Fun Free or Inexpensive Things to do Around Central Ohio: Central Ohio Fire Museum and Learning Center

Do you have a son who is wild about fire trucks?  Does he want to dress like a fireman every Halloween?  Does he point out a firehouse every time you pass one?  If so then you should visit the Central Ohio Fire Museum and Learning Center .

The Central Ohio Fire Museum and Learning Center is housed in an old fire station in downtown Columbus.  As the name implies there is a museum.  It is pretty neat, although not hands on.  The museum portion has exhibits of old fire engines, hook and ladder trucks, fire alarm boxes, and all sorts of equipment used by fire fighters for the past 150 yrs or so.

There is also a learning area where children learn about fire safety.  If you schedule a tour your group can have one of these presentations.  They are divided into two categories: Preschool and School Age. 

Preschoolers learn the differences between "tools" and "toys."  The fire fighter explains that "tools" are used by adults and includs things such as knives, hammers, and matches.  He also explains that "toys" are for children.  Examples of both are used and the children have to determine if they are tools or toys.  Preschoolers also see a fire fighter completely decked out in his gear.  This is to help them learn that fire fighters aren't really scary, but are there to help you and that you shouldn't hide from them.  The total presetation takes about 20-30 min.

School age children learn about fire safety in the kitchen such as moving the toaster away from drapes, making sure electrical outlets aren't overloaded, etc.  These children also practice escaping from a bedroom filled with smoke.  They are also able to see the aftermath of a fire in a bedroom.  The children also develop a fire drill/plan of their own as a part of this program.

Lastly, there is a hands on play area for the children.  It is small, but the kids enjoy it.  There is a fire engine to play and and a fire pole to slide down. 

The Central Ohio Fire Museum and Learning Center is not free.  Parking is free, but admission is not.  Cost is $6 for adults and $4 for children. They do offer group rates. Their hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10a-4p.  The museum is also available for parties. 

Address: 260 N. Fourth St.
Columbus, OH 43215

Fun, Free or Inexpensive Things to Do Around Central, OH: Metro Parks

Did you know that there are 15 metro parks in the Columbus area?  Yes, 15!  Plus, there are plans for a new one in Grove City (not sure when it will come into fruition though).  All 15 of these metro parks offer free programs for children, teens, adults, and seniors.  Our tax dollars go to support these metro parks so why not check them out?  You might even learn a thing or two!  :-)

The one we frequent the most is Battelle Darby Creek since it is the closest.  Plus, they offer a regularly scheduled Preschooler Program each month.  In fact they have four of these each month!  That is more than any other metro park.  The Battelle Darby Creek Preschoolers Programs are generally offered on the second Tuesday of the month at 9:30a and 11:00a and then again on the last Friday of the month (sometimes this will change due to holidays and such) at 11:00a and 1:00p.  The same program is presented at all four and the topic changes each month.  Last month was owls. This month they will be talking about snakes.

The Preschooler Programs (ages 3-5.5 or 6) seem to be fairly standard from park to park.  The kids gather on the floor while the naturalist talks about the topic.  After that they will read and story and sing a song.  Once that is done a craft is made based on the topic for the month.  The programs last 45 min to an hour and are lots of fun!

Some of the metro parks (generally Sharon Woods and Blendon Woods) offer Homeschooler Programs as well.  The age range is for 6 and up, but after going to one I think they are geared more toward ages 10 and up.  It was a little too much for my six year old Monkey.  The owl program at Sharon Woods lasted almost two hours with lots of sitting still time.  He doesn't do well with sitting still and he found it boring.  At the end they dissected an owl pellet and he did enjoy that. We've not been to any other Homeschooler Programs so I cannot comment much about them.  We've been to many, many more Preschooler Programs.

Check out Metro Parks Programs for the current schedule of events.  Some of the metro parks require registration for their programs and others do not. 

The photos below are all from various programs at Battelle Darby Creek.