Staying at home with kids during a Midwest winter can be brutal. There doesn’t seem to be as much going on as in the summer months, the days are shorter, and the kids are bored. Winter seems to be a time to stay inside. That is all well and good, but when you have little ones that need to be physically active, a mommy needs options. I have listed some ideas below that will hopefully spark some interest. It’ll just take a little bravery on your part to drive down some of the unplowed Columbus streets. Buckle up the car seat and please don’t forget the sippies, snacks and extra diapers.
Elizabeth Blackwell Center
North of Riverside Methodist Hospital
3635 Olentangy River Road
Columbus, Ohio 43214
(614) 566-5353
Monday, Wednesday and Friday they open their gym up in the mornings from 9:30am – 11:00am for preschool aged kids and younger. It is only $6 per child and they get to play with balls, ride-on toys, small jungle gyms, run, leap, twirl, put plastic food in their mouths, read books and just about anything else they could do outside besides eat dirt. Around 10:45am is clean up and then the coordinator reads a book to the kids and they can eat a snack if you brought one for them. Be sure to remember a sippy with water because all that running around makes little ones thirsty.
It definitely cures the winter doldrums. Added bonus is there are other mommies there to chat with and get to know.
Worthington Community Center
345 E Wilson Bridge Rd
Worthington, OH 43085
(614) 436-2743
Worthington Community Center offers two preschool aged and younger playtimes: Preschool Playtime and See Me Run. The Preschool Playtime is good for moms with multiples because baby siblings are allowed and if they are under one it is no additional cost. See Me Run prefers that younger siblings do not come. Each season there are a number of classes to choose from – check out their brochure online to get more information.
My mommies group did the Preschool Playtime in the fall and winter. It has been a great indoor place for us to meet. Big open gym, lots of ride on toys, balls, pretend play things like kitchens and after clean-up the coordinator sings songs in a circle with the kids. Of course, if your child is like my Peyton, they will be jumping all over the mats in the corner while all the other kids sit cutely on their mom’s lap singing the Itsy Bitsy Spider.
For a community center in your neck of the woods check out this link.
Polaris Fashion Place and Tuttle Mall
Polaris Fashion Place
1500 Polaris Parkway
Columbus, OH 43240
(614) 846-1500
Tuttle Mall (The Mall at Tuttle Crossing)
5043 Tuttle Crossing Boulevard
Dublin, OH 43016
(614) 717-9604
The malls in Columbus can be a great free way to get your kids moving. Polaris and Tuttle both have fun play areas with themed things to climb on, slide down, and hide under. Tuttle Mall has the space theme: planets and a space shuttle make it a fun way to blast off some of the winter wiggles. There is a nice sitting area for a mom to comfortably watch her child, feed her baby, or look at the receipt from her Baby Gap purchases that she won’t tell her husband about.
The Polaris Mall play area was created by the Columbus Zoo. A fake Jack Hanna welcomes you and your children to play in Columbus’ only kid-friendly jungle. There are lots of fun animals, rocks, and tree house slides for your kids to romp around on. Mama, you can sit back and just watch, but keep a close eye, this play area can get really crowded with kids and you never want to presume someone else is watching your child.
COSI’s little kidspace
333 West Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 228-2674
The Center of Science and Industry has been around forever. I remember going to its old location on Broad Street when I was young and being fascinated by the Street of Yesteryear. Since moving locations a number of years ago, COSI added more space and created a very young child’s fun place called little kidspace. This area is on the third floor of COSI and has tons of activities for young children: water tables, big blocks, balls they can balance in midair, a doctor’s office, sound machines and tons of other toys. There is even an area where you can have a packed lunch at tables made for the little ankle-biters. Not to fear, if you forgot lunch or just don’t want to carry it around there is a cafeteria on the main level with lots of nutritious food choices. It truly is fun, fun, fun. And the best part about little kidspace, they have lockers to store the items you don’t want to carry around, a place to park your stroller, and a person who tickets each family making sure no one leaves with an extra child.
This can be a costly outing if you are not a member, so be prepared. COSI has so many wonderful things to do and you won’t have a problem eating up an entire day. COSI also offers workshops so be sure to check out their website or sign up for their e-newsletter. (The best-cost approach is to become a member. If you go more than twice in a year your membership is paid for.) Please note: parking is not free for members or non-members, so have some cash on you.
Sprout Soup
4310 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43214
(614) 267-7768
Sprout Soup is a new earth-friendly family store located just South of Henderson Road on the East side of High Street. They have a great space in the back of the store where classes and activities are offered. Active Play Time is Fridays at 2pm. Let the winter squirms wiggle their way out during active playtime. Songs, dance, games and exercises for children ages 2-6.
Churches
Check with a church near you to see if they offer a playtime in their gym. Many bigger churches will host a playtime for children once a week. Perhaps if you belong to a church that has facilities that would be conducive to a playtime you could start one.
An example is Central Park Playland at Westerville Christian Church. FYI, CP is open only to children 2-12 years of age.
Sign Them Up For Dance/Gymnastic/Play Classes
Then there are always classes you can sign your child up for that will get them moving: dance, gymnastics and sports. Most of the recreation centers will offer classes for little ones. There are also places such as: The Little Gym, MyGym Children’s Fitness Center, and Gymboree. They offer many classes where your children can get physical and forget that it is cold outside.
Restaurant Play Areas
Not in my top 10, but if you are at your wits end and the kids need lunch, why not? Call a pal and meet up for some fries.
McDonald’s and Burger King are known for being kid-friendly, and there a few that have play areas for the kiddies. Grab a Happy Meal, take the kids shoes off and let them run after lunch. When you get home they will hopefully be in a food coma and tired from playing.
Graeter’s Ice Cream on Bethel Road has a play area for the kiddies. Typically we crave hot cocoa and coffee, but a milkshake might help with the winter blahs too.
Chuck E. Cheese is like Vegas for kids. There’s food, soda, games to play and prizes to win.
**Please feel free to share other ideas in the comment section**
