Time is flying by! I can not believe it is already December. It feels like just yesterday we were at the pool or downtown exploring Columbus Commons. Thankfully it’s almost winter break for many kiddos. Winter break is a great time to stay in and snuggle up on the couch, but, it’s also a great time to explore our beautiful city. If you’re looking to get out of the house, I have the list for you to do so!
- Visit Santa at The Shops at Worthington Place.
- Check out the Ohio Chinese Lantern Festival.
- Take a Holiday Carriage Ride at Easton.
- Join in on the Elf Holiday Party at Lane Road Library.
- Enjoy the holiday lights at Columbus Commons.
- Go see the historic life-sized Nativity display at State Auto’s Christmas Corner.
- Enjoy a family swim at Goldfish Swim School in Dublin or Westerville. Dublin Hours: M-Th, 12-1 and Friday 6:30-8. Westerville Hours: M-Th 12:30-1:30 and Friday 6:30-8:00. You do not have to be members to join in on Family Swim. Its the perfect time to have fun with your little simmers, work on water safety and best of all – enjoy their WARM water! The cost is $5/person with a max of $15 per family.
- Marcus theaters is showing ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ on December 11,12 & 14. The cost is $5! If you can’t make it to that, go on any Tuesday and ALL movies are only $5. I think Marcus has the most kid-friendly theater.
- During the week, head to Recreation Outlet for $2 (per family) Charitable Play.
- Bowl on Mondays at Star Lanes when its only $2 per game and $2 for shoe rentals. They also have something called “Pins Pop-a-shot and Pizza.” For $15, children ages 12 and under, will receive a kid’s meal menu item, game of bowling and shoes and $5 arcade game card.
- Drive through the Fantasy of Lights at Alum Creek.
- Join in on Colo’s birthday celebration at the Columbus Zoo.
- Franklin Park Conservatory has many events happening over break, plus, they have it beautifully decorated. My favorite is The Snow Queen performance by the Columbus Children’s Theatre.
- Enjoy all you can Eat Pancakes, Eggs, and Sausage with Santa in Worthington.
- Enjoy a family movie at the Delaware Library. They will be showing Zootopia and Finding Dory.
- Get everyone out of the house and come help with farm chores, visit the animals and stop by the farmhouse for activities and to warm up next to the wood stove at Slate Run Farm.
- Join Santa for breakfast at the Dublin Oakland Nursery.
- Make a mini snowman out of marshmallows, and try an outdoor winter scavenger hunt based on the holiday song “It’s A Marshmallow World” at Blendon Woods.
- Ride the holiday decorated train with Santa himself at the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway! During the two hour train ride, Santa will visit each child. Enjoy the view and the festivities aboard the Santa Train! These train rides run Saturdays and Sundays starting November November 26th and run through December 18th, at 11am and 2pm each.
- Head to Zen Kidz and enjoy a visit with Old Saint Nick! You will sing songs and have snacks, plus you can send the afternoon playing in a wonderful play cafe.
- Go on a Winter break scavenger hunt and enjoy a fun craft at Blendon Woods. Multiple days!
- Capture the spirit of holidays past at Ohio Village, where Charles Dickens’s festive and enduring vision comes to life through jolly carols, decorations and traditions inspired by his colorful tales. Enjoy craft and cooking demonstrations and shop P. Wylie’s Emporium for the perfect gift.
- Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at North Market.
- Join Polaris Fashion Place KidX Club Events for a Frozen Fun Winter break. Visit your favorite snowy movie characters for a winter wonderland of fun! Take pictures with the fairest snow queen and snow princess in the land. Don’t forget about the silly smiling snowman! Take a break from the cold and come join the whole snow family by the Zoo Play Area.
- Jump the day away at the Bounce Club in Powell or Big Bounce in Grove City.
- Join Food for Good Thought, a social enterprise offering jobs to people with Autism for a Hot Cocoa Bar at Luckys!
- Head to the Ostrander Branch Library every day the week of December 27 – 30 for a full day of Winter fun! There will also be LEGO free play each morning from 10 – 12 AM.
- See The Nutcracker at the Ohio Theater.
- Take the entire family to Young Chef’s Academy for one of their family gingerbread house decoration sessions.
- Celebrate New Year’s Eve preschool style with crafts and entertainment from the Columbus Zoo and a countdown at Noon to celebrate the New Year at the Westerville Community Center.
Whether its snuggling at home on the couch or getting out and exploring the city, ENJOY it!!
