25 Things To Do in Columbus With Kids

Katie G. said:  This is by far one of my kids favorites activities to do every year. In an hour tour, you walk around the upstairs of the factory to view the assembly lines from the glass windows. A guide teaches you the step-by-step process of how candy is made. At the end of the tour, guests will receive a chocolate sample.

Hannah Scott said:  The Book Loft is a one-of-a-kind bookstore located in three historic buildings that were a general store, a saloon, and a cinema in a former life. Besides having a super cool history, it's a mecca for a family of bibliophiles with 32 rooms of books, gifts, games and puzzles.

Hannah Scott said:  Want to eat local, but can't agree on a place to suit the whole family? North Market has a little bit of everything: international cuisine from countries like Belgium, Poland, Vietnam, India, and Tibet, plus specialty treat shops the kids will love.

Kelly R. said:  We loved taking a self-guided tour of the caverns' winding (and chilly!) underground passageways, which were formed millions of years ago by the flow of an underground river and likely used as a haven by the Wyandot tribe. There are also plenty of other things to do with kids, including gem mining, mini golf, a petting zoo and a maze.

Kelly R. said:  Columbus is home to one of the largest public rose gardens in America, with more than 12,000 roses and 13 acres to explore. The Formal Rose Garden reaches peak bloom in June and September. Picnicking on the park lawns is permitted.

Kelly R. said:  Find the magical fairy door at each of 11 Historic Dublin businesses, record the name of each resident fairy, and turn in your completed passport at the Dublin Visitor & Information Center to receive a free fairy door t-shirt. All participating businesses are family friendly and within 3 blocks of each other, so this is a great way to explore Dublin with your kids!

Kelly R. said:  Take the family on a treasure hunt, following clues to locate one (or all!) of the 18 artist-created Riverboxes hidden in Dublin's parks along or connected to the Scioto River. The boxes each contain an artist-made stamp, journal, and learning opportunities. Bring along your own journal to document the different stamps you discover, and your own stamp to leave your personal mark in the Riverbox journals.

Kelly R. said:  The Newark Earthworks are the largest set of geometric earthen enclosures in the world, built by the ancient Hopewell Culture between 100 BC and 500 AD. They are believed to be part cathedral, part cemetery, and part astronomical observatory. A self-guided tour of the site is a fun family activity, or check the schedule for the next free guided tour.

Kelly R. said:  This nostalgic Columbus drive-in theater opened in 1950 and still runs seasonally as weather allows. Concessions are available for purchase, or bring your own.