25 Things To Do in Columbus With Kids

Kelly R. said:  Columbus is home to one of the largest public rose gardens in America, with more than 12,000 roses and 13 acres to explore. The Formal Rose Garden reaches peak bloom in June and September. Picnicking on the park lawns is permitted.

Brittany Kozielski said:  The Worthington Farmers Market is the largest farmers market in central Ohio. You will find all of your favorites here including seasonal fruits and vegetables, jams and jellies, syrups, flowers, plants, soaps and so much more! Every third Saturday, check out the Market Sprouts program at the information table, which invites kids under 12 to engage with activities like scavenger hunts, art projects, and bird feeder building.

Kelly R. said:  We loved taking a self-guided tour of the caverns' winding (and chilly!) underground passageways, which were formed millions of years ago by the flow of an underground river and likely used as a haven by the Wyandot tribe. There are also plenty of other things to do with kids, including gem mining, mini golf, a petting zoo and a maze.

Katie G. said:  This is by far one of my kids favorites activities to do every year. In an hour tour, you walk around the upstairs of the factory to view the assembly lines from the glass windows. A guide teaches you the step-by-step process of how candy is made. At the end of the tour, guests will receive a chocolate sample.

Hannah Scott said:  Waterfalls are often tucked deep into the woods and difficult to reach (especially for younger family members with smaller legs). Since it's located on just 2 acres, Hayden Falls Park gives the whole family a chance to experience a stunning 35-foot waterfall surrounded by a lovely nature preserve. Be ready to snap a family selfie to document the moment!

Kelly R. said:  Take the family on a treasure hunt, following clues to locate one (or all!) of the 18 artist-created Riverboxes hidden in Dublin's parks along or connected to the Scioto River. The boxes each contain an artist-made stamp, journal, and learning opportunities. Bring along your own journal to document the different stamps you discover, and your own stamp to leave your personal mark in the Riverbox journals.

Kelly R. said:  Find the magical fairy door at each of 11 Historic Dublin businesses, record the name of each resident fairy, and turn in your completed passport at the Dublin Visitor & Information Center to receive a free fairy door t-shirt. All participating businesses are family friendly and within 3 blocks of each other, so this is a great way to explore Dublin with your kids!

Katie G. said:  With over a dozen slides and water attractions (including a wave pool!), Zoombezi Bay offers Columbus family fun for groups of all sizes. Plus, admission to the seasonal, outdoor water park also includes entry into the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on the same day!

Kelly R. said:  We were lucky to live just down the road from the Columbus Zoo for years, and I spent many hours there with my kids. It truly is a world class zoo with beautiful exhibits, many hands-on opportunities, and fun play areas sprinkled around. One of the essential things to do in Columbus with kids, whether you're a local or a visitor! I appreciate the convenient suburban location, so no navigating of city traffic is required, and you can see a lot without feeling like you're doing a ton of walking.

Katie G. said:  Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park is one of the largest Metro Parks in Columbus, stretching 13 miles along the Big and Little Darby Creek rivers. The nature center, which blends in with the landscape, overlooks the park's enclosure of roaming bison. Inside the nature center a 53-foot "living stream" flows through the exhibits and is stocked with several kinds of creatures (fish, turtles, frogs) that can be found in the Big Darby Creek. There is also a variety of educational and interactive exhibits to learn about the park's ecosystems.