The Go-To Guide: Central Ohio Play Places
Editor’s note: For the most up-to-date version of this list, go to columbusparent.com/playplaces.
Between frigid winters, scorching summers and torrential downpours, taking the kids to playgrounds and other outdoor areas is often out of the question. Enter the play place: an indoor, climate-controlled haven where children can burn off energy and parents can finally stop hearing, “I'm bored.”
We've compiled a list of some of the most popular play places around Central Ohio. Many have separate areas for preschool-aged children and offer seating areas for parents—if they don't decide to join in on the fun.
Before planning a visit, call or check online to verify prices, hours and other details, such as age and height restrictions. For venues that offer classes as well as public sessions, hours listed are “open play” times.
To suggest a location that we should consider adding to our list, send an email tocontact@columbusparent.com.
GAMING SPOTS
Galaxy Games & Golf
3700 Interchange Road, Columbus; 614-351-8400;galaxygamesandgolf.com
With two miniature golf courses, a FunGym and an arcade, Galaxy Games & Golf has something to occupy most any child. Admission, based on age, is $2.99 to $5.99 for the FunGym and $4.99 to $6.99 for mini golf.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays
Grand Prix Karting
1300 Alum Creek Drive, Columbus; 614-246-3278;gpkcolumbus.com
Kids can race on quarter-mile indoor tracks, compete in laser warfare or find their way out of an escape room. Grand Prix Karting also offers a Kid Zone for ages 4-7 with smaller carts, mini golf and a play area. Races are $22.50 each; laser tag is $16 for two games; and escape rooms are $30 per player on weekends. Kid Zone races are $6; mini golf games are $2; and access to the play area is $6.
Hours: Karting: Noon to 8 p.m. Sundays; 2-9 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; 2-10 p.m. Fridays; and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays. Laser tag and escape rooms: 1-8 p.m. Sundays; 5-9 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; 5-10 p.m. Fridays; and noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays.
Lazer Kraze
459 Orange Point Drive, Suite B, Lewis Center; 740-548-7788; 5524 N. Hamilton Road, Gahanna; 614-656-8216;lazerkraze.com
Laser tag is the primary attraction at both locations. Kids and adults alike can also play in the arcades, as well as on inflatables at the Lewis Center location or a trampoline park and Cyber Sport area (think: basketball mixed with bumper cars) in Gahanna. Laser tag is $8 per person; access to inflatables is $8; 30 minutes of trampoline park access is $9.50; and Cyber Sport is $12 per game.
Hours:Lewis Center: Noon to 8 p.m. Sundays; noon to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; noon to 11 p.m. Fridays; and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays. Gahanna: Noon to 8 p.m. Sundays; noon to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; noon to midnight Fridays; and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays.
Magic Mountain Fun Center
8350 Lyra Drive, Polaris; 614-840-9600;magicmountainfuncenter.com/polaris
5890 Scarborough Blvd., Columbus; 614-892-3335;magicmountainfuncenter.com/east
Both Magic Mountain locations have a mix of indoor and outdoor attractions, including go-kart racing, mini golf and an arcade. East also has batting cages, bumper cars and a laser maze, while Polaris offers laser tag, climbing areas and bumper boats. Prices vary by location and attraction, but note that tickets are less expensive when bought online.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; and 10 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays
Putt N Play
4021 Thistlewood Drive, Grove City; 614-594-0077;puttnplayfuncenter.com
The 18-hole mini golf course may be the main attraction, but customers also will find an arcade, batting cages and soccer cages in this mostly outdoor family fun center. Golf is $7 for adults and $6 for kids; batting and soccer cage tokens are $1.50.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays; 3-9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays
Rule (3)
650 Windmiller Drive, Pickerington; 614-864-7853;rule3.com
Families can cheer in the sand volleyball pits, compete on the bowling lanes, challenge each other at arcade games or grab a bite to eat. Bowling lanes are $18 per hour; mini-bowling is $3 per game.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays
SportsOhio
6314 Cosgray Road, Dublin; 614-791-3003;sportsohio.org
Families can play almost any sport under the sun, including baseball, mini golf, kickball and sand volleyball, at SportsOhio's 100-acre complex. Kids can hone their skills or try something new, like FootGolf, during open sessions. Go-karts also are available.
Hours: Activities and hours vary seasonally.
Ten Pin Alley
5499 Ten Pin Alley, Hilliard; 614-876-2475;tenpinalley.com
Ten Pin Alley has bowling, but also bocce ball, an arcade and an underwater-themed steampunk laser tag arena. It also offers a full-service restaurant, making it a one-stop shop for family bonding. Bowling lanes are $30 per hour; bocce courts are $25 per hour on weekends; and laser tag is $7 per game.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays; and 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturdays
PLAY GYMS AND MORE
Central Park at Westerville Christian Church
471 E. College Ave., Westerville; 614-682-6472;wcchurch.life/centralpark
Hosted by Westerville Christian Church, this play place for ages 2-12 offers a jungle gym and a place for kids to socialize. The area is free and open to the public during scheduled times. Socks are required.
Hours: 10-11:30 a.m. the first and third Tuesday of the month, every Thursday and the first, second and third Saturdays. However, the schedule follows that of the Westerville City School District, so the venue is closed when there's no school.
Fun in the Jungle
345 McGill St., Sunbury; 740-913-0692;funinthejungle.com
Kids can do plenty of monkeying around in the arcade, on the jungle gyms, at the mini-bowling lanes or in virtual reality booths. Separate jungle gyms are available for toddlers and older children. The arcade is $8 per person (all day), jungle gyms are $7 per child (all day), mini-bowling is $2 per person per game and virtual reality is $4 for 10 minutes.
Hours:10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sundays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays; and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays
Gym Skills
710 Cross Pointe Blvd., Gahanna; 614-571-1220; gymskills.com
This gymnastics-centered facility offers balance beams, bars and a foam pit during open gym hours. Toddler-specific hours and classes also are available. Open gym rates are $15 for non-members.
Hours: 7-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Toddler hours are 9:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Fridays.
Gym X-Treme
7708 Green Meadows Drive, Suite A, Lewis Center; 740-549-3547;gymx-treme.com
Gym X-Treme offers gymnastics classes and more. During open gym time, kids have access to a foam pit, in-ground trampoline, rock climbing wall and various mats, bars and balance beams to practice cartwheels or create an obstacle course. There is a separate area for preschoolers. Open gym admission is $10.
Hours:8-10 p.m. Fridays, with daytime sessions from noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays during the school year
The Jungle Gymnastics Adventure Center
755 U.S. Route 23 N., Delaware; 740-363-7552;thejunglegym.biz
The venue teaches gymnastics as a building block for all sports and also offers parkour. The gym has an indoor climbing wall, balance beam, slacklines and other obstacles; an outdoor area is similar, with vaulting obstacles and wall runs. Open gym sessions are $10 for ages 3 and older, $5 for ages 1-2.
Hours: 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Saturdays
Recreations Outlet
484 W. Olentangy St., Powell; 614-792-3700;recreationsoutlet.com
Recreations Outlet isn't just a place to shop for playsets. The retailer offers a large indoor play area with basketball hoops, trampolines, swing sets and an Amish-built playhouse. Kids can play for $6 on weekdays and $8 on weekends, or for $2 during Charitable Play hours, when proceeds are donated to a nonprofit.
Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sundays; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Charitable Play hours are 9-11 a.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays.
SuperGames
535 Lakeview Plaza Blvd., Columbus; 614-846-8946;supergames.org
SuperGames, primarily a party and rental venue, also offers regular open play times at its Worthington-area location. Open-play customers have access to a half-dozen large inflatables as well as a sports game. Admission to the two-hour sessions is $10. Socks are required.
Hours: Open play sessions typically are held several times a month. Check online for the schedule.
We Rock the Spectrum Gym
1250 E. Powell Road, Lewis Center; 614-396-8773;werockthespectrumcolumbus.com
We Rock the Spectrum Gym offers a specialized place for kids with special needs to play with other children. Equipment includes a zip line, sensory-based toys and plenty of crash mats. Open play is $12 per child.
Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sundays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays
SHOPPING STOPS
The Mall at Tuttle Crossing
5043 Tuttle Crossing Blvd., Dublin; 614-798-3023; simon.com/mall/the-mall-at-tuttle-crossing
The play area in the middle of the mall is themed to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) and gives kids a place to let off, well, steam during long shopping trips. Stations feature topical activities, including an art gallery and an engineering wall, and there's also an area for toddlers.
Hours: Open during mall hours, typically 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays
Polaris Fashion Place
1500 Polaris Parkway, Polaris; 614-456-0120;polarisfashionplace.com
Too hot for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium? Never fear, Polaris' zoo-themed play area can soothe kids' desire for animal attractions. Open to children under 48 inches tall, the play space features a large tree with a slide, as well as plenty of other animals to climb on, under and around. Bonus: A ring of seats along the outside gives parents a place to rest.
Hours:Open during mall hours, typically noon to 6 p.m. Sundays; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; and 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays
The Shops at Worthington Place
7227 N. High St., Worthington; 614-841-1110;shopworthingtonplace.com
There are two play areas at The Shops at Worthington Place: one inside and one outside. The indoor play area has a jungle-gym feel with places to climb and a slide shaped like a tree. The outdoor one is an ode to Johnny Appleseed, with a house to play in and apple facts scattered throughout.
Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sundays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. The outdoor play area closes at dusk.
Småland at IKEA
1900 IKEA Way, Polaris; 888-888-4532;ikea.com/us/en
A trip to IKEA can be overwhelming for adults, let alone toddlers with tiny legs. To make the experience easier for families, the store offers Småland, a free, supervised play area. Parents can check kids in for up to 90 minutes; children must be fully potty-trained and 37-54 inches tall. Admission is first-come, first-served.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sundays and 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays
TRAMPOLINE PARKS
Big Bounce
1645 Gateway Circle, Grove City; 614-957-5382;bigbouncegrovecity.com
This trampoline park offers activities for the whole family. Kid-specific jump times abound, including classes for preschoolers, toddlers and their parents, and children with special needs, as well as open jump times. All jumpers must wear bounce socks ($3). Admission is priced by the hour, generally $10 to $12 on weekdays and $14 on weekends.
Hours: Noon to 8 p.m. Sundays and Mondays; 3-8 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays; and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays. Preschool open jumps are offered from 9:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays through Thursdays.
The Bounce Club
3967 Presidential Parkway, Powell; 614-792-2582;thebounceclub.com
Kids can bounce away their energy and learn new skills in classes. The venue has a focus on cheerleading and gymnastics, but lessons are by appointment only. The whole family can bounce during open jump times, with separate sessions for preschoolers. Bounce socks ($3) are required. Open jumps are priced by the hour: $10 to $12 on weekdays and $14 on weekends.
Hours: Noon to 8 p.m. Sundays and Mondays; 3-8 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays; and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays. Preschool open jumps are from 9:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays through Thursdays.
Get Air Columbus
3708A Fishinger Blvd., Hilliard; 614-335-9864;getaircolumbus.com
Parents can watch their little ones bounce from the comfort of a bench or massage chair. A separate “Little Air” area with a foam pit is for children under 46 inches tall. Jumpers can also play dodgeball, experiment with slacklines and tackle the Ninja Course, or visit the adjacent Tree of Life Play + Café. Jump socks ($3) are required. Open jump rates are $14 for the first hour, $9 for kids under 46 inches tall.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Toddler Time is 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
Rockin' Jump Trampoline Park
1220 County Line Road, Westerville; 614-508-6088;rockinjump.com/westerville
Kids can bounce in the open jump arena or compete with friends on the Challenge Course or Vertical Ops Wall. Parents can exercise with their kids or watch from the sidelines, perhaps with a snack from the in-house café. There are designated times for toddlers and people with special needs. Jump socks ($2.50) are required. A half-hour of open jump time is $10. Toddler and special needs jump time is $15 for one parent and child.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays. Rockin' Tots (ages 6 and younger) is 9-11 a.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays and 8-10 a.m. Saturdays.
Sky Zone
459 Orange Point Drive, Suite E, Lewis Center; 740-548-4004;skyzone.com/columbus
Kids of all ages can jump on trampolines, dive into a foam pit or compete in Ultimate Dodgeball. Sky Zone also offers toddler-specific jump hours, fitness classes and a Homeschool Hop during the school year. Jump socks ($2) are required. The hourly open jump rate is $15.
Hours: Noon to 8 p.m. Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays; and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays. Toddler time is 11 a.m. to noon Sundays and 9:30-11 a.m. Fridays.
Trampoline XTreme
5745 Chantry Drive, Columbus; 614-845-8970;trampolinextreme.com
In addition to trampolines, this venue also has inflatables and other activities for children and adults. It offers a Homeschool Hop and a Sensory Night for jumpers with special needs. A half-hour of jump time is $10, $8 during Homeschool Hop and Sensory Night.
Hours:11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays; 4-9 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; 4-10 p.m. Fridays; and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays. Homeschool Hop is 4-5 p.m. Wednesdays; Sensory Night is 4-6 p.m. Thursdays.
World of Bounce
5354 N. Hamilton Road, Columbus; 614-775-0800;worldofbounceparty.com
Though not a trampoline park, World of Bounce still offers plenty of ways to jump, with inflatable slides, obstacle courses and bounce houses. Parents can take advantage of the Wi-Fi, or a drop-off option during weekday open bounce hours. Socks are required. Admission is $10, but drops to $5 on Mondays.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Fridays; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays; and 9 a.m. to noon and 1-6:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
