Keeping Active

Have you checked out the local libraries. I know many of them have story time activities, but some also have movement classes and they are free. And almost all of them have some type of play area for children in the children's book area. The main downtown library has a very large play area
My daugther, 2 Years, goes to story time and the play area and gets to interact with other kids and loves it. She periodically goes to a "music and movement" class.
J.

I believe the Westerville Rec Center (on Cleveland Ave./County Line Rd.) has a play area and you don't have to be a member to use it. Also the Lazelle Rd. Community Center has open gym on Tues. & Thurs. You have to buy a "leisure pass," but it's only $1.00 for a year and kids 6 and under (I believe) are free.

I just saw the other posting about COSI which is a lot of fun for kids that age but, you might think about your 5 year old. I'm not sure what the "cutoff" is for the kids space but, it's either Kindergarten or 1st grade so, you might want to verify that your 5 year can play there before you buy a membership. Good luck! The other place mentioned in a posting is Recreation Outlet which is fun, too! Good luck!

Have you ever been to COSI? The Kid Space they have there is great if you have a 5 and 2 year old. Both of them will have fun. I know you say you don't have a ton of money, but if you go often, the annual fee is worth it. If you always go on weekdays without your hubby (I assume you stay at home with the kids), don't buy the family plan. Buy the single adult family plan for $60 per year(this will save $20). AND, don't park in their parking lot. Park at the meters right in front of COSI. That way, after you pay the annual fee, every trip to COSI will cost you less than a dollar for parking (my daughter and I usually stay for 3 hours).

Have you tried Recreations Unlimited (I think that's the name of it) on Powell Road? They sell playground sets and have a huge indoor play area that you can go to. They are in a big red building that looks like a school house near the corner of Powell Road and Sawmill. They have free plays I believe on Tues. and Thursday mornings, otherwise it's $4 for the first child and $2 for the second child. You can also purchase a play pass, which I have just done. I have a 2 1/2 year old and a 4 1/2 year old and they both love it. It's like going to a huge indoor park.

If it's in your area, the Carriage Place Rec Center offers some great classes for all ages and they are very reasonable (only about $18-22 per session which is about 6-8 wks I think). Check out Columbus Parks & Recreation online for a schedule of classes. Also, the mall play areas are good and free, Recreation Unlimited is free on some days and, when worse comes to worse, McDonalds playland. :)