Updated: May 2023. Make sure to check websites/social media prior to going to see if there have been any changes!
Looking for some indoor fun in Columbus, Ohio with your kids? Look no further! This awesome city is jam-packed with tons of exciting attractions that will keep your little ones entertained for hours. From museums and science centers to indoor play areas and amusement parks, there’s something for everyone. And when the weather outside is less than perfect, these indoor destinations are the perfect solution. In this blog post, I’ve rounded up a whopping 90 (and counting) of the best indoor places to take your kids in Columbus. So, whether you’re a local or just visiting, get ready for a wild ride of fun-filled destinations that are guaranteed to put smiles on your kids’ faces!
Graeters Scoops and Shoots Play Area – Columbus
The “Lil’ Pints Playroom” indoor playground is perfect for children 9 and younger. It features multiple slides and plenty of room to play and (of course) yummy ice cream!
Address: 2136 Bethel Rd, Columbus, OH 43220
Cost: Free, but make sure you get a scoop of ice cream! Yum!
Check out my blog post on our last visit!
Central Park Playland – Westerville
This is a FREE event at Westerville Christian Church. Inside, they have a gated room with a big play structure, a small rock climbing wall and a small play structure for the little ones. You do not have to register to attend or be a member of the church!
Address: 471 E College Ave, Westerville, Ohio
Cost: Free
Website | Facebook
The Naz – Grove City
Address: 4770 Hoover Road, Grove City, OH, United States
Hours:
Cost: Free
Website
Coffee Connections – Hilliard
A coffee shop located in Old Hilliard with a back (non-connected) community room with a great play area for kids upstairs. This to me is the perfect spot. Great coffee for me and a great play space for the kids!
Address: 4004 Main Street. Hilliard, Ohio 43026
Cost: Free
Website | Facebook
Grange Audubon Center – Downtown
The Grange Insurance Audubon Center in Columbus is a wonderful retreat for nature enthusiasts and bird lovers. It is a unique parkland that has been created from an urban and industrial site in the downtown area along the Scioto River. The center offers a wide range of free activities for families, including Adventure and Discovery Backpacks, Animal Ambassadors, Art Exhibitions, Binoculars and Activities Check-Out, Bird Library, Craft and Coloring Tables, Forest Playroom, and even a fun outdoor playground with rock climbing wall.
Address: 505 W. Whittier Street, Columbus OH 43215
Cost: Free
Website | Facebook
Libraries – All over Central Ohio
We are incredibly fortunate to have access to a vast array of excellent libraries. In the Columbus area alone, there are more than 20 libraries, and each one offers a dedicated play area for children. These spaces range from simple areas with a few toys and puzzles to fully interactive spaces suitable for kids of all ages. In addition to the Columbus libraries, the Westerville Library has recently updated its play area and offers a fantastic indoor playspace. Our personal favorites are the play areas at Gahanna Library, Westerville Library, and Downtown Main Library.
Check here for {Columbus Metropolitan} locations closest to you or maybe explore a new area you’re not a familiar! Click here for their 16 partner locations. For information on Westerville location, click here.
〈 MALLS WITH PLAY AREAS 〉
Polaris Fashion Place – 1500 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, OH 43240
Mall at Tuttle Crossing – 5043 Tuttle Crossing Blvd, Dublin, OH 43016
〈METRO PARKS – Nature Centers〉
It’s no secret I love our Metro Parks. One of my favorite things about them is the nature centers at select parks. They’re indoors nd offer things such as story times, puppet shows, animal displays, a 53-foot living stream flows, cultural history exhibits and more!
Battelle Darby Creek – 1775 Darby Creek Dr, Galloway, OH 43119
A 53-foot living stream flows through the center’s exhibits, stocked with creatures found in Big Darby Creek. Natural and cultural history exhibits, many of them interactive, allow visitors to enjoy learning about the wonders of nature.
Blendon Woods – 4265 E Dublin Granville Rd, Columbus, OH 43081
Discover nature through displays and look through the nature center’s windows to see wildlife at the features and stream.
Blacklick Woods – 6975 East Livingston Avenue, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
Features exhibits of local and natural history, with observation windows to view wildlife.
Highbanks – 9466 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center, OH 43035
Discover nature and cultural history at the many displays and see wildlife at the feeders through the nature center’s windows
Better Together Playnasium – Pataskala
Better Together Playnasium is an all inclusive indoor playground focusing on providing a safe place for children of ALL abilities to play. Full use of the ‘Big’ and ‘Little’ gym with all of the toys and equipment to run around and play as you’d like! There is no age limit for open play, although it is geared towards younger children, typically ages six and under.
Facebook | Website
Galaxy Golf & Games – West Columbus
They have a three level fungym with tunnels, slides, foam climbing toys and more!
Address: 3700 Interchange Rd, Columbus, OH 43204
Website
We Rock the Spectrum – Lewis Center
Address: Oak Creek Center, 1250 E Powell Rd, Lewis Center, OH 43035
Website | Facebook
Recreations Outlet – Powell
Bouncy trampolines, awesome swing sets, basketball hoops and so much more will keep your kiddos busy all morning long.
Address: 484 W Olentangy St, Powell, OH 43065
Website
Charitable Play: Stop in and enjoy the fun for only $2 per child per visit. Each month they will be donating 50% of your Charitable Play donations to a worthy charity. Tuesday: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. and Thursday: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Vertical Adventures Training Center – Columbus
An indoor wall climbing spot where they excited to help your kids learn how to climb. From problem solving, to building confidence, and learning how to evaluate and take risks, your kids will discover rewarding life lessons from climbing that are applicable both on and off the wall. They offer drop-in climb classes for ages 5+. They are combined structured and experiential classes.
Address: 6295 Busch Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43229
Website | Facebook
COSI – Center of Science and Industry – Downtown
Address: 333 West Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Bonus: They have a dedicated little kidspace!
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Columbus Museum of Art – Downtown
Address: 480 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215
Website | Facebook
Keep in mind Sundays are FREE and Thursdays (5:00 PM – 9:00 PM) admission is only $5.
Central Ohio Fire Museum & Learning Center – Downtown
Address: 260 N. Fourth Street Columbus, Ohio 43215
Hours: Sunday and Monday: Closed, Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Cost: Adults $8, Seniors $7 and Children $6
Website | Facebook
Check out our last visit here. Keep in mind its from 2016!
Ohio History Center – Columbus
Address: 800 E. 17th Ave, Columbus, OH 43211
Website | Facebook
Check out our last {blogged} visit here.
Franklin Park Conservatory | Downtown
Address: 1777 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43203
Website | Facebook
This is not the full list of museums in Columbus by far. This is just a list of my favorites. Check out a few more {unique} museums we have here in Central Ohio. Bonus: Check out this post to see how you can use your library card to get FREE admission to museum all over Columbus. Yes, FREE!!!
KSM Sports and Fitness – Powell
Bring your kids to KSM to burn some energy and play with other kids! Toddler soft play area, balls and games provided. Ages 6 months-5 Years old.
Address: 10336 Sawmill Road, Powell, Ohio 43065
Website | Facebook
Dublin Recreation Center – Dublin
Bring your little ones on Mondays and Fridays to Preschool Open Gym. The gym is set up with age appropriate toys and equipment for you and your child to play and have a safe, fun time. This is a drop in program, with no registration necessary.
Address: 5600 Post Rd, Dublin, OH 43017
Website
Westerville Community Center Drop in Play – Westerville
Currently NOT in session as of 5/3/23
A morning of fun and play, which includes a wide variety of large and fine motor skills equipment in a large, open space. This is a drop-in program, pre-registration is not required. They offer Pee Wee Play Gym and Toddler Time. Toddler Time includes arts and crafts.
Address: 350 N. Cleveland Ave
Website
Gym Skills – Gahanna
Gym Skills is a gymnastic studio in Gahanna. My favorite event they offer is “Stay & Play Open Gym.” For kiddos walking to age 5, they set up fun obstacle courses, allow them to have free range of most of the gym, provide balls, hula-hoops, trampolines, etc. ,
Address: 710 Cross Pointe Rd., Gahanna, OH 43230
Website | Facebook
Integrity Gymnastics – Plain City
Address: 8185 Business Way, Plain City, Ohio 43064
Website | Facebook
Fun Town {North Columbus} – 2000 Hard Rd, Columbus, OH 43235
Momi Land {Lewis Center} – 704 Radio Dr, Lewis Center, OH 43035
Get Air {Hilliard} – 3708 Fishinger Blvd, Hilliard, OH 43026
Buckeye Bounce {Powell} – 3967 Presidential Parkway, Powell, OH 43065
Big Bounce {Grove City} – 1645 Gateway Cir, Grove City, OH 43123
Trampoline Xtreme {Columbus} – 5745 Chantry Drive, Columbus, OH
Rockin’ Jump {Westerville} – 1220 County Line Rd, Westerville, OH 43081
Chiller Ice Rinks – Multiple locations, click here to find then closest to you .
The Ohio State University Ice Rink– 390 Woody Hayes Dr., Columbus, OH 43210
While there aren’t many, check out this list + see a video of me pretending to be in my beloved roller skating movies. {haha}
Glow Putt {Gahanna} – 161 Granville St, Gahanna, OH 43230
Miner 49 {Grandview} – 1158 W 3rd Ave b, Columbus, OH 43212
Star Lanes Polaris – 8655 Lyra Drive, Columbus 43240
AMF Sawmill Lanes – 4825 Sawmill Road, Columbus 43235
Ten Pin Alley – 5499 Ten Pin Alley, Hilliard 43026
Rule (3) – 650 Windmiller Dr., Pickerington 43147
Columbus Square Bowling Palace – 5707 Forest Hills Blvd., Columbus 43231
Gahanna Bowling and Family Fun Center – 215 W. Johnstown, Gahanna 43230
Laser Kraze {Lewis Center} – 459 Orange Point Dr Suite B, Lewis Center, OH 43035
Laser Kraze {Gahanna} – 5524 N. Hamilton Rd, Gahanna, OH 43230
Coliseum X {North Columbus}– 100 Dillmont Dr, Columbus, OH 43235
United Skates {Columbus}– 4900 Evanswood Dr, Columbus, 43229
Chuck E Cheese – Columbus: 3631 Soldano Blvd. Columbus, OH 43228
Chuck E Cheese – Columbus: 4284 Macsway. Columbus, OH 43232
Chuck E Cheese – Dublin: 2711 Martin Rd. Dublin, OH 43016
Dave & Busters – Polaris: 1554 Polaris Pkwy #206, Columbus, OH 43240
Dave & Busters – Hilliard: 3665 Park Mill Run Dr, Hilliard, OH 43026
16-Bit in Dublin {Before 8 and Sundays} -Dublin: 6564 Riverside Drive
Dublin, OH 43017
Level One – {Noon to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday}: 130 Hutchinson Ave. Columbus, OH 43235
Goldfish Swim School – Dublin: 6175 Shamrock Ct g, Dublin, OH 43016
Goldfish Swim School – Lewis Center: 7838 Green Meadows Dr., Lewis Center, OH 43035
Goldfish Swim School – Westerville: 765 Brooksedge Blvd., Westerville, OH 43081
Worthington Community Center: 345 E. Wilson Bridge Rd.
Worthington, OH 43085
Dublin Rec Center: 5600 Post Road
Dublin, OH 43017
Westerville Rec Center: 350 N Cleveland Ave, Westerville, OH 43082
Check out this list I put together in 2016 on the tours throughout Central Ohio that are kid friendly. Woah, yes, I said 2016. While I work on updating the list, make sure you’re checking out the website/social media pages prior to visiting. Use the link below more as inspiration!
