Things to Do in Columbus, Ohio With Kids: A Local Family Guide

Key Takeaways

• Columbus packs zoos, science centers, gardens, and a large park system into one metro area.
• The Powell corridor north of the city is home to several major attractions within a few miles of one another.
• Indoor attractions matter in Ohio, where weather cancels outdoor plans for much of the year.
• Many of the best family spots in Columbus cost nothing to visit.
• Matching the activity to your child's age and energy levels makes a bigger difference than picking the biggest attraction.

When it comes to things to do in Columbus Ohio, families have plenty of ways to fill a day without hearing “I'm bored” five minutes after leaving the house.

You can spend the morning watching sea lions at the Columbus Zoo, the afternoon exploring a science exhibit at COSI, and the next day letting everyone run wild at a Metro Park. On rainy days, families can also head to the indoor Pay-To-Play at our Powell showroom, where kids climb, slide, and bounce without worrying about the weather.

And if you're wondering what to get for kids to play outside between outings, backyard playsets in Columbus, OH keep them active without leaving the yard.

In this guide, we've rounded up the Columbus attractions worth adding to your itinerary, along with practical details to help you pick the right outing for your kids.

Top 10 Fun Things to Do in Columbus, Ohio With Kids

If you're deciding about things to do in Columbus with kids, these are good starting points for different ages and interests.

1. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

• 4850 W Powell Rd, Powell, OH 43065
• More than 10,000 animals across eight themed regions

Spanning 580 acres, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell is the kind of place where the whole family can find something to enjoy. Polar bears swim overhead, the gorilla family draws a crowd, and the restored 1914 carousel is an Ohio historical landmark. At The Barn, kids can meet farm animals up close, including goats, sheep, pigs, and chickens.

Best for: Toddlers through teens

Time to budget: 4–6 hours

Cost: Paid admission

Parking: On-site availability

2. COSI

• 333 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215
• Hands-on science center with a planetarium and dinosaur gallery

COSI, the Center of Science and Industry, is one of the better kids' activities Columbus, Ohio, has for curious children. Its hands-on interactive exhibits cover science, space, technology, the human body, and more. Little Kidspace is built for under-sixes, so mixed-age families can split up without anyone losing interest.

Best for: Preschoolers through teens

Time to budget: 3–5 hours

Cost: Paid admission

Parking: Parking is available near the downtown museum

3. Recreations Outlet Powell Showroom

• 484 W. Olentangy St., Powell, OH 43065
• Indoor playsets, trampolines, slides, and basketball hoops

If you want a place where kids can simply play, rather than walk through another attraction, our Powell showroom is worth adding to the list. The climate-controlled indoor play area includes wooden playsets, trampolines, and basketball hoops, so kids can run, climb, and bounce around while parents get a minute to sit.

Best for: Young children and elementary-age kids

Time to budget: 1–2 hours

Cost: Paid play

Parking: Free on-site lot

Our indoor Pay-To-Play space is open year-round, which makes it particularly useful when Ohio weather changes your plans. We also have a party room if you want to book a kids' birthday party in Powell.

4. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

• 1777 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43203
• Indoor biomes, seasonal exhibitions, and a children's garden

Franklin Park Conservatory is the slower option when everyone needs a break from noise. Kids can look at plants and gardens indoors before heading to the Scotts Miracle-Gro Children's Garden and outdoor spaces for exploration and nature play.

Best for: Toddlers through elementary-age kids

Time to budget: 2–3 hours

Cost: Paid admission

Parking: Free parking is available on-site

5. Columbus Museum of Art

• 480 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215
• Includes the Wonder Room, a hands-on gallery for children

The Columbus Museum of Art is worth considering even if your kids are not natural museum-goers. Its galleries include activities and prompts that encourage children to draw, look closely, and interact with the artwork. For younger children, look for the museum's family-focused spaces and activities rather than trying to cover every gallery.

Best for: Elementary-age kids and older

Time to budget: 2–3 hours

Cost: Paid admission, with some free opportunities

Parking: Parking is available near the museum

6. Scioto Audubon Metro Park

• 400 W Whittier St, Columbus, OH 43215
• 119-acre riverfront park with a free outdoor climbing wall

If you're looking for a free outdoor option, head to Scioto Audubon Metro Park just south of downtown. This park has paved trails, a large playground, river views, and a free outdoor climbing wall. It is an easy place to combine movement with a walk, especially if your kids need to burn off some energy after a museum visit.

Best for: Toddlers through teens

Time to budget: 1–3 hours

Cost: Free

Parking: On-site parking

7. Zoombezi Bay

• Powell, directly beside the Columbus Zoo
• Water park with slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river

If you're visiting during the warmer months, Zoombezi Bay can turn a regular summer afternoon into a full day of water play. The 22-acre park is just a short walk from the Columbus Zoo, making it possible to combine the two attractions when planning a longer outing. This outdoor attraction is seasonal, so check the current operating schedule before making it part of your plans.

Best for: Toddlers through teens

Time to budget: Half to full day

Cost: Paid admission

Parking: Shared area near the Columbus Zoo and conservation parks

8. LEGOLAND Discovery Center

• 157 Easton Town Ctr, Columbus, OH 43219
• Indoor LEGO build zones, two rides, and a 4D cinema

LEGOLAND Discovery Center at Easton is designed around hands-on LEGO play, building stations, models, and rides. It is particularly well suited to younger children who like construction and imaginative play.

Best for: Ages 3–10

Time to budget: 2–3 hours

Cost: Paid admission

Parking: Easton provides free parking

9. North Market

• 59 Spruce St, Columbus, OH 43215
• Public market with dozens of independent food vendors

Located a short walk from COSI and the Arena District, North Market is a good choice when your family wants to eat, browse, and take a break from scheduled activities. With more than 30 merchants, there are plenty of food options for picky eaters and adventurous ones. Go slightly before or after the noon rush.

Best for: All ages

Time to budget: 1–2 hours

Cost: Free to enter; food purchases vary

Parking: Nearby paid and public parking options

10. Topiary Park

• 480 E Town St, Columbus, OH 43215
• 9.2-acre garden of sculpted yew recreating a Seurat painting

Topiary Park is a quieter option near downtown Columbus, where sculpted yew shrubs recreate a Seurat painting, complete with 54 human figures, 8 boats, 3 dogs, and a monkey. Turning it into a counting game keeps younger kids hunting through the hedges, and there is a pond with ducks and an open lawn for running once the shrubs lose their appeal.

Best for: All ages

Time to budget: 30–60 minutes

Cost: Free

Parking: Street and nearby parking options

What are Indoor Activities in Columbus, Ohio, for Rainy Days?

Central Ohio offers plenty of outdoor adventures, but rain, snow, and heat cancel half of them. The good news is that the best indoor activities Columbus, Ohio, offers are spread across the metro, so you are rarely more than 20 minutes from one.

When it comes to kids' activities in Columbus, Ohio, it's best to choose by energy level rather than interest. A child who has been stuck inside for three days needs somewhere to move, not somewhere to look.

Our guide to indoor activities for kids has plenty of creative ideas to keep everyone engaged and entertained.

Free Activities in Columbus For Kids

You do not need paid admission for every stop on your Columbus itinerary. Some easy kid-friendly family things to do in Columbus, Ohio include:

• Ohio Statehouse tours. Walk-in tours run hourly on weekdays and several times a day on weekends. Older kids get more from it than younger ones.
• Scioto Mile. The 175-acre riverfront strip includes the Bicentennial Park fountain and miles of paved path for scooters and strollers.
• Columbus Metroparks: Central Ohio has numerous parks with quarry trails, playgrounds, nature areas, and seasonal programs.
• Inniswood Metro Gardens: Spread over 120 acres, the Sisters' Garden in Westerville offers kids a treehouse, boardwalks, a frog pond, and hidden passages to explore while parents take a look at 2000 plant species.
• Wexner Center galleries. Free contemporary art on the Ohio State campus, best paired with a walk around the Oval.
• Columbus Metropolitan Library branches. Story times, maker spaces, and summer reading programs at every location.

Free activities are especially useful for families building a full weekend itinerary. You can spend the morning at a paid attraction and add a park or free outdoor stop later to make the most of your trip.

How to Choose the Right Columbus Activity for the Entire Family

Most families do not struggle to find options in Columbus. They struggle to pick one that works for everybody in the car.

Four questions usually settle it.

How much energy needs to go somewhere? A child who has been inside for three days needs to move, not look at exhibits. Match the activity to the energy in the house that morning rather than to the attraction you had in mind.

What is the youngest child's limit? A two-year-old sets the clock for the whole group. Plan around 90 minutes for toddlers and stretch from there, since a short outing that ends well beats a long one that falls apart.

How wide is the age gap? Places with several things happening at once handle mixed ages best. The zoo, the Metro Parks, and open indoor play all let a nine-year-old and a three-year-old do their own thing in the same space.

What is the weather forecast? Ohio weather changes quickly, so pick a backup before you leave. Pairing an outdoor first choice with an indoor second choice within the same part of town saves the day from collapsing.

One habit makes the rest easier. Pick the activity first and the timing second, because arriving at opening turns a crowded attraction into a calm one.

Enjoy Family Days Out Around Powell

Here is something most guides miss. Several of the region's biggest attractions sit within a few miles of each other in Powell and the northern suburbs, which makes for an efficient day.

The Columbus Zoo and Zoombezi Bay share a campus on West Powell Road. Highbanks Metro Park is a short drive east with ravine overlooks and a nature center. Olentangy Caverns in Delaware runs guided tours through limestone passages, which older kids tend to love.

Our showroom sits on West Olentangy Street, in the middle of it all, so families often stop in before or after the zoo.

Families heading southwest Ohio for the weekend can also browse our guide to family attractions near Cincinnati for a second set of ideas.