The first 3 months of the year are the longest for me! (As I’m sure they are for everyone else). This year I am attempting to shift my mindset. Instead of lamenting about the season, I am to actually looking forward to things that I generally only do during wintertime. I have thought back on our winters with the kids and have compiled a list of outings I tend to save for wintertime. I have also thrown in a few that are on our list to try this year. Will you join us in shifting your mindset this winter?

Tried and True

Hunt for Bison at Battelle Darby Creek. The bison are in the winter field which makes them closer to the parking lot and nature center. Both the nature center and the bison are located in the Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park near Galloway and completely free to the public. The Nature Center offers a “living stream” with toads and fish that can be explored from above, below, and beside. In addition, the nature center has interactive exhibits and a variety of animal pelts for children to explore. Finding your way there can be a bit tricky, so be sure plug 1415 Darby Creek Dr into the GPS.

Enjoy a Free Sunday at the Columbus Museum of Art with the whole family. Explore the Walter Wing, play in the Wonder Room, or build a puzzle together in a gallery. There’s a great experience around every corner.

Take a dip in the Momi Land ball pit. This indoor playground is probably one of the cleanest we have been to and features a ball pit, climbing wall, trampolines, miniature carousel, and much more.

Attend a PBJ & Jazz Concert at the Lincoln Theatre. PBJ & Jazz concerts are “1-hour long interactive concerts designed to introduce jazz and American music to young children and their families.” Admission is $5 per person, with a family max of $20 at the door, and each child receives a peanut butter & jelly sandwich, juice, and a cookie upon arrival. This winter, concerts are January 12, February 23, and March 23, with two performances at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Check out Hoot: A Family Film Series on the last Saturday of the month at the Gateway movie theatre. Kid-friendly short films from around the world are alternated with songs played by the Shazzbots.

Create a masterpiece at Art with Anna. Baby & Art is offered on the second Sunday of the month from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for children age 9+ months to 3 years. Grown-Up & Me Art is offered on the second Saturday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Click the link for more details.

Spend the day at Piccadilly. In addition to the traditional indoor play space, Piccadilly offers in-house babysitting, weekly classes, and a café. My daughter loves the Culinary Institute of Piccadilly classes. We always end up staying for some extra playtime after class and to eat the café’s pizza bagels for lunch.

Make a trip to the AHA! Children’s Museum. While technically not in Columbus, this Children’s Museum is an easy 45-minute drive southeast in Lancaster, Ohio. It’s my favorite children’s museum to take my children, because it is located in a building with a smaller footprint. This makes it easier for the kids to navigate (and for me to keep an eye on them), but it’s still packed full of a ton of hands-on, interactive activities.

Warm up during family Swim at Goldfish Swim School.Family swim events are scheduled Monday through Thursday 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm and Fridays from 6:30 pm to 8 pm at the Dublin, Westerville, and Lewis Center Goldfish Locations. $5/person with a max of $15/family. Click the link for more information on dates and times.

Spend a morning exploring the Scioto Audubon Nature Center. The Audubon Nature Center is a beautiful facility located in the Scioto Audubon Metro Park. A few of the features include bird viewing windows, a small library, and two interactive children’s areas. The playroom offers both climbing opportunities, dress up clothes, and interactive activities on local birds and bugs. The center also offers Pre-K story time on Thursdays and Saturdays at 10 a.m.

Explore The Center of Science and Industry (COSI). Spend the day exploring the over 300 exhibits in a range of themes. Discover Ocean, Space, Gadgets, Life, Energy Explorers, Little Kidspace, Progress, Lily Pad and an outdoor Big Science Park.

Escape to a balmy oasis at the Franklin Park Conservatory. Take your coat off and explore three biomes (Himalayan Mountain/Rainforest/Desert), the Pacific Island Water Garden, the Showhouse, and the Palmhouse, to see the more than 400 species of plants on display. We enjoy taking the time to wander and often find something new each time we visit. If you are looking for something a little more structured, the conservatory also offers great family programming. Personally, I think the membership is worth the investment.

Volunteer with Seeds of Caring to help your kids realize their potential to make an impact in the Columbus community. Seeds of Caring provides opportunities specifically designed to engage children ages 2-12 in service, social action, and community-building.

Participate in a story time at one of the many public libraries in the area. Story time is a wonderful way to promote early literacy skills through short books, rhymes, and movement. Each library system in Central Ohio offers a variety of story times for different age groups. Be sure to click the link below to find the best story time that fits your needs and schedule.

On Our List

Take in a Columbus Blue Jackets hockey game.

Try out Bowling. Ten Pin Alley and Star Lanes have been highly recommended.

Enjoy a show at the Columbus Children’s Theater. Pete the Cat is next to be performed.

Jump the day away at Get Air Columbus. Toddler Time is offered on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. for only Little Air jumpers and their parents. Open Jump begins at 11 a.m.

Take a spin around the ice skating rink at The Chiller.

Experience a show with CATCO is Kids. Shows coming up include The Cat in the Hat, Press Start!, School House Rock, and Matilda.

One Time Events

The Columbus FairyTale Ball is January 18th. This Fairytale Event is full of magical moments including dancing with Cinderella, reading with Rapunzel, sharing Sweet Treats with Tinkerbell, and creating a craft with Elena.

Seventh Sun Family Fun Day on January 26th from 11 am to 3 pm. There will be coloring, cartoons, and face painting for the kids, and some low ABV drinks for the adults.

Disney on Ice presents Dream Big, January 29th through February 2nd. Adventure awaits as Disney’s most adventurous dreamers put their courage to the test. Join fearless Moana and the greatest demigod that ever lived, Maui, on an action-packed voyage to restore the stolen heart of Te Fiti. Journey with the Disney Princesses as they create their own happily ever!

Tots on the Trails at Blacklick Woods Metro Park. On January 31st and February 28th, from 10 am to 11 am, join a naturalist for a slow-paced half-mile walk through the woods.

Family Fun Breakfast Favorites on February 8th from 9 am to 11 am. Parents and kids will have fun cooking together in this class based on the children’s book “If You Give a Moose a Muffin” by Laura Numeroff. Children aged 6 to 8 accompanied by an adult will learn measuring skills, kitchen equipment basics and simple cooking techniques in a fun setting as they prepare and enjoy amazing breakfast foods.

Maple Time at Slate Run Farm on February 22nd, 23rd, and 29th. Learn about making maple syrup the 1880s way. A short hike to the sugarbush leaves the farm at 1 and 2pm. Sap collecting and boiling is dependent on the weather but all other activities will take place.

Full Disclosure – This is not an exhaustive list of everything to do in Columbus this winter. This list is a combination of our favorite tried and true activities and activities we want to try. Have fun!