Fun Outdoor Activities in Columbus Your Kids Will Love
Ohio definitely isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think about vacations. However, while a lot of people sleep on it, the state actually offers a lot of fun things to do. The city of Columbus in particular is full of family-friendly activities for you to enjoy with your kids. These activities include both educational and purely fun things to do for you and the kids. However, if you want to have a fun vacation from start to finish, it’s important to plan ahead properly. So, take the time and see what the best things to do are before setting out on your trip. In order to help you with planning your trip, we put together a list of fun outdoor activities in Columbus your kids will love, and we hope you find it informative.
Visit the Ohio Wildlife Center
Starting off the list of fun outdoor activities in Columbus to do with your kids is visiting the Ohio Wildlife Center. The Ohio Wildlife Center is a place that houses animals during their rehabilitation, as well as animals unsuitable to return to the wild. During the tour, your kids can hear stories about the animals being housed there and learn a lot. However, we should note that the Ohio Wildlife Center is only open a few times every month. You can find the exact dates when the center is open online, and you’ll have to plan your trip around if you want to visit. Additionally, while preparing for the trip, consider booking self-catering accommodation. Self-catering accommodation will allow you to be a lot more flexible during your trip on top of letting you save some money. Additionally, the independence to create your own meals is another big bonus to consider.
Spend some time at Columbus Commons
Out of the many beautiful parks in Ohio, Columbus Commons is the biggest one. In the part, you can find all sorts of things such as a carousel, food vendors, outdoor exercise classes, and of course, a beautiful space to relax in while the kids play. Depending on the time of year you decide to come to Columbus, you can even find family-friendly festivals held in the park. And all of this is in the middle of Columbus Downtown, so you’re close to almost everything else in the city. All in all, Columbus Commons is the ideal location for relaxing in the city. Columbus’ parks are the main reason families choose to move there, actually, and if you find yourself tempted, remember to plan the entire process properly. After all, organizing a move with kids is even more difficult than usual, so make sure you have everything figured out.
Tour the Olentangy Indian Caverns
The Olentangy Indian Caverns are a series of underground caverns used by the Wyandotte tribe. The caverns are beautiful, which is already reason enough to visit them. On top of that, however, your kids can learn the history of the caverns as well. You can go through the caverns on either a self-guided or guided tour. Additionally, you can take your kids to an outdoor maze, gem mining, and some yard games. All in all, the Olentangy Indian Caves offer a great day-trip experience, and we can warmly recommend stopping by here on your trip to Columbus. However, while on your trip, remember to think about health and wellness as well. After all, while having fun and relaxing are important on vacation, health should always be a priority. So, remember to be careful even during the trip, and don’t ignore what you need in order to stay healthy.
Go rock climbing at Scioto Audubon Metro Park
Found in downtown Columbus, just down the path from the Nature Center, you can find the Scioto Audubon Metro Park. The Scioto Audubon Metro Park has a fairly large playground area for your kids to enjoy. Part of this area is three climbing towers, which are completely free to climb. We should note that climbers need to bring their own harnesses, and the minimum age to access them is 13. Additionally, the nearby Nature Center also has a free to access playground area, which further expands your options. If your kids are the active type, we guarantee that they’ll enjoy their visit here. However, while you’re out exploring, remember that you shouldn’t bring all of your important things with you. Experts from Zippy Shell Columbus note that the safest choice is renting a short-term storage unit. This is because, realistically, you shouldn’t leave important items in your hotel room either.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Going back to the educational side of things, touring the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a great choice. Here, your kids can see animals from all over the world and learn more about them. From Africa’s most famous animal species to polar species, there is no shortage of wonderful animals here. Additionally, depending on when exactly you visit, you can find seasonal events here. These seasonal events are organized pretty much constantly, however, so no matter when you choose to come, you’re pretty much guaranteed to see one of them. And if you’re planning on going on this trip by car, remember to keep some driver’s safety tips in mind. Make sure your car is properly prepared for the trip and stay alert at all times while on the road. This is especially important if you’re going to be traveling by car for a while, so be careful.
Fun outdoor activities in Columbus your kids will love – closing thoughts
While it’s definitely not the top choice for people looking to vacation, Ohio has plenty to do and see. Columbus, more specifically, has plenty of family-friendly attractions for you to explore. So, if you’re looking for a nice place to spend a vacation with your kids, Columbus is a great choice. However, remember to plan everything ahead of time. We hope this list of fun outdoor activities in Columbus your kids will love helps you with your planning, and we wish you a great trip.