COLUMBUS, Ohio — As the weather grows colder and the holidays end, many start looking for things to do to get out of the house. Whether you have a day off work and don't want to stay inside or school is canceled, 10TV has you covered with some things you can do to keep yourself busy.
From indoor parks to museums to hiking and climbing, here's a list of family-friendly places where you can go this winter.
*Places marked with an asterisk may require an entry fee.
Indoor activities
Bowling*
A game of bowling will offer a fun, competitive experience and keep your family busy. There are more than a dozen bowling alleys in the Columbus area.
The Central Ohio Fire Museum & Learning Center pays tribute to firefighters of the past, present and future and takes visitors through the steps of firefighters and what their day-to-day life is like.
An art museum is the perfect place for those wanting to look at new sights without traveling too far. One of the exhibitions lasting through Feb. 8 is devoted entirely to Legos. You can find the museum's current exhibitions here.
COSI*
The Center of Science and Industry will keep the family busy for hours with rooms full of interactive exhibits and educational classes. COSI also shows movies, has some grab-and-go snacks and has interactive pieces outside of the center as well. For a list of their current exhibitions, click here.
Dave & Busters is fun for all ages with games, food, drinks and prizes. There are two Dave & Busters locations in the Columbus area, one in Hilliard and the other in Polaris.
The gardens and conservatory in Columbus is a great place for families looking to see plants of all kinds in the winter season. Beginning Jan. 20 through March 10, the venue will display thousands of orchids.
You can build legos, play games, meet Lego characters and more at LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Easton. Alongside visiting LEGOLAND, you can also walk around Easton Town Center, shop around, or catch a movie.
Library
There are plenty of libraries in and around Columbus that offer free activities and events all year round. For those with a Columbus Metropolitan Library card, you can stop by any of the 23 locations and visit the events page. For a full list of public library locations near Columbus, see the map below.
Located in downtown Columbus, the National Veterans Memorial and Museum honors all of the nation's veterans and active duty members. The museum displays a collection of items from different wars and stories from those who serves. In January, the museum is introducing a new exhibiton, "Lost Man Blues: Jon Schueler - Art and War" that shows abstract expressionist pieces.
Roller skating*
Another option if you're looking to burn up some energy is roller skating. Find your nearest roller skating rink at the map below:
Trampoline parks*
If you're looking for a place to take your kids to get their energy out, a trampoline park is the perfect place that will be sure to tire them out. There are several around the Columbus area.
Outdoor activities
The zoo is a great stop for animal lovers and those wanting to learn about animals and their habitats. This stop will keep the family busy for hours and offers places to stop and eat and enjoy rides.
Ice skating*
Depending on the time of the year and the weather, ice skating could be an indoor or outdoor activity. There are a few places to check out in the Columbus area.
Columbus is home to 20 metro parks and more than 230 miles of trails. You can find trails that are flat and easy to hike or you can find more challenging trails that will take you down winding hills. Parks are also a great place to bird watch, and Battelle Darby Creek even has some bison that you can visit.
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