Things to Do with Kids in Columbus

Columbus is fun for the whole family no matter the season. If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll find fun, educational experiences and outdoor spaces to let loose in.

In this guide, we’ve collected some standout family-friendly activities in Columbus so you can pick the ones that best suit your family’s needs and interests.
 

Indoor Activities Kids Will Love

COSI, or the Center of Science and Industry, is the perfect stop for curious children who are eager to get their hands on things and learn. Children will learn about space, the natural world and historic inventions as they interact with COSI’s classic exhibits. Even better, every visit is unique thanks to the temporary and traveling exhibitions from other renowned science centers and museums.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center is a great indoor activity for kids aged 3 to 10 years old. Kids will roam around interacting with exhibits, engaging in free play with the legos and riding rides. Even adults will marvel at the human-sized lego sculptures, cityscapes and models.

For something more cultural, stop by the Columbus Museum of Art, one of the leading cultural institutions in Ohio. While the big draw may be paintings from world-famous artists such as Renoir and Picasso, the museum helps children engage by including themed activities in nearly every gallery, such as games, writing and drawing prompts and books to read.

Find more indoor family fun in Columbus.
 

Outdoor Adventures for Families

When it’s time to get outside, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a top choice. It has over 600 species of animals and is highly educational and fun. Children can learn through interactive exhibits and animal encounters, such as feeding giraffes, petting stingrays and listening to talks from the zookeepers. Pair it with the zoo’s Zoombezi Bay water park for an action-packed day out in the sun.

At the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, children can learn about plant species from around the world and then go outside to explore 88 acres of green space. Pay a visit to the conservatory’s two-acre Scotts Miracle-Gro Children’s Garden, where kids can learn about nature, walk the Canopy Walk and play in the Nature Play Zone.

For more nature with views of the Columbus skyline, the Scioto Audubon Metro Park is conveniently located on the Scioto River just south of downtown. It’s a massive 119-acre park that also features a 35-foot outdoor climbing wall (free), a large playground for children and two miles of paved trails along the Scioto River.
 

More Fun to Explore