20+ Free Indoor Play Areas in Columbus, Ohio to help you and your kids avoid cabin fever when it’s cold or rainy!
I hate to say it, but those days are coming . . . you know what I’m talking about: cold . . . winter . . . snow. 🙁 Luckily for us, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to play in Columbus, Ohio, and when it comes to playing inside, there are a lot of FREE options! This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure here.
Make Note of these 20 + Free Indoor Play Areas in Columbus for cold and rainy days!
If you need to pass a morning inside but you also need to GET OUT OF THE HOUSE, keep this list of indoor playgrounds handy! You may also want to check out The Complete List of Columbus Play Cafes or 6 Free or Cheap Indoor Places for Kids to Run Wild in Columbus for more indoor ideas!
metro park nature center in Columbus, Ohio
4265 E. Dublin-Granville Road Westerville, OH 43081, 614-895-6221
Hours:
April to September: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
October to March: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tips: Inside the Nature Center there are puzzles, activities and books for kids. See more about what to do at the Nature Center in Exploring Blendon Woods Metro Park!
free indoor play area at westerville rec center
350 N. Cleveland Ave., Westerville, OH 43082, 614-901-6500
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 5:45 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tips: The Westerville Community Center offers an indoor playground for kids as well as indoor programing during the fall and winter months for young children. See more details here.
505 W. Whittier St., Columbus OH 43215, 614-545-5475
Hours:
(These are Summer hours, check the website or call to double check!)
Closed Monday
Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Tips: The indoor play area here also includes a “cave” to play in and there are also weekly story times for the preschool age! See more to do at the Audubon Center in 9 Things to do with Your Kids at Scioto Audubon. Also see: 2 MORE Great Metro Park Natures Centers for Columbus Kids!
2136 Bethel Rd., Columbus, OH 43220 614-442-7622
Hours:
(These hours may be seasonal, double check the website or call before visiting!)
Monday – Thursday: 10:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Friday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Tips: Socks are required to play on the indoor playground and can be bought for $1 if you forget! I included this play area in one of my Cheap Family Outings in Columbus for Every Day of the Week!
1500 Polaris Parkway , Columbus, OH 43240, 614-846-1500
Hours:
Monday – Thursday 10:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Friday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
This mall is home to a few different options for indoor play listed here:
5. Zoo Play Area at Polaris Fashion Place
Tips: Shoes must be removed to play. The area has recently been redone and only has one exit/entrance which is great for keeping an eye on wandering toddlers!
6. Pottery Barn Kids at Polaris Fashion Place
Tips: PBK usually has toys out for play on both sides of the store (boys and girls) and my kids love them all! There is a story time on Tuesdays at 11:00 AM!
2411 E Main St., Columbus, OH 43209
Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 AM–9:00 PM
Friday and Saturday: 9AM–6PM
Sunday 1–5PM
Tips: Bexley Public Library has an amazing play area for kids! One of the most spacious kids areas around town, this space offers educational and imaginative play activities for kids!
1775 Darby Creek Dr Galloway, OH 43119, 614-878-7106
Hours:
April to May: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
June to August: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
September to October: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
November to March: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Tips: The nature center has a living stream as well as a small kids’ area to play in. There are preschool programs inside the center on Tuesdays! See 2 Great Metro Park Nature Centers for Columbus Kids.
Main Library: 96 S. Grant Ave., Columbus, OH 43215
Hours vary by library and can be found here.
Tips: So many of the branches of Columbus Metropolitan Library have great areas for indoor play! I shared my favorites here and here! Of course, many other area libraries have areas for play too! Check out the locations for Worthington, Westerville, Delaware County, Grove City, and Upper Arlington! You may also want to check out: 2 Fun Libraries for Columbus Kids and 2 MORE Fun Libraries for Columbus Kids!
1685 W. 1st Ave., Columbus, OH 43212
Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Tips: I included Grandview’s library separately because they have a really good area for toddlers and preschoolers to play that includes a train table and Duplos! They also have a lot of story times! See the schedule here.
3670 W. Dublin-Granville Rd., Columbus, OH 43235, 614-760-5556
Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tips: This indoor play area is close to the restrooms and surrounded by tables that are convenient for watching your kids play!
1555 W. Lane Ave., Upper Arlington, OH 43221
Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Tips: This small play area is near the front and has books, play food, cars and more! Lots of seating nearby. EDITED July 11, 2018: A lot of the toys have been removed from this area recently. There is still a kid-sized table but I don’t know if the toys will be returning! 🙁
3622 Fishinger Blvd., Hilliard, OH 43026, 614-527-8508
Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Tips: First of all, this is a GREAT store for fun and educational kid products! There is a little play area tucked into the front corner of the store with a surprising amount of things to do! Blocks, play groceries, magnets, Calico Critters, and more!
See the Columbus locations here!
Tips: Barnes and Noble is a hit for kids who love train tables and there are always lots of books to read! There are also story times on Saturdays!
4770 Hoover Rd, Grove City, OH 43123, 614-305-2034
Hours:
Sun: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PMam – 2pm
Monday – Tuesday, Thursday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Tips: Shoes must be removed and socks worn inside this large indoor playground in Grove City! Socks can be purchased for $1 if you forget. There is a story time with crafts on Tuesday mornings! You can also register online before your first visit to save time. Outside the play area there is a cafe where you can purchase food (coffee is only $1!) and lots of seating!
471 E. College Ave., Westerville, OH 43081, 614-891-6842
Hours:
Open Play Hours September 18, 2018 – May 2019:
1st & 3rd Tuesday of the Month: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Every Thursday: 10:00 AM – 11:30AM
1st, 2nd & 3rd Saturday of the Month: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Tips: Shoes must be removed for play in the play area. There is also a rock climbing area here! This cute indoor playground follows all Westerville City Schools closing and delays.
7227 N. High St., Worthington, OH 43085
Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Tips: Shoes must be removed for play in the fenced in playground area. If it’s warm enough, there is also an outdoor play area just outside the exit close to the indoor play area!
5043 Tuttle Crossing Blvd, Dublin, OH 43016, 614-717-9300
Hours:
Monday – Saturday 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tips: This indoor play area in Dublin has a STEAM theme: Science, Technology, Arts and Music. Lots of hands-on, fine motor activity here! My kids particularly loved the Magna-Tiles! (There is also an area with coin-operated vehicles in the food court area!) You can read more about this indoor play area here: NEW! Children’s Play Area at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing
480 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215, 614-221-6801
Hours:
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tips: This is a area for art and exploration just for kids on the bottom floor of the Art Museum. The Columbus Museum of Art (and this kids’ area) is free on Sundays only!
4004 Gramercy St., Columbus OH 43219, 614-342-2710
Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Tips: Most of the time there is a table set up for building with LEGOs and/or Duplos inside the store!
4004 Main St., Hilliard, OH 43026, 614-664-3993
Hours:
Monday: 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Tuesday – Friday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tips: Coffee Connections is a coffee shop in Hilliard with a community space and an indoor play area in the back building. This play area is fun for preschoolers and younger and is totally free! (Though, you should probably buy a cup of coffee. 😉 ) See more pictures here.
3690 N. Styler Rd., Gahanna, OH 43230, 614-475-8500
Hours:
Every Wednesday, Friday and First Saturday of the month: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Tips: This is a fun little indoor play area for kids ages 6 and under with toys to play with and coffee for the adults!
1124 Parsons Ave., Columbus, OH 43206
Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday and Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thursday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tips: This is a coffee shop/book store with a small area with a kids focus! If you’re looking to have a coffee date while your kids play, this is a great spot! This is a vegan cafe serving, coffee, meals, drinks and special offerings throughout the week.
13 E. College Ave., Westerville, OH 43081, 614-568-8590
Hours:
Tuesday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Tips: This is a sweet little toy store with two floors of fun! So many unique toys are available along with many of your favorites! There is a house to play in, a train table and other toys on rotation.
I hope this list of indoor play areas in Columbus gets you through the winter! I know we will be making use of many of these free indoor play places as the weather gets cold and I get cabin fever! 🙂
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