It’s always great to spend time outdoors with children, but the weather doesn’t always cooperate. For families in Dublin, OH, having a list of family-friendly indoor activities can be helpful when it rains or the temperatures drop as seasons change. The Gardner School surveyed Dublin, OH parents to find out some of their favorite indoor activities.
If you’re a local or visiting family or friends in Dublin, here are nine great indoor activity spots that little ones are sure to love!
Get Air Trampoline Park
While Get Air Trampoline Park is known as a great place to throw children’s parties, it’s also the perfect place for play any day! Physical activity is so important for children, and jumping on giant trampolines helps develop balance and motor skills. On a hot or cold day, this climate-controlled space will feel comfortable, while still allowing children to jump and play. With special equipment and hours for toddler time, younger siblings can have just as much fun as older children.
Recreations Outlet
Created and run by native Ohioans, the two locations of Recreations Outlet feature multiple play sets, trampolines, and basketball hoops for indoor fun—no matter the weather. Since the indoor playground temperature is controlled, Recreations Outlet is a fantastic option for rainy or snowy days. They also offer charitable playtimes to support great local and national causes. If you want to bring a little bit of fun home with you, Recreations Outlet sells and installs many of the products that make up their play space. Plus, there’s a Junior Cuts salon for children to get their hair trimmed while their siblings are enjoying the play area.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center
Not only does LEGO’s legacy of creativity include feature films and amusement parks, but they offer LEGOLAND Discovery Centers for fun for all ages. They are filled with rides, games, and activities to make any day feel special. You’ll go home knowing that these little blocks are more than just fun for your child, they are also helping them understand spatial reasoning, engineering skills, and creativity.
Dublin Branch Library
The newly-designed Dublin Branch library is a great place to discover new books and media, and the children’s section is truly unbeatable. The staff is dedicated to helping children and adults find exactly what they’re looking for. The new location doubles the size of the library, adds a ton of new parking spaces, and now has a dedicated area for patrons under 6 years old. Every day will be a wonderful memory, as you settle into the gorgeous new layout with a book (or even two or three.)
Polaris Fashion Place
Savvy Dublin parents know that Polaris Fashion Place offers so much more than shopping opportunities. Offering market-exclusive brands and locally owned specialty shops to Columbus-area families, Polaris Fashion Place also hosts more than 75 events a year, including Polaris Live, KidX Club, Mommy Mile, the Easter Bunny, and Santa Photo Set. Since this shopping destination is home to more than 190 national and local retail, dining, and entertainment options, there’s no question that you’ll find something for the whole family to love here.
Lil’ Pints Playroom at Graeter’s
Not only can some Graeter’s ice cream cure the rainy day blues for all ages, but parents can let their little ones enjoy an active, fun-filled afternoon away from any bad weather at the Lil’ Pints Playroom at the Graeter’s location in Columbus. Open seven days a week, children can enjoy multiple slides and plenty of room to play…and (of course) yummy ice cream!
COSI
Delighting Columbus families since 1964, COSI (Center of Science and Industry) has also welcomed more than 33 million visitors from all fifty states and numerous foreign countries. With multiple exhibits, programs, and hands-on learning experiences, COSI can brighten up any day with its 320,000 square feet of interactive experiences, nine galleries, a Kidspace exhibit for learners under 6, a planetarium, and a state-of-the-art digital learning lab. Be sure to check out the best membership options for your family right here!
PINS Mechanical Company
When the family is craving a change from the regular routine, try out PINS Mechanical Company for a selection of indoor games you’re not likely to find anywhere else. Smaller balls and pins characterize their signature duckpin bowling, a niche favorite for Dublin families. While you’re there, be sure to save time for a round of bocce ball, ping pong, and Jenga, too! And if that’s not enough fun, children can bowl for free every single Sunday.
Ninja Citi Adventure Park
Young children thrive with access to safe, stimulating environments where they can challenge themselves and try new things! With over 30,000 square feet of indoor play space, Ninja Citi Adventure Park isn’t just a place to burn off extra energy, it’s a place to gain motor skills and discover new interests. Children can bounce, run, climb, and swing all day on ninja courses, parkour arena, trampoline park, and rock walls.
An Exceptional Columbus, OH Preschool Experience
The Gardner School loves being a place for children to learn and play. Our interactive curriculum, academic focus, and highly-trained teachers can keep children engaged on snowy and rainy days alike! To learn more about how we bring an exceptional preschool experience to Columbus, Ohio parents, set up a time to explore our location. We’d love to meet you and your little one!