Family Activities In Columbus Ohio

Family Activities in Columbus, Ohio: Fun Things to Do for Kids, Teens, and Parents 

Columbus is one of the Midwest’s most underrated family destinations. It's a great city with many activities, from world-class science museums and botanical gardens to fully immersive virtual reality (VR) adventures. Family activities in Columbus, Ohio, cover every age, energy level, and budget, whether you’re planning a birthday party, a weekend outing, or just need to get the whole family out of the house, even if you only have enough time for a quick outing.

Here are our top picks for fun things to do in Columbus with family, both indoors and out.

Table of Contents

1. Sandbox VR Columbus: A Fully Immersive Family Adventure Unlike Anything Else 2. Columbus Zoo And Aquarium: Classic Family Fun For Young Kids And Animal Lovers 3. COSI Columbus: Where Science Meets Play 4. Legoland Discovery Center Columbus: A Go-To For Younger Builders 5. Franklin Park Conservatory And Botanical Gardens: Calm, Beautiful, And Surprisingly Kid-Friendly 6. Outdoor Adventures: Parks, Trails, And Active Fun Across Columbus 7. Downtown Columbus: Dining, Exploring, And Urban Family Activities

1. Sandbox VR Columbus: A Fully Immersive Family Adventure Unlike Anything Else

Columbus has no shortage of things to do, but Sandbox VR stands out from every other option on this list. This location-based entertainment (LBE) is an immersive VR experience that puts your whole group inside a shared, ultra-realistic digital world. 

You don’t watch the story, you’re part of it.

What Is Sandbox VR?

At Sandbox VR, our full-body motion capture technology translates your physical movements directly into the virtual world, where your avatar moves and behaves exactly as you do. With our haptic feedback vests, you feel tactile sensations in response to the action. The rumble of an earthquake beneath your feet, a breeze ruffling your hair, it's all as if it were really happening.

You don’t hold a controller and watch a screen. Rather, your body itself functions as the controller. 

In the digital world, you and your team can see, hear, and physically interact with each other as you navigate the adventure. Our experiences accommodate groups of up to six people at a time, making VR adventures a family favorite that's so much fun for groups of varying sizes.

Who Is It For?

Immersive VR is a popular choice with teens and parents who want to share a thrill. Older kids (typically ages 10 and above) who are ready for something more than the usual screen-based activity will also love it.

Sandbox VR is a perfect place for birthday celebrations, special occasions, or anytime you’re looking for something genuinely memorable.

Featured Experience: Age of Dinosaurs

Step into a living prehistoric world with Age of Dinosaurs, Sandbox VR’s family-friendly experience where your group explores alongside life-sized dinosaurs. No controllers, no sitting in a chair wearing a headset, just full-body immersion that makes you feel like you’re actually there.

Teens and older kids love the adventure, parents love the shared experience, and everyone loves the jaw-dropping spectacle.

For families with older kids or teens, you might also consider our other available experiences, such as our Deadwood zombie survival series, Stranger Things: Catalyst, or Squid Game Virtuals.

Why It’s Different From Other Columbus Activities

At Sandbox VR, we offer experiences, not games. Rather than consuming passive entertainment, your group is physically active, moving around a custom-built venue while problem-solving as a team. It creates a shared memory that’s hard to replicate among other family-friendly activities in Columbus.

2. Columbus Zoo And Aquarium: Classic Family Fun For Young Kids And Animal Lovers

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a world-renowned zoo located near Powell in Liberty Township, Ohio.

Why Families Keep Coming Back

Families with young kids return year after year to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, which consistently ranks among the top zoos in the country. Kids of all ages, especially toddlers through middle schoolers, always find something to love, from underwater exhibits to interactive animal encounters. Seasonal events like Wildlights give the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium year-round appeal.

Tips for Visiting With Kids

For lighter crowds, weekday mornings are your best bet. Each of the zoo’s areas is home to animals and exhibits from all over the world.

The zoo’s proximity to Powell puts you near other local attractions, such as Zoombezi Bay. Several family-friendly dining options are just a short drive away.

3. COSI Columbus: Where Science Meets Play

The Center of Science and Industry (COSI) is one of the most enriching indoor family activities in Columbus, Ohio, especially on rainy or colder days.

Hands-On Exhibits for All Ages

COSI offers various interactive exhibits that appeal to curious kids and engaged parents alike. There are plenty of areas to explore at COSI. Get up close and personal with a T. Rex in the American Museum of Natural History Dinosaur Gallery at COSI, or swing by the COSI Planetarium for an unmatched perspective of the universe. 

Check the website in advance, as well, for any rotating special programming and traveling exhibits. 

IMAX and Add-On Experiences

COSI offers immersive add-ons such as shows at the planetarium or IMAX films in COSI’s three-story Giant Screen Theater.

Turn a half-day COSI visit into a full day or build it into a full weekend itinerary in downtown Columbus by combining it with other nearby fun things to do.

4. Legoland Discovery Center Columbus: A Go-To For Younger Builders

For families with little kids (roughly ages 3–10), Legoland Discovery Center Columbus provides a focused, kid-sized world that’s easy to spend hours enjoying.

What To Expect

The center contains rides, a 4D cinema, and multiple themed LEGO build zones. Creative workshops let kids learn techniques and take on building challenges. It’s a weatherproof, fully staffed space that works perfectly for smaller groups and families with little ones.

Practical Info

Located inside Easton Town Center, Legoland Discovery Center is easy to combine with dinner or shopping nearby. We recommend booking tickets in advance to avoid a lengthy wait.

5. Franklin Park Conservatory And Botanical Gardens: Calm, Beautiful, And Surprisingly Kid-Friendly

Not every family outing needs to be thrilling. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a great option for families who want something engaging without sensory overload.

Why It Works for Families

Stunning glass biomes feel genuinely magical to kids as they walk through tropical, desert, Pacific island, and Himalayan mountain environments, all without leaving Columbus. Various exhibits, including rotating art installations and butterfly shows, add interactive appeal.

Seasonal Programming

Family programming runs year-round at Franklin Park, including Blooms & Butterflies in the spring and holiday light shows in the winter. You can also attend family workshops and events throughout the year. Check the calendar before you visit.

6. Outdoor Adventures: Parks, Trails, And Active Fun Across Columbus

A wide range of parks and trails offer plenty of outdoor things to do with kids in Columbus, Ohio.

Scioto Audubon Metro Park and River Trails

Free, accessible, and easy to reach from most parts of the city, Scioto Audubon is worth visiting for its 35-foot outdoor free climbing wall. Older kids and teens seeking something a little daring will love it.

Hayden Falls Nature Preserve and Hocking Hills Day Trips

Hayden Falls features jaw-dropping cliff faces and an easy trail to a waterfall that most ages can hike. For families who want something more dramatic, Hocking Hills State Park is about an hour southeast of Columbus and offers stunning scenery across every trail difficulty you could want.

Schiller Park and Goodale Park

Both are community-friendly green spaces located in walkable Columbus neighborhoods (Schiller Park in German Village, Goodale Park just south of the Short North). These scenic parks are great for picnics, casual play, and relaxed family afternoons without itineraries or admission fees.

7. Downtown Columbus: Dining, Exploring, And Urban Family Activities

Downtown Columbus is the city’s business, entertainment, and cultural hub.

Short North Arts District

The Short North rewards families with teens or older kids who appreciate a lively, creative atmosphere. Family-friendly brunch spots, ice cream, and street murals make it a fun stretch to wander, especially on weekend afternoons.

North Market

North Market is a 150-year-old public market with a wide range of vendors, excellent for families with varying tastes. Make a casual outing of the weekend farmer’s market, and it will easily fold into a full day downtown.

Columbus Museum of Art

The Columbus Museum of Art’s Wonder Room, designed specifically for families and children, is interactive and inventive. Rotating exhibits make repeat visits worthwhile.

Make Your Next Family Outing In Columbus A Memorable One

Columbus has activities to keep every family member happy, whether they’re toddlers who need space to run around or teens who’ve outgrown the usual outings. Mix and match from our list based on your kids’ ages and interests, and don’t underestimate the value of combining activities for a full day of family fun in Columbus, Ohio.

If you’re ready to move beyond the ordinary and share an experience your family will talk about for years, start by booking your Sandbox VR experience and build the rest of your family day in Columbus around it.

FAQs

Is Sandbox VR appropriate for kids?

Absolutely! Many Sandbox VR experiences, including Age of Dinosaurs, are designed for children, teens, and adults to enjoy.

Are there free family activities in Columbus, Ohio?

There are! Several local parks, trails, and outdoor spaces are completely free to visit.

Can families book Sandbox VR for a birthday or special event?

Of course! Sandbox VR is a popular choice for birthday celebrations for children, teenagers, and adults alike. We offer a fully immersive shared experience that goes far beyond typical party activities.

Is Legoland Discovery Center Columbus worth it for older kids?

It depends. Legoland Discovery Center is best suited for children roughly ages three to 10, so families with tweens and teens may find Sandbox VR or COSI a better fit for fun things to do in Columbus with family.

Is the Columbus Zoo good for toddlers?

The Columbus Zoo is widely considered one of the best family activities in Columbus, Ohio, for young kids, with plenty of interactive and accessible exhibits well-suited for toddlers and preschoolers.