This list was given to me from a Franklin County Employee and I am thrilled to pass this along! However half way through the list I lost it- – - so, I have what was provided, what is recalled and what I am also aware of- and I will continue to add to this along with additional posts about summer concert series and more- – -
This represents most (of the larger) surrounding area play areas for the kids to enjoy. Some are outdoors, some include water spouts, some are with a fee, some are indoor- whatever you are looking for this may end up being a great resource!
I have placed an + sign by what I have taken the kids too and a double plus ++ if we really liked it!
North East Columbus
Blendon Woods Metro Park; 4256 E. Dublin-Granville Rd, Westerville 43081
All Children’s Playground; 345 East Wilson Bridge Rd (rear of Community Center), Worthington, 43081
Large Playground, wheel chair accessible, mostly shaded
Selby Park; 358 Selby Blvd South; Worthington, 43085
Toddler and preschool play structures and swings, climbing wall
Indianola Park (North East Columbus); 5500 Indianola Ave; Worthington 43085
Older play ground but has toddler and preschool appropriate structures, ride on toys and large field to run
Huber Village Park (also known as Planet Westerville); 362 Huber Village Blvd, Westerville 43081
Renovated Aug/09 climbing play structure
South East
Three Creeks Metro Park- Heron Pond Area, 3400 Williams Rd, Columbus, 43207
Large metro park with playground areas at the Maison Mills and Sycamore Fields areas
Livingston Park; 760 E. Livingston Ave; Columbus, 43215
North Columbus
North Orange Park; 7560 Gooding Blvd, Delaware, 43015
West of US 23, just North of Polaris Parkway; Very Large playground, wheel chair accessible, has toddler & preschool appropriate structures, swings and a sand play area
+Highbanks Metro Park; 9466 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center, 43035
playground, natural play areas, sledding hills
Liberty Township Playground; 2507 Home Rd, Powell, 43065
large playground
Central Columbus
Goodale Park; One block West of High St at W. Goodale and Park St
playground and swings, pond, gazebo
Schiller Park; 1069 Jaeger St, Columbus 43206
playground with swings and recreation center
Jeffrey Mansion; 165 North Parkview Avenue, Bexley, 43209 (616.559.4300)
Bexley park and recreation office, wooded park and playground
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here is the list that is from my head or my experience:
Outdoor Areas:
++Ballantrae Park; “Bunny Park’, Off Avery Muirfield/Hwy 33, Dublin, this is a fun water fall and water spout area. There are few seats and next to zero shading, but the water is fun and infant and up are all having a blast!
http://www.ballantrae-dublin.com/DancingHares.aspx
++Homestead Park; 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, Ohio 43026, bring items for the sand pit and the water park- for slightly older kids and up there is an area dedicated to water fights with water guns (this is fun but can get out of hand so oversight is needful). There is a nice water area for toddlers/preschool.
http://www.wtwp.com/parks/homestead.asp
++Village Green Park, Town Center, Downtown Powell *free
There are summer concert series on the large greenery facing the amphitheatre; there is a nice play area for kids that can climb steps well and some ground level features along with a neat splash pad with water coming from various objects. There are nice restrooms at this park also! Limited shading and seating but a lot of fun and places to run!
http://www.cityofpowell.us/government-parksrec.php
Easton mall has a water fountain/spouts in the summer for a water romp! Bring towels!
Polaris Mall has a mini-feature of this similiar fountain/spout water area in the Town Center part of the mall!
Indoor Play Areas:
EastLand Mall OSU themed kiddie area. *free
There note: This is a really nice indoor play area for the kids. It’s particularly good for younger children- toddlers, preschoolers and young elementary age kids.
http://funplacedatabase.com/eastland-malls-buckeye-kiddie-campus/
Easton, Pottery Barn story time info: 4002 The Strand East, Columbus
++Tuttle Mall & +Polaris Mall both have play areas for tots. My preference is Tuttle. *free
++Most of the library’s have wonderful story times, check http://www.columbuslibrary.org/ for the library and times that work for you. Note, if you have kids of varied ages it’s okay to bring the wrong age to another’s storytime. *free {there is songs, hand movements and books so it’s entertaining!}
++Recreational Outlet Powell *has free times, 484 W Olentangy/Powell Rd.
is a neat place for kids to play on all that fun and expensive outdoor equipment for free on certain days/times and about $4 on other days. It’s fun just don’t bring many snacks, sit down space is limited.
Free Play (call first, times change at certain seasons)
Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday – 9 a.m.- 11 a.m
http://www.recreationsoutlet.com/aboutus.php
House of Bounce 1649 Gateway Circle – Grove City, 43123
http://www.partycentersoftware.com/world_of_bounce_party.html
I heard the Grove City location is cleaner but I haven’t been to either. I also heard it’s super fun for adults because you can get into the bounce things with the kids!
+Magic Mountain Fun Center, (614) 840-9600, 8350 Lyra Drive, Columbus, OH 43240
This can be a tad overwhelming for shy or under 3 or 4 year olds but there is an area for tots/preschool ages in addition to the games for the slightly older
http://magicmountainfuncenter.com/
++COSI, Center of Science and Industry, Columbus, (614) 840-9600, 8350 Lyra Drive, Columbus, OH 43240
I love their tot/preshool play area. There is NO older children allowed in the play area so double check the ages before you go. But, it’s so much fun, my kids can play for HOURS and hours! (It’s $5 to park.)
http://www.cosi.org/
Of course there are local website and information listed under each county’s site. Most areas have a public pool area with day or summer passes.
Come play with us!
Tuttle Mall-
