Columbus with Kids: 20 Top Things to Do

Written by Anietra Hamper
Updated May 3, 2023

Anietra Hamper is a Columbus, Ohio native and the author of two books exploring the top experiences in the capital city.

Columbus is a fun city to explore with kids because it is a hub of creativity and innovation. That is why Columbus is the fastest-growing city in Ohio and the 15th-largest city in the United States.

Even the simple pleasures of visiting, like strolling the streets of local neighborhoods or walking along the Scioto Mile on the downtown riverfront, one of the best parks in Columbus, can bring discoveries that will be remembered long after your visit.

From living history museums and factory tours that end with a sweet treat to hands-on science experiments and swimming in an ocean-like wave pool, kids have a lot of options to create the perfect kind of day during their time in Columbus.

Find the best family-friendly places to visit with our list of the top things to do with kids in Columbus, Ohio.

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Polar bear at the Columbus Zoo | Photo Copyright: Anietra Hamper

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is one of the best zoos in the United States and one of the top tourist attractions just north of Columbus for kids. The zoo grounds are divided into regions with animals to see, from apes in the Congo Expedition to rhinoceroses in Asia Quest, sea turtles in the Aquarium, and California sea lions in Adventure Cove.

There are daily feedings and demonstrations, as well as stage shows, that highlight animal conservation efforts. Be sure to catch one of the daily giraffe feedings or cheetah runs that add extra excitement during a zoo visit.

While the zoo is always exciting in the warmer months, a wintertime visit is special because of the Wildlights display, which showcases millions of LED lights in the trees and exhibits throughout the zoo. For an extra-special day at the Columbus Zoo, you can take your kids to one of the regular workshops or reserve a behind-the-scenes tour for an additional fee.

Address: 4850 Powell Road, Powell, Ohio

COSI

Everything at the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) is interactive for kids and it makes learning about health, science, energy, weather, and mathematics fun. There are several floors to explore and exhibits like the Big Science Park, where kids can test their strength by lifting a 2,437-pound car.

Be sure to visit the planetarium, where you can learn about the solar system beneath a 60-foot dome and try the High Wire Unicycle, which suspends riders two stories in the air as they ride across an 84-foot cable.

If hunger strikes during your visit, the kids will enjoy the fun and healthy snacks available from COSI's Atomic Café like the "Do-Re-For-Me" peanut butter and jelly sandwich, shaped like a piano. Or, you might want to pack a lunch to enjoy outside on the riverfront and get a perfect view of the Columbus skyline.

Address: 333 W. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio

Zoombezi Bay

The Zoombezi Bay outdoor water park is a fun family activity in the summer months. It is located adjacent to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, but it is best to plan a full day at the water park versus 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 that can hold the entire family in one tube. There are kiddie areas with water features specifically for younger kids, and amenities like strollers and cabana rentals available that make parents' lives a little easier.

Address: 4850 Powell Road, Powell, Ohio

Franklin Park Conservatory

The Franklin Park Conservatory is an exciting place to visit with kids, as they learn about every biome in the world in one place. Walk from the glass-dome Palm House and see rare varieties of palm species.

Then explore the tropical rainforest and the desert. Some of the best times to visit are during the Blooms & Butterflies exhibit in the spring or during one of the workshops that are offered for things like cooking classes that take place with the tropical setting as a backdrop.

A must-see for kids is the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children's Garden outside, which has two acres of hands-on and crawl-on activities for kids as they learn about the Ohio landscape. The Franklin Park Conservatory also offers classes for kids that range from nature school to gardening.

Address: 1777 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio

Legoland Discovery Center

The Legoland Discovery Center is an indoor playground for everything Lego. It is located at Easton Town Center shopping and entertainment complex. Kids can explore LEGO building zones where they let their imaginations go wild with new creations and they can go on a behind-the-scenes tour and learn how the Lego blocks are made in so many shapes and colors.

Kids can strap on a pair of goggles and experience a 4D cinema that combines 3D LEGO films with wind, snow, and rain for an immersive experience. One of the most exciting things for kids is being able to interact and learn from a LEGO master builder and put their new skills into practice.

Address: 157 Easton Town Center, Columbus, Ohio

Ohio History Center

The Ohio History Center is one of the best points of interest for kids visiting Columbus. The center has several floors of exhibits that explore Ohio's history, from prehistoric times to the present day, showcasing important milestones in American culture along the way.

Located outside next to the center is the Ohio Village, a living history museum of what a village in the state looked like in the 1800s. Kids can interact with period actors at the blacksmith barn or dress up in vintage costumes for a black-and-white photo.

Kids will enjoy the hands-on experiences in the Ohio Village, like playing with vintage toys. They can even deliver a speech from the steps of the Town Hall using a script written in the language of the time period.

Address: 800 East 17^thAvenue, Columbus, Ohio

Walk or Bike the Scioto Mile

Enjoy the outdoors with your kids in downtown Columbus at the Scioto Mile, which runs alongside the Scioto River. A series of parks, walkways, and bike paths connect the downtown areas of the Arena District, riverfront parks, and the Whittier Peninsula.

There are eight parks to enjoy along the Scioto Mile, from Genoa Park and North Bank Park to Bicentennial Park, which is a popular place for summer concerts. The 1500-square-foot splash pad at Bicentennial is popular with kids, especially during hot summer days. The jet spray launches 75 feet into the air.

The Scioto Mile has a paved pathway great for walking along the river with the Columbus skyline in the background. You can even rent kayaks at the river, or take a guided tour on the water.

Tour the Anthony-Thomas Candy Factory

If you are looking to sweeten things up during a visit to Columbus, a tour of the Anthony-Thomas Candy Factory is in order. The famous candy company is based in Columbus, and the doors are open to visitors who want to see how the company cranks out 30,000 pounds of chocolate on every shift.

During the free tour, kids learn about the history of the candy company and they get to see the production in progress. You cannot head home without a sample of the famous Anthony-Thomas candy buckeye.

Address: 1777 Arlingate Lane, Columbus, Ohio

Slate Run Living Historical Farm

Just on the fringe of Columbus is the Slate Run Living Historical Farm, which is a fun day outside for kids. It is a working farm that still operates the way that it did in 1880. Kids get to take part in the daily chores while learning about Ohio's agricultural roots.

Chores change with the season, so that might mean gathering eggs in the henhouse, collecting maple syrup from the trees, planting herbs in the garden, or harvesting crops. Period actors demonstrate what life on the farm is like, including making homemade meals and tending to livestock.

Address: 1375 State Route 674 North, Canal Winchester, Ohio

Tour the Ohio Statehouse

The Ohio Statehouse is both educational and fun, even if you are not from Ohio. There are free tours throughout the day that take you through the building and showcase the stunning architecture.

If you visit during the fall, you can go on a family-friendly ghost tour of the Statehouse and learn about the alleged sightings of Abraham Lincoln.

Spend some time walking the grounds of the statehouse square, where kids will see many sculptures that have significance to Ohio's history, and many hidden surprises, like a beehive apiary, tucked away in the landscaping.

Address: 1 East Capital Street, Columbus, Ohio

Family Events at Columbus Commons

A concert in the Columbus Commons | Photo Copyright: Anietra Hamper

The Columbus Commons is a beautiful green space in the center of downtown. It is where many events and festivals take place, including outdoor family movie nights in the summer. There is a regular schedule of free public concerts and family fun days that you can enjoy.

During non-event days, the Columbus Commons is an exciting place to visit to enjoy a ride on the merry-go-round or grab lunch from a local food truck and picnic outdoors. There are regular free events, like exercise classes and kid-focused Family Fun Days, which are great times to visit.

Address: 160 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio

Columbus Museum of Art

The Columbus Museum of Art has evolved over the years from a place to admire art into a place to engage with art. There are many galleries to explore and learn about art history through the ages, but kids will especially enjoy the Wonder Room, where they can tap into their inner Picasso.

Kids can select from various materials to create their own works of art and express their creativity, then see their work hanging on the wall next to known textile artists. Grab a snack at the museum's Schokko Café, which has artistic sandwiches and soups.

Address: 480 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio

Picnic at the Topiary Park

Pack a picnic lunch and take the kids to the Topiary Park behind the downtown Columbus Metropolitan Library. The park is a life-size topiary interpretation of the post-Impressionist painting by George Seurat, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. The 54 manicured topiary sculptures cover the grounds and pond on the site of the former Ohio School for the Deaf.

Observe the artistic details of each sculpture, then step back and take in the entire display. The topiaries are most detailed in the summer when they are in full bloom, but you can see them any time of the year.

Address: 480 E Town St, Columbus, Ohio

American Whistle Corporation

Did you know that the only whistle manufacturer in the United States is in Columbus, Ohio? The American Whistle Corporation makes the life-saving item and offers free tours that are fun for kids. The 45-minute tour reveals details behind the whistle, like the kinds of materials used to make it and how the tiny ball is placed inside.

The factory tour lets you see the antique machines that were used to make whistles before modern technology. You will also learn how whistles are used in community and police programs to save lives.

Address: 6540 Huntley Road, Columbus, Ohio

The Ohio Theatre

Grown-ups don't have to have all the fun with a matinee or evening out enjoying a live performance, because the historic Ohio Theatre in downtown Columbus is something kids will always remember. This elegantly restored 1928 movie house is a special experience, especially when you can take the kids to see a family Broadway performance with a live orchestra in the pit by the stage.

Kids will love walking around the inside of the theatre and connecting with history in a way that is unique. For an extra treat, stop by the old Peanut Shoppe on the corner before the show to pick up some old-school candies to take in with you. The store is a Columbus icon itself and generally opens for special hours before Ohio Theatre performances.

Address: 39 East State Street, Columbus, Ohio

Easton Town Center

Families can spend a full day at Easton Town Center, which has grown to become the premier shopping and entertainment complex in Columbus. While shopping is the main attraction here with more than 200 retail stores, there is so much to do for kids that it is a must-visit.

Spend some time in Legoland Discovery Center, take in a movie at the cinema, explore the outdoor exhibits, and grab lunch or dinner at one of the dozens of restaurants in the complex. Don't miss out on dessert at Jeni's Ice Cream or Cheryl's gourmet cookies, both international brands that started in Columbus, which you can enjoy while you walk around or take some home.

The Easton Town Center Complex has satellite complexes all around it, too, so wear comfortable walking shoes. A great time to go is during one of the many regular events, from festivals to live music performances.

Address: 160 Easton Town Ctr, Columbus, Ohio

Olentangy Caverns

Olentangy Indian Caverns — Olentangy Caverns | Fsendek / Shutterstock.com

Just north of Columbus, the Olentangy Caverns is a great excursion for kids if you have time to go beyond the metro area. These caverns in Delaware are a below-ground exploration into the geology of the region.

The 45-minute cavern tours weave you through an underground maze as kids learn about stalactites and stalagmites that have formed in the caves over thousands of years. Above ground, there are more activities like gem mining, a petting zoo, and miniature golf.

Address: 1779 Home Road, Delaware, Ohio

Farmers Markets

Farm produce for sale at the North Market | Photo Copyright: Anietra Hamper

Get a taste of Ohio's agricultural heritage by taking the kids to a farmers market to select a basket of fresh peaches, strawberries, and honey. Nearly every community around Columbus hosts regular farmers' markets every week through the summer.

The Pearl Market in downtown Columbus is a favorite for just-harvested corn and produce, and the North Market in downtown Columbus is one of the oldest and largest farmers' markets. Most of the markets also have music, entertainment, and locally made products to buy.

The Ultimate Selfie

Making a side-stop to the Greater Columbus Convention Center to experience a larger-than-life art installation is worth squeezing into your itinerary. Inside the north-end lobby, kids can experience a 14-foot-tall, 3D version of their head and face.

After they step inside the small photo booth to get digitally screened, their image appears on the LED-covered sculpture in about 30 seconds. This is just one of many local art pieces decorating the Convention Center.

The art piece was developed by a graphics design professor from the Columbus College of Art and Design and is part of the "As We Are" art exhibit in the center. It is a fun and quick experience to add to your day.

Address: 400 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio

Catch a Game

Huntington Park | aceshot1 / Shutterstock.com

Few things are more exciting than cheering on the home team, and Columbus has a growing sports scene with plenty of options for games to attend. A city favorite for kids is at Huntington Park, where the Columbus Clippers Minor League Baseball team holds regular in-season games. There are always family-friendly promotions at games and a lively atmosphere.

Columbus also has a Major League Soccer team, the Columbus Crew that gets fans fired up during games at their new stadium, Lower.com Field in downtown Columbus. Be sure to sport the team colors of black and gold when you go.

Hockey is alive in Columbus at Nationwide Arena with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The National Hockey League team enjoys their fan support. There are often pre-game skate opportunities on the ice for kids and families.

Address: 330 Huntington Park Ln, Columbus, Ohio