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Whether you’re looking for outdoor or indoor activities for the family, Ohio has many must-see, family-friendly places. From alien-themed mini golf to petting zoos and water parks, Ohio offers a unique family experience.
1. Hocking Hills State Park
Hocking Hills State Park in Hocking County has ziplining, river adventures, fishing, boating, camping, and other outdoor activities. The family might also enjoy a scenic railway trip through the Hocking Hills. For more thrill-seeking families, visit the Neville Billie Adventure Park in Logan for paintballing, ATV rides, a rope course, and a mystery shack.
2. Majestic Meadows Alpacas & Boutique
The Majestic Meadows Alpacas & Boutique is in Medina. It’s a 20-acre property with more than 75 alpacas, miniature Highland cows, llamas, horses, donkeys, goats, sheep, wallabies and kangaroos, camels, miniature potbellied pigs, tortoises, turkeys, and capybaras. In 2024, Majestic Meadows introduced Asian small-clawed otters and prehensile-tailed porcupines.
3. Alien Adventure Mini Golf
This glow-in-the-dark mini golf course is a fun visit for the family. The course is in Medina and is a challenging but fun experience. Children adore the 3D effects on the 12 alien-themed holes, including outer space, carnival, under the sea, and dinosaurs. Midway through the course is the Mars Bar pitstop for a drink or a sweet treat.
4. The Children’s Museum of Cleveland
The Children’s Museum of Cleveland is a perfect day out for the family if the children are under eight. It has themed play areas, a mini-city, an auto shop, a doctor’s office, a farmers market, and a rooftop garden. In the Adventure City area, children can explore jets and whirlpools. In the Theater, they can discover the children’s art studio. The family-friendly museum ensures your kids have an inclusive, memorable, and enriching experience.
5. Fossil Park
Fossil Park is a 5-acre rock quarry located in Sylvania. It is ADA-accessible and super family-friendly. The shale is so soft that even children can break it with their hands to dig for fossils. The site has a playground, biking and walking trails, a picnic area with grills, a volleyball court, and fishing. Pets are welcome on site except in the fossil pit.
6. The Wilds Safari Park
The Wilds Safari Park is a non-profit conservation center with 10,000 acres and wild animals like African-painted dogs, giraffes, cheetahs, ostriches, rhinos, and Przewalski horses. It’s in Cumberland, and visitors can take an open-air safari and get up close with the animals. The park also has other activities like zip lining, fishing, and horseback riding.
7. The Farm at Walnut Creek
The Farm at Walnut Creek is a working farm in Sugarcreek with 500 animals, including llamas, camels, buffalo, giraffes, deer, and more. Visitors can ride horse-drawn wagons through the park or drive their cars. The venue has a gift shop and a produce stand.
8. Glacier Ridge Ninja Course
The unique wooden obstacle course in Glacier Ridge Metro Park, Columbus, is a natural play area. It has ramps, platforms, towers, wall climbing, a rope hammock, a mini zip line, and rope climbing. The course is toddler-friendly and secure, but the park recommends parental supervision.
9. Ohio Caverns
Ohio Caverns is near West Liberty, Ohio. The site offers tours to view the largest caves in Ohio. The caves contain crystal formations, and the kids can go gem mining on-site.
10. Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Roam the 7,000 acres of prairies, forest, and wetlands at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park in Galloway, Ohio. The park reintroduced bison that roam free within two enclosed pastures. Other fun activities for families include kayaking, canoeing, and hiking the trails.
11. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Head to downtown Cleveland to the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame on the shores of Lake Erie. This music-themed venue, often called Rock Hall, has hosted over 14 million visitors. It’s an immersive experience and celebrates the family’s favorite music and artists across the generations.
12. Olentangy Indian Caverns
The Olentangy Indian Caverns in Delaware, Ohio, were formed by an underground river millions of years ago. The caverns are on three levels with caves and natural passages. The underground river cut through the limestone rock. The family can go on an organized tour or visit the site’s giant maze, mini golf, and petting zoo.
13. Dennison Railroad Depot Museum
Visit Dennison for a trip to the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum, a National Historic Landmark. Built in 1873, the museum was a Word War II canteen and a Pennsylvania Railroad depot. Today, visitors can enjoy World War II exhibits, souvenir shops, and meals in the museum’s restaurant. The facility also has a model train room, an interactive railroad car experience, and scavenger hunting.
14. Veterans Park Spray and Play
You’ll find this hidden gem behind the Delaware Community Center. The epic splash pad and enormous children’s playground are visually stunning. Children love this dinosaur-themed park, especially the dinosaur slide and giant footprints on the sidewalk. The site has bathrooms and two large shelters with picnic tables. The children will not want to leave.
15. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is an excellent day out for the family. The zoo has a train ride and a petting zoo and offers guided tours. The children can meet the animals or head to the Zoombezi Bay waterpark for thrilling adventures. The Safari golf course is open year-round.
16. Legoland Discovery Center
Legoland Discovery Center in Columbus, Ohio, is the “Ultimate Lego destination” for kids who love everything Lego. The site features a Lego store, Ride & Play, 4D movies, workshops, a Lego building area, a play gym, and a coffee shop.
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