-
Why is Ohio called the Buckeye State?
- Ohio is dubbed the Buckeye State because of the Ohio buckeye trees that grow in abundance there.
-
What family-friendly attractions does Ohio offer?
- Ohio is a haven for families with kids, offering an array of world-renowned museums, zoos, national parks, nature centers, gardens, and aquariums.
-
What iconic museum should families visit?
- A vacation with the kids must include a trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
-
What attractions are there for baseball fans?
- Baseball fans will undoubtedly want to visit the popular Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum.
-
Are there activities for both indoor and outdoor fun?
- Whether it’s indoors or outdoors, Ohio’s options for good times with kids are limitless.
This post may include affiliate links. Click here for Affiliate Disclosure.
1. Olentangy Indian Caverns, Ohio
© Olentangy Indian Caverns
-
What are the Olentangy Indian Caverns?
- Olentangy Indian Caverns were formed by a river that cut through limestone rock and ran underground millions of years ago.
-
Where are the caverns located?
- The caverns are located in Delaware, Ohio.
-
Why were the caverns significant to the Wyandotte Indians?
- The caverns were once utilized by the Wyandotte Indians for several reasons, including protection from inclement weather and enemies.
-
What activities are available on the property?
- Guests can visit a petting zoo that spans 50,000 square feet.
- The zoo offers a myriad of animals that will delight any child.
-
What is the cost of the petting zoo?
- The fee for the petting zoo is an additional $4.
-
What unique attraction is available for kids?
- Kids will love the Caverns’ Treasure Hunt Maze, the first in Central Ohio.
1779 Home Road, Delaware, OH, Phone: 740-548-7917
2. The Children’s Museum of Cleveland
© The Children’s Museum of Cleveland
-
What is The Children’s Museum of Cleveland?
- The Children’s Museum of Cleveland is designed to engage children from one to eight years old through interactive exhibits.
-
How do the activities benefit children?
- Activities at the museum stimulate the mind and improve motor skills.
-
How many exhibits are available?
- There are seven exhibits for kids and toddlers to explore, learn from, and play in.
-
What is the Adventure City exhibit?
- The museum’s Adventure City exhibit is a multi-level learning space that allows kids to climb, build, and maneuver around a city they can construct on their own.
- This exhibit is great fun for future problem-solvers and designers.
-
What can kids find on the top floor of the museum?
- On the top floor of the museum, a slew of rooms in bright colors house miniature dollhouses.
- These houses allow kids to create small worlds of their own.
3813 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, Phone: 216-791-7114
3. Aullwood Audubon Center
© Aullwood Audubon Center
-
What is Aullwood Audubon Center?
- On 70 acres of land donated by Marie Aull in the late 1950s, Aullwood Audubon Center in Dayton was the Midwest’s first nature center for the National Audubon Society.
-
What is the mission of the center?
- Dedicated to educating children of all ages about agriculture and nature, the center promotes environmental activism.
-
What outdoor activities does the center offer?
- The center offers six miles of scenic trails winding through and around ponds, meadows, forests, and wide-open prairies.
-
What interactive learning experiences are available?
- The center features educational games, informative exhibits, and animal specimens to help children learn.
-
Does the center have live animals?
- It has live farm animals to pet, along with a bird-watching room.
-
What are the admission fees?
- Kids under two are free.
- Admission for kids ages three to 11 is nominal.
1000 Aullwood Road, Dayton, OH, Phone: 937-890-7360
4. Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
© Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
-
What is the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery?
- For over 125 years, Boonshoft Museum of Discovery in Dayton has been a leading proponent of learning experiences through interactive science.
-
What age group is the museum best suited for?
- The museum offers a multitude of events and programs designed for children of all ages, but it is ideal for kids 11 and younger.
-
What makes this museum unique?
- This is a versatile museum, featuring a zoo, observatory, planetarium, natural history museum, children’s museum, and science center.
-
What types of activities does the museum offer?
- The museum promotes a different event or activity on nearly any given day, designed to stimulate the minds of children.
2600 Deweese Parkway, Dayton, OH, Phone: 937-275-7431
5. Center of Science and Industry
© Center of Science and Industry
-
What is the Center of Science and Industry (COSI)?
- Born from the vision of Sanford N. Hallock II, the Center of Science and Industry in Columbus opened its doors to the public in March of 1964.
-
How many visitors has COSI welcomed?
- This distinguished center has welcomed over 30 million visitors from all over the world.
-
What makes the planetarium special?
- COSI provides the largest planetarium in Ohio, utilizing a 60-foot dome to offer guests a glimpse into the universe.
-
What types of exhibits does COSI offer?
- Showcasing themed exhibition areas, COSI helps stimulate the minds of children young and old.
- This interactive center allows visitors to get a hands-on feel for science.
333 West Broad Street, Columbus, OH, Phone: 614-228-2674
6. Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
© Paul Lemke/stock.adobe.com
-
What is the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal?
- Housed in a building first constructed in 1933, Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal showcases the western hemisphere’s largest half-dome.
-
What types of learning experiences does the museum offer?
- The museum provides learning experiences for children of all ages.
-
What activities are available for toddlers?
- Toddlers will especially love Story Tree Time, a Wednesday event where kids are read a new story each week, along with singing and dancing.
-
What is the STEM Girls program?
- Featuring a free program, STEM Girls is designed to introduce girls to the wonders of science.
- This program is ideal for girls eight to 14.
-
What unique experiences does the museum offer?
- For a truly unforgettable experience, kids will love the overnight camping at the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal.
1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, Phone: 800-733-2077
7. Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum
© Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum
-
Who are some of the legendary Cincinnati Reds players?
- Those who grew up in the Midwest, especially in and around Ohio in the 70s, all remember Cincinnati Reds greats like Joe Morgan, Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, and the late, great team manager, Sparky Anderson.
-
What does the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum offer?
- A visit to the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum gives parents an opportunity to share baseball memories with their kids.
- Members of the Big Red Machine are showcased throughout this intriguing museum.
-
What can visitors learn at the museum?
- The museum provides an opportunity for everyone to get to know the iconic players of this historic organization.
-
Are there any special admission perks for kids?
- Kids 12 and younger are admitted free of charge.
-
What championship memorabilia is on display?
- World Series Championship trophies are on full display in the Williams Family Champions Gallery.
100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH, Phone: 513-765-7923
8. Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
© stunt/stock.adobe.com
-
Where is the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden located?
- Visitors will find the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, the second-oldest in the country, in the neighborhood of Avondale.
-
What types of animals are housed at the zoo?
- The zoo includes a variety of amphibians and fish, birds, invertebrates, and reptiles.
- There are more than 80 kinds of mammals, including African lions, Masai giraffes, and Malayan tigers.
-
What gardens are featured in the Botanical Garden?
- The Botanical Garden showcases ten separate gardens, including a butterfly garden, conifer garden, and endangered species garden.
-
What special event takes place during the holiday season?
- Those visiting between mid-November and January can experience the annual PNC Festival of Lights with over 3 million LED lights.
3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH, Phone: 513-281-4700
9. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
© Bridget/stock.adobe.com
-
What is the history of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo?
- Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, founded in 1882, sits on 183 acres of land.
- It is a popular attraction for those living in Northeast Ohio.
-
What interactive experiences does the zoo offer?
- The zoo provides interactive experiences to teach kids appreciation and care for animals through close proximity to them.
-
What habitats can visitors explore?
- The zoo features several habitats, including:
- African Savanna
- Australian Adventure
- The Primate
- Northern Wilderness Trek
- Cat and Aquatics
- The Rainforest
- Asian Highlands
- Waterfowl Lake
-
What special opportunities are available for older kids?
- Middle school-aged kids and older who are interested in working with animals in the future are offered a chance to shadow a zookeeper for a day.
3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, OH, Phone: 216-661-6500
10. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
© Igor/stock.adobe.com
-
What is the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium?
- Kids will see every type of animal imaginable at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, the nation’s largest zoo.
-
Where is the zoo located?
- This nonprofit zoo is located in Liberty Township in Columbus, Ohio.
-
How many animals and species does the zoo have?
- The zoo presents over 7,000 animals from more than 800 species on 600 acres of land.
-
Is the zoo suitable for a full-day visit?
- This expansive zoo is an ideal venue for an all-day family outing.
-
How is the zoo divided?
- The zoo is divided into three different regions:
- North American Region – Moose, cougars, bobcats, and wolverines.
- Polar Frontier – Polar bears, arctic foxes, and brown bears.
- Asia Quest – Red pandas, Asian elephants, and tufted deer.
-
What interactive experiences are available?
- Kids can visit penguins and touch sea stars at the Shores & Aquarium.
4850 West Powell Road, Powell, OH, Phone: 614-645-3400
More family-friendly events and activities
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents:
- 1. Olentangy Indian Caverns, Ohio
- 2. The Children’s Museum of Cleveland
- 3. Aullwood Audubon Center
- 4. Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
- 5. Center of Science and Industry
- 6. Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
- 7. Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum
- 8. Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
- 9. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
- 10. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium