We know your kids, young and old, still need to get their wiggles out despite the weather, so we have created a great list of indoor play places in NE and East Columbus. Some are free and some are pay to play. If you see a space we have forgotten, please let us know (mackidnecolumbus@macaronikid.com). Note: those marked with an * are also suitable for older children.
Please always check the websites for updates on days and hours, as well as admission prices as those can change without notice. You can also find daily local kid and family events in our weekly local kid and family events eNewsletter and website at NE and East Columbus Ohio Macaroni Kid, and also in our Events Calendar. Subscribe today to get our FREE weekly eNewsletter delivered in your inbox every Sunday, and stay in the know!
FREE:
Westerville Community Center: small indoor play set located in main lobby area (by pool viewing area). Best for kids 6 and under. Chairs nearby to watch kids.
Central Park Playland: Westerville. Indoor play climbing structure inside of the Westerville Christian Church. Open play during designated times throughout week, check website for hours. Best for kids 6 and under. Socks required. Benches to sit and watch kids.
Grange Audubon Center: Downtown. Has a small indoor play room with costumes, climbing structure and cave. Also has a library of books for various ages, and room is full of windows with viewing of many bird feeders (microphones on bird feeders project into the room so you may hear all the birds). This is a personal FAVORITE!
*Vineyard Community Center: Westerville. Free two story playground - climbing and sliding for ages 4 through 11. There is also a "Noah's Ark" area for ages 3 and under. Note: the door is always locked for security purposes, but a staff member will let you in.
Polaris Mall: Zoo themed play area. Best for kids 6 and under. Benches surround.
Shops at Worthington Place: (formally Worthington Square Mall) Indoor play area with a treehouse type structure and soft fake grass. When it's warmer there is also a small outdoor play area. Good for young children.
Highbanks Park Nature Center: (Lewis Center) Fun indoor space to play for many ages. They have animal puppets, a hollowed out tree to play in, books and coloring pages and little displays that teach kids about different things in nature. There are different activities each week (fossils, animal coats, paw prints, etc). And they have a little library with a couple tiny chairs. Thanks to subscriber Cheryl R. who tipped us off on this!
Libraries: All locations. Most libraries have fabulous kids areas where you can play with your child - many have some hands on activities like puzzles and other hands on activities, and of course areas were you can read to your child. See our weekly storytime guide here.
Pay to Play:
Goldfish Swim School: Westerville. Enjoy family swim times every Monday - Thursday from 12:30pm - 1:30pm and Friday nights from 6:30-8pm
*Lazer Kraze: Lewis Center and Gahanna Inflatables and laser tag (LC) and trampoline Park and laser tag (G). See website for hours and promotions. Our kids have been to parties here, and we had a party here ourselves, and they loved all.
*Westerville Community Center Climbing Wall: Westerville. 27-foot climbing wall allows climbers to test skills on pitches ranging from beginner's slope to to challenging. Ages 5 through adult. Open some weeknights, and weekend afternoons.
*Super Games: Worthington. Inflatables and games. Lots of different inflatables for kids of all ages. Special toddler open play times, as well as general open play, socks required. Lobby has small rock wall, pool, and other games. See website for open play times.
*World of Bounce: Gahanna. A new bounce place! Great for kids ages 2 and up. Open bounce time open throughout the week/weekend.
*COSI: Downtown. Of course an indoor playspace Mecca! Little Kidspace is perfect for the 6 and under crowd. Free with membership, or paid admission (remember there is $5 parking/$4 for members)
*The Works: Newark. Small science center with hands-on activities. Has a nice little kids’ space with lots of pretend play and building. Offer Curious Kids programs on Tuesday at 10:30AM. 50% reciprocal benefits with COSI premium membership, or paid admission.
*Columbus Museum of Art: Downtown. The Wonder Room located on the first floor is a super fun space for kids ages 3-14. There are all kinds of fun hands on activities, as well as dress up and more! Free with membership or paid admission. Sundays Frees
*Gym Skills: Gahanna. Gymnastics equipment and obstacle course for stay and play open gym time. Children walking through 10 years with an adult (there's a separate area for the 5 and under crowd). Friday night open gym is open to older kids too.
*Glow Putt Mini Golf: Gahanna. A fun glow in the dark inside putt putt golf place. We've been - it's small (and cheesy), not too hard for little kids and my kids loved it. Photos on their website.
*Magic Mountain: Polaris and Reynoldsburg. Large climbing (KidsGym Playland) structure, as well as variety of video games and laser tag. Food available on-site.
*Gahanna Lanes Bowling: Gahanna. Bowling alley. We've never been here but I've heard great things from others. 614-471-1111
*Chiller: Easton, Lewis Center, and downtown. Ice Skating fun for all ages. Open skate times and admission are listed on site by location.
*Star Lanes: Polaris/Westerville. We've been here a few times and the kids love it. Mondays they have $2 games of bowling and $2 shoe rental. Check the link for more weekly promotions.
*Sky Zone: Lewis Center. Indoor trampoline park. A few trampolines (huge) and foam pit.
*Gym Xtreme: Lewis Center. Fun gym for playing, balancing and more. For the younger crowd, they also have mommy and me classes for 15 month olds and up.
*Big Bounce: Grove City. Trampoline Park with preschool open jump, special needs class, mommy and me class, and open jump for all ages.
*Also suitable for older children.
Membership Based:
Gymboree Play & Music: Gahanna. Offer great classes for children newborn to 5 years old. This is membership based and they normally have great deals every month - like summer (June-August) is unlimited age-appropriate classes. They offer a free trial class, sign up on website. Owned by local parents! We've heard wonderful things about this place.
Further out but worth listing!
AHa Children's Museum: Lancaster. A fun hands-on adventure featuring more than 25 exhibits for children ages 0-7 (and older) in a 4000 sq ft space - lots of photos on their website will give you a great look. $5 admission for all ages. Membership available.
BoonshoftMuseum of Discovery: Dayton. Fun children's museum with many hands on activities throughout, as well as a live animals on display. Ideal for ages 3-8 in my opinion - if you are up for the drive (about an hour or less from Columbus). They have things younger children would love too, but not sure there are enough to merit the drive time. They offer reciprocal benefits, so if you have COSI membership, you get 50% off admission.
Please note: prices listed are subject to change by the facility, and businesses are not required to honor any pricing we have listed. This is just a resource article, not a paid advertisement. We are just trying to help local parents and caregivers find indoor fun to help get the wiggles out.
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Find weekly local kid and family events happening around NE and East Columbus, Ohio on our NE and East Columbus Ohio Macaroni Kid main page, or in our Events Calendar. We gather all the events and activities happening around Columbus, along with their details, and you just need to plan you week and have fun with your kids! Subscribe today to get our FREE weekly eNewsletter delivered in your inbox every Monday night, and stay in the know!
