Fun Fridays
While nannying, we always made it a point to attend these events. They are such a great time. Bonus, they take place at Everal Barn which has a ton of green space to run and explore around. If you venture a little bit more (behind Everal barn), you will find a HUGE shelter house with picnic tables, a bathroom, small playground and a HUGE field to run in! Perfect way to get that energy out before *cross your fingers* afternoon nap!
Rock Hoppers
Do your kiddos love to explore the outdoors? Interested in learning more about our local ecosystems? If yes, this is for you! During this Thursday morning event, you will explore the local ecosystems as you search for native wildlife just waking up from their winter slumber. Slosh into the wetlands for an exciting morning of fun and adventure. Learn about nymphs and tadpoles, lifecycles and early spring risers as we explore this amazing wetland right here in Westerville. Dress for the weather and plan to get wet.
Courtyard Entertainment
Right in the center of Uptown, you will find a ton of fun events throughout the week! On Fridays, grab your blanket and head out for an outdoor movie. Can’t wait for the weekend? Head out on Thursday for Family Fun night, where you can enjoy games, entertainment, popcorn and sno-cones! Don’t want to wait for the evening? Catch a lunchtime concert after picking up lunch at one of the local restaurants!
Live Music
Nothing is better than live music outdoors in the summer. Lucky for us, Westerville is giving us a TON of options. From lunchtime to nighttime to weekend, you are sure to find a concert that works with your schedule.
- Tuesday: Lunchbox Concert Series
- Wednesday: Family Concert
- Saturday: Jazz Saturday
- Sunday: Sounds of Summer
4th Friday
4th Friday is one of the best ways to explore Westerville. The streets come alive with street vendors, performers, food trucks, kid activities, and more. With extended ours, it is a great way to explore all of the local businesses in Uptown .
Scavenger Hunt
One of the best ways to get to know a new area is by doing a Scavenger hunt! This one even earns you fun prizes such as theatre tickets, tech gear, gift cards to local businesses and more! To get started, all you have to do is download the FREE Scavify app. Once it is downloaded, create an account and use the key word “Westerville” to search for local hunts.
Walking History Tour
Another great way to explore Westerville is by doing a walking history tour throughout Westerville.
As the site of Underground Railroad activity, the Westerville Whiskey Wars and the printing headquarters of the worldwide recognized Anti-Saloon League of America, Westerville’s past residents played a part in shaping the history of the United States.
By downloading this app (or viewing the web version), you can explore the rich and varied history of Westerville, Ohio with self-guided tours of the city’s cultural, historical and architectural heritage. You have an option of four different tours – Main St, State St, College Ave or Uptown Industry.
Sunshine Club
This fun drop in program consists of developmentally-appropriate singing, dance and play that will promote creativity, new cognitive skills and socialization for you and your child. Themes such as Things That Go, Eric Carle, Buggy Bugs, Water Fun and Stars and Stripes will keep your little one excited to attend.
Date: June 7 – Aug. 9
Cost: $3 at the door
Location: Westerville Community Center / 350 N. Cleveland Ave.
Ages 1-3 with parent / 9:30-10:15 a.m.
Ages 3-5 / 10:30 – 11:15 a.m 9:30-10:15 a.m.
Westerville Library
If you have yet to explore the Westerville library, you are missing out! They offer more free events than I can count. One of my favorite events was on National Cat Day. We handmade tacos for our cats! To this day, it is their most favorite toy. Looking ahead at their summer schedule, you’ll find your typical story times, but you’ll also find things such as garden explorers (story followed by hands-on learning in the garden), walking story time (Experience a story on the go while strolling through the library to Hanby Park, then enjoy a craft and treat), The Mark Wood Fun Show (Laugh out loud with this fast-paced show that combines comedy & magic featuring entertainer Mark Wood), family yoga Fridays and MORE!
Click here to check out everything they have to offer this summer!
Bonus: They have a new-ish play area to explore inside!
Explore Westerville Parks
There are 20 different parks to explore in Westerville, each offering something a little bit different. You will find beautiful walking and bike trails, a ton of great playgrounds, a dog park, BMX and hockey.
If I had to choose, I would say Millstone Creek Park and Alum Creek Park North are my two favorite playgrounds.
I haven’t been yet, but Hanby Park looks/sounds awesome. Not only do they have shaded swinging benches, they have a playground with swings, climbing tower and Splash Pad. Plus, it’s right behind the library!
You can find details on each and every park here.
Explore Inniswood Metro Park
Speaking of parks, Westerville is home to one of the most beautiful metro parks – Inniswood! This 123-acre Metro Garden offers so much more than your typical park. You will find biking trails, streams, woodlands, wildflowers, more than 2,000 species of plants, a hidden treehouse anymore!
This park is fun to explore on its own (check out my blog post from back in 2016 to see just how many hidden gems there are throughout the park), but it there are many family friendly scheduled events you can attend for FREE! Coming up they have a fairy garden workshop, a morning all bout tree squirrels and another about mysterious minks! Check out the list here. You may have to register for them, even if they are free!
Touch-A-Truck
Everyone loves a good touch-a-truck event, right? Getting the chance to explore fire trucks, police cruiser and construction equipment makes for the best morning!
Highlands Aquatic Center
Okay, I couldn’t leave out the Westerville Pool (Highlands). It is one of my most favorite pools!! This was our go-to pool (while nannying). I love that they have a zero-entry kid pool, two splash-pads, two pools, two slides and very affordable snacks (important!!).
One other thing that I absolutely LOVE about the pool, they offer a preschool swim time in the morning. While it might not be the warmest part of the day, it was always so nice not having a ton of people around while they kiddos were first learning to swim (mostly talking about all the big kids!!) Preschool swim time is M-F from 9am – 11am (ages 6 & under). Normal pool hours start at noon. If the kids wanted to stay, we would walk out to the shelter house and do lunch. It was prefect.
Cost: $12 non-resident \ $6 resident (Season passes are VERY affordable)
Location: 245 S. Spring Rd. \ Westerville, Ohio 43081
Phone: (614) 901-7665
For even more things to do, check out the Westerville Community Recreation Guide!
