carts, or larger events like Winterfest, Rhythm on the River, and the Jazz & Rib Fest.
The Scioto Mile consists of 6 parks, including Bicentennial Park, Genoa Park, and North Bank Park, that are ideal for sightseeing, relaxation, water sports, hiking, walking, and biking. It connects the Scioto River to the downtown area of Columbus, OH. There are 229 restaurants in the area, and several art galleries in the Cultural Arts Center.
German Village in Columbus, OH
The German Village in Columbus, Ohio, has been designated as a Preserve America Neighborhood. It is a particularly charming historical area where you can explore businesses, restaurants, shops, brick roads, and country gardens. There are bakeries, coffee shops, pubs, and restaurants both outdoor and indoor, along with art galleries, gift shops, clothing stores, bookstores, and shops that sell handmade items. There are guided golf carts and walking tours that can be booked online, several special events are held throughout the year in the gardens and parks in the area. Their website also has a self-guided tour map and a scavenger hunt.
Legoland Discovery Center
As briefly mentioned earlier, Easton Town Center is home to the Legoland Discovery Center. You will need about 2 to 3 hours to spend here, where there is much more than just a Lego Store. There is a preschooler program, a coffee shop, and an activity center with 6 Lego attractions.
You can do a Lego Factory Tour where you can learn the secrets of Legoland, there is an opportunity to meet Lego Characters, Merlin’s Apprentice Ride, the Kingdom Quest interactive ride, Lego 4D Cinema, and Miniland, where you can explore the most popular of Ohio’s history and landmarks built out of Legos.
We recommend making a reservation and purchasing tickets in advance so that you can have the best possible visit on the day. Entrance times are limited, and you will likely need to wait if you do not book ahead.
Huntington Park in Columbus, OH
If you are a sports fan, then Columbus, Ohio, is the place to be. You can visit Huntington Park, which is home to the Columbus Clippers. Home season is especially busy with many special promotions on their calendar. Some fan-favorite themed activities at the park include Family Day, Fireworks, Military & First Responder Games, Party at the Park events, Dollar Days, and Dime-A-Dog Nights.
Visitors can sample a number of concessions around the area, including some specialty cocktails for the adults, or Uncle Ray’s Chips, Graeter’s Ice Cream, pretzels, hot dogs, etc. There is a full promotional calendar on the website where you can purchase six-game mini-plan tickets, a full season, or a single-game ticket.
Nationwide Arena in Columbus OH
The Nationwide Arena is the home of the Columbus Blue Jackets (hockey team). It is built on the site of the historic Ohio State Penitentiary. October to April is hockey season when visitors can purchase specially priced packages, or single-game tickets. Their game days are particularly popular and the menu on these days includes gluten-free and vegan items and an allergy-friendly menu. Hockey is not the only activity held here. They have a calendar packed full of attractions and events, including comedy acts and concerts.
Ohio Statehouse
The Ohio Statehouse is extremely beautiful and is a great place to learn about Ohio’s history. Your visit should be about 1 to 2 hours. The 45-minute guided tour of the Greek Revival-style building is completely free and comes highly recommended. There are also brochures available that help facilitate a self-guided tour. On the ground floor there is also the Ohio Statehouse Museum Education Center where you can view exhibits about the state government process. Check the online calendar before visiting as there are some special events scheduled during which the Statehouse will be closed. There is also a pretty extensive gift shop.
Inniswood Metro Gardens
The Inniswood Metro Gardens are absolutely beautiful, so when you visit, do not forget your camera. The gardens are full of sculptures, waterfalls, themed gardens, and more than 2,000 species of plants covering 123 acres of garden trails. The children’s garden is also extremely popular with families. Kids learn as they play through the gardens where there are rope bridges and a tree house for them to play in. Pets and active toys are not allowed on the premise. Food and drinks are also not permitted in the garden, but many people picnic just outside of the park grounds. You should dress according to the weather, and pack bug spray and sunscreen.
Alum Creek State Park
Alum Creek State Park is a fairly large park in Central Ohio that is well-suited to boating and other water activities. It is the largest inland beach in Ohio, with a 3,387-acre reservoir. You can sunbathe, swim, rent a paddleboat, water ski, kayak, rent boats, visit concessions, get supplies, fuel, and launch your boat from any of the four boat launches.
There are rental cabins and campsites within the park. Quite unique are the 30 equestrian campsites. There are also pet-friendly sites, but they rent out fast. There are plenty of amenities at these campgrounds, including playgrounds, activities, boat ramp access, a special beach for campers, flush toilets, and heated showers. You can also find bridle, mountain biking, and hiking trails. Maps will also show other activities like miniature golf, the amphitheater, and the dog park.
John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons
This large downtown Columbus green space is the jewel of Columbus, Ohio. There are a plethora of activities and special events to enjoy in this park. The whole family can have fun here in the flowering gardens, where you can find treats and cafes. At the south side of the commons is a carousel that features images from the city and hand-crafted fairytale creatures. During some events, the carousel is free, but there are tickets for sale onsite as well. The carousel is also wheelchair accessible.
In the summer there are various OPEN play activities to enjoy, or you can join their NEOS playground to stay fit and active. There are restrooms onsite and special events are listed on the website.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams might be a chain outlet, but you will certainly not regret stopping over to grab a scoop from any of their outlets. Jeni’s does not make use of any artificial flavors or colors, and does not use premixes for their ice cream either. Their products are made with grass-fed Ohio milk from the Northeast and a specialty yogurt made in Defiance. All other ingredients are whole ingredients. Visit any of their multiple locations for the best ice cream in Columbus, OH.
Field of Corn
The Field of Corn is a sculpture by Malcolm Cochran. The area used to be a farm, but is now known as Frantz Park (the name of the family that used to work and live on the land). The corn sculpture is full of symbolism about the farming legacy of the area. There are 109 ears of corn standing at 6 feet. Your family can walk through them and take pictures.
The Topiary Park
In downtown Columbus, Ohio, is Topiary Park which is modeled after a painting by George Seurat called Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. It is great to have a picnic or take a walk in the Topiary Park. On the website you will find a printable guide that helps to facilitate a self-guided tour, or you can schedule a guided tour hosted by Friends of the Topiary Park. Without a break for lunch you will likely need about an hour and a half for a visit. While the park is free, you will need to pay for parking. Leashed pets are allowed in the park. Take a look at the La Grande Jatte painting and decide for yourself whether it doesn’t look like the ideal way to spend a lazy day.
Ohio Stadium
The Ohio Stadium is a 100,000-seat stadium on the Ohio University Campus. Experience script Ohio unlike ever before. It is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the state. The opening game was in 1922, and since then, more than 36,000 million people have enjoyed events here.
The Ohio State Athletic Ticket Office sells tickets in person during certain times, but they are available online anytime. Visitors can schedule private behind-the-scenes tours. These tours include an exploration of Steinbrenner Band Center, a visit to the Huntington Club level, the Yassenoff Recruit Center, the press box, and a walk along the sidelines. A tour takes about an hour and a half and needs to be scheduled two weeks in advance.
Ohio Theater — Columbus Association of the Performing Arts
The demolition of this theater was planned in 1969, but never came to pass. Today it is the official State Theater of Ohio. In 1928 it opened as a silent movie house. Today it sees around 100 performances. The theater is built in the Spanish-Baroque style and has 2,791 seats. The chandelier in the center is 20 feet high, and the original pipe organ in the venue is called Mighty Morton. When visiting Columbus, this is a major culture-rich stop.
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens are open daily, and will only close Christmas Day and Thanksgiving. Franklin Park Conservatory spans about 88 acres of outdoor gardens. Between April and December there are live glass-blowing demonstrations going on in the Conservatory. The conservatory grounds do not allow outside food, but snacks can be purchased at the Garden Cafe around lunchtime. The Franklin Park Conservatory along with several other parks on our list, are protected and maintained by Franklin County Metro Parks.
Columbus Museum of Art
The Columbus Museum of Art is definitely an attraction that should not be missed. There is a guided tour and several art exhibitions to view. You can see any kind of art here, including contemporary art, photography, sculptures, or impressionist art, at the Columbus Museum of Art.
The Art Columbus Museum is great for families and offers hands-on experiences. The JPMorgan Chase Center is on the first floor where children can play and enjoy themselves. Keep an eye on their website for information on family activities and special programs, and be sure to visit the Wonder Room. Admission is free on Sundays, and you should set aside about 2 to 3 hours.
Ohio History Center
The Ohio History Center is a great place for educational history fun that appeals to all ages. Kids love the mastodon skeleton. You can explore, like in the 1950s through the hands-on Lustron exhibit. A lot of paraphernalia from World War I is available on exhibit. The Ohio History connection to Native American heritage in the area can be viewed here. A general ticket to the Ohio History Center includes admission to Ohio Village. The village is interactive and you can speak to villagers while touring their daily lives. Ohio Village is only open between Memorial Day and Labor Day. If you really want to see everything around here, you need to plan for around 3 to 5 hours.
COSI (Center of Science and Industry)
COSI has been around since 1964. There are over 300 exhibits here that are all interactive and will keep your whole family entertained; there are even exhibits designed for toddlers (like the Dinosaur Gallery). There is a little kidspace, a Planetarium, a 3D Giant Screen Theater, and a Dinosaur Gallery with live shows, limited exhibits, and an outdoor science park. Keep an eye on their events calendar so that you do not miss anything.
A half-day visit is enough for the exhibits alone, but if you want to catch a planetarium show or watch a 3D film, then you will need more time. Food and drinks are prohibited among exhibits, but a packed lunch is allowed in the cafeteria. You can also buy from the cafe onsite.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
The Central Ohio Zoo is the most popular in the entire area. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium see roughly 2 million visitors annually. It is easy to see why, as they have around 10,000 animals onsite. You can walk with Lorikeets and kangaroos and enjoy the petting zoo. At an additional fee, you can take a special boat ride on Dinosaur Island, touch the flying stingrays, ride a camel or pony, watch a 4D movie, or ride the Grand Carousel.
If you want to experience the entire Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, you will need to schedule at least 5 to 6 hours for your visit. It is best to dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Straws are not allowed in the Columbus Zoo and there is a food court where you can purchase snacks if you do not want to bring your lunch in.
The Columbus Zoo schedule is full of fun things to do throughout the year. In the middle of October, you can plan an extra trip to see Wildlights and Boo at the Zoo. There are special packages for sale on the website along with discounted admissions rates and special events.
Ohio State Fair
The Ohio State Fair has been around since 1850! It sees about 800,000 visitors annually and is open for about 12 days and nights during the month of July. Of all the things to do in Columbus, Ohio, this is by far the most classic and historic activity you can get up to when you visit Columbus. The choice of food vendors is huge; there are lots of shopping opportunities, educational activities, shows, competitions, exhibits, and rides. Because the fairgrounds are located on 8 acres of natural park where children can fish for free.
Most people love the parade, butter sculpting contest, model railroad train exhibit, and pig races. There are live concerts that help for a full week, so make sure to book in advance as tickets sell out fast. The fair is so popular and so well established that it has its own mascot in the form of Butters D. Cow.
Columbus Children’s Theatre
The Columbus Children’s Theatre is relatively new in the area and it offers children an opportunity to have fun while they learn. There are also actual shows held that are open to the public and tickets can be purchased online. You can also enjoy seasonal activities like the Spring Break Camp.
Grange Insurance Audubon Center
This is a national park dedicated to protecting nature and especially birds in the area. There are natural exploration programs, the Native Plant Backyard Challenge, School Programmes, and a number of other events and activities throughout the year. You can also see art exhibitions and various games and activities specifically designed to help kids learn about nature. You can learn all about the Ohio Woods and other important nature related information.
Closing Thoughts on Columbus, Ohio
Between all the history museums, indoor pool, buildings and sites on the National Register for Historic Places, and so many parks, you will find something in Columbus, Ohio, that you and your entire family can enjoy.
Find out where you can find free parking; what is within walking distance of the best restaurants? Talk to the Columbus crew of your favorite attraction. Walk down Broad Street and Town St. Learn about Abraham Lincoln and so much more in Columbus, Ohio.
