20+ Fun Places For Kids During the Winter in Columbus, Ohio

Columbus is a great city for kids and families. But, those winter months can be DREARY here in our capital city. We’ve rounded up ALL the places for you to take your kids during the winter when you’re going stir crazy.

We currently have an almost two year old and a six year old which is fun and wonderful and crazy. But, sometimes things that are great for the little one might be boring for the older one and vice versa.

If you take advantage of any of these fun places in the winter in Columbus, be sure to tag us on Instagram!

Libraries

Have I made it clear that I love libraries? If not, read this post that has all the details on why libraries are amazing. Here are some of the libraries that you definitely need to put on your list this winter. This is not an exhaustive list by any means, there are DOZENS of libraries in Central Ohio.

• Westerville Public Library
  • Their kids area is enclosed and wonderful for babies all the way to teens.
• Worthington Public Libraries
  • Their kids areas are BEAUTIFUL and really interactive.
• Main Library Downtown & Dublin Branch
  • While all of their locations are great, these two are my favorite and have incredible story times for various ages.

Nature Centers

I’m always surprised how many folks don’t know that several of our amazing Metro Parks have incredible Nature Centers. I added in a few other “nature” spots that don’t fall under Metro Parks but are still excellent facilities for exploring.

• Highbanks
  • This Nature Center has a few interactive areas including a “stage” where kids can play with woodland puppets, a handful of animals to see (turtles, fish, etc.), an area to learn more about Native American burial grounds, and more!
• Blacklick Woods
  • I actually haven’t been to this Nature Center before but it looks like it has a beautiful observation window to view wildlife.
• Batelle Darby Creek
  • This Nature Center was updated in recent years and it’s beautiful! It has a 53 foot living stream that flows through the center’s exhibits, stocked with creatures found in Big Darby Creek.
• Blendon Woods
  • The Nature Center at Blendon Woods is awesome! It has an indoor and outdoor area with multiple areas. The indoor area has a cute book and play area, a place to watch wildlife like wild turkeys and the outdoor area even has a butterfly exhibit!
• Ohio Wildlife Center
  • This wonderful non-profit location hosts a few free and paid events throughout the month perfect for kids ages 3-6.
• Scioto Audubon Center
  • There is a great outdoor play area here but the inside facility is incredible! They have multiple rooms including one with a built in climbing play area, some with animals like turtles, and a gorgeous library with a beautiful view of the city.

Museums

Columbus is home to SO many museums, big and small and all over the city. Be sure to take advantage of programs like the Culture Pass at our libraries or reciprocal programs to get discounts on these museums.

• COSI
  • COSI is a go-to for our family on dreary days! I love that there is something here for all ages and you can visit different exhibits each time you go. If you haven’t taken advantage of the younger kids play area, it’s a game changer.

• Franklin Park Conservatory
  • Not only is this place beautiful to explore and have fun conversations about the plants you get to see, they have a fun kids area on the lower level where they can play with faux fruits and veggies and such.
• Columbus Museum of Art
  • CMOA is great for all ages but I find it’s best for babies still in strollers or kids 5 and older. There are some areas like the Wonder Room that are PERFECT for littler ones but if you want to explore, you might want to visit with older kids. Here are 10 Things to Know about CMOA!
• Legoland
  • This kids attraction is so fun for LEGO fans! There are rides, activities, and obviously a million LEGOS. They also offer a toddler time specific for the littlest LEGO fans.

• Ohio History Center
  • This is one of Olivia’s FAVORITE museums in Columbus. There are so many fun and historical exhibits that are interactive with pop up areas of things like magnatiles, coloring, and more.
• Central Ohio Fire Museum
  • I still haven’t taken Finnegan here but I know he’d love it! You can even host a birthday party here which sounds awesome.

Indoor Playgrounds + Pools

Sometimes you need a tried and true playground or pool to just get the energy out! Columbus is home to SO MANY great options for indoor playgrounds and a wide variety of pools. This isn’t an exhaustive list but some great ones that we’ve visited.

• Recreations Outlet
  • This concept is so fun to me! Let your kids play on a variety of play equipment and then if you need to purchase one for your home, you buy it from them!

• The Naz Church Playspace
  • This gorgeous Grove City church has a huge playspace open to families and has a cafe inside too!

• Westerville Christian Church
  • This indoor playground is open on Mondays and Tuesdays and is best for kids ages 3-12. They do cap it at 25 people, so be away that it can get full.

• Worthington Rec Center
  • This is a two part activity! You can enjoy their amazing pool with a membership or an $8 day pass. They also have a wide variety of classes including an open play time for young kids.

• Westerville Rec Center
  • Another great option for swimming and play time! This rec center also has an indoor playground and rock climbing wall.

• Trampoline Parks
  • As a mom of a 6 year old, I have been to MANY of these for birthday parties this year. Here are a few to try: Rockin’ Jump, Get Air, The Bounce Club.

• YMCA
  • I loved going to the YMCA when I was younger! There isn’t one super close to us but they have pools and activities, and childcare too.

• Goldfish Swim School
  • If you are looking for a more consistent pool time every week, sign up for lessons at Goldfish Swim School. They have multiple locations across Columbus!
• We Rock The Spectrum
  • This sensory friendly indoor playground offers free play and memberships. You can also have birthday parties and attend events here.
• Better Together Playnasium
  • I haven’t been here, it’s located in Pataskala, but it looks amazing! It “is a safe, sensory-friendly play space focusing on inclusion and acceptance of ALL children while playing, learning, and growing together!”

Kid Friendly Restaurants

If you are sick of eating the same air fryer chicken nuggets and Mac and cheese at home, here are some places you can enjoy fancier chicken nuggets and Mac and cheese! Kidding, sorta. But, these are places that I deem “kid-friendly” restaurants when you want to take your kids somewhere easy and yummy.

• Chick-fil-A
  • We don’t have a ton of locations across Columbus but they are worth the trip for yummy food and for the kiddos to play in their play areas.

• McDonald’s
  • My daughter LOVES to go to McDonald’s and eat inside. It’s seriously one of her favorite things! I only know of a few that still have play spaces but that’s not even necessary if you just want a quick meal.

• Food Halls
  • We have a variety of Food Halls here in Columbus and the great thing about them is they are big/wide and are very stroller friendly! Here are a few of our recommended ones to visit: North Market Bridge Park, Center Street Market, East Market.
• Rooster’s
  • Hear me out. Rooster’s has SO much to look at, their menu is basically toddler food for grown ups, and it’s loud so if your child is grumpy, it’s fine.
• Coffee Connection
  • Coffee and a play space for kids? Make more of these, please.

Everything Else

Alrighty, these are all hodge podge ideas where else to take your kids during these dreary months in Columbus, Ohio! They don’t totally fit in a category but I couldn’t not share them.

• Bookstores
  • We have a few really awesome kid-centric bookstores in Central Ohio! My favorites are Beanbag Books, Gramercy Books, and Cover to Cover Bookstore. Barnes & Noble also has great kids areas!
• Bowling Alleys
  • I’m honestly not sure why bowling alleys have gone out of style because they are SO fun! You can stick with the original and visit places like Sawmill Lanes, and Columbus Bowling Palace or the new spots like Pins and Star Lanes!

• The Gab Lab
  • This is for our younger friends! Book one of their classes to “learn language through play.” They are SO fun and great for toddler friend making.
• Theatre
  • This one takes a little more planning but you can watch for shows during the day for BalletMet, CAPA, and the Columbus Children’s Theatre.

• Skate Zone 71
  • Formerly United Skates of America, I had many many skating parties as a child and it’s just as nostalgic and great as it was then.
• The Ohio State Airport
  • It is FREE to come here and watch planes take off which sounds way more fun than it seems.
• Movie Theatres
  • Taking your kiddo to the movie is so fun, especially matinees when no-one else is there. Marcus Theatres and Cinemark at Polaris are our favorite locations. Both offer kid series for $2-$4 tickets of older movies.