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

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...

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...

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...

What To Do This Week: 8/18-8/24

by Christina Mack

August 18, 2008

Have you noticed that the number of activities in Columbus is down for August? I can only guess it's because everyone is focusing on back to school prep and therefore they think no one wants to do anything else. But there's still another week until most schools are back in session, so we need to find something fun to do! I found a few interesting activities for you and your kids to explore this  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...

What To Do This Week 7/16 - 7/20

by Christina Mack

July 16, 2008

I won't be in Columbus to experience the hot weather this weekend, because I'm leaving tomorrow for five days in San Francisco for a women's blogging conference. It will be nice to visit a city where the temperatures in mid-July will only be reaching the upper 60's! For those of you not leaving the city this weekend (and that includes my husband and children), I still found some fun  Read more...

What To Do When You Can't Read A Book

by Christina Mack

July 15, 2008

In my living room is a small bookcase stuffed full of books, most of which are also small. This entire bookcase is devoted to the 100-200 children's books we've gathered over the past four years, and both of my daughters are constantly pulling books off the shelves and asking us to read to them. They're especially fond of the Dr. Seuss series, the Skippyjohn Jones series, The Very Hungry  Read more...

What to do this week: 7/7 - 7/13

by Christina Mack

July 07, 2008

Did you catch the fireworks last week? We watched Red, White & Boom on TV, but we did sit outside to watch our local fireworks on the 4th. Thank goodness the rain ended in time! Although another fourth of July has passed, the calendar is still full of summer events. With a little searching you can find all sorts of interesting activities to keep your preschooler busy. Here are  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...

What to do this week: June 16-22

by Christina Mack

June 16, 2008

If your preschooler is anything like mine, the lure of summertime boredom is calling. But it's only mid-June! No worries, though: I've got a week full of games, fun, and festivals for you to choose from, and one of them will certainly cure your child of the blahs. Got a child who loves Maisy the mouse? Join the Gahanna library for a celebration of Maisy through stories, songs, crafts and games  Read more...

What To Do This Week in Columbus

by Christina Mack

June 09, 2008

Now that summer is here, there are so many activities and events available for kids each week that it can be overwhelming to decide what to do. Or maybe you aren't sure where to look for any activities. So I'd like to highlight a few interesting events each week - some that are regular weekly activities, others that are one-time only, don't wait or you'll miss it events. On Monday, stop  Read more...

Special Adventures for Special Kids At the Columbus Library

by Christina Mack

June 05, 2008

Today is the last day of school for Columbus Public Schools, as well as several preschools around the city. While we all worry about what to do with our kids during the summer, those parents with special needs children have additional challenges. For those in special needs preschool programs, the end of school also signals the end of therapy for many. The change in routine is harder for  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...

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...