3 Places I Love to Take My Kids in Columbus: Leslie Catlett

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , /by
Spread the Love
  • 15
    Shares

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 Leslie for sharing 3 of her favorites with us this month!

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

There’s no denying that Columbus has one A-M-A-Z-I-N-G zoo! As season pass holders we spend a lot of time frolicking around the zoo grounds, as if it were our first time every visit. It is not unlikely that you can find us taking full advantage of the up close and personal animal encounters.  Packing a lunch and an ample amount of snacks is a must, as we are sure to spend most of our day here.

Columbus Metropolitan Library- New Albany Branch

There are so many wonderful libraries around Columbus that afford me the opportunity to expose my boys to more books than I can afford to buy. With a library card and zero late fees it is inevitable that we haul out as much as we can carry. With every visit there is no predicting what might catch their eye; a librarian/staff is readily available to make recommendations, that I might not know of or think to suggest. There is also an interactive story time with the infamous Mr. Dave every Wednesday and Thursday that incorporates both fine and gross motor skills to ensure Kindergarten readiness.

Hannah Park

Hannah Park is our go-to park not only because it’s just a hop, skip and a jump away from our house, but it also has a lot to offer my busy boys. The beautiful park has walking trails, tennis and basketball courts, a baseball field, multiple ponds, open green spaces, two jungle gyms (one for toddlers and one for older kids), large covered shelter, and multiple bathrooms.

Leslie is an occupational therapist and mother of two. She is the owner of The Penmanship Lab, a handwriting coaching service. She strongly believes that the art of handwriting is not dead and that formal handwriting instruction is vital in the digital age for the development of a child.  Her mission is to provide quality handwriting coaching to foster a natural and automatic skill, improve legibility and efficiency all while having fun! She offers camps, classes, private sessions and workshops.

Follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thepenmanshiplab/ and Intsagram @the_penmanship_lab.  To learn more about The Penmanship Lab visit www.thepenmanshiplab.com.

IMG_8735

Make sure to follow What Should We Do Today? on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram and never miss a post!

ICYMI: 10 of Our Favorite Columbus Christmas Traditions


Spread the Love
  • 15
    Shares
Columbus Ohio

What Should We Do This Weekend? April 14-16, 2017 Easter Edition!

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , , /by
Spread the Love
  • 28
    Shares

1. EGGS, PAWS AND CLAWS at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

When: Friday & Saturday, April 14 & 15, 2017
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: 4850 Powell Rd, Powell, OH 43065
Phone: 614-645-3400

There will be stories, animals searching for eggs, a Bunny Bonanza meet and greet with tons of famous Bunnies, and more!

2. Skate with the Easter Bunny at United Skates of America

When: Friday, April 14, 2017
Time: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: 3362 Refugee Rd., Columbus, OH 43232
Phone: 614-239-7202

Skate with the Easter Bunny during 2 sessions: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM and 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM! Bring your camera for pictures!

3. Spring Bloom Hunt at Franklin Park Conservatory

When: Friday, April 14, 2017
Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: 1777 E Broad St., Columbus, OH 43203
Phone: 614-715-8000

Go on a scavenger hunt for spring blooms and find them all for a prize!

4. Family Movie Matinee at Bexley Public Library

When: Friday, April 14, 2017
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Location: 2411 E Main St., Bexley, OH 43209
Phone: 614-231-2793

Come watch the movie Moana with the family! Popcorn and drinks are provided!

5. Annual Bunny Romp & Pancake Breakfast at Hills Market

When: Saturday, April 15, 2017
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: 7860 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus, OH 43235
Phone: 614-846-3220

Join the Hills Market for their $5 pancake breakfast followed by an egg hunt and visit from the Easter Bunny!

6. Spring Eggstravaganza at the Westerville Sports Complex

When: Saturday, April 15, 2017
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: 325 N. Cleveland Ave, Westerville, OH 43082

This Egg Hunt event also includes the opportunity to visit the Easter Bunny, a Kidz Zone, music, crafts, games, inflatables and more! If you click on the link, go to page 16 of the recreation guide for more details!

7. Easter Bunny Fun at Blue Monkey Parties and Events

When: Saturday, April 15, 2017
Time: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: 591 Hill Rd N, Pickerington, OH 43147
Phone: 614-828-8236

This event will include bouncing, games, a craft, collecting eggs, pictures with the Easter Bunny! Admission is $10/child.

8. Easter Saturday at North Market

When: Saturday, April 15, 2017
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Location: 59 Spruce St., Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-463-9664

This event will include an Easter Egg Hunt, a craft activity, live music from Mr. Eric, pictures with the Easter Bunny and dogs, cats and bunnies from the Capital Area Humane Society!

9. Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Magic Mountain

When: Saturday, April 15, 2017
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Polaris and East

This event includes an Easter Egg Hunt for kids 10 and under, a charity raffle, games and a visit from the Easter Bunny! Stay and play with the Egg Hunt Special which includes unlimited mini-golf, go-karts and laser tag! (See link for pricing.)

10. GPS Egg Hunt at Sharon Woods

When: Saturday, April 15, 2017
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Maple Grove Bulletin Board, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Westerville, OH 43081
Phone: 614-508-8111

Use your GPS to search for eggs throughout the park! There are prizes and limited GPS units that can be borrowed!

11. Canal Winchester Community Easter Egg Hunt at Hanners Park

When: Saturday, April 15, 2017
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: 458 Groveport Rd., Canal Winchester, OH 43110
Phone: 614-834-9915

This egg hunt for kids up to age 10 includes 5,000 eggs and special prizes!

12. Easter Egg Hunt at Slate Run Farm

When: Saturday, April 15, 2017
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Buzzard’s Roost Picnic Area, 1375 State Route 674 N., Canal Winchester, OH 43110
Phone: 614-508-8111

Meet and greet and take photos with the Easter Bunny starting at 10:00 AM, the hunt starts at 11:00 AM and is divided into 3 age groups!

13. Annual All Star Saturday at Bruce Howard Recreation Center

When: Saturday, April 15, 2017
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: 2303 North Cassady Ave., Columbus, OH 43219

Columbus’ largest Easter Egg Hunt includes free food and drinks, face painting, balloons and an egg hunt divided by age! This is a free event and children 12 and under can participate!

14. Little Kids Fun Skate: Easter Bunny Visit at Skate Zone 71

When: Saturday, April 15, 2017
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: 4900 Evanswood Dr., Columbus, OH 43229
Phone: 614-846-5626

The Easter Bunny will be on site for this little kids skate (recommended for ages 2-8)! Every child will receive an egg with a prize inside! Bring your camera for pictures!

15. Community Touch a Truck at Charity Newsies

When: Saturday, April 15, 2017
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: 4300 Indianola Ave., Columbus, OH 43214

Kids can see all kinds of vehicles up close including a fire truck, SWAT car, race car and more! “Stuff the Charity Newsies Van” by bringing new and used children’s books to donate! The first 150 people who bring a book will receive a free ticket to Monster Jam!

16. Columbus Recreation and Parks Easter Egg Hunts

When: Saturday, April 15, 2017
Time:  10:00 AM SHARP!
Location: Your closest Rec Center

Participate in an Egg Hunt at your local Columbus Recreation Center! All hunts start at 10:00 AM sharp!

17. SpringFest at the New Albany High School Football Stadium

When: Saturday, April 15, 2017
Time:  10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Location: 7250 Fodor Rd., New Albany, OH 43054

This free Easter event includes thousands of eggs dropped by helicopter! There will be bounce houses, music, prizes and food trucks!

18. City of Delaware Easter Egg Hunt and Kite Festival at Veterans Park

When: Saturday, April 15. 2017
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: 1121 S. Houk Rd., Delaware, OH 43015
Phone: 740-203-3051

This free event for ages 1-9 includes an Egg Hunt, the Easter Bunny, food trucks and kite flying! Bring your own basket.

 

See a full list of Easter Egg Hunts on Columbus Moms Blog: Columbus Area Easter Egg Hunts and Activities 2017!

IMG_8735

Make sure to follow What Should We Do Today? on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram and never miss a post!

ICYMI: 3 Places I Love to Take My Kids in Columbus: Jaclyn Davis

*Please be aware,  information is gathered from multiple community sources.  Times, dates and locations are subject to change. There may be a fee to participate in a featured activity.  Please call ahead or check links to confirm activities.  Enjoy what you do today!*


Spread the Love
  • 28
    Shares

Scenes from the New Albany Classic

/2 Comments/in , , , /by
Spread the Love
  • 47
    Shares

Sunday was the New Albany Classic! It was our first time attending the event! A couple of months ago, I attended a blogger event hosted at the Wexner residence where I learned what to expect at the Classic, what goes on behind the scenes to make it happen and about the heart of the event: raising money for The Center for Family Safety and Healing! I had known very little about the event before that day, but after what I learned, I knew I wasn’t going to miss it! In full disclosure, my family received free tickets to attend this event, however any opinions stated here are my own!

img_6031

Today what I’m going to share with you will be mainly pictures. We really had a great day! The event seemed well attended (an estimated 15,000 people), but because of how it was set up, it didn’t feel over-crowded! The lines for things were not very long – probably because there were so many different things to do! I feel like we only saw about half of the options of things to do, but our day included seeing screen-used movie props, the petting zoo, the CATCO stage, Graeter’s Ice Cream, and, of course, watching the Grand Prix!

img_6039

First off, hand down, my kids’ most favorite part of the day was the Magic of Hollywood tent! They begged to go through it twice (so I have a lot of pictures!) and my 5 year old recreated it with Legos the next day! I was kind of afraid it would give them nightmares, but no one woke up at night, so, so far so good! These were all authentic screen-used props from well known movies! Here were some of our favorites:

img_5973-1

img_6128

img_5985

img_5988

img_5990

img_5992

img_5997

 

img_6026

img_6143

We didn’t arrive in time for the concert, but we were able to see a good portion of the Grand Prix. If you are like me and had no idea what to expect, this is what happened: 25 riders and their horses completed jumps throughout the course. Those who completed the course without any falls – knocking over the hurdles – compete against each other in the jump off. The jump off was a timed event, to see who could compete the course the fastest. This year’s winner of the New Albany Classic was McLain Ward, riding Tina La Boheme. This was his 4th win at the Classic. You may recognize his name because he won a silver medal in the Olympics in Rio this year!

img_6044

img_6046

img_6062

img_6081

img_6092

img_6159

McClain receiving his award, $125,000, the Authentic Cup and a 2 year lease on a Mercedes SUV!

This year, the event raised $1.7 million dollars for The Center for Family Safety and Healing, an organization that is working to fight all aspects of family violence, including a campaign to address technology and it’s role in dating violence among teens.

Here is a glimpse of the rest of our day:

img_6097

img_6103

 img_6111

img_6118

img_5976 img_5980

img_6109

 img_6189

img_6202 img_6203 img_6231

img_6236

img_6256

If a day like this sounds like fun, mark your calendars for next year as the Classic celebrates its 20th Anniversary! I know plans are already in the works for this milestone!

img_6251

Thanks so much to the New Albany Classic team for providing this beautiful day full of fun for families, all while raising money to help families in need in our own community!

IMG_8735

Make sure to follow What Should We Do Today? on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram and never miss a post!

ICYMI: 20 Free Indoor Play Areas in Columbus


Spread the Love
  • 47
    Shares