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