The City of Columbus, without a doubt, can be your children’s next favorite fun destination.
Ohio’s capital city has more than a list of historical achievements and monuments to offer visitors–fun around every corner!
Columbus offers a wide variety of what ‘fun’ can mean to children with diverse interpretations.
From waterparks to science museums, every child can get engaged in things they truly find enjoyable.
To make it memorable and worthwhile, we have listed out various activities for kids of all ages!
Things to Do in Columbus with Kids
LEGOLAND Discovery Center
Location: 157 Easton Town Ctr, Columbus Opening hours: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm (Sun-Fri), 9:00 am - 8:00 pm (Sat) Entry rates: $28.99
Is the worldwide famous toy brand LEGO your kids’ favorite?
Either way, LEGOLAND Discovery Center is a great treat for kids who love a fun playtime with many interactive activities.
The center is a part of the entertainment options available in the Easton Town Center, suitable for mostly kids ages 3-10.
‘Play, Build, and Ride‘ is what they promote, which represents all types of fun activities they offer for the little ones.
The indoor LEGO playground features many attractions, including a variety of rides, themed play zones, Master Model Builder, and many more.
Besides games, a 4D cinema is also available in the center for further entertainment.
Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
Location: 4850 W Powell Rd, Powell Opening hours: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm (Every day) Entry rates: Starts at $16.99
One of the best must-see attractions for kids in the city is the unique Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
The zoo is known for providing a one-of-a-kind experience of watching the wilds in settings divided into eight regions.
Its unique presentation of 800 species from all around the globe has been a subject of applause for years.
Children can surely enjoy diverse exhibits in this zoo, from Asia Quest to Adventure Cove.
Aquatic exhibits in the aquarium, including Reptile Habitat, Discovery Reef, and Manatee Coast, can also be a fascinating attraction for the kids.
Besides animals, the park has interesting ways of commuting on the property, such as a train, tram, and boat available to travel through regional exhibits!
North Market
Location: 59 Spruce St, Columbus Opening hours: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm (Tues-Sat), 10:00 am - 5:00 pm (Sun & Mon) Entry rates: Not required
Take the kids to the city’s most loved farmer’s market, also known as the North Market.
The public market has a great selection of locally produced artisan products such as fresh fruits, warm and delicious food, handicrafts, gift items, and more.
Established in 1876, the market has over 35 vendors and can be a great place to explore a variety of ethnic flavors with the little ones.
Otherworld
Location: 5819 Chantry Drive, Columbus Opening hours: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm (Mon, Wed, Sun), 10:00 am - 10:00 pm (Thurs, Fri, Sat) Entry rates: $30 (Adults), $25 (Children)
Take your kids to the Otherworld, a popular spot for being the coolest attraction in the city!
Otherworld provides an imaginative and unique sensory experience where you get to engage in interactive art installations.
They have over 40 rooms filled with large-scale interactive art, mixed-reality playgrounds, and an immersive art museum.
It is a massive playhouse with hidden rooms, puzzles, and secret passages decorated with creative displays.
The artistic place lets you decide your own path to explore, as there are no rules to follow!
Note: Not all the rooms in the Otherworld are suitable for all the kids. Parents are recommended to check the sensitivity.Columbus Museum of Art
Location: 480 East Broad Street, Columbus Opening hours: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm (Tues, Wed, Fri-Sun), 10:00 am - 9:00 pm (Thurs), Closed on Mondays Entry rates: $18
Columbus Museum of Art would be a perfect day-out choice for kids who love creativity and imagination.
The artistic place of inspiration was built in 1878 and has since been preserving artworks from all around the world.
Their collection ranges from various styles and types of mediums such as paintings, sculptures, photography, and interactive installation.
It can be a great place for children to learn about the diverse art styles and the evolution of art over the years.
Easton Town Center
Location: 160 Easton Town Ctr, Columbus Opening hours: 10:00 am - 9:00 pm (Mon-Sat), 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm (Sundays) Contact: +1 614-337-2200
Shop at all your kids’ favorite stores in one place at Easton Town Center!
The shopping center is the best shopping area in Columbus having more than 300 retail stores.
Easton Town Center is quite an attraction on its own, as it is designed to be reminiscent of a self-contained town inspired by 20th-century American towns.
Not only is it full of famous upscale luxury or essential brands, but the center is also a great entertainment hub.
Kids can indulge in the Escape Game, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, and more!
And after all the shopping and fun, you can select a restaurant to fuel up from a selection of a wide variety of eateries.
Center of Science and Industry (COSI)
Location: 333 West Broad St., Columbus Opening hours: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm (Every day) Entry rates: $20 (Ages 2-12), $25 (Adults)
Center of Science and Industry, shortly called COSI, is a science museum and research center, an innovative space to learn and explore for all.
The outstanding center showcases over 300 interactive displays categorized into many exhibits from ‘Ocean’ to ‘Space.’
National History Dinosaur Gallery is one of the most popular exhibits as it features a full-size cast of Tyrannosaurus Rex, a collection of millions-old fossils, and more.
Interactive and educational exhibits for children, including ‘Little Kid Space,‘ are specially designed for younger minds.
Children can also enjoy the state’s largest Planetarium in COSI, an outdoor Big Science Park, a Giant Screen Theater, and many more!
Franklin Park Conservatory
Location: 1777 E. Broad Street, Columbus Opening hours: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm (Every day) Entry rates: $23 (Adults), $15.50 (Children)
Explore and connect the kids to the nature of the world at Franklin Park Conservatory.
The conservatory and botanical gardens house over 400 species of indoor and outdoor plants on their property.
It can be an excellent place for the kids to discover various types of plants and learn about the importance of growing them in different settings.
Some of the many fascinating attractions here are Bonsai Courtyard, Palm House, Topiary Garden, and many more.
Children’s Gardens, Splash Ponds, and Butterfly Habitats are the most popular sections among the little ones.
Zoombezi Bay
Location: 4850 Powell Rd, Powell Opening hours: 10:30 am - 7:00 pm (Every day) Entry rates: Starts at $39.00 (Adults), $36.99 (Children)
Zoombezi Bay is one of the most fun places for children in Columbus!
The refreshing water park was opened to the public in 2007 and has since been the most popular water park in Midwest.
Baboon Lagoon, Python Plunge, and Croctail Island are some of the many water rides available in the park.
Kids and adults can enjoy various attractions and rides in the same or separate areas of fun.
The water park is a part of Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s property; those who wish to visit both attractions can easily access both on the same day.
Magic Mountain Fun Center
Location: 5890 Scarborough Blvd, Columbus Opening hours: 10:00 am - 9:00 pm Contact: +1 614-490-5071
Magic Mountain Fun Center is the ultimate entertainment place for kids of all ages.
The indoor and outdoor family fun center offers various games, including mini-golf, go-karts, arcade, and many more!
Adventure Golf, KidsGym Playland, and Bumper Cars are some of the many enjoyable attractions for kids.
Children shall also enjoy many go-kart courses, arcade gaming options, and Batting Cages in the fun center.
Buckle Up for a Fun Ride!
Check out the corners of the city and discover fun hidden in all the unexpected places.
Children will surely enjoy all the adventures and experience Columbus’s lively yet energetic atmosphere.
You can also visit the neighboring cities of Cincinnati and Cleveland for an additional choice of fun things to do in Ohio.
Get ready to experience the fun that’s stored in Columbus for you and your kids!
Note: Keep in mind that information about travel can change quickly. To make sure your trip is fun and safe, we encourage you to double-check official websites and government/travel advisory sites for the latest information on travel restrictions, entry requirements, and safety measures.