If you’re not traveling for spring break, here are 25 exciting “staycation” ideas to experience with your family within the greater Columbus area:

Activate Games: Activate Games (8735 Lyra Dr, Columbus) is an interactive experience for ages 6 to adult that combines sports and video games.

Art Workshops: To sign up for artistic workshops and experiences, visit establishments such as Inspiring U (409 W Main St, Westerville), Board & Brush (36 N Liberty St, Powell), or Terra Gallery (6631 Dale Dr, Dublin).

Columbus Children’s Theater: Columbus Children’s Theater (177 E Naghten St, Columbus) offers a Magic of Disney spring break camp.

Central Ohio Fire Museum & Learning Center: Located in a restored 1908 engine house, this museum (260 N 4th St, Columbus) introduces preschoolers and up to fire safety education.

Central Park Playland: Kids ages 3-12 can watch open Play on Tuesday mornings at this popular indoor playground (471 E College Ave, Westerville).

Columbus Museum of Art: The Columbus Museum of Art (480 E Broad St, Columbus) is free to visit on Sundays.

Columbus Zoo & Aquarium: For a fun and educational experience, visit the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium (4850 W Powell Rd, Powell).

Center of Science and Industry (COSI): Explore the interactive exhibits at COSI (333 W Broad St, Columbus). COSI offers extended hours during spring break, staying open until 7 p.m. on select dates.

Escape Rooms: Escape rooms offer engaging, puzzle-solving experiences for groups. We recommend Team Escape Rooms (94 Dillmont Dr, Columbus) or The Escape Game (3960 Easton Station, Columbus) for kids.

Franklin Park Conservatory: The Franklin Park Conservatory (1777 E. Broad St, Columbus) provides an engaging experience for kids through their outdoor Children’s Garden. Some dates feature special engagements, such as a visit from The Bubble Lady on Tuesday, March 25. 

Hiking: If the weather is nice, take your family hiking through one of our local Metro Parks or Preservation Parks.

Indoor Pools: Check out times for open swims at local pools or swim schools. The Westerville Community Center (350 N Cleveland Ave, Westerville) offers an entertaining indoor aquatic center with a lazy river, zero-entry pool with slides and activities, and dueling water slides.

Inniswood Metro Gardens: Whether it’s exploring the “Secret Garden,” climbing the treehouse, visiting with the bullfrogs at the pond, or walking a boardwalk trail, Inniswood (940 S Hempstead Rd, Westerville) offers a range of engaging experiences your kids will love.

KSM Sports: A camp at KSM (10336 Sawmill Rd, Powell) will keep kids busy with games, sports, and more.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center: This engaging experience is located at Easton Town Center (157 Easton Town Ctr, Columbus) and features LEGO-themed rides, a 4D theater, building areas, and a jungle gym.

Libraries: Our local libraries offer the perfect spring break refuge for participating in events and activities or checking out a week’s worth of reading.

Little Diggers Dublin: At Little Diggers (6327 Sawmill Rd, Dublin), children seven and under can experience “your neighborhood’s largest sandbox,” an indoor facility with hundreds of toys and sand.

Olentangy Caverns: Olentangy Caverns (1779 Home Rd, Delaware) opens for the season on Friday, March 21. This nearby destination offers cavern tours, gem mining, miniature golf, and a treasure hunt maze.

Otherworld: Otherworld (5819 Chantry Dr, Columbus) is a unique immersive art experience where visitors can engage with various interactive exhibits.

Pins Mechanical Co.: Families will blast at Pins Mechanical, which offers duckpin bowling and classic pinball games. It has locations in Dublin, Downtown Columbus, and Easton.

Recreations Outlet: Let kids loose to play on the trampolines, basketball courts, and play structures at Recreations Outlet (484 W Olentangy St, Powell). Charitable Play takes place from 9 to 11 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and a portion of the proceeds is donated to local organizations.

Scene75: This enormous indoor family entertainment center (5033 Tuttle Crossing Blvd, Columbus) features laser tag, an arcade, mini-golf, go-karts, and a drop tower.

Skate Zone 71: Take the family roller skating at Skate Zone 71 (4900 Evanswood Dr, Columbus), which offers special activities throughout spring break.

Trampoline and Adventure Parks: Kids will go wild for the trampoline and adventure parks in  the area, including:

We Rock the Spectrum: This indoor playground (1250 E Powell Rd, Lewis Center) is designed for children of all abilities and offers sensory-friendly toys, custom-suspended swings, a trampoline, a rock wall, and more.