Columbus Clippers Game at Huntington Park

Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 7:05 PM. This game features the annual Star Wars theme night, complete with costumed characters on the concourse and a Star Wars-themed post-game fireworks show. 

• Easy downtown outing

• Family-focused atmosphere

• Kids usually love the lawn seating and mascot antics

• Huntington Park is consistently considered one of the best minor league parks in America

Tip:

• Sit first-base side for more shade if it’s sunny.

• Bring stroller + sunscreen. Columbus in late May is hot & sunny.

🦁 Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Highlights for families:

• Adventure Cove

• Manatees

• Polar bears

• Train rides

• Aquarium area for younger kids

• Excellent stroller accessibility

Go early. The zoo gets dramatically busier by late morning on Memorial Day weekend.

🍦 Best Family Ice Cream Stops

Little Ladies Soft Serve

Why families love it:

• Locally owned by a cool family. Old-school walk-up stand vibe

• Massive portions

• Toddler-friendly outdoor setup

• Feels like summer nostalgia in physical form

Get:

• Special flavor sundaes

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

Great locations: (Founded here in Columbus)

• Short North

• Dublin

• German Village

Best for:

• Adults pretending the stop is “for the kids”

• Gooey Butter Cake

• Brambleberry Crisp

Graeter's Bethel Road

• Near our house

• Indoor playground

• Ohio brand

🌳 Best Toddler-Friendly Metro Parks in Columbus

Columbus Metro Parks are one of the city’s most underrated strengths. Clean, safe, stroller-friendly, and actually designed for families.

Park of Roses

In Clintonville, near us, the Whetstone park has a great playground, wide open fields, rivers and creeks to play near/in and the Park of Roses. A great flower garden where roses should be blooming!

🌲 Blendon Woods Metro Park

Best overall for toddlers.

Why:

• Nature center

• Easy walking trails

• Great playgrounds (accessible and natural)

• Wildlife viewing

• Not overly huge or overwhelming

Perfect “half-day with nap later” park.

🌊 Scioto Audubon Metro Park

Best urban park.

Features:

• Massive playground

• Climbing structures

• River views

• Easy downtown access

• Excellent picnic space

Parents like it because:

• Plenty of open visibility

• Bathrooms nearby

• Close to food and coffee

🛝 Highbanks Metro Park

Best nature + playground combo.

Excellent:

• Short stroller trails

• Huge natural play areas

• Wildlife sightings

• Shaded walking

🚂 Slate Run Metro Park

Best “kids touch grass” option.

Why families love it:

• Working farm

• Farm animals

• Open fields

• Slower pace

• Feels very Ohio in the best way

Toddlers lose their minds over chickens. Every time.

🎡 Other Great Family Activities on May 23

🐉 Asian Festival

Major Columbus event happening that weekend.

Expect:

• Food vendors

• Cultural performances

• Family activities

• Crowds

Worth it if your kids tolerate festivals well.

🦕 COSI

Still one of the best children’s science museums in the Midwest.

Best for:

• Rain backup

• Mixed-age kids

• Interactive exhibits

• Dinosaur gallery

• Energy-burning indoors

Metro Libraries

Columbus has great local libraries. All of which have fun indoor activities and play areas. The main branch downtown is awesome and the Tremont Library is close to us with a park outside.

Suggested “Perfect Columbus Family Saturday”

Option A — Classic Columbus

• Morning: Zoo

• Lunch: Dublin Bridge Park

• Afternoon: Little Ladies

• Evening: Clippers game

Option B — Toddler Survival Mode

• Morning: Blendon Woods

• Nap

• Early dinner

• Ice cream

• Home for pre-crawfish rest.

Option C — Urban Columbus Day

• COSI

• Scioto Mile walk

• Scioto Audubon playground

• Jeni’s