Block Guides
25 Things to Do
With little kids in Columbus and Central Ohio.
A family-tested guide to the museums, play spaces, parks, traditions and seasonal stops that have become part of our life at home — arranged alphabetically, and every one chosen because our family genuinely returns to it.
Much of Beyond Our Block is about the places we travel to, but exploration did not begin at an airport. It also looks like finding the museum with the water table our boys never want to leave, building a fall around the farm we visit again and again, or turning a carousel ride downtown into a reminder of something they first loved overseas.
We are raising two young boys in Central Ohio, and every place in this guide comes from our family’s actual experience. Some are long-standing favorites. Some are seasonal traditions. A few are places we have visited only once but would still recommend for the right kid, age or occasion. This is not a definitive list of everything to do with kids in Columbus; it is a personal record of what has worked for ours.
Most of our outings follow the same rhythm: arrive when a place opens, give the boys a few good hours to move and explore, and head home around lunch. We do not measure success by how much we covered. We pay attention to the part they return to, the moment that holds their attention and whether everyone is still enjoying the day.
Twenty-five places and traditions, arranged alphabetically. The strongest recommendations are not necessarily the biggest attractions; they are the ones our family genuinely chooses again.
1.AHA! A Hands-On Adventure, A Children's Museum
We have visited AHA! at least five times, most recently in July 2026. It is close enough to feel easy, but varied enough to hold the boys' attention for three or four hours. The museum moves naturally between pretend play, hands-on learning and physical exploration: there is a water-play area, a dinosaur section, a fire truck, a kitchen and an unexpectedly large outdoor space behind the building.
The fire truck and kitchen have been reliable favorites. More recently, Preston has been drawn to a skeleton puzzle, carefully returning each bone to the right place. That mix is what keeps AHA! interesting as the boys grow; they can return to familiar favorites while noticing something new each time.
Our rhythm is to arrive when the museum opens, stay for most of the morning and head home for a late lunch. A spare outfit is useful if your child settles into the water area.
2.Blacklick Woods Canopy Walk
We have visited the canopy walk once, when Avery was still small enough to spend the outing in a stroller. Preston was able to walk independently and loved the sense of adventure: moving above the forest floor, looking around and deciding where to explore next. We paired the walk with time at the playground, which gave the outing a satisfying mix of nature and familiar play.
It is an approachable way to give little children a taste of outdoor exploration without committing the family to a long hike. The elevated path feels special to them, even when the visit itself is simple.
A stroller worked well for Avery, while Preston had no trouble walking. We would choose a mild late-spring, summer or early-fall day and leave room for the playground afterward.
3.Columbus Commons Carousel
The carousel is the reason we go to Columbus Commons. After a few Europe trips revealed just how much Preston loved carousels, we went looking for a hometown version of that same joy. A ride downtown, followed by a small ice-cream cone from nearby Jeni's, became an easy way to extend a travel memory into ordinary life at home.
The park often adds something unexpected to the afternoon: food trucks, concerts, games, seasonal activities or winter lights. The carousel may begin as the destination, but the surrounding green space keeps the visit from feeling like a single five-minute stop.
Check that the carousel is operating before making the trip. We like to look at the Commons event calendar too, then decide whether the outing will be a quick ride-and-ice-cream stop or a longer afternoon downtown.
4.Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
We have held zoo memberships during more than one season, and we try to visit at least twice whenever we purchase one. Returning is part of the appeal. Each visit shows us how the boys' attention has changed: animals they once passed without noticing can become the entire point of the day a year later.
Heart of Africa is our favorite part of the zoo. The lions and giraffes are memorable, and the airplane-themed play space gives the boys somewhere to move between animal encounters. The elephants are another family favorite. On our most recent visit, Preston also discovered the carousel and loved it; Avery was less convinced by how quickly it moved.
The zoo is large, so we do not treat every visit as a mission to cover it all. A membership makes it easier to choose a few priorities, bring the stroller and leave while the day is still going well.
5.Construction Corner
Construction Corner entered our plans during Preston's excavator phase: a period powered in no small part by Blippi's excavator song. The child-sized excavator was the reason for the visit, but the larger appeal is a space devoted to building, digging and construction play.
We were already traveling to Powell for a birthday party at Little Town, so we made a day of the drive and visited Construction Corner first. That pairing worked especially well because the two experiences offered different kinds of play without requiring another cross-town trip.
Powell is a meaningful drive from our side of town, so we would pair this with lunch, Little Town, Recreations Outlet or another nearby plan. For an excavator-loving child, the visit can still be the main event.
6.COSI - Kidspace
COSI has been one of our most repeated local outings, helped by the discounted admission Kyle receives as a teacher. At this stage, Kidspace is where we spend nearly all of our time. It gives toddlers and preschoolers enough freedom to lead the visit without being overwhelmed by the scale of the larger museum.
The water tables tucked into the back corner are the boys' clear favorite and the place we stay longest. They also enjoy the ambulance, fire truck and other rescue vehicles, along with the kitchen area, slide and climbing structure. We visited the traveling PAW Patrol exhibit when it came through, but Kidspace has been the part that consistently fits our family best.
Kidspace provides water smocks, but we still bring a full change of clothes. We arrive when COSI opens, play for a few hours and usually head home for lunch rather than trying to turn every visit into a full museum day.
7.Friday Night Football
Friday nights in the fall belong to football. Most weeks that means a home game at Pickerington North, with an occasional nearby away game when the drive feels manageable. The boys attend because Friday night football is part of Kyle's life, but they have made the experience their own.
At home games, they have room near the end zone and track to move more freely. They love high-fiving players as they come in and out of the locker room and feeling connected to the team. The night is bigger than watching a game; it is their way of participating in something that matters to their dad.
We follow the boys' stamina. If the game is close, we may stay through the end; often we leave in the third or early fourth quarter, let them fall asleep on the drive and transfer them to bed. They adapt more readily than we sometimes expect.
8.Gahanna Splash Pad + Friendship Park
The Gahanna splash pad became a favorite after we realized families could enter free before the pool opened for the day. It has the kind of water play little children can return to again and again: a large dumping bucket, a shallow river-like feature and equipment they can spin, spray and redirect.
We almost always pair the splash pad with Friendship Park. Ninety minutes to two hours in the water, followed by playground time, gives the boys two different ways to move and makes the morning feel full without requiring an admission fee.
We go in the morning before pool hours begin and bring snacks, towels and complete changes of clothes. Check current access details before visiting, since seasonal pool operations can change.
9.Get Air Toddler Time
Get Air is one of the places we rely on most during the winter. We have used it often enough to keep an annual pass, sometimes going several Sundays in a row when cold weather has narrowed our options. The designated toddler session matters because the boys can jump and explore without much larger children moving through the same space.
A recently added slide and climbing area has become at least as popular as the trampolines. Kyle often takes both boys on Sunday morning while I catch up on work or things around the house, which makes the outing useful for our whole family's rhythm.
One parent can manage both boys, but it requires active tracking because the play areas can pull them in different directions. Grip socks are required; we keep the pairs included with our membership and those collected from birthday parties.
10.Hocking Hills Children's Museum
This is one of our favorite children's spaces in Central Ohio and, along with Little Diggers, one of the cleanest we have visited. It feels new, modern and thoughtfully built for children who want to move between pretend play, sensory play and hands-on discovery.
The exhibits include a grocery store, ice-cream shop, veterinarian's office, doctor's office, mechanic shop, camping setup, large Lite-Brite, stage, art areas, water play and a digging pit filled with soft rubbery pieces instead of sand. Story times, music, scavenger hunts and simple science activities can add another layer. There is enough variety to stay for several hours without the boys circling back out of boredom.
The drive is the main tradeoff for us. We arrive early, bring snacks for afterward and are comfortable pushing lunch later so the visit feels worth both the travel time and admission.
11.Hocking Hills State Park - Old Man's Cave
We have visited Old Man's Cave once with Preston, before Avery was born, and brought our dog, Maddie, along too. We followed the paths toward the waterfalls and through the rock formations. With a young child in the hiking backpack, it felt less like a formal hike and more like a beautiful walk through nature.
That accessibility is part of why it belongs on this list. It gave us a chance to experience one of Ohio's most recognizable landscapes without needing Preston to manage the full route on his own. It is also an outing we would like to revisit now that both boys are older.
We used the hiking backpack rather than a stroller. Routes, surfaces and water conditions can vary, so we would review the current trail information and choose a manageable section before returning with two young walkers.
12.Johnson's Real Ice Cream
Johnson's is less a planned excursion than a warm-weather invitation: finish dinner, decide the evening still has room in it, and go for ice cream. We most often visit the newer Pickerington shop, whose rooftop deck makes the stop feel a little more special. We have also visited the Canal Winchester location several times.
Preston rotates among mint chip, chocolate chip and Oreo. I usually choose Oreo or cookie dough, and Kyle tends toward cookie dough. Avery resisted ice cream longer than we expected, but chocolate chip was the first flavor that finally won him over.
This works best for us as an uncomplicated add-on rather than an outing that needs planning. The rooftop deck is part of the appeal in good weather, especially when the boys still have a little energy after dinner.
13.Little Diggers
Little Diggers is one of our absolute favorite play spaces in Columbus. For a child who loves construction equipment, sand and digging, the concept is wonderfully direct: small excavators, construction trucks and every kind of tool needed to scoop, haul and build. The Dublin space is exceptionally clean and contained without feeling cramped.
That size matters when supervising young children. An adult can sit nearby and still see what is happening, including the moments when a reminder is need that sand stays low. Themed days, such as a Dino Dig, give regular visitors a reason to return. We have also attended a birthday party there, which worked especially well for the two- to three-year-old range.
Follow the location's social pages for themed events. The smaller private party space is well suited to a young child's celebration; families needing more room can ask about larger rental options.
14.Little Town
We have experienced Little Town once, for a birthday party, and it made an immediate impression as a celebration space for children around ages two to four. The front is arranged as a miniature community, with spaces such as a salon, store, library and music shop that invite open-ended pretend play.
The back adds a climbing structure, slide and ball pit, along with a separate baby area. Just as importantly, there is generous seating where adults can have coffee and talk while remaining part of the room. That balance made the party feel comfortable for the children and the parents.
Our recommendation is based on a birthday-party visit rather than a regular open-play session. For families planning a party for toddlers or young preschoolers, it is a venue we would put on the short list.
15.Lynd Fruit Farm
Lynd Fruit Farm is one of our straightforward fall traditions: choose an orchard, let the children pull apples directly from the trees and leave with a full bag. Preston loved the independence of finding and picking his own apples. Avery has not joined us there yet, which makes a return visit feel newly worthwhile.
We do not spend an entire day at the farm. The appeal is the seasonal ritual itself, followed by a stop at the market for a few treats to bring home.
Orchard ground can be soft or wet. A rugged stroller, wagon or hiking backpack will serve families better than a lightweight travel stroller; our preference is the hiking backpack.
16.Momi Land
We have visited Momi Land a handful of times, and the experience has become easier as the boys have grown. When Avery was limited to the infant area and Preston wanted the larger structures, one parent had to monitor two separate zones. Now they move together through the ball pit, slides and climbing areas, which makes the outing much more manageable.
Preston's comfort changed too. Around age two, the slides felt intimidating; now he moves confidently to the top and through every corner, with Avery following close behind. It has become a better fit for our family because the boys' abilities and interests finally overlap.
The space can get busy, so we prefer to arrive when it opens and stay for a couple of hours. Solo supervision is much easier when siblings are using the same play zones.
17.Ohio State Athletics
Ohio State fandom was part of our family long before we had children. Kyle and I attended many football games together, and Preston has now had his own introductions: an Ohio State spring football game and a basketball game against Indiana State. Those lower-pressure events gave him a way to experience the crowd, colors and energy without beginning with the longest or most intense game day.
Avery has not attended an Ohio State sporting event yet, but that is likely to change soon. Taking both boys to a regular-season football game is on our list as they become better able to enjoy the experience.
For very young children, we like the idea of starting with a spring game or basketball game before committing to a full fall football Saturday. The goal is to build the tradition, not test how long they can stay in their seats.
18.Pigeon Roost Farm
Pigeon Roost has been part of our fall for two years, and we usually visit once or twice each season. The boys move among slides, toddler play areas, pretend vehicles and a corn-kernel pit that offers the sensory appeal of a sandbox without the sand. The smaller play area near the front works especially well when children need a gentler place to begin.
We come for the activities rather than pumpkin shopping. A couple of afternoon hours gives the boys enough time to revisit their favorites without making the outing feel rushed.
We buy our pumpkins at Sam's Pumpkin Patch, so Pigeon Roost fills a different role in our fall rotation: it is primarily a play day. Comfortable outdoor shoes help when the ground is uneven or soft.
19.PINS Mechanical Co.
PINS works because the adults and children can enjoy the same outing. Duckpin bowling is simple enough for the boys to try, while the Easton location's large slide and oversized Lite-Brite give them places to move and create between turns. They also like experimenting with the arcade games, even when the rules are still secondary to pressing the buttons.
It is especially useful in winter, when we want to leave the house but would prefer an activity that does not feel designed only for children. On our most recent visit, Preston had really taken to bowling, and Avery was beginning to give it a try too.
We prefer going earlier, when the space feels more comfortable for young children. We usually order pizza from the restaurant downstairs and make the meal part of the outing.
20.Recreations Outlet
Recreations Outlet turns a showroom into an indoor playground. The playsets, trampolines, basketball hoops and other backyard equipment are assembled for display, and designated play periods let children use them before a family ever decides whether to buy one.
We visited a few times before purchasing one of the company's playsets for our own home. That means it is no longer as central to our rotation, but it remains a useful Powell-area answer when rain or winter temperatures make an ordinary playground less appealing.
Check the current open-play schedule before driving over. Because several of our Powell favorites are close together, this is another stop we would combine with lunch or a second nearby activity.
21.Sam's Pumpkin Patch
Sam's Pumpkin Patch has been part of our fall rotation for about three years. We go for one reason: to let the boys choose a few pumpkins to bring home. Preston has turned the search into a challenge to find the biggest pumpkin; Avery was still learning the tradition last year, but will understand much more this season.
Not every family tradition needs a full slate of attractions. Sam's works for us because it is local, uncomplicated and centered on the pumpkins themselves.
We treat this as a short seasonal stop rather than an all-afternoon outing. It pairs easily with another Pickerington plan or a quiet weekend at home decorating what the boys chose.
22.Slate Run Living Historical Farm
We visited Slate Run twice in the same summer: first with the boys' GG, then again because we knew their outdoors-loving G-Pa would enjoy it. Preston was fascinated by the animals, especially the enormous pigs. Avery was younger, but still able to see the farm up close and take in the activity around him.
The setting makes the animals feel different from a quick viewing behind glass. The boys could watch them in a working-farm environment, then continue the day at one of Slate Run Metro Park's playgrounds.
A rugged stroller works on the approach, and we have also used the hiking backpack. Once inside the farm area, children will likely want to walk. The parking area is close enough that this was manageable for us.
23.Slick City Action Park
Slick City looked like a blast, but our visit also showed us that a place can be fun without yet being the right fit for our children's ages. Preston tried a few of the larger slides and decided they were more intimidating than exciting. Both boys, however, had a great time in the junior area tucked into the back corner.
The main slides seem better suited to adventurous older children - perhaps around seven and up - and to adults. We attended during a toddler session, so adults could not use the large slides. I would consider returning for an adult event with Kyle, even if his dislike of heights leaves him cheering from the floor.
Look closely at the age rules and session type before booking. For toddlers, the junior area may be the real destination; for older children, the large slides are likely the reason to go.
24.Touch-a-Truck Events
Our boys love trucks, cars, buses, planes and nearly anything else that moves, so Touch-a-Truck events are an automatic addition to our calendar. We have attended versions in both Pickerington and Canal Winchester, returning year after year for the variety.
Fire trucks, ambulances, school buses, garbage trucks and cranes have all been part of the lineup. One year, there was even a helicopter - an easy favorite. These events take vehicles the boys notice from a distance and let them experience the scale and details up close.
Because these are usually free annual events, we watch local calendars and go when the timing works. Horns and engines can make the environment loud, so families with noise-sensitive children may want to bring hearing protection.
25.Van Buren Acres
Van Buren Acres is the place most likely to have us rearranging a fall weekend around the weather. We buy a season pass and visit several times because the farm has enough variety to feel fresh even when we return within the same month.
The boys love the cow train, farm-equipment rides, maze, climbing structures, slides, games and corn-kernel pit. A newer climbing area added even more to explore, while the giant bubble station is a reliable hit. The donuts are part of the tradition too. On a crisp, sunny weekend, this is often exactly where we want to be.
For our family, the season pass pays for itself because repeat visits are the point. Dress for outdoor farm conditions, bring shoes that can handle soft ground and leave enough time for the boys to circle back to favorite attractions.
We believe the world is bigger than our block, but learning to explore it begins close to home: following a kid’s curiosity, trying a place for the first time and returning often enough to watch what changes. These Central Ohio outings are part of the same family story as every stamp in our passports.
Local field guide, drafted August 2026. Every place here comes from our family’s firsthand experience with two young boys in Central Ohio; venue, restaurant, park and event names appear only as part of that story, and no affiliate or sponsored links are included. Hours, prices, age rules, seasonal dates, open-play and session schedules, and special-event calendars can change — confirm current details with each venue before making plans.