What should parents do when the weather changes and the children are bored and start climbing the wall?
Of course it is climbing the wall. You can enjoy jumping on trampolines, running rope courses, slides, and a wealth of playgrounds for children and families in Central Ohio.
We have listed some of the most popular playgrounds in the area. Many provide separate areas for preschoolers, and some provide courses and other programming. You can also find amenities such as parent seats, separate cafes or lounge areas, and food and beverage menus.
Before planning a visit, please call or check online to verify price, time, and other details, such as age and height restrictions, not to mention pandemic safety policies. For venues that offer courses and public courses, the time listed is the "open game" time.
To suggest locations that we should consider adding to the list, please send an email to contact@columbusparent.com.
4050 W. Broad St., Columbus; 614-272-7888; buckeyeraceway.com
Buckeye Raceway provides indoor karts with European-style performance karts, as well as laser tags, axe throwing and football (a fusion of football and bowling). Karting has two speeds. Adult riders must be at least 56 inches tall and over 12 years old, while young riders must be over 48 inches and over 8 years old. A single game is 21 dollars. Throwing an axe is $20 per person per hour. The laser tag is $10 per mission. Footbowl is $10 per person per hour.
Time: Tuesday to Friday from 2 pm to 10 pm; Saturday from 10 am to 10 pm; Sunday from noon to 8 pm
3700 Interchange Road, Columbus; 614-351-8400; Galaxygamesandgolf.com
(As of mid-October, Galaxy Games & Golf is temporarily closed for structural maintenance of the facility. Please refer to the website for update information.)
Galaxy’s two mini golf courses (one 18-hole and one 9-hole) are open all year round. If conditions permit, there are other fun in the three-story indoor FunGym and an arcade. Depending on age, the entrance fee for FunGym ranges from US$2.99 to US$5.99, and the entrance fee for golf courses ranges from US$5.99 to US$6.99.
Time: Monday to Thursday from 10 am to 9 pm; Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 10 pm; Sunday from 10 am to 9 pm
5524 N. Hamilton Road, Gahanna; 614-656-8216; lazerkraze.com
In addition to laser tags and arcades, children and adults alike can play in trampoline parks and online sports areas (think: lacrosse mixed with bumper cars). The bar area serves freshly made pizzas and craft (and macro) brews for adults. The laser tag is $9 per person; the 30-minute trampoline park ticket is $11.50; and the CyberSport is $14 per game. Combination specials are available.
Time: Friday and Saturday 1-10 pm; Sunday 1-6 pm
8350 Lyra Drive, Columbus; 614-840-9600; magicmountainfuncenter.com/polaris
5890 Scarborough Blvd., Columbus; 614-892-3335; magicmountainfuncenter.com/east
Both locations in Magic Mountain have indoor and outdoor attractions, including two types of karts, arcade games and mini golf. Polaris provides laser tags, climbing areas and bumper boats, while East provides batting cages, bumper cars and laser mazes. Prices vary by location and attractions, and packages are available; please note that if you buy online, the ticket price will be lower.
Time: East: Sunday to Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm; Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm; Polaris: Monday to Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm; Friday and Sunday morning 11 am to 10 pm; Saturday from 10 am to 11 pm (some attractions have shorter business hours)
4021 Thistlewood Drive, Grove City; 614-594-0077; puttnplayfuncenter.com
The mini golf course is the main attraction of Putt N Play, but the mainly outdoor family entertainment center also provides batting and football cages and an arcade. Golf is 7.50 dollars for adults and 6.50 dollars for children; batting and football cage tokens are 2 dollars.
Business hours: Autumn business hours (until the end of October) are Monday to Thursday from 3 to 9 pm; Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm; Sunday from 11 am to 8 pm.
650 Windmiller Drive, Pickerington; 614-864-7853; Rule 3.com
Families can play bowling, beach volleyball (seasonal) and play in one of the most unique arcades in the area. The center adds a pair of escape rooms to increase the fun. There is also a full-service bar and grill, serving beer and wine. Bowling lanes cost $24 to $46 per hour, depending on the time and date; at certain times of the week, the cost of mini bowling is $2 to $3 per game. Escape room charges 25 USD per person.
Time: Sunday to Thursday from 11 am to 10 pm; Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 1 am
5033 Tuttle Crossing Blvd., Dublin; 614-495-8660; scene75.com/columbus
This huge indoor games, games and activities destination is located at The Mall in Tuttle Crossing. There are more than 20 attractions such as karting, laser maze, surrender tower, roller coaster, archery range, karaoke hall, 4D dynamic theater, and more than 200 game halls. Pricing by attractiveness.
Time: Every Wednesday and Thursday from 3 to 9 pm; Friday from 11 am to midnight; Saturday from 10 am to 11 pm; Sunday from 11 am to 9 pm
6314 Cosgray Road, Dublin; 614-791-3003; Sportsohio.org
In SportsOhio's 100-acre complex, from baseball to kicking to volleyball, sports activities take up a day. But it also offers activities such as FootGolf, mini golf and go-karting.
Opening hours: Events and opening hours vary by season.
5499 Ten Needles Alley, Hilliard; 614-876-2475; Tencent
Ten Needles Alley has bowling of course, but there is also an arcade and a laser tag arena with an underwater steampunk theme, as well as live music and live trivia nights. It also offers a full-service restaurant with an impressive craft beer list. Bowling lanes are $26 to $44 per hour, and laser tags are $5 to $7 per game.
Time: Tuesday to Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm; Friday from 11 am to midnight; Saturday from 10 am to midnight; Sunday from 10 am to 9 pm
2000 Hard Road, Columbus; 614-285-7503; funtownplay.com
Fun Town’s guided games and organized activities are combined with free games to attract the mind and body of young and old people. All play times need to be booked. Please visit the website for specific pricing and booking details.
Time: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 am to 2 pm; Tuesday from 9 am to 6 pm; Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm
5089 Patakala York Road; 740-974-7932; Bettertogetherplay.com
Children with special needs, whether cognitively or physically, can find a place to play in Better Together Playnasium. The indoor playground provides educational and entertainment opportunities for all children to jump, slide, ride, climb, etc. The event is for children 10 years and younger. Provide various courses for children and children and parents. Playnasium is only available for crawling and older children $5 (free for parents and younger children). The full facility usage fee is $9.
Opening hours: Open games are reserved only.
345 McGill St., Sunbury; 740-913-0692; funinthejungle.com
Open games, mini bowling and arcades in the jungle-themed indoor playground are available family activities. Toddlers and older children can use a separate climbing frame. The arcade is $7 per person (full day); the climbing frame is $4-7 per child (full day); the mini bowling ball is $2.35 per person per game.
Time: Tuesday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm; Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm
710 Cross Pointe Blvd., Gahanna; 614-571-1220; Sports Skills Network
Families can climb, jump and swing in this gym-centric facility, with balance beams, bars and foam pits available during gym opening hours. It also provides specific time and lessons for young children. The price of an open gym for non-members is $15. The toddler’s open gym is $12. Toddlers (walking) and larger gyms open on Friday mornings are $15. Parents must participate with children under 5 years old.
Opening hours: The open gym for 6 years old and above is from 7pm to 9pm on Friday and from 5pm to 7pm on Saturday. Reservations are required.
7708 Green Meadows Drive, Suite A, Lewis Center; 740-549-3547; gymx-treme.com
Gym X-Treme's weekly gym hours provide you with interesting opportunities for sports activities. You can participate without having to attend classes there. Children can use foam pits, underground trampolines, climbing walls and various mats, bars and balance beams to practice cartwheels or create obstacle courses. Children 6 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult to enter the play area. The entrance fee is $10.
Time: 8-10pm on Friday evening, there will be daytime courses throughout the school year (view online)
325 Sandusky Street, Delaware; 740-363-7552; thejunglegym.biz
This historic venue teaches gymnastics as the cornerstone of all sports and also offers parkour. The gym is equipped with indoor climbing walls, balance beams, ziplines and other obstacles. The open gym course for 3 years and older is $10, and for 1-2 years is $5.
Time: Tuesday and Saturday from 10 am to noon
704 Radio Drive, Lewis Center, 740-201-8764; 3681 Park Mill Run Drive, Hilliard, 614-363-4037; Mormilan.com
This huge indoor playground has slides, ball pits, foam pits, trampolines, climbing walls and more. There is also a motion sensor interaction area. The entrance fee for the first child is $15, and each additional child is $10. Children under 2 years old are charged $10, and children under 12 months are free, with paying siblings. Open games accept reservations; walk-in is based on available space.
Time: 9 am to 2 pm every day
Nazareth Church, Grove City, 4770 Hoover Road, Grove City; 614-305-2034; Church
Naz Playplace is part of the Naz Commons church in Nazareth Grove, which also includes a cafe and a bookstore. This indoor play area has a multi-level play structure with tunnels and slides. Socks and registration are required. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.
Time: Monday to Friday, 10 am to 1 pm
2620 Sawmill Place Blvd., Columbus; 614-659-7700; Ninja Net
This ninja warrior-themed indoor fitness and play space has more than 100 obstacles and 12 courses, as well as parkour and rock walls. The company has open gym hours and courses for children and adults. The open gym costs $15 for the first hour; family specials and memberships are available.
Time: Monday to Thursday noon to 9 pm; Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 9 pm; Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm
535 Lakeview Plaza Avenue, Worthington; 614-505-8586; playadventureparks.com/location/columbus
The newest (and largest) indoor play area in the area adopts the "choose your own adventure" approach. Ninja courses, two-story rope courses, a full set of climbing walls and equipment, etc., each visit will provide a different experience. Fun: CBUS also offers a full-service bar and restaurant.
The entrance fee for "Complete Adventure" is US$44.95, and US$24.95 for 6 years and younger. Provide specials, passes and other discounts.
Time: Wednesday to Friday from 11 am to 9 pm; Saturday from 10 am to 10 pm; Sunday from 10 am to 7 pm
484 W. Olentangy Street, Powell; 614-792-3700; creationsoutlet.com
Recreations Outlet is a toy retailer, but it also offers a large indoor play area with a basketball hoop, trampoline, swing and Amish-built playhouse. Children can play for $9 on weekdays, $12 on weekends and school holidays, or play for $2 during charity games, when part of the proceeds are donated to non-profit organizations.
Time: Monday to Thursday from 9 am to 6 pm; Friday from 9 am to 5 pm; Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm; Sunday from noon to 5 pm. Charity games are from 9 am to 11 am from Tuesday to Thursday.
6314 E. Livingston Ave., Reynoldsburg, 614-739-1654; 7679 Dublin-Plain City Road, Dublin, 380-204-6390; Urbanairtrampolinepark.com
Both stations of Urban Air Adventure Park offer various themed areas for jumping, climbing, bounce and fall. It also provides dodge ball, slam dunk zone and virtual reality experience. Prices vary depending on the selected attractions. The customer must buy socks for 3 dollars.
1250 Powell Road East, Lewis Center; 614-396-8773; werockthespectrumcolumbus.com
We Rock the Spectrum is designed to allow children with special needs to play with other children. In the open game, all equipment and activities are available for supervised use, including ziplines, sensory toys, and arts and crafts areas. Open games are $12 per child.
Time: Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm; Sunday from noon to 5 pm; call on weekends to confirm availability
5043 Tuttle Crossing Blvd., Dublin; 614-798-3023; shoptuttlecrossing.com
(As of mid-October, due to the continued popularity, the play area is still closed. Please check the website for the latest information.)
The STEAM theme (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) amusement area in the middle of the shopping center is a cool and interesting resting place for shoppers and entourage. The station features thematic activities, including art galleries and engineering walls, as well as an area for young children.
Business hours: during shopping mall business hours, usually Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 9 pm, and Sunday from noon to 6 pm
1500 Polaris Park Avenue, Columbus; 614-456-0120; polarisfashionplace.com
This zoo-themed play area is open to children under 48 inches and features a tree with a slide, and many other animals can climb above, below, and around. Parents can watch from the outer ring of the seat.
Business hours: shopping hours, usually from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 9 pm, and Sunday from noon to 6 pm
1900 IKEA Way, Columbus; 888-888-4532; ikea.com/us/en
(As of mid-October, due to the continued popularity, the play area is still closed. Please check the website for the latest information.)
If for some reason your child is not as interested in exploring IKEA’s cool items, the store offers Småland, a free, supervised play area. Parents can check in for their children within 90 minutes; children must be fully toilet trained and 37-54 inches tall. Admission is first come first served.
Time: Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 8:30 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 7:30 pm. (Småland closes in front of the store.)
1400 Polaris Parkway, Columbus; 614-943-8703; columbus.theairhouse.com
This newer venue has a 1,500 square foot trampoline, in addition to ropes and ninja classes, rock climbing activities, ziplines, Xtreme Dodgeball, a play area for children under 48 inches, and an arcade. Tickets for the first hour are US$20 and the children’s area is US$8.
Time: Every Wednesday and Thursday from 5 to 8 pm; Friday from 4 to 9 pm; Saturday from 10 am to 9 pm; Sunday from noon to 6 pm.
1645 Gateway Circle, Grove City; 614-957-5382; bigbouncegrovecity.com
Big Bounce's courses increase open and age-specific game/jumping time. All jumpers must wear elastic stockings ($3). Tickets are charged by the hour, usually from 10 to 12 dollars on weekdays and 14 dollars on weekends.
Time: Sunday and Monday from noon to 8 pm; Tuesday to Thursday from 3 to 8 pm; Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm. Every Tuesday to Thursday, there is an open pre-school jump from 9:30 am to noon. There will be an open jump for toddlers at 10 am on Saturday.
3967 President Powell Avenue; 614-792-2582; thebounceclub.com
Trampolines, foam pits, slides, etc. can be used during open jumping hours, and separate lessons are provided for preschoolers. Courses of various skills are also provided by appointment. Need elastic stockings ($3). Open jumps are priced by the hour, usually $10 to $12 on weekdays and $14 on weekends.
Time: Sunday and Monday from noon to 8 pm; Tuesday to Thursday from 3 to 8 pm; Friday from 11 am to 10 pm; Saturday from 11 am to 11 pm. The opening hours for preschool jumping are from Tuesday to Thursday from 9:30 am to noon, and there is a special time for children at 10 am on Saturday.
3708A Fishinger Blvd., Hilliard; 614-335-9864; getairsports.com/columbus
1075 Hill Road N., Pickerington; 614-490-1286; getairsports.com/pickerington
Trampolines, foam pits, ninja obstacles, dodgeballs, slamballs, etc. wait at two locations in Get Air. A separate "little air" area with foam pits is suitable for children under 46 inches. Parents can watch it on a bench or massage chair (you read that right!). The price for the first hour of open jumping is $14, and for children under 46 inches tall is $9. Jumping socks are required ($3).
Time: Monday to Thursday from 10 am to 9 pm; Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 10 pm; Sunday from 9 am to 8 pm. Toddler hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 10 am to noon and Sunday from 9 am to 11 am.
Westville County Line 1220; 614-508-6088; Rockinjump.com/westerville; 5625 Shier Rings Road, Dublin; 614-407-0095; rockinjump.com/dublin-oh
Children can bounce on the trampoline, use this jump in the dunk zone, or play in the dodge ball or vertical action zone. Parents can exercise with their children or watch on the sidelines, and maybe enjoy a snack from the in-house cafe. Toddlers have a designated time. Jumping socks are required ($2.50). One-hour open jumping time for 6 years and younger is $12, and for 7 years and older is $16.
Time: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm; Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from 11 am to 8 pm
A shorter version of this story appeared in the Fall 2021 issue of Columbus's parents.