Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in columbus, OH

Slate Run Historical Farm Offers A Taste of 19th Century Life

July 13, 2009

It was a lovely Sunday, so my husband and I packed up the kids for a day out at one of the parks. This time we chose the Slate Run Historical Farm, a living farm that demonstrates work and family life on a farm in the 1880's. If you've never been to the farm, you are missing out on a great history lesson for your kids, including a reminder of how we got our food in the days before supermarkets and food processing plants.
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Getting the Best Seats for Red, White & Boom

June 30, 2009

Sure, the Fourth of July is the official celebration of Independence Day, but here in Columbus we all know the big fireworks show is usually held the day before. This is the 29th year for Red, White & Boom, which will be held on July 3 this year.

Since many people arrive very early to get their chairs and blankets down for the best spots, the events start at 10 am when BOOM! Central opens. At 11 am the midway opens, providing you with funnel cakes and a strawberry smoothies while the kids play games and jump in the inflatable bounce houses. Downtown is also filled with live entertainment all day long. While some of the music may not be interesting for a preschooler, the event organizers put together entertainment for the younger set at the Children's Park, located in Battelle Park near the Santa Maria. The best presentation will probably be COSI's "Science of Fireworks" at 2:15pm - pay attention so you can explain it again when your child asks later in the night just how the fireworks make such pretty patterns.

The pre-show is a lot of fun, but the real question is: where to watch the fireworks? Here are a few ideas for you:
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It's Comfest Time in Columbus!

June 25, 2009

Columbus natives know that this weekend is traditionally the weekend when Goodale Park is taken over by an army of volunteers, organizers, musicians, artists, activists, and people of all ages and types to gather in solidarity as a single community. Some call it nothing more than a "hippie festival" but others know there is so much more to ComFest than that.

First put together 37 years ago, ComFest is short for Community Festival, and it is a celebration of diversity and the wonders of our planet. It's basic principles are the same ones many of us try to teach our children each day: respect others and treat them as you want to be treated, care for those who are sick or have less, and protect our planet. Surrounding these principles are three days of music, art, food, and a global marketplace featuring some of the most unique goods you'll ever find in Columbus.

For children, there is an entire section of ComFest devoted to them. The KiDSART area is like a mini-ComFest just for kids. There are crafts, workshops, recycled art, face painting, drum circles, and a t-shirt design contest for next year's t-shirt logo. However, your preschooler isn't limited to just the KiDSART area. Other stages will have performances by family-friendly artists, including sing-alongs and storytimes, and it's a good idea to bring some cash, because your child is sure to find a new toy or trinket in the marketplace.

If you want to make an entire day of this event, bring a blanket and join others in enjoying the serene setting of Goodale park. If you get hungry, nearly any type of food is available - typical fair food for picky eaters, and more sophisticated foods for adults. My lunch at ComFest is always from Flavors of India - yum! For the kids, look for a Jeni's Ice Cream cart and get a delicious scoop of Strawberry Buttermilk ice cream.

ComFest begins on Friday evening and continues until late Sunday night. KiDSART is open Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 pm. Admission to ComFest is free. Traffic is always heavy around the festival, so if you live close to a COTA bus stop, taking the bus will save you a parking headache.

One caveat: As this is a festival celebrating our freedoms, it is common to see many freedoms being exercised. In particular, it is legal in Columbus for a woman to be shirtless, so you can expect to see occasional bare breasts. While I don't consider it a big deal, and my daughters have never really noticed, it's something not everyone is prepared for and worth a mention.  Read more...

Park Street is the Place To Be this Weekend

June 11, 2009

June is one of my favorite months. Not only is my birthday during June, but it's also the start of the summer festival season. There are festivals scheduled across central Ohio nearly every weekend for the next three months, and many of these festivals have lots of activities for young children.

This weekend Park Street in the Short North will be closed to traffic for the Park Street Festival. This annual festival offers live entertainment on the outdoor stages on Friday and Saturday nights, but on Saturday from 11am-3pm there is a family festival for all ages to enjoy.

April Fools Day Activities for Your Kids

March 31, 2009

Tomorrow is the big day for jokesters, when pranks and silly games are played in celebration of April Fools Day. The origins of this holiday is unknown. Some think an April Fool was the term applied to those who still followed the Julian Calendar when the Gregorian Calendar was adopted. Another theory is that France considered April 1 the start of the new year until King Charles IX changed it to January 1, with those who did not follow being called April Fools.
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Spring into the Season With Metro Parks

March 26, 2009

Have you noticed the buds on the trees lately? Or those little peeks of green coming from flower beds? Spring is officially here, and while we're early in the season, the signs of everything coming back to life are all around us.

Ever since our tree began to bloom, my preschooler has been obsessed with seeing all of the trees "bloonin'!" Earlier this week we took a walk on one of the trails at the Battelle Darby Metro Park to satisfy her curiosity, and not only did we see buds on trees and grass starting to green again, but we also saw several birds back from their winter vacations.
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Five Things to Look for in a Preschool Game

March 16, 2009

Heads up, everyone, Family Game Nights are back! In this economy, Game Nights make sense; they're a fun, inexpensive way for families to bond and reconnect. But 4-year olds can hardly be expected to sit still for 5 minutes, let alone participate in classic Game Night standbys like Monopoly or Pictionary. What sort of games should parents play with their preschoolers on Family Game Night or any night?

In today's guest post, toy expert Jim Silver discusses features that parents should look for when choosing games for their preschoolers. Jim is a widely recognized and often-resourced authority on the toy and licensing industries, having worked within the publishing and toy industries for more than 20 years. He's also editor-in-chief for www.TimeToPlayMag.com, a great website parents can go to for toy, gaming and entertainment information. Read below to learn 5 things parents should look for in a preschool game, then check out Jim's list of top preschool games for 2009.
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Weekend Update: The Week Ahead

February 20, 2009

It may still be gray and dreary outside, but there's plenty to do inside this week. Here's some highlights of what's going on in Columbus during the week ahead:

Grandview Heights Public Library has one of the best storytimes around, and if you haven't taken your child yet, you don't know what you're missing. Their preschool storytime is held on Tuesdays at 10am, and includes songs, dance, and of course, a story to spark the imagination.

If you're more interested in a story told in a unique way, then it's not too late to get tickets for Disney on Ice: A Disneyland Adventure at Nationwide Arena. (2/26-3/1) Join hosts Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in this original adventure where everyone's favorite super family, the Incredibles, takes a fun-filled vacation to Disneyland where they meet beloved Disney characters and enjoy famed Disney attractions. Audiences will swing to the beat with Baloo through the Jungle Cruise, fly like a space ranger through Space Mountain with Buzz Lightyear and spin wildly through the Mad Tea Party with Alice and the Mad Hatter.

For those with an eye towards art, check out Rockwell's America: Celebrating the Art of Norman Rockwell at the Ohio Historical Society. Rockwell's America has been held over by popular demand through March 15 providing an additional opportunity to literally step inside the pages of history as seen through the eyes of Norman Rockwell, one of America's most beloved and recognized artists. With life-sized re-creations of Rockwell's most famous scenes, dozens of hands-on displays and all 322 of his original covers from The Saturday Evening Post, it is the largest Norman Rockwell touring exhibit ever created. This is a great exhibit for grandparents - point out how different your childhood was from the world your grandchild is currentlygrowing up in.

The New Albany branch of the Columbus Public Library will be welcoming Shirley Parish from the African Culture Company on Tues. 2/24 at 7pm for a lesson in African music and history. Celebrate Black History Month with a lively evening of African drumming, dances, songs, stories and games.

Finally, don't forget that Friday, 2/27 is Family Friday Night at COSI . COSI stays open late for family-friendly fun the last Friday of every month. You can explore science, discover fun, and stay late! Admission is only $7 per person after 5 p.m. and includes all of COSI plus an Extreme Screen movie!  Read more...

6 More Weeks of Winter = More Indoor Play

by Christina Mack

February 02, 2009

It looks like the groundhog saw his shadow today, which according to tradition means we can expect six more weeks of winter. The question is how to fill all of that time with indoor activities? While we do the occasional craft at home, my girls are getting tired of looking at the same four walls each day, and the pent-up energy is beginning to show again. They need someplace to run and be  Read more...

Consider Wooden Toys For The Holidays

by Christina Mack

November 17, 2008

Please welcome Amy as our guest writer today! Amy is a blogger and local artist who crafts wooden toys and other products, and I asked her to write a bit about why you should consider wooden toys for holiday gifts. Wood toys are at the top of every parent's holiday wish list for this year. 2008 was the year of the backlash against the toy recalls of 2007 and a time for focus on the  Read more...

Visiting the Pumpkin Patch: Circle S Farms

by Christina Mack

October 16, 2008

Last week I posted about a farm to the north of Columbus, so it's only fair to bring you a pumpkin patch for the southern part of the county, too. One of my favorites in southern Franklin County has to be Circle S Farms . I visited Circle S Farms for the first time last year, when my daughter's preschool class traveled to the farm to pick pumpkins. I remember it was a wet, dreary day, but  Read more...

It's Time for the Circleville Pumpkin Show!

by Christina Mack

October 13, 2008

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons This Wednesday marks the start of the 102nd Circleville Pumpkin Show . I went to this festival several times when I was younger, and I'm still stunned and amazed that you can hold a four day event dedicated to the orange gourd. Yet those four days are packed full of parades, competitions, demonstrations, entertainment, games, food, and of course, lots and  Read more...

Visiting The Pumpkin Patch: Honey Haven Farm

by Christina Mack

October 10, 2008

With so many local farms hosting fall harvest celebrations and pumpkin patches, you could spend each weekend visiting a different one and still not visit all of the farms in the greater Columbus area. My family has been to several over the past few years, but there are a few we really enjoy and visit over and over again. One of our favorites is Honey Haven Farm . It's a slightly longer  Read more...

Celebrating Halloween With The Animals

by Christina Mack

October 08, 2008

By now your child may have his Halloween costume, and it's possible you are now enduring daily requests to wear that costume. Around my house, we're going through daily questioning about what is trick-or-treat and how does it work. Even though Cordy went out collecting candy last year, she seems to have completely forgotten how to do it and wants a refresher from me. And each time I  Read more...

Staying Cool in the Heat

by Christina Mack

August 26, 2008

My older daughter can't play outside for more than 10 minutes without complaining that she's hot. I often think it's a clever plan to make me turn on the hose and fill up her splash mat, but some days it can get pretty hot outside. Instead of falling back on the same sprinkler or pool, maybe it's time to think up some new ways to cool off. Here are some ideas for playing outside without  Read more...

Let's Get Physical

by Christina Mack

August 21, 2008

I don't know about you, but there are days when I want to give my children away to the next person I see. Days when they are so full of energy that I can't possibly provide enough to keep them occupied. During these times, any hopes of sitting down for a craft or quiet coloring time are lost. My best hopes for keeping all of us happy is to find somewhere to let them run off all that extra  Read more...

Finding Nemo (or other fish) in Columbus

by Christina Mack

August 19, 2008

As a child I used to love when my mom had her weekly softball games only because it meant I got to go sit on the edge of the ball park and gaze into the stream flowing by. There were always lots of fish in the stream, and occasionally I'd throw bits of bread to them in an effort to get them to come closer. Watching the fish swim in the stream was probably one of the most peaceful moments of my  Read more...

Day Trip For Some Old-Fashioned Ice Cream

by Christina Mack

August 15, 2008

Not only does Columbus have several locally owned ice cream companies, we also have another famous brand making their old-fashioned ice cream just a short drive away. In Utica, OH (Licking County), Velvet Ice Cream has their headquarters at an authentic 1800's mill, where they have been making ice cream since the early twentieth-century. The mill was selected as a symbol of Velvet's  Read more...

Going For A Swim: Where To Find A Good Pool or Beach

by Christina Mack

August 05, 2008

Despite a June that was cooler and wetter than normal, August rarely disappoints for oppressively hot days. On those days I usually want to hide out inside in the air conditioning, avoiding any need to step foot into the oven outdoors. My children, however, can somehow sense the heat outdoors and are immediately drawn to it like a moth to a flame. We have to find some kind of compromise to let  Read more...

What To Do This Week: 8/4-8/10

by Christina Mack

August 04, 2008

If you haven't been to the Ohio State Fair yet, this may be the week to do it. Early weather forecasts say that it's going to be unusually cooler and dry later in the week, so take advantage of that with as much outdoor time as possible! This Wednesday at the fair, all general admission tickets are only $5. And if you're a AAA member, show your card on Thursday to receive $4 general admission  Read more...

This Weekend, Everyone Is Irish

by Christina Mack

July 31, 2008

Photo credit: capn madd matt You may have read this post title and thought I was a little confused. St. Patrick's Day was back in March, right? Yes, of course, but this weekend is the next biggest Irish celebration in central Ohio: the Dublin Irish Festival . I'm a regular visitor to the annual festival held in Coffman Park in Dublin. For three days, the park is converted into a celebration  Read more...

After Hours Fun At COSI Family Nights

by Christina Mack

July 23, 2008

While COSI is an amazing science education center, and has perhaps the best indoor educational playarea for preschoolers, you may not know that once a month they like to do something a little different. COSI usually closes at 5pm, but on the last Friday of the month, the doors are left open for COSI Family Friday Nights . All of the exhibits are open until 9pm, a movie is shown in the Extreme  Read more...

What to do this week: June 23-29

by Christina Mack

June 23, 2008

The end of June is getting close, and the summer fun is starting to heat up in Columbus. Festivals are popping up everywhere this week, and some great music is coming to town that will entertain you as much as your child. Two big festivals/fairs will be taking over the end of the week: the Origins Game Fair (that I previously wrote about here ) and ComFest, a massive community festival in  Read more...

Beat the Heat With A Splash

by Christina Mack

June 06, 2008

Have you seen the forecast for the next week? It's going to be hot! When the weather gets this hot, there are two options: stay in the air conditioning, or find a way to incorporate water with outdoor play. I generally prefer the air-conditioned option, but my daughter loves being outdoors, so we often have to find new ways to play outside in the heat yet stay cool. Columbus has ten public  Read more...

Celebrate Art at the Columbus Arts Festival

by Christina Mack

June 04, 2008

You dutifully put each new masterpiece from your child's art class in its place of honor on the refrigerator. But wouldn't it be nice if we could expose our kids to a world of art beyond just gluing macaroni to construction paper? The Greater Columbus Arts Festival , held downtown in the Discovery district this weekend (June 6-8) gives us exactly that opportunity. Aside from being a  Read more...

Summertime Outdoor Concerts in Columbus

by Christina Mack

May 30, 2008

Summertime in Columbus is always a time filled with music. No matter what part of the city you live in, there is a summer concert series near you. All are family friendly, and all are absolutely free. So pack up your blanket and your dancing shoes and show your kids how you used to dance before you were a mom! Here are a few of the outdoors music offerings around town: Summer Fridays at  Read more...

Room to Run: Tiring Out Your Preschooler

by Christina Mack

May 28, 2008

Let's face it some days you want to provide your preschooler with the most educational opportunities to learn and grow, but on other days you'd be happy to find somewhere to let them run until they fall asleep on the way home. I'll be the first to tell you there's nothing wrong with that. Naptimes are precious and few around here, and any chance to ensure a nap or earlier bedtime is acted  Read more...

Book Nooks for Tots: Best Story Times and Reading Rooms

by Christina Mack

May 22, 2008

We all know how important it is to cultivate a love of reading at an early age. But sometimes it's about more than just the book.  The right atmosphere of fun can also go a long way in encouraging your preschooler to reach for a book when bored. Luckily, Columbus is full of great places to read, and even pick up a few books, too. Here are just a few of the places to take your child for a book  Read more...

5 Best Day Trips Within an Hour

by Christina Mack

May 19, 2008

There's a lot more to Ohio than just Columbus. And while our home city has plenty to offer, sometimes it's good to get away, right? We've got lots of family-friendly attractions surrounding us, many only an hour or so away. Some of our favorites: Old Man's Cave:  It is in Hocking Hills State Park is in south-eastern Ohio, and has some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in the state. Old  Read more...