Columbus, Ohio is a great area for families with lots of great outdoor places to visit, play, and learn. For family fun that is completely free of charge, check out Inniswood Metro Gardens, Slate Run Living Historical Farms, and Ballantrae Park.
Inniswood Metro Gardens
940 S Hempstead Rd, Westerville, OH
The 121 acres of Inniswood is a sprawling outdoor botanical garden that is free of charge to enjoy. There are many great central Ohio parks, but the manicured lawns and themed gardens at Inniswood are the best for exploring nature and family picture-taking. There are also creeks and 3 miles of trails and paved pathways for nature walks.
When younger children get restless, it’s time to visit the Sister’s Garden. They can burn off energy playing with the water pump and playhouse, rolling and running on the huge hill and lawn, and climbing through the network of giant “ant tunnels.”
There are many special events at Inniswood, including weekly summer workshops for children age 11 and under with an accompanying adult. These programs explore climates and habitats, heredity, water, gardening, and art projects.
Slate Run Living Historical Farms
1375 State Route 674 North, Canal Winchester, OH
This working 1880s historical farm can give kids and adults of all ages a first-hand glimpse of what life was like 125 years ago. Tour the 1856 farmhouse and barn, cross the bridge over the creek, and take time to watch the ducks, geese, sheep, pigs, turkeys, and horses.
Costumed volunteers and staff perform farm work and household chores just as they were done in the 1880s – that means no electricity and no gas-powered tractors. Call Slate Run Living Historical Farms ahead of time to see how your family can help with chores from maple syrup harvesting to sheep shearing, depending on the time of year.
When it’s time for a break, families can try out some 1800s games like stilt-walking and hoop rolling in the farmhouse’s large front yard. There are picnic tables and a shaded area nearby for lunch. Admission to Slate Run Farm and all activities on site is free.
Ballantrae Park
6350 Woerner Temple Rd, Dublin, OH
This is an interactive outdoor water play area for kids of all ages. Waterfalls big and small rush down a rock wall, while dozens of fountains located all along the ground squirt up as children race around them. The fountains are choreographed, so the water pattern is always changing.
Above the water plark is a 20-foot hill with a 15-foot bronze statue at the top called The Dancing Hares. For this reason, Dublin natives sometimes refer Ballantrae as “the Bunny Park.”
Admission is free, the area is large, and there are bathrooms located at Ballantrae park. The only downside to the park is that there is not much in the way of shade or seating, so it may not be a bad idea to bring a blanket to sit on and a large beach umbrella.
Central Columbus has so many outdoor free activities for families. When the weather turns nice, it’s time to get outside and visit some of these great Columbus-area attractions.
