No matter what your interest is, your kids will find something they love in Columbus. From the Nationally Ranked Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to Otherworld, an immersive art museum that mixes science fiction and fantasy with large-scale interactive works of art, there is something for everyone. For a unique experience, try Minigolf Glow Putt, an indoor mini-golf course that glows in the dark. Or, explore the 23.45-acre Schiller Park, which has a fishing pond, basketball court, tennis court, and walking trail.
Blendon Woods Metropolitan Park also offers natural play areas, trails and disc golf. Fancyburg Park has a children's play area, tennis courts, and a nature area. Columbus is a great city for kids because it is full of creativity and innovation. It is the fastest growing city in Ohio and the fifteenth largest city in the United States.
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is one of the best zoos in the United States and one of the top tourist attractions north of Columbus for children. The zoo's grounds are divided into regions with animals to see, from apes on the Congo expedition to rhinoceroses on Asia Quest, sea turtles in the aquarium and California sea lions on Adventure Cove. If they are hungry during their visit, children will enjoy the fun and healthy snacks available at COSI's Atomic Café, such as the piano-shaped Do-Re-For-Me peanut butter and jam sandwich. Or, you might want to prepare a lunch to enjoy outdoors on the riverbank and get a perfect view of the Columbus skyline.
The Zoombezi Bay outdoor water park is a fun family activity in the summer months. It's located next to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, but it's better to plan a full day at the water park rather than trying to do both in one day. Zoombezi Bay is a large park with water options, from the famous wave pool to more than a dozen types of water slides, a lazy river and raft rides for the whole family on a tube. There are children's areas with specific water sources for younger children, and services such as strollers and cabin rentals are available that make life a little easier for parents.
The Franklin Park Conservatory is an exciting place to visit with children, as they learn about all of the world's biomes in one place. Walk from the glass-domed palm house and see rare varieties of palm species. Then explore the rainforest and desert. Some of the best times to visit it are during the Blooms & Butterflies exhibition in spring or during one of the workshops offered for things like cooking classes that take place with the tropical environment as a backdrop.
A must-see for kids is the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation's outdoor kindergarten, which has two acres of hands-on and tracking activities for children to learn about the Ohio landscape. The Franklin Park Conservatory also offers classes for children ranging from nature schools to gardening. The Legoland Discovery Center is a covered playground for everything Lego-related. It is located in the Easton Town Center shopping and entertainment complex.
Children can explore LEGO building areas where they can let their imaginations run wild with new creations, and they can take a behind-the-scenes tour and learn how Lego blocks are made in so many shapes and colors. Kids can put on glasses and enjoy a 4D movie theater that combines 3D LEGO movies with wind, snow and rain for an immersive experience. One of the most exciting things for children is being able to interact and learn from a LEGO master builder and put their new skills to use. Located outside, next to the center, is Ohio Village, a living history museum that looks like a town in the state in the 19th century.
Children can interact with period actors in the blacksmith's barn or dress up in vintage costumes for a black and white photo. There are eight parks to enjoy along the Scioto Milla, from Genova Park and North Bank Park to Bicentennial Park, which is a popular place for summer concerts. Bicentennial's 1,500-square-foot splash zone is popular with kids, especially during hot summer days. The spray jet is launched 75 feet into the air! If you want to sweeten things up during your visit to Columbus, we recommend you visit Anthony-Thomas Candy Factory -the only manufacturer of whistles in the United States! The famous candy company offers free tours that are fun for kids where they can learn about how whistles are made from different materials and how small balls are placed inside them! Pack a picnic-style lunch and take your kids to Topiary Park behind Central Columbus Metropolitan Library! The park is home to 54 well-maintained topiary sculptures that cover its grounds -a life-size topiary interpretation of George Seurat's post-impressionist painting A Sunday Afternoon on Island of La Grande Jatte! Topiaries are more detailed in summer when they are in full bloom but you can see them any time of year!.
