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 after our visit}.
- Do a Metro Parks/Preservation Parks letterbox and or geocache/GPS activity. Preservation Parks has a Letterbox Adventure event now (May 31 - August 4), sign up at any Delaware County Library to receive your booklet. Read our article on letterboxing here {our letterbox adventure}. Get info on participating in the Metro Parks GeoTrail HERE.
- Attend a PBJ & Jazz concert at Topiary Park (and maybe storytime before and the craft after) - June 14th, July 12th, August 9th.
- Walk the Dawes Arboretum story trail {Opens June 11th} - 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 In the Tall, Tall Grass by Denise Fleming. Then, afterwards, explore the rest of the Dawes Arboretum's beautiful gardens and ponds.
- 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 and to register - they fill up quickly.
- 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 13th, July 11th and August 8th.
- Watch a movie under the stars. Check our CALENDAR for listings, which will include many communities, Easton, pools and the Columbus Commons, all of which have outdoor movies this summer.
- 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 June 9th, July 14th and August 4th.
- Bring the kids to a Farmers Market to meet some local farmers, then make dinner with purchases. Check out our list of Farmers Markets HERE.
- 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 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).
- 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. The first one is June 20th and afterwards Columbus Commons is showing a free movie - Frozen - Check out the details HERE.
- Walk the Story Trail at Gahanna's Friendship Park - reading pages from "Little Red Riding Robin" written and illustrated by the students of Gahanna Lincoln High School. OR Walk the Story Trail at Pataskala's Municipal Park - reading pages from Pataskala Went Walking, written and illustrated by Pataskala Elementary School Students.
- See the new Heart of Africa exhibit 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}.
- Visit Hoover Damn (Sunbury Rd.) - Walk up and down the stairs, check out the water, and talk about what it does. There is also a Disc Golf Course at the location off Sunbury Rd. that older children might enjoy.
- Plant an herb or salad garden in a big pot(s) on the patio or in the yard. Have kids pick what they would like to plant, and have them help take care of it. I found out my kids will eat kale like candy this way {who knew}! And the other night they were making "herb wraps" from our neighbor's garden, trying all kinds of different herbs wrapped together (and now love many!). See our Gardening with Children Pinterest board HERE.
Find more free and low cost local events to do with your family in our CALENDAR. We gather all of the events for you, so that you have more time to enjoy with your kids. Also check this week's edition for other summer resources, like a list of Free Splash Pads (with our comments on each), Vacation Bible School (VBS) list, Summer Reading programs (where kids can earn free prizes and books), Columbus Farmers Markets and more! http://necolumbus.macaronikid.com/
Created by a Columbus mom, for other Columbus parents.
