Volunteer Events & Activities
Activities for Mentors and Youth
Activities in and Around Columbus
- Alum Creek State Park: Visit here to go fishing, go on a picnic, go swimming, or take a walk.
Location: 3615 S. Old State Road Delaware, Ohio 43015
Phone: (740)-548-4631
Website: www.alum-creek-state-park.org
- American Whistle Corporation: This is the only manufacturer of metal whistles in the U.S.! You must call ahead and schedule a tour for $4 a person.
Location: 6540 Huntley Road Columbus, Ohio 43229
Phone: (800)-876-2918 ext 4, or (614)- 846-2918 ext 4
Website: www.americanwhistle.com
- Anthony Thomas Candy Company: Go on an hour-long tour of the factory and watch them make candy and learn about each step in the chocolate-making process. Walk in for a tour on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the time frame of 9 a.m. to 3p.m. Expect to spend up to $2 on yourself and your mentee.
Location: 1777 Arlington Lane Columbus, Ohio 43228
Phone: (614)-274-8405
Website: www.anthony-thomas.com
- Al’s Delicious Popcorn: Schedule a tour and sample some of Al’s Delicious Popcorn. Call to schedule tour, price unknown.
Location: 1500 Bethel Road Columbus, Ohio 43220
Phone: (614)-451-7677
Website: www.alspopcorn.com
- Black Art Plus: An African American Art Gallery open to the public; “moving forward with a view of the past”
Location: 43 Parsons Ave Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614)-469-9980
Website: www.blackartplus.com
- Buckeye Lake State Park: Go fishing, picnicking, or swimming at this state park.
Location: 2905 Liebs Island Road Millersport, Ohio 43046
Phone: (740)-467-2690
Website: http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/buckeyelake
- Chiller Ice Rinks: Ice skating open to the public for $4-10 per person.
Location: 3600 Chiller Lane Columbus, Ohio 43219
Phone: (614)-475-7575
Website: www.thechiller.com
- Chuck E Cheese’s: Great place “where a kid can be a kid”.
Location: 4284 Macsway Ave. Columbus, Ohio 43232
Phone: (614)-863-6482
Location: 3631 Soldano Blvd. Columbus, Ohio 43228
Phone: (614)-351-8884
Store hours: Sun-Thurs 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Fri-Sat 11 a.m. -10 p.m.
Website: https://www.chuckecheese.com/
- COSI: Kid-friendly science center. General admission $14-19, plus parking.
Location: 333 W. Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614)-228-COSI
Website: www.cosi.org
- Columbus Children’s Theatre: Theatre performances geared toward young children. Purchase tickets ahead of time from $12-30 per person.
Location: 512 Park Street Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614)-224-6672
Website: www.columbuschildrenstheatre.org
- Columbus Museum of Art: Check out their exhibitions, collections and center for creativity for an educational outing. Admission $5-12, free on Sundays. Free walk-in tours with admission (check website for times).
Location: 480 East Broad Street Columbus, Ohio
Phone: (614)-629-0359
Website: www.columbusmuseum.org
- Central Ohio Fire Museum: Learn about the history of fire fighting and see antique fire engines at this museum and learning center. Admission $4-6, open Tues-Sat 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Location: 260 N. Fourth Street Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614)-464-4099
Website: www.centralohiofiremuseum.com
- Columbus Zoo and Aquarium: Enjoy critters, crawlers and swimmers at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Admission varies from $9.99-17.99, plus $8 parking (check website for admission specifications).
Location: 4850 Powell Rd. Powell, Ohio 43065
Phone: (614)-645-3400
Website: www.columbuszoo.org
- Creekside Park: This is a great place to go walking and window shopping.
Location: 123 Mill Street Gahanna, Ohio 43230
- Cultural Arts Center: Explore the main art gallery with changing featured artists and collections.
Location: 139 W. Main Street Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614)-645-7047
Website: www.culturalartscenteronline.com
- Davis Discovery Center: Children’s plays and games. Price unknown.
Location: 549 Franklin Ave Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614)-645-7469
- Deer Creek State Park: Go fishing, hiking, swimming, golfing, picnicking, hunting; play volleyball or basketball; or play on the playground at this park.
Location: 20635 State Park Road 20, Mt. Sterling, Ohio 43143
Phone: (740)-869-3124
Website: http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/deercreek
- Experience Columbus: Directory of things to do in the area
Phone: (614)-221-6623
Website: https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/things-to-do/
- Franklin Park Conservatory: Enjoy the exhibitions, glass art, gardens, biomes and more. Also, dine at the Garden Café.
Location: 1777 E. Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43203
Phone: (614)-715-8000
Website: www.fpconservatory.org
- Groveport Aquatic Center: Outdoor water park with slides, in-water playground, lazy river and more.
Location: 7330 Groveport Road Groveport, Ohio 43125
Phone: (614)-836-1000
Website: https://www.groveportrec.com/235/Aquatic-Center-Outdoor-Water-Park
- Hale Black Cultural Center: One of the top cultural centers in the country. Experience black culture through nationally recognized art in the two art galleries located here.
Location: 153 W. 12th Ave (OSU campus) Columbus, Ohio 43210
Phone: (614)-292-0074
Website: https://odi.osu.edu/hale-black-cultural-center/
- Hocking Hills State Park: Go on a hike, mountain bike, or check out the caves and scenery at this beautiful state park.
Location: 20160 SR 664 Logan, Ohio 43124
Phone: (614)-265-6561
Website: www.thehockinghills.org
- Lynd Fruit Farm: Come here to enjoy the orchards and hand-pick your own apples. Visit website or call for picking dates and directions.
Location: 9090 Morse Road SW Pataskala, Ohio 43062
Phone: (740)-927-8559 (market phone), (740)-927-1333 (recording for weekend updates in late summer and fall), (740)-927-7013 (sometimes live, often a recording)
Website: www.lyndfruitfarm.com
- Magic Mountain: Enjoy miniature golf, go-karts, interactive arcade and redemption games, batting cages, bumper boats, bumper cars and more.
Location: 8350 Lyra Drive Columbus, Ohio
Phone: (614)-840-9600
Location: 5890 Scarborough Blvd Columbus, Ohio 43232
Phone: (614)-892-3335
Website: www.magicmountainfuncenter.com
- Olentangy Indian Caverns: Enjoy mini golf, gem mining, cavern tours, walking trails, a playground, volleyball and a petting zoo! Prices vary under $10 for activities.
Location: 1779 Home Road Delaware, Ohio 43015
Phone: (740)-548-7917
Website: www.olentangyindiancaverns.com
- Pigeon Roost Farm: Pick pumpkins, play in Fort Pigeon Roost, travel through a corn maze and more at this fun pumpkin farm!
Locations: 4413 National Road SW Hebron, Ohio 43025
Phone: (740)-928-4925
Website: www.pigeonroostfarm.com
- Skate Zone 71: Come skate, play laser tag, play in the arcade and have fun! $8 admission.
Location: 4900 Evanswood Drive Columbus, Ohio 43229
Phone: (614)-846-5627
Website: http://www.unitedskates.com/public/skate-zone-71/index.cfm
- Slate Run Metroparks: Go fishing, play around, have a picnic or take a walk at this central Ohio metropark.
Location: 1375 SR 674 N, Canal Winchester, Ohio 43103
Phone: (614)-329-1392
Website: http://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/slate-run/
Fun Things to Do
Airplane watching
Arts and crafts
Baking (cake, cookies, brownies, cupcakes)
Build a snowman during winter
Carve pumpkins for Halloween
Cook meals together
Decorate a Christmas tree
Dye Easter eggs
Explore different communities (Uptown Westerville, old Downtown Dublin, German Village)
Finger paint
Game night (play a board game)
Go to church together
Go to a museum
Go to Easton (window shop, play in fountains)
Go bowling
Go get ice cream
Go on a bike ride
Go on a drive
Go on a picnic
Go on a scavenger hunt
Go on a walk
Go to a cultural festival
Go to a playground
Go to state parks, local parks, or recreation centers
Go to the Dollar Movie Theater
Go to the YMCA
Go swimming
Let them help you wash your car, paint your house, or do other fun chores
Make jewelry
Make sundaes
Make pizzas
Movie night
Plant flowers
Play catch
Read books together
Roller skate/blade
Take the dog for a walk
Write stories together
Visit a college campus
Visit the local pet store