The Gardner School of Dublin asked our parent partners for their best ideas for outdoor family-friendly fun in and around Columbus. If you haven’t been to all of them, this may be the year to check them all off your list! Whether you’re a local looking to explore activities or visiting family and friends in Dublin, here are some of our recommendations for the most family-friendly outdoor activities in the area:
Hayden Falls Park
Adults and children alike need to spend time in natural spaces to feel refreshed and restored. For Dublin families, the best place to do that is at Hayden Falls Park, where visitors can access views of a breathtaking 35-foot waterfall amid hundreds of species of rare and endangered native plants. A boardwalk, stairs, and an overlook provide community accessibility for all ages and seasons. Surrounding picnic tables provide an easy setup for a packed lunch.
Scioto Audubon Park
The Scioto Audubon Park debuted in 2009, transforming an older industrial area into a vibrant recreational space for children and adults. Scioto attracts visitors with one of the largest outdoor climbing walls in the nation, a huge dog park, an obstacle course, spots to fish and boat, and even a great sledding hill! And once a year, Scioto provides a temporary waystation for thousands of birds migrating north from Central America and South America.
Emerald Fields
Spending time at a playground can be one of the best ways to spend a day in Dublin. For local parents, that means Emerald Fields. This beloved park has a baseball diamond, cricket fields, a shelter house, and a fully accessible playground. If you’re looking to cover some miles, don’t forget to bring along your bikes or rollerblades to explore the park’s extensive network of paved trails!
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Parents and children love the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for day trips and weekend excursions to see their family’s favorite animals. Not only is the zoo open year-round with special events and decorations for certain holidays, but the animal antics are always entertaining. If your child is a serious animal lover, the zoo is your best bet for hours of learning and exploring.
Glacier Ridge Metro Park
This gorgeous thousand-acre park is the perfect setting for children looking for some quality outdoor time. Children can learn while they explore by visiting the wind and solar learning center, the Honda Wetlands area, or by climbing the 25-foot observation tower to gaze over the wide expanse. Your tiny naturalists will love the Animal Signs hike, which invites participants to search for the fur and footprints of local animals. Or, check out the Barred Owl Hike for a glimpse of these mysterious, beautiful creatures.
An Exceptional Preschool in the Columbus, OH, area
We’re proud to be a part of the local community, and we know what Dublin parents are looking for in childcare. They want a school with an interactive curriculum, academic focus, and highly-trained teachers. We bring all of that to our learners, including multiple extracurricular and S.T.E.A.M. activities. To learn more about how we fulfill our mission to our families, set up a time to meet with us and learn more.
