Not Starbucks

When, as a Mama, you need a coffee break and your local Starbucks isn't going to work for your active little one, there is a new place in town for you to try. Firefly Play Cafe is not only a great solution to the where to schedule the play date question, but there is also locally roasted Brioso coffee. Firefly has a large open and airy play space stocked with minimalistic toys and a bounce house. Kiddos have a great time darting from activity to activity and playing with friends. Personally I loved seeing my little guy playing with an eco-friendly doll house and then jumping like a crazy man in the bounce house.

If you go:

• Kids two and under are free, there is a play charge for older children.
• Kids are to be shoe-free in the play space.
• The area is designed for kids aged 2-5, so you'll be watching the little ones a little more closely.

Reading Fun

One of the things we are very fortunate to have in Columbus is our outstanding library system which has repeatedly been ranked as the best in the country. Libraries are a natural place for young children with all the books and fun things to learn. Helping babies and toddlers take their first step on a reading journey are the weekly story times offered at each library branch. We frequent the Whetstone story times and have really enjoyed learning new songs, hearing different stories, playing with toys and meeting friends. The schedule for story times at all the branches is located online, so get out there and start reading.

If you go:

• Be prepared to sing along and get involved in story times. It's more fun if you don't just sit back and watch.
• Plan for a trip back to the children's section along with the scheduled story times, this free time to roam and look through books is priceless.
• If the scheduled story time at your local branch doesn't work for you, venture to another library. Each one is slightly different due to the librarians who lead them.

Little Budding Scientists

As every Mama knows, there are times when kids just need to run and explore and touch and see and not be told no in response to their curiosity. For times like these, we usually head to Cosi and the wonderful Little Kid Space there that encompasses a large part of the second floor of this nationally recognized kid's science museum. In Little Kid Space little ones can play in a tree (the climbing / slide area) or use their imaginations in a variety of settings (houses, medical offices, vehicles). There is also a large water play area which is always a favorite for splashing and learning about how liquid moves.

Little Kid Space has an age cut-off of Kindergarten, but the rest of the museum is super fun for the older kiddos. They can explore space or the ocean all in one day as well visit a town called Progress and make gadgets.

If you go:

• Consider a membership if you're local and planning on returning often.
• Check the web site for special exhibits and activities.
• For short visits, park at a meter on the streets surrounding the museum and save money on parking.
• Bring an extra change of clothes if you'll be taking part in water play.

Bird Watching in the City

While you would never guess this birding oasis is back there (behind the city impound lot), the Grange Insurance Audubon Center is a great place for a kiddo outing. The building itself has learning and fun opportunities behind each door. Kids can don bird costumes and climb through a nest, see native animals and talk about natural habitats through puppet play. There is a great library full of themed books (birds, animals, green living) and the chance to bird watch.

The grounds, in partnership with Metro Parks, are wonderful for exploring wildlife and flora. We particularly enjoy looking for turtles sunning themselves on logs in the Scioto River. Across a pond with a boardwalk is a rock climbing wall and big playground for added fun.

If you go:

• Pack snacks and drinks. There is no place to buy them on the grounds.
• Map it before you go because it is tucked back there, but is easy to find once you know where you are going.
• Bring a stroller if you plan on taking little ones across the board walk - there are not high rails to keep curious kiddos out of the water.

On Your Marks...

Now that my little guy is over a year old and is able to start exploring, I'm excited to expose him to the city we live in. Columbus is a wonderful place to raise a family for many reasons, not the least of which is there are some really neat things to do with young children.

This blog will be devoted to sharing some of those places - parks, museums, restaurants, malls - we'll try to visit them all. I hope I'll learn of some new places to go and people to meet along the way.