Each month I will be featuring a local parent who will tell us about three places they love to take their kids in Columbus!

Thanks to Jamie for sharing 3 of her favorites with us this month!

3 Places I Love to Take My Kids in Columbus: Jamie Charity:

1. Woodside Green Nature Park

We’re lucky to have this amazing park a short walk down the bike path from us. There’s really something for everyone with two separate playground areas, a fishing pond, shelter pavilion, basketball courts, and a baseball field.

The nature park was built last summer by a local Girl Scout troop using natural materials. Under the shade of large, mature trees you’ll find things like climbing ropes and swings, a balance structure, tunnels to explore, and mini houses that my girls love to play in.

My 4 year old calls this “the muddy park” and it often lives up to its name! It’s great for outdoor exploration and sensory experiences, just make sure you bring some bug spray and wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty!

Related: 12 Columbus Parks to Try This Summer

2. The Wilds

Okay so this one isn’t exactly in Columbus, but we recently made this a day trip and it was such a unique experience! The Wilds is a wildlife preserve that is home to endangered species from all around the world living in open range habitats. We took the open air safari, which was half price with a zoo membership and both my 1 year old and 4 year old were free admission.

The bus was a bumpy, educational 2.5 hour ride with two brief stops. Babywearing for the win–my 1 year old even enjoyed a blissful afternoon nap without missing a beat. We saw giraffes, camels, zebras, rhinos, and even an ostrich that walked up and pecked on the side of our bus!

There’s also a café to grab lunch, gift shop, zip lining tours, and children’s nature center to keep little hands busy while you wait on your tour to begin. I recommend buying tickets online 24 hours in advance and booking a morning tour to view the animals when they’re most active.

Related: 4 Nature-Themed Story Times Around Columbus

3. Creekside Gahanna

Creekside has been a favorite place for my family since we moved to Gahanna. Apart from the kid friendly patios like Nostalgia Brewery and Local Cantina, there’s Namaste In Love yoga studio which offers really fantastic kids yoga classes. There are also walking paths through the woods, paddle boats to rent, ducks to feed, and fountains to play in.

We can easily spend an entire day there. Creekside hosts family friendly events and live music during most weekends throughout the summer.

Related: Summer Nights in Columbus: Concerts, Movies and More for Every Night of the Week

Hello! I’m Jamie Charity, MSEd, LPCC-S, owner of Bloom Counseling and Wellness. I’m a small business owner, wife, and mom to two silly, strong willed girls that love new adventures. I’m a therapist specializing in women and children ages 3-13 struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions and relationship issues. I’m passionate about helping families achieve their wellness goals. You can find me on Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/448585