This list of free things to do in Columbus, Ohio will keep you and the kids busy and cabin-fever free this Winter!
Winter is tough with kids. I’m sure some of you die hards will disagree, but for me it takes so much more effort to get out of the house: coats, gloves, hats, taking off coats for carseats, defrosting the car. And the list goes on. But I’ve put together a list of free kid-friendly things to do around Columbus that will make all the effort worth it! Good luck! 🙂
1. Watch planes take off at Ohio State University Airport. The observation deck is free to visit any time during open hours.
2. Play at The Naz indoor play area in Grove City. Check the link for the most up to date days and times.
3. See the Living Stream at Battelle Darby Metro Park. Kids will love looking for (and touching) aquatic animals in the stream inside the Nature Center.
4. Play at the Indoor Play Area at Grange Insurance Audubon Center located at Scioto Audubon Metro Park!
5. Check out a free “culture pass” to many of Columbus’ cultural institutions! These passes can be checked out at your local Columbus Metropolitan Library branch to attend things like performances at Columbus Children’s Theatre, CAPA or BalletMet, Columbus Clippers games, Columbus Zoo, Franklin Park Conservatory and more! Click the link to check availability.
6. Go to Columbus Museum of Art on a Sunday. Admission is free on Sundays from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
7. Visit Franklin Park Conservatory on Community Days (the first Sunday of each month). Residents of Franklin County and the City of Columbus get in free with valid ID during regular operating hours (10:00 AM – 5:00 PM).
8. Play in the kids area at Coffee Connections in Hilliard. (After you buy a cup of coffee, of course!)
9. Visit the totally cute Story Garden at Northwest Library in Worthington.
10. Watch for birds at the Blacklick Woods Metro Park Nature Center. They have lots of activities for kids inside the Nature Center and the Canopy Walk is nearby!
11. Play at Central Park at Westerville Christian Church. They are currently offering open play every Tuesday from 9:45 AM to 11:00 AM and you must register online.
12. Attend KidX at Polaris Fashion Place! This monthly event features free activities for kids!
13. Participate in the Winter Reading Challenge at Columbus Library. This program goes through February and you can get all the details at your local branch.
14. Look for fairies on the Dublin Irish Fairy Door Trail. This is a year-round activity that is fun and free any time!
15. Play free arcade games at Level One Arcade (with the purchase of a drink or food)! This “bar-cade” is family-friendly between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM Monday through Friday and from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. All other hours are 21+ only!
16. Read 5 books and get a free kid’s meal at Rusty Bucket. Pick up a Bucketeer Bookworm Bookmark Tracker at Rusty Bucket and turn it in for a free kid’s meal after reading 5 books!
17. Go on a Winter Hike with Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks. Hot drinks and food are provided afterwards!
18. Visit the dinosaur at Orton Hall. Click the link for a list of things to do with your kids on the campus of The Ohio State University! Read more about this in my list of free indoor activities for kids in Columbus!
19. Visit the fish (and other interesting sea creatures) at Aquarium Adventure in Hilliard! There’s even a hands-on touch pool!
20. Attend a free story time at any Columbus Metropolitan Library branch. Story times are happening all the time. Click this link for the event calendar.
21. Learn about state government at the Ohio Statehouse Museum Education Center inside the Ohio Statehouse. It’s free to visit this museum anytime the Ohio Statehouse is open.
22. Overlook downtown Columbus from the Observation Deck at Rhodes Tower. Show your ID and go through security to gain access to the observation deck! A security guard will escort you to the top. Just ask at the front desk during normal business hours (typically 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM on weekdays).
23. Visit the Cultural Arts Center in downtown Columbus. Exhibitions rotate through two gallery spaces and it is totally free to visit!
24. Visit the Ohio Craft Museum. This museum in Grandview is free to visit and I have seen them have activities like a scavenger hunt to help kids interact with the art on display. This activity is best for older kids.
25. Attend a free program at Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks. They have events for all ages on pretty much every day of the week! Check their event calendar to find one that works for you!
Need more ideas? Try 100 Fun Things to do in Columbus, Ohio
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*Please be aware, information is gathered from multiple community sources. Times, dates and locations are subject to change. Please call ahead or check links to confirm activities. Enjoy what you do today!*
Alexander
Tuesday 8th of December 2020
This is very nice and informative post. This visit help a lot for the kids. Thank for the post.