Activities for kids in columbus

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

With a 100,000 gallon aquarium, home to about 300 different species of living creatures, the kids are bound to be awed and contented. Manatee Coast is a 300,000 gallon living habitat for manatees or, often as they are called, sea cows. The kids will love getting up close and personal with the manatees. They can move right up next to the manatees. The manatees glide effortlessly through their watery domain. It feels as if you could swim right next to them.

Another favorite of kids at the zoo is Habitat Hollow. Here, kids can learn about recycling and the impact humans have on their environment with hands on activities. Explore various rooms of the hollow to get an understanding of how we can better our place in the world and protect future generations.

The zoos aviary is home to beautiful song birds (more than 50 different species) that perch near visitors as they walk through the exhibit. The zoo is also home to elephants, black rhino, giraffes, and zebras.

There are many special events throughout the year at the Columbus zoo. Boo at the Zoo takes you through a zoo transformed into a Halloween monster mash. The zoos Wildlights (November through New Years) puts sparkles in your eyes with more than two million lights.

For more information on the zoo call (614) 645- 3550.

Center of Science and Industry

COSI has a history of making the learning process seem like a game. There is so much to do and see that a whole weekend could be devoted here.

A very popular choice among kids is the Gadgets room. Here, kids discover gadgets that have made our lives easier (or at least more interesting). Try to lift your own weight with three different pulley systems to see which performs better, if any. Spin a wheel to light up some light bulbs. Split laser beams and even build a bridge.

Another fun place to explore might be the Space exhibit. The entrance is bound to leave you spinning with its illusion of a spinning room. Explore what it would be like to live in space with a mock-up of the shuttle and space stations. Test your balance and see how long you can keep the plate balanced.

For more information call 1 (888) 819- COSI (2674)

Ohio State Fair

Kids love festivals and fairs. If its summer time and you can deal with heat and a crowd then gather up your clan and head for the Ohio State Fair. Held in early August, the Ohio State Fair is a gigantic source of fun for the kids. In addition to rides and livestock shows, concerts are held. Past shows have brought the likes of Alan Jackson, Cheap Trick, Vince Gill and 98 Degrees to the stage.

Call 1(888)OHO-EXPO (646-3976) for additional information.

Columbus Arts Festival

At the beginning of June, visit the Columbus Arts Festival downtown. There are dozens of exhibits and shows pertaining to celebration of the arts. Live music shows and demonstrations of artistic talents are bound to be fun and entertaining. Childrens activities give hands on experience with the arts.

If you need more information call the Greater Columbus Arts Council at (614) 224-2606.

Franklin Park Conservatory

If youre near downtown and want to see some butterflies or orchids, visit Franklin Park Conservatory. The conservatorys annual Blooms and Butterflies takes place March through September. Here, catch glimpses of natures little mystery in a natural habitat. Every year butterflies are released in the Conservatorys Pacific Island Water Garden. Go behind the scenes to see how butterflies are released and taken care of by staff members and volunteers. View the butterflies in each of the various stages of its life cycle.

Throughout the year, the Conservatory holds various flower shows that exhibit orchids to bonsai trees to daffodils. For more information call (614)645-TREE (8733) or toll free at 1(800)214-PARK (7275).

Metro Parks

Columbus is home to 14 different metro parks. Take the kids to any of these and there is something for all of them. Each metro park has learning programs, special hikes and events throughout the year. There are playgrounds, shelters and picnic areas at most of the metro parks.

Battelle-Darby Creek is the biggest metro park in Ohio. It has more than 6,000 acres of area. It is next to the Big Darby Creek. There are areas along the river that can be reached to walk along the banks.

Blacklick Woods also has a golf course. It has a beautiful boardwalk along a wooded area plus a four-mile multi purpose trail.

Blendon Woods is home to the migrating monarchs each year. It has a lake, Thoreau Lake, where hundreds of migratory and native birds resting along its shore. It is also home to a disc golf course open when the weather permits.

Chestnut Ridge has a beautiful ridge where downtown Columbus can be spotted. It was once home to many Chestnut trees but sadly many were destroyed by a chestnut blight. There are still remnants of the trees that once stood tall. A lot of the land that Chestnut Ridge stands on was once a quarrying area.

Clear Creek Metro Park is in the southern most part of the metro area of Columbus. Therefore, it has many ravines and steep cliffs. The rugged terrain provides great adventures.

Glacier Ridge is a wetland area. The Honda Wetland Education area has been set aside at Glacier Ridge for special education programs.

Highbanks lies along the Olentangy River and provides miles of beautiful river scenes. There is evidence of an ancient Indian culture that once thrived in this area.

Inniswood Metro Gardens has beautiful lush gardens. There is a childrens garden complete with a maze.

Pickerington Ponds is a wetland area that is home to many species of duck and bird including a Great Blue Heron roosting area.

Prairie Oaks is full of prairies and grasslands.

Sharon Woods has Schrock Lake where kids can fish and hang out.

Slate Run is home to Slate Run Historical Farm, a late 1800's historical farm. Here, kids can help out with chores without the use of electricity.

Three Creeks is shared by the Columbus Metro Parks and Columbus City Recreation Department. It is home to a Tram that visitors can board to get a different type of view of the park.

For more information call the main Metro Park line at (614) 891-0700.