Christina from A mom story is a good friend we satisfied at BlogHer years back as well as a mother of two impish daughters, Cordy as well as Mira. as well as if that’s not enough, she’s likewise a nurse with a significant heart. She tells us exactly how to spend the very best week ever with a young child in Columbus, OH.
Cordy as well as Mira
Monday – The Columbus Zoo
The Columbus Zoo was just recently declared to be the #1 zoo in America, as well as a see to the zoo will show why. You can’t potentially see everything in one day, so pick your preferred animals as well as oil the wheels on your stroller for a day of animal spotting. Don’t miss Asia Quest, where you can see the Amur tigers, as well as catch a peek of the new infant elephant. The African jungle area features the gorillas as well as bonobos as well as offers a good indoor area to sit down as well as view the gorillas. (The indoor food court is likewise nearby.) likewise be sure to inspect out north america where your bit one can pet the goats in the petting zoo. end your day with a unwinding train trip next to the petting zoo. In the winter, come to the zoo in the evenings to see beautiful light screens at the annual Wildlights event.
Tuesday – Easton town Center
Easton town center is the mecca of buying in Columbus. Unlike a conventional mall, this collection of shops resembles a little town, with a little interior shopping center in the center as well as streets full of shops surrounding it. Not only will you discover stores that charm to you, however there are a number of locations to shop for your child, including Build-a-Bear/Friends 2B Made, Pottery Barn Kids, Gymboree, as well as the discovery channel Store. There’s likewise color Your World, a paint-your-own pottery store. (If you’re just going to the city, ask them about mailing your child’s masterpiece after the required days of firing the clay.) The sidewalks are broad as well as simple to maneuver a stroller, as well as auto parking is close as well as plentiful.
If you’re searching for a bit fun while shopping, game works provides a riches of arcade games. Or stop by the Barnes & Noble to see if there is a storytime being held that day. When hunger strikes, get a meal at Max & Erma’s or the California Pizza Kitchen, or just get a snack at world Smoothie or Emilee’s Italian Ice, a great option for households with food allergies.
Wednesday – Columbus Metro Parks
The Columbus Metro Parks are found all around the county, preserving natural areas as well as offering walking/biking paths to delight in Ohio’s wildlife. many of the parks have at least one path that is stroller/new walker friendly. Inniswood Metro gardens is one of my personal favorites since of the riches of paved paths as well as open grassland to wander. Be sure to inspect the monthly routines for every park — there are a number of programs developed to introduce nature to older infants as well as toddlers.
Thursday – COSI
One of the very best locations to take a curious infant or young child on a rainy or chilly day is COSI. The center of science as well as Industry, the #1 science center in the country, is full of fun as well as engaging activities developed to instruct your kid about science in a method that they don’t even recognize they’re learning! While COSI features a number of routine display areas, with topics ranging from area to the Body to the Ocean, the genuine hit for the under five set is bit Kidspace.
Splashing at COSI, picture by mom Christina
Little Kidspace is full of hands-on activities developed for infants as well as young children ”“ older youngsters aren’t enabled in to play, decreasing the possibilities of your new crawler getting stepped on. particular activities in bit Kidspace are developed particularly for babies, including a seated water play table (with raincoats!) as well as a number of other sensory activities. There is likewise a altering station, a nursing room, as well as snack area in bit Kidspace to satisfy your every need. If you’re in the mood for something a bit much more laid back while infant sleeps, you can catch a film on the extreme screen theater.
Friday – Columbus Metropolitan Library
Your kid has his own library card by now, right? No? The Columbus Metropolitan library will happily provide out library cards to kids of any type of age so they can begin browsing the shelves of the bright as well as vibrant children’s library discovered in this grand, historic building. sit under the big painted tree in the middle of the children’s area as well as checked out a book together, or come for one of their numerous story times. The library not only has routine story times, however they likewise have regular guest appearances by musicians, magicians as well as other children’s performers.
Saturday – Ballantrae Water Park
If you’re wanting to get wet without the big body of water, try one of the regional parks that has a play fountain. Our preferred is Ballantrae Park in Dublin. Ballantrae’s fountains are a great deal of fun for bit ones to play in – you never understand when the next burst of water will be! On warm summertime days, youngsters can run with the water-play area (complete with waterfall!) or climb the hill to get an up-close view of the statue of three dancing hares. (Look carefully at the statue as well as see if you can discover the a number of daily home objects hidden in the bronze!) One tip: there’s no shade in sight, so bring your own umbrella as well as don’t fail to remember the sunscreen!
Indoor option: weather condition chilly as well as gloomy? delight in lunch at the North Market, where you can sample foods of all kinds: organic, ethnic, exotic, homemade, as well as downright indulgent. during the growing season, Saturdays are likewise when regional farmers bring their fresh-picked create to the market — get there early for the very best selection!
Sunday – Franklin Park Conservatory
In the summertime the outside areas of the Franklin Park Conservatory are full of beautiful flowers as well as great deals of eco-friendly everywhere. however even in poor weather, Franklin Park Conservatory still has plenty to do on the inside. tropical flowers bloom year round indoors, as well as in the spring the indoor areas transform into a butterfly haven for the Blooms as well as Butterflies exhibit. On bleak days, close your eyes in one of the warm, damp spaces as well as forget, for just a moment, the dreary weather condition outside.
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Thanks a heap to Christina for sharing her excellent concepts for fun in Columbus. next time I have a long time to kill in Cleveland with the boys, I believe I’ll pay her a visit.