Free Bowling

Thanks to Amy from www.doubleh-vay.blogspot.com for this one: Free bowling every Monday at Ten Pin Alley in Hilliard. Kids in grades K-12 are eligible. Shoe rental is extra, but it's still a cool way to spend a couple of hours on a hot weekday.

Ten Pin Alley
5499 Constitution Boulevard
Hilliard, OH 43026
www.tenpinalleyandspikes.com
614.876.2475

PBJ & JAZZ

There's going to be a "brown bag" concert tomorrow at Topiary Park (behind the Columbus Metropolitan Main Library-480 E. Town St.). It's a family-friendly jazz concert in a great setting: a park whose hedges are trimmed to resemble that famous impressionist painting by that guy whose name I can't remember.
12p

www.columbuslibrary.org

More Metroparks Notes

I took the kids to Inniswood MetroGarden in Westerville today, and couldn't believe the crowd! The parking lot was full, and the 200+ people at the park were there for the "Children's Garden Art" program. The program, which will repeat this week on Wednesday & Friday at 10a, featured a bunch of different art projects for kids, including garden stuff, crafts, etc...I recommend checking it out, especially because Inniswood is a great park with a "boardwalk" walking trail through the woods (great for us stroller-pushers), a water-play area, and a real treehouse. I like the water area, but the treehouse is a bit high-up for my taste.

http://reservations.metroparks.net/programs/9854/398289.89962/

Free Music Tuesday

Depending on which part of town you live in, there are a couple of options for FREE live music on Tuesday evening.
The Zen Blues Band plays at 6:30p at Creekside Plaza in Gahanna, and The Bobby Floyd Trio performs at 7:30p at the Grandview Heights Public Library. Both choices are fun, family-oriented options, and the price is right.

http://www.gahanna.org/events/parksandrec/music.asp
http://www.ghpl.org/calendar/index.php?&i=493

Metroparks

I don't think I've mentioned the Columbus Metroparks on here yet, and I really should. My kids really enjoy all of their programs, and we usually find ourselves at one of the area parks at least once a week. (Go to 5 this Summer & yr kid can get a snazzy patch suitable for sewing onto a denim jacket). Check out their website for a calendar of activities (which are almost always free). Tomorrow, there will be a program called "Animal Architects" at 10a & 1p at Blacklick Woods in Reynoldsburg. I don't know the gist of the whole thing, but I'll bet beavers & dams will be discussed. recommended ages: 6-10.

www.metroparks.net

Jaunt to the Suburbs

Tomorrow morning at 10:30am at the Village Green Amphitheater in Powell is a free concert by "children's performer" Marc Rossio. I can tell you that the Village Green in Powell is a NICE park. Nice enough that I'm glad my tax dollars don't have to support it, but the drive up to Powell isn't too bad (about 20 minutes from Clintonville). I've seen Rossio perform, and kids under 5 will enjoy his silly songs and guitar playing. Kids will have a fun time, and the town is nice, too.

www.cityofpowell.us
www.themarveloustoy.com

COSI: Cheaper

Went to COSI with the kids today. Now, I realize COSI isn't the cheapest spot in town to take the kids, but I have a couple of tricks to save you some $$$: First, park on the street. I've NEVER not gotten a meter spot across the street from the museum, so you're ahead $4 right there. We're members at COSI, which obviously saves some dough. But, we made our son the primary member (student price), and added an additional guest for only $20. Plus, you can apply that day's admission cost to your membership payment. Kids under 2 are admitted free, so we save there, as well. Pack a lunch & eat on the riverside.
COSI's a great stop in the summer, since it's temperature-controlled. The kids really liked the new Egypt exhibit, as well as all of the other exhibits. There's even enough cool stuff to keep parents entertained, and an activity area for the really wee ones.

www.cosi.org

A Mall, But a Bit Better

Earlier today, the kids & I headed over to Easton. Apparently, the Columbus Zoo will be bringing animals to Easton for a petting zoo each Monday from 12-1. Today's animals were a giant tortoise (which my daughter didn't care for) and a wolf or fox or something (we didn't get too close). The petting zoo is located on the south side of Easton (by Barnes & Noble). There are also, weather permitting, fountains/sprinklers for the kids to run through each day in the same area. Seemed like a good idea on a hot, humid day like today. There are usually other things going on at Easton, as well, so check out the website.

www.eastontowncenter.com

Columbus Arts Fest: One More Day!

Tomorrow (Sunday) is the last day for the Columbus Arts Festival downtown. I was down there with the kids on Friday, and we had a lot of fun. Plenty of activities for the little ones, live music, food (we had free ice cream, you might not be so lucky!), and all-around interesting stuff. There are paintings, sculpture, woodwork, photography, and other artistic methods I can't remember right now on display. Plus, don't forget that the Columbus Museum of Art is free on Sundays, and CCAD has some student exhibits as well. Parking is $5, but you can get a meter (free on Sunday) if you work at it. I can furnish parallel parking tutorials at a small fee.

www.gcac.org/fest

Gallery Hop

Columbus' monthly Gallery Hop happens tonight in the Short North. The weather is beautiful, ensuring the streets will be filled with walkers, musicians, and fun stuff. The galleries & businesses in the neighborhood offer interesting diversions for all. Our kids always enjoy themselves, and parking usually isn't as bad as you'd think. It's a great, free way to enjoy much of what Columbus has to offer. The Hop happens on High Street from Goodale north to 3rd Avenue or so.

Wexner Center

In case you were unaware, the Wexner Center for the Arts, located on 15th & High (on the Ohio State campus) has free admission on Thursdays from 4-8pm. depending on the age of your kids, the Wexner always has lots of interesting exhibits going on: video, architecture, mixed media, etc...It's a cool space w/an interesting vibe, and a great way to get kids interested in art without being in a stuffy, buttoned-down "museum" setting.

www.wexarts.org

Cheap Movies!

As we roll into the summer season, everyone enjoys cooling off at the movies. Prices, however, can be prohibitive-especially with a couple of kids in-tow. Luckily, we've got a couple of dollar theaters in town. Personally, I like Carriage Place Cinemas on Bethel & Sawmill. It's clean, family-friendly, and cheap. I don't think there are any G-rated features playing the moment, but check back often, as new movies are added each Friday. And, for a post-flick treat, Dairy Queen is right across the parking lot!

http://www.cinemark.com/theater_showtimes.asp?theater_id=172

Ohio Statehouse, Pearl Market

Normally, one doesn't think of downtown Columbus as a hotbed for children's activities, but the Statehouse can be lots of fun. Built in 1839 and recently restored, the statehouse offers free tours, great architecture, and a bit of history. You may have to dodge school groups on field trips (or you could join them & eavesdrop on what they're learning), but you and the kids will learn tons of Ohio history, see some art (scale model of Columbus made from Legos was recently a big hit), and maybe see a real live astronaut pass through (John Glenn?). Plus the cool, pastoral building provides a break from the oncoming summer heat.
When you're done (on Tuesdays, anyway) head across the street to the Pearl Alley Market. There's food, home-made crafts & clothing, and live music, as well. Most vendors are local to Central Ohio, so it's a great way to support the local economy, and get some delicious soft-serve ice cream.

Ohio Statehouse: http://www.ohiochannel.org/your_state/ohio_statehouse/index.cfm
Pearl Alley Market: http://www.downtowncolumbus.com/pearlmarket/