Here is the start of my list, do you have anything to add?
- Visit the natural play areas of the Metro Parks. Read about them here. Read our article here {this is our article from last summer after visiting, we'll have a new article soon}.
- Do a Metro Parks/Preservation Parks letterbox and or geocache/GPS activity. Preservation Parks has a Letterbox Adventure event now (June 8th - August 12th), sign up at any Delaware County Library to receive your booklet. Read our article on letterboxing here {this is our article from last summer after we started our letterbox adventure, we'll have a new article soon}.
- Attend a PBJ & Jazz concert at Topiary Park (and maybe storytime before and the craft after) - July 13th, August 10th, September 14th.
- Walk the Dawes Arboretum story trail - A story is taken apart page by page and placed along the nature trail. As you walk along the trail, taking in the beautiful sights, you also read the story. When you get back, kids can write their own story in the Discovery room. The book this year is The Bravest of the Brave by Shutta Crum. Then, afterwards, explore the rest of the Dawes Arboretum's beautiful gardens.
- Ride the paddle boats at Gahanna’s Creekside. Click here for more info (scroll down on page).
- Participate in the farm chores (or another event) at Slate Run Historical Farm. Click here for list of events.
- Go blueberry or raspberry picking (sources for these to come - it's one of our favorite activities).
- Attend one of The Work's Music in the Courtyard events - June 14th, July 12th and August 9th.
- Watch a movie under the stars. Click here for listings.
- Explore the Olentangy Indian Caverns.
- Go to a Columbus Commons Commons for Kids Friday and Funday (events are listed in our newsletter/calendar), see our article on the Columbus Commons here.
- Attend a Lolli-Pops Concert in Powell, then go to the splash pad and have a picnic. Concerts are July 8th and August 12th.
- Bring the kids to a Farmers Market to meet some local farmers, then make dinner with purchases. Click here for list.
- Visit a local organic farm and learn about sustainable living. You can talk to the farmers at your market and see if you can bring your kids - most welcome and enjoy visitors. We have visited Flying J Farms before, Farmer Dick is wonderful!
- Create a giant waterbed in the backyard.
- Make a kiddie wash like this or this.
- Have a sponge ball water fight. Click here for the how to.
- Make a fort like this or a teepee like this in our backyard.
- Participate in a local park clean up – or create our own, inviting neighbors and friends.
- Attend an event at Stratford Ecological Center.
- Create and go on a nature hunt in our neighborhood or a local park. Or use a pre-made nature hunt from NWF.org (or here for toddlers and preschoolers), or get ideas for creating your own here.
- Join a couple Summer Reading Programs - see our list here.
- Attend one of the creeking type events at the Metro Parks or Preservation Parks (ones that encourage or provide nets, buckets and all) - these will be listed in our newsletters/calendars.
- Lie in the grass and look at the dark night sky – pointing out constellations.
- Make a bird feeder and watch for five different birds (and read about them) using the FREE bird guide with pictures from the Columbus Metro Parks or Preservation Parks (pick up one at any nature center). Or go to a nature center at one of the parks and watch for the birds, trying to find five different kinds.
- Explore the Hoover Mudflats Boardwalk - 1500 foot pier over Hoover Reservoir. Read our article and tips here.
- Learn about one different culture a month – getting books from library to read, making traditional food dishes, listening to music, and learning a few words (like: hello, good bye, thank you and I love you).
- Tour the Santa Maria.
- Go to the different free splash fountains/pads and also have a picnic on a blanket in the grass. Click here for a list of Columbus' FREE splash fountains/pads, along with details and tips on each.
- Visit the Newark Earthworks (and museum) - either the Great Circle and/or Octagon. This is not far from The Works (which gets 1/2 off admission with COSI membership), so maybe wrap a day around a trip to Newark by visiting both.
- Go to the Columbus Symphony's Popcorn Pops at the Columbus Commons.
- Walk the Story Trail at Gahanna's Friendship Park - reading pages from "The Acorn" written and illustrated by the students of Gahanna Lincoln High School.
- See the dinosaurs at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium - of course!
- Explore Hayden Run Falls {note: it seems you can no longer get down and explore, however it's still fun to see a great waterfall tucked in the middle of a city, and walk along the boardwalk}.
You can print a copy of this list, with check boxes, HERE. Thanks to Mac Kid reader Kelly Z. for the suggestion!
