30 Free Things To Do in Columbus With Kids

Highbanks (named for the scenic bluffs overlooking the Olentangy River) has some of the best hiking trails in Ohio. It’s a great place for a family nature walk in the woods, with easy, moderate, and challenging trails of all lengths. There's a 15-acre unstructured natural play area, overlook deck, nature center, a full calendar of activities, and plenty of wildlife to discover.

Katie G. said:  Have popcorn lovers in the family? You won't want to miss out on a popcorn tour at Al's Delicious Popcorn. During the tour you will watch a short, entertaining and informative video showing how gourmet popcorn is made at Al's. Then you will be able to sample some of the delicious and unique flavors available at Al's, including Cookies N Cream, Pizza, Bubblegum, Jelly Bean and more. There will be a question and answer session and a chance to purchase a yummy sample to take home at the end.

Ages: all ages

Cost: Free (appointments must be made online)

Tours are given January 15th through September 15th

Fryer Park boasts the educational Discovery Frontier playground, with a space theme! Kids have fun locating the different planets, peering through telescopes, scaling the climbing wall, and playing with musical features. This playground is accessible for kids of all abilities.

Katie G. said:  Located inside Graeter's ice cream, this sweet indoor playground has ice cream-themed slides, a banana split teeter totter and plenty of room for little ones to run around. Socks are required to play.

Since it's located on just 2 acres, Hayden Falls Park gives the whole family a chance to experience a stunning 35-foot waterfall surrounded by a lovely nature preserve.

Katie G. said:  This is a hidden gem in Columbus. Short hike to the amazing falls, which are literally right off the main road.

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:  Find the magical fairy door at each of 8 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 Doors of Dublin t-shirt. All participating businesses are family friendly, and within 3 blocks of each other. Visit the Dublin Visitor & Information Center to pick one up and get started on the trail.

The Mall at Tuttle Crossing Play Area is a colorful, soft-surface indoor playground designed for young children to climb, explore, and play safely. Located within the mall, it provides a convenient spot for families to take a break and let kids burn off energy during shopping trips.

Katie G. said:  As the name suggests, the Heritage Rail-Trail travels along an old abandoned railroad track starting in Old Hilliard and ending near Plain City. The 7-mile paved trail passes through Homestead Park, which is a great place to stop, have a snack and let the kids play on the awesome playground.

Kelly R said:  Dublin's Coffman Park has an impressive and well-designed skate facility with a wide variety of obstacles, including street obstacles. The park is appropriate for all ages and skill levels, and is lit at night. Skateboards and inline skates only. Free to skate.

Located adjacent to the Delaware YMCA, Veterans Park is a kid favorite - especially when the splash pad and concession stand are operating. Features include lots of opportunities for climbing and sliding, interactive games, a dino-head slide, and a cool parent-and-child swing. It's worth a drive even if you don't live nearby.

Kelly R said:  This dinosaur-themed playground in Delaware was a big hit with my family!

Katie G. said:  Take a trip back to the 1890s at Gallant Farm. Stroll along the farm path trail where you will see animals, a garden, a pond and crop fields and might even catch a volunteer "farmer" plowing or planting. Visitors can view old farm equipment in the storage shed, see the big red barn which often offers classes and demonstrations or visit the farmhouse. Inside the farmhouse is a replica of what it would be to live in the 1890s. It is open to the public to wander around the rooms, sit on the couches, take in an old game kids may have played or enjoy a fresh baked good from the kitchen.

Katie G. said:  Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park is one of the largest Metro Parks in Columbus, stretching 13 miles along the Big and Little Darby Creek rivers. The nature center, which blends in with the landscape, overlooks the park's enclosure of roaming bison. Inside the nature center a 53-foot "living stream" flows through the exhibits and is stocked with several kinds of creatures (fish, turtles, frogs) that can be found in the Big Darby Creek. There is also a variety of educational and interactive exhibits to learn about the park's ecosystems.

Glacier Ridge Metro Park is home to some of the most unique playgrounds in Columbus! The 3-acre obstacle course features 12 challenging stations surrounded by a half-mile paved trail. Visitors can crawl through tunnels, climb poles and ropes and go over logs and more.

Katie G. said:  Traveling along the downtown riverfront of the Scioto River, the Scioto Trail, is a 9-mile paved path that winds through several sights of downtown Columbus. Grab a quick stop at the Scioto Audubon Park to relax, grab a drink, use the restroom or challenge each other to a race on the obstacle course. This trail is divided into four sections with several trail heads along the way and connects to the Olentangy Bike Trail.