This list of special events and activities will help keep your kiddos entertained during Winter Break in Columbus! This is Part 2 of ideas for things to do with your kids over Winter Break! Click here for Part 1.
If you’re looking for What Should We Do This Weekend? this is the list for this week and weekend! Scroll to the end for events happening during the weekend! Otherwise, this list will help you find something to do every day of this week during Winter Break in Columbus!
- You may also want to check out 25 Free Things to do with Kids in Columbus, Ohio this Winter for more general ideas of things to do around Columbus!
Holiday Train at Main Library
Ongoing events in Columbus for every day this week:
Holiday Bricktacular at Legoland Discovery Center Columbus – from December 7 – January 5 when you visit LEGOLAND Discovery Center you can take part in special activities like meeting LEGO Santa, creating holiday builds, special additions to MINILAND and more! All special actives are included in admission.
Think Outside the Brick is on display through January 17, 2020 at Columbus Museum of Art! This LEGO set up shouldn’t be missed and would make a great weekend outing! Don’t forget the museum is free on Sundays! (Closed 12/24 and 12/15.)
Winter Wonderland Scavenger Hunt at Blendon Woods Metro Park – through January 5th, search for winter creatures hidden around the Nature Center. All ages welcome.
School Days Off at Hilltop YMCA – kids on Winter Break can swim, play games, do crafts and more each day! $30/child if you preregister. $40 day of.
Wildlights at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium – Wildlights takes place at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium from November 15, 2019 – January 5, 2020 from 5:00 PM to close and features millions of LED lights, animated light shows, Rudolph and Friends, Santa, a Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer 4-D theater short and much more! (Closed 12/24 and 12/15.)
Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory – visit the Conservatory decorated for the holidays! This year is the biggest show yet and extends into the Children’s Garden and the Grand Mallway! Visit The Pool in the Grand Mallway for an interactive art display! This nightly event runs from November 15, 2019 to January 5, 2020 from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM. There is a special engagement rate for this event and members receive 50% off. Closed on 12/25 and closes at 5:00 PM on 12/24.
WonderLight’s Christmas in Ohio at National Trail Raceway – this new event features a 2-mile car ride through more than a million LED lights, all synchronized to music! The show happens rain or shine every evening, including holidays, from November 15 to January 5 from 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM.
Butch Bandos Fantasy of Lights at Alum Creek State Park Campgrounds – Butch Bandos Fantasy of Lights is celebrating 20 years with 30 new displays this year! This drive through light show is 3 miles long and features 160 light displays! The show runs rain or shine, November 15, 2019 – January 1, 2020 from 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM Sunday – Thursday and 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM Friday and Saturday.
Visit the Holiday Train at Columbus Metropolitan Library – Main Library downtown!
- Related: 5 Holiday Trains Around Columbus!
Kid Friendly Hours at Level One Bar + Arcade – Bring the kids in for free arcade games from 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday, December 30, 2019 – January 3, 2020.
Road Trip Ideas for Winter Break:
Christmas at the Castle, a Kingdom of Lights! at Landoll’s Mohican Castle features over 100,000 lights, a Christmas tree, holiday music and visits from Santa! This event will be $8.00 per car on Friday & Saturday nights, free Sunday-Thursday nights. This event goes on through January 5, 2020.
Winterfest opens at Kings Island on November 22 and operates select nights through December 31. . It includes ice skating, holiday characters, millions of lights, holiday shows, carolers, and the park will included 10 winter wonderlands to visit.
Clifton Mill Lights opens the day after Thanksgiving! Gates open at 5:00 every night and the display runs through New Year’s Eve!
PNC Festival of Lights at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden features 3 million LED lights, a black-light puppet show, a train ride, Fiona’s Fairyland and more. Closed Christmas Eve evening and Christmas Day. The event runs through January 4, 2020.
Christmas at Kingwood at Kingwood Center Gardens is $5/person. Kids 12 and under are free and it is open on Thursdays through Sundays from 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM through January 5, 2020. There will be a Trail of Lights, a Community Tree Walk, a greenhouse display and other festive events.
Things to do on Winter Break (December 30, 2019 – January 5, 2020):
Columbus Museum of Art
Monday, December 30, 2019
4:00 PM – End of the year fun party at Fun Town Play and Learn Café – this end of the year celebration will feature dancing, singing, face painting, a special guest and raffle prizes! All ages welcome.
2:00 PM – Open Play at KSM Sports Facility – kids can run around and get out excess energy with various sports, activities, games, toys and more! $10/person.
KSM Sports Facility
Tuesday, December 31, 2019 – New Year’s Eve
10:00 AM – Preschoolers: New Year’s Eve Open House Party at Sharon Woods Metro Park – stop by Spring Hollow Lodge any time between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM to partake in games, crafts, activities and a countdown to the New Year every hour on the hour!
10:00 AM – Noon Year’s Eve Day Family Party at Pickaway Place – this event includes games, food crafts, activists and a balloon drop! Register online.
10:00 AM – Noon Year’s Eve Party at peapod play cafe – enjoy open play and a ball drop at noon!
10:30 AM – Countdown to Noon Year’s Eve 2020 at KSM Sports and Fitness Indoor Facility – this event is for the whole family and includes games and sports, crafts, a selfie station, meet and greet with the Snow Queen, food and beverages and a balloon drop at 12:00 noon! Tickets required. No tickets will be sold at the door.
10:30 AM – Noon Year’s Eve Celebration at COSI – this event will feature a countdown to Noon in the COSI Atrium! There will be crafts, science activities, dancing and more! Included in admission or membership.
11:00 AM – Noon Year’s Eve at Main! at Pickerington Public Library – take part in a countdown to noon, crafts, games and a mocktail toast! This event will take place at both Pickerington Library locations.
11:00 AM – Kids Eat Free at Rusty Bucket – kids eat free on New Year’s Eve at Rusty Bucket with the purchase of an adult entree.
12:00 PM – New Year Celebration Public Event at We Rock the Spectrum – Columbus – enjoy Open Play from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM and a ball drop at 1:30 PM. There will also be crafts and light snacks.
4:00 PM – NYE Kids Coutdown at Skate Zone 71 – this event includes admission, skate rental, unlimited cheese pizza and drink, noise makers and an early countdown to 2020. $13/person.
5:00 PM – Family NYE 2020 at Dave & Buster’s Polaris – – this family friendly event will include food, games, face painting, a video ball drop and a performance from Escape Artist and Magician Michael Griffin. 2 package options are available.
Holiday Bricktacular at LEGOLAND Discovery Center
Wednesday, January 1, 2020 – New Year’s Day
What’s Open New Year’s Day in Columbus?
- COSI
- LEGOLAND Discovery Center
- Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
- Franklin Park Conservatory
- Ohio History Center
9:00 AM – School’s Out Camps at Sunbury Urban Farm – register for your kids to participate in this day camp while they are out of school! It includes outdoor games, hands on activities, free forest play and more! Financial assistance is available.
10:00 AM – New Year’s Day Hike at Shale Hollow Park – take a hike through the woods and prairies and enjoy a hot beverage and cookies by the fireplace afterwards.
10:30 AM – New Year’s Day Party at Momi Land- Momi Land will host a New Year’s Party from 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM featuring activity stations like face painting, dino dig, and more. There will be a Lion Hunt Expedition an a balloon drop at 12:00 PM. Momi Land will stay open until 7:00 PM for open play today.
12:00 PM – New Years Day Skating at Skate Zone 71 – click the link for details on New Years skating specials!
Blendon Woods Metro Park
Thursday, January 2, 2020
9:00 AM – School’s Out Camps at Sunbury Urban Farm – register for your kids to participate in this day camp while they are out of school! It includes outdoor games, hands on activities, free forest play and more! Financial assistance is available.
9:30 AM – Toddlers in Nature: No Two Alike at Blendon Woods Metro Park – make bird feeders to help winter birds keep warm. Ages 1-3.
- Related: Exploring Blendon Woods Metro Park
10:00 AM – Little Tykes Open Play at KSM Sports Facility – kids ages 6 months to 5 years old can play in the soft play area, with balls and games and burn off energy running around the large indoor play area. $6/kids, $3 for siblings.
11:00 AM – Toddlers in Nature: No Two Alike at Blendon Woods Metro Park – make bird feeders to help winter birds keep warm. Ages 1-3.
WonderLight’s Christmas in Ohio
Friday, January 3, 2020
9:00 AM – School’s Out Camps at Sunbury Urban Farm – register for your kids to participate in this day camp while they are out of school! It includes outdoor games, hands on activities, free forest play and more! Financial assistance is available.
10:00 AM – First Friday Storytime at Blendon Woods Metro Park – enjoy stories about wildlife and nature. Ages 3-7.
10:00 AM – Forest Fridays at Sunbury Urban Farm – enjoy 30 minute nature activity and free play time in the woods. All ages. $5 suggested donation.
10:00 AM – Family Fun: Cabin Fever Reliever at Sharon Woods Metro Park – kids ages 3-12 can take part in winter crafts and activities in the Lodge.
10:00 AM – Toddler Open Gym at Thompson Recreation Center – drop in for a free Open Gym time at the rec center!
11:00 AM – KidX: Frozen Fun at Polaris Fashion Place – visit with your favorite snowy movie characters, enjoy crafts, music, giveaways and more.
12:00 PM – Skate and Bounce at Skate Zone 71 – enjoy skating and a bounce house! Sessions are from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM and 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM.
1:00 PM – Kids Winter Break Pinball Tournament at Level One Bar + Arcade – kids under 18 can enter a free pinball tournament! Everyone wins a prize!
2:00 PM – Open Play at KSM Sports Facility – kids can run around and get out excess energy with various sports, activities, games, toys and more! $10/person.
4:00 PM – Family Night Fridays at Tree of Life Play + Cafe – for $30 enjoy a family pass to the play area and a large 1 tipping pizza and a drink pitcher.
5:30 PM – For Families: Barred Owl Hike at Glacier Ridge Metro Park – take a 1.5 mile hike and try to lure barred owls. Recommended for ages 5 and up.
6:00 PM – Family Friendly First Fridays at The Rambling House – celebrate the new year with kid-friendly music by Chris Shaw!
7:00 PM – Friday Nights Unlimited Pizza Skate at Skate Zone 71 – family skate is available from 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM for $10/person. That includes admission, skate rental and unlimited cheese pizza!
Ohio History Center
Saturday, January 4, 2020
9:00 AM – Roller Skating Lessons at Skate Zone 71 – walk-in for skating lessons for all skill levels! Fisher Price skates are available for kids. Adults are welcome too!
9:30 AM – Saturday Studio Art Canvas // Polar Bear Collage at Art with Anna – drop in to paint a polar bear collage. $20/student. Ages 4 and up.
10:00 AM – World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour at Ohio Expo Center & State Fair – check out several operating model train layouts, visit model train exhibitors and more! Kids 15 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Save money by buying a two day pass if you think you might want to return!
10:00 AM – Wild Ohio Weekend at the Ohio History Center – this event offers the opportunity to learn about the plants and animals of Ohio! There will be an ice age themed scavenger hunt, special presentations, bird feedings, hands on activities, a sing a long, crafts and more!
- Related: Ohio History Center
10:00 AM – Woodpecker Hike at Blendon Ravines at Blendon Woods Metro Park – search for 6 species of woodpeckers on a 1.5 mile hike through Blendon Ravines.
10:00 AM – Mayor Andrew J. Ginther’s Community Day at Franklin Park Adventure Center – Mayor Gunther’s Community day includes free family-friendly activities, food and music and the official swearing in ceremony. RSVP online.
11:00 AM – Snow Snow Snow!!!!! at Dublin Toy Emporium – make 3D mini snowflakes during this Stay-N-Play event! Reserve your spot by 12/28 for a discount!
11:00 AM – Saturday Stories and Songs at at Sycamore Plaza Library – enjoy stories, songs, finger plays and more! Ages 2-6 years.
- Related: Two Fun Libraries for Columbus Kids
12:00 PM – Snapshots of the Family Farm at Gallant Farm – visit Gallant Farm to see a collection of photos from the 1930’s and 40’s. Bring your own pictures of your family farm to add to the collection!
1:00 PM – Star Wars Party at at Delaware County District Library – celebrate Star Wars with snacks, games, LEGO activities, crafts and special guests! All ages welcome!
2:00 PM – Go WILD Kids Club: Off-trail Adventure at Sharon Woods Metro Park – play outside in tree forts, ravines, logs and more! Dress warmly and meet t the Natural Play Area.
Highbanks Metro Park Nature Center
Sunday, January 5, 2020
10:00 AM – Wild Ohio Weekend at the Ohio History Center – this event offers the opportunity to learn about the plants and animals of Ohio! There will be an ice age themed scavenger hunt, special presentations, bird feedings, hands on activities, a sing a long, crafts and more!
10:00 AM – World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour at Ohio Expo Center & State Fair – check out several operating model train layouts, visit model train exhibitors and more! Kids 15 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Save money by buying a two day pass if you think you might want to return!
1:00 PM – Preparing for Winter Hiking at Highbanks Metro Park – learn about how to prepare for hiking and camping in cold weather! Ages 10 and up.
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*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!*