-
6 Ways to Give Back this Holiday Season in Columbus
World Kindness Day falls on November 13th, and this year to celebrate, I am sharing a list of 6 ways to give back to the community this holiday season. Franklin County Holiday Wish For more than 55 years, community members have granted the wishes of children through the Holiday Wish program at Franklin County Children Services. This program provides gifts for thousands of youth served by the Franklin County Children Services agency and helps put the magic back in the holidays for families. Help in one of the following ways: Donate any new toy Sponsor a child Host a toy drive Donate to the children’s fund The agency is accepting any new toy, but…
-
30 Fun Ideas for Fall in Columbus
Another fall season is upon us, which means it is time for all of the seasonal fun! This list evolves from year to year and consists of tried and true things to do and new ideas for inspiration. Check it out and share your favorites! Sign up for the Columbus Buddy Walk. Join the Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio as they unite for a common cause and raise funds during the 2023 Columbus Buddy Walk®! Whether you have Down syndrome, know someone who does, or just want to show your support, on Sunday, October 1st, head down to the Buddy Walk for tailgating, music & dancing, food trucks, touch-a-truck, balloon…
-
23 Notable Columbus Metro Park Play Areas
The Columbus Metro Park System is simply impressive and such a gift to Central Ohio. We have spent years exploring the parks and the play spaces are always being added to and updated. Here is the most up to date list of the current notable play spaces in the metro parks. The spaces range from traditional playgrounds to a more naturalistic approach to play spaces. Make a list and start exploring the Central Ohio Metro Park system – it’s definitely worth it! Battelle Darby Creek Cedar Ridge Picnic Area, 1775 Darby Creek Dr, Galloway, Oh The playgrounds in the Cedar Ridge picnic area have been recently updated and are ready…
-
Experience the Wonder of Belize with Kids
Belize will forever go down as one of the most magical trips I have experienced. There are two worlds when it comes to the country of Belize, the ocean and the jungle, and when we were in the midst of planning, we knew we had to experience both. Although we only had a week, we made the decision to split our time between the jungle and mountainous region near San Ignacio and the ocean and reef at Ambergris Caye. Getting to Belize Belize is an easy, under 3-hour flight, from Miami, Denver, Houston or Atlanta. We flew Columbus –> Dallas and then Dallas –> Belize City and experienced one of…
-
32 Holiday Happenings in Columbus – 2022 Edition
The holiday season is upon us and the anticipation to create magical moments is real. I have compiled a list of ideas that include some of our favorite holiday traditions and some that we have been waiting to try out. One Time Holiday Events Cirque Dreams Holidaze Cirque Dreams Holidaze will convey the magic of the holiday season through a Broadway-style production infused with contemporary circus arts. Cirque Dreams Holidaze is set to dazzle Columbus audiences with its acclaimed and whimsical holiday spectacular at the Palace Theatre, for two nights only, on December 1st and 2nd. Tickets can be found at my.cbusarts.com. Sounds of the Season at the Holiday Pops Concert Take in…
-
9 Instagram Worthy Spots for Fall Foliage in Central Ohio
There is something so special about hiking through the woods when the leaves are turning in the fall. The light reflecting off the golden leaves just makes everything magical. There are a few spots locally that we visit each year that just shimmer in gold during peak foliage and we finally compiled a list of the locations to share with the world. Blendon Woods Metro Park: Take the 2-mile Sugarbush Trail and you will pass through a woods that opens onto a meadow and at peak foliage everything glows golden. Clear Creek Metro Park: The .9-mile Lake Trail winds through woods and leads to an observation deck overlooking Lake Ramona. Take in the…
-
30 Things to do this Fall in Columbus
Another fall is here, which means it is time for all of the seasonal fun! I put together this initial list a few years ago filled with our tried and true things to do and then other ideas for inspiration. Since a few of our favorite fall activities are no longer in existence (Demonye’s haunted greenhouse and Schacht Farms pumpkin patch), I will be turning to this list for inspiration on creating new memories this fall. Check out the list and be sure to share your favorite fall activity with me. Sign up for the Columbus Buddy Walk. This year the Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio is celebrating the…
-
15 Must Have Books for Your Two Year Old
Reading is one of the most powerful ways to support your child’s speech, language, and cognitive development by introducing them to new vocabulary and new ideas. When choosing a book for your two year old, focus on books that would be of interest, use short text, have fun illustrations, and incorporate rhyming and repetitive language. Just a few of our favorites… You Are Two by Sara O’Leary. A baby’s second year is full of memorable milestones. Walking, running, understanding more words, speaking their names, and forming first memories are all exciting achievements. You Are Two looks back on these moments, inviting little ones and their parents to celebrate how much they have…
-
27 Ways to Play This Winter in Columbus
A few years ago we decided to change our mindset and really start to embrace winter. One of the main ways we do this is by creating a list with the anticipation of looking forward to the things that we generally only do during the winter months. This is an updated version of the list we pull from each year for inspiration. Check it out and let us know if you are up for the challenge of shifting your mindset towards winter this year. Opt Outside Check out Quarry Trails Metro Park, the newest addition to the Columbus Metro Parks system. While still under construction, so far this park features…
-
58 Ways to Stay-N-Play at Home: Winter 2022 Edition
It’s cold, it’s dark, and we are all home. So, here is a list of ways to stay and play at home adjusted for this season. Fingers crossed we get more snow, because snow play can take up an entire morning! Snow Play Build a Snowman: Then label body parts, clothing items, and use spatial concepts in order to build your child’s vocabulary. Snow Angels: Describe how to make it and then make one together. Which angel is bigger? Snow Paint: Liquid watercolors are a perfect way to color the snow and can be spread via a spray bottle or a paint brush. What colors are you using? Snow Gems: Create these gems by…