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

Origins Game Fair Returns to Columbus

June 22, 2009

Many of us are nearly a month into summer break. Bored yet? I'll admit I'm getting a little tired of the same cartoon requests, another game of Candyland and the same four puzzles we always work on.

If you need to add to your game closet, the Origins Game Fair, held from June 24-28 at the Columbus Convention Center downtown is the place to find some new games for the kids (and hopefully you!) to enjoy. Origins has a large exhibitor's room where game makers sell their products directly to you, and usually provide demos of the games to try before you buy.

While the Game Fair has games for people of all ages, the event organizers have been working to make it as family-inclusive as possible, and you'll find games specifically oriented for the youngest players. Some of the games and activities that will be featured include:

Family Fluxx - This is a smaller, easier, family-oriented version of the popular card game Fluxx, from Looney Labs. Family Fluxx is designed to be a game that will be enjoyed by kids and adults alike, and features ever-changing rules with constantly changing goals. The game is sure to engage your child's interest, as well as help your preschooler practice reading skills, logic, and following rules.

Miniature Painting for Children - Kids aged 5-12, will be taught painting basics, simple color theory, as well as proper brush & paint care. Students will receive one primed figure to paint. Parental accompaniment strongly requested for kids aged 5-8.  (Parents will receive a miniature to paint along with their child)

Lifesize Candyland - Take Candyland to a new, more active level with lifesize Candyland. Allow your little one to work off some of that energy hopping from color to color in this game classic.  Additional full-body activities if time permits.  Adult accompaniment required, but only the child needs a ticket.

While many of the games at Origins are for older kids and adults, there are several games you can pick up for older preschoolers that help them learn as well as have fun. The next time you're stuck with a rainy day and realize you have an option other than playing Chutes and Ladders for the thousandth time, you'll be glad you visited this event.

Origins Game Fair provides day passes for all days of the convention. Passes are $3 per person or an entire family for $10. 

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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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...

Indoor Fun In Frigid Temperatures

by Christina Mack

January 12, 2009

We're at the beginning of what is predicted to be the coldest week so far this winter. More snow, high winds, and below zero wind-chills. In other words, not the best environment to let the kids play in for long periods of time. So where do we take our kids when cabin fever hits and they need somewhere else to go? Here are a few ideas for indoor fun on these cold days: COSI This  Read more...

The First Sleepover

by Christina Mack

January 05, 2009

Just in time for the new year, we had a new experience last week. On New Year's Eve, our friends came to visit, bringing their two children with them. Cordy is especially fond of their daughter, who is 6 months younger than Cordy, and only gets to see her once a month or so. We were hosting a party that night, and since they live two hours away, they planned to stay the night. It was  Read more...

Things To Do When Bad Weather Arrives

by Christina Mack

December 15, 2008

As you may know, the forecast for tomorrow is looking a little messy. Snow, freezing rain, changing temperatures - it's enough to make anyone want to stay inside. And if the weather turns out to be as bad as they predict, there's a good chance that school will be canceled. I can't tell you how nervous I get at the thought of staying indoors all day with both girls - cabin fever always sets  Read more...

Finding New Reading Spots

by Christina Mack

November 11, 2008

With the cold settling in for a long stay, all of the old indoor haunts are becoming popular for us again. One activity I'm particularly fond of during these cold days is taking the girls to one of the local storytimes to hear a story, play some games and maybe do a craft. We also like to browse the shelves and find new books at the library or bookstore, and sometimes my preschooler talks  Read more...

Stock Up For Those Long Winter Months

by Christina Mack

September 19, 2008

Sure, it may be sunny and beautiful outside for the next week, but by the end of October the chill will be in the air and there will be few good days for playing outside. Knowing that winter will be here before we know it, it's time to start preparing for those long days stuck indoors with the "I'm booooored!" whine coming every five minutes. Instead of being forced to come up with ideas on  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...

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...

Three Days In and Around Columbus: Day 1

by Christina Mack

July 08, 2008

So, lets say you've decided to visit Columbus as a tourist and you're trying to figure out how best to spend three days in the heart of Ohio. Or maybe you have friends or family coming in from out of town and want to take them to the best family sites the city has to offer. No worries! Over the next three days I'll be giving you an itinerary for how to keep yourself (and your  Read more...

5 Things to Do in Columbus on a Rainy Day

by Christina Mack

May 27, 2008

We all know it rains a lot in Columbus. Maybe not as much as Seattle, but still enough to dampen the hopes of small children who want to run and play. When you're the mom of a preschooler who is vibrating from pent up energy, finding somewhere to release that energy is a must, rain or shine. If the thought of spending another rainy day at home or stuck in a mall playground is unbearable, try one  Read more...

The Littlest Picasso: Where To Go To Make Art

by Christina Mack

May 16, 2008

Got a kid who loves express his artistic talents in every medium, including marker on eggshell white wall and other messes? Maybe it's time to find some art classes for your little Picasso. All of these options allow your preschooler to have some quality art instruction, with no clean up on your part. If you live anywhere on the north or east side, check out the Uptown Art Camp  Read more...