Summer Blog Series: Free Activity Ideas for your Family

Doing fun stuff with your kids does not have to break you budget. In fact, it doesn't have to cost anything at all. This summer I will post one idea each week of an activity in Columbus, Ohio or the Central Ohio area that is free for you to do with your family. My goal is to help you learn about new free activities that are available that may be hidden or just not known about by the average parent.

This week: Easton Town Center

- Play in the Fountains

Families are encouraged to bring their children to the common area at Easton for waterplay. Some days during the week musicians who sing childrens music are present to entertain the kids.

- Pottery Barn Childrens Book Club (Tuesdays, 10:00am - 10:30am)

A delightful childrens storytime held at Pottery Barn Kids.

- Columbus Zoo Animals a Easton (Mondays, 12:00pm - 1:00pm)

Animals from the Columbus Zoo’s Animal Adventures visit Easton each Monday for a one-hour appearance. Such animals include an armadillo, alligator, tortoise, dingo, baby leopard and penguin.

- Sailing at Central Park Boat Pond (Saturday & Sunday, 12:00pm - 6:00pm)

Fun for the whole crew! Ages six and up, come sail a lifelike miniature sailboat! This is entirely free, but donations to the Easton Community Foundation are welcome. Located at the Central Park Boat Pond.

- Transformers 2 at Barnes & Noble's (June 10th, during store hours)

Come and play with the new release of Transformers 2!

- Columbus Crew Soccer Tour (June 12th & July 24th 5:00pm - 7:00pm)

The Columbus Crew is bringing fun for soccer fans of all ages with The Crew Soccer Tour. The Crew Soccer Tour consists of a 15' inflatable soccer ball with The Crew shield logo as the center piece of the tour. Three 10x10 yellow Crew branded tents equipped with an X-Box gaming system played on a 42" Plasma Television where fans can battle each other playing FIFA 2006 or Street Soccer 2, a prize wheel for you to win cool prizes such as pencils, temporary tattoos and noise makers. Also included is a radar kick inflatable to compare your speed with the pros and a turf soccer field with an inflatable border with goals attached, for youth soccer fans to enjoy a game of mini soccer or sharpen their dribbling, juggling or passing skills.

- Celebrating Arts in Columbus (June 13th, 7:00am - 4:00pm)

Join Easton Town Center as we celebrate our local arts organizations, such as the Columbus Symphony, Columbus Children’s Choir, and Opera Columbus. A stage on the Town Square will showcase a couple performances throughout the day.

- Kite Festival (June 14th & June 28th, 2:00pm - 6:00pm)

Don’t miss this eye-catching display of brightly colored kites in every shape, size and style. Kids can craft their own at our make-a-kite stations. And we’ll even attach them to 3-ft bamboo poles so they can “soar" on the Town Square then get them home safely for more flights of fun!

- Sounds on the Town Summer Concert Series (Wednesdays, 6:00pm - 9:00pm)

Easton’s concert series features a mix of local, regional, and national jazz performances throughout the summer. Starts on June 17th. Held at Town Center, rain location will be Martini Park!

- Dora & Dingo Meet & Greet at Nordstroms (June 19th, 12:30pm - 1:30pm)

Meet Dora and Diego from Dora the Explorer live in Kids’ Wear, on level one. To R.S.V.P. for this Meet & Greet please call (614) 416-7111, ext. 1480by June 15. Space is limited. You must R.S.V.P. to meet Diego or Dora. Shop for exclusive Dora the Explorer items and receive a complimentary Nickelodeon gift with your Dora purchase. (*one per customer while supply lasts)

- 10th Annual Easton Art Fair

June 26th - Friday: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

June 27th - Saturday: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

June 28th - Sunday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Over one hundred artisans line the streets for the Easton Art Affair. Exhibits include paintings, photography, sculpture, and jewelry. The Art Affair is located on the streets surrounding the Town Square. Once again, “Kids’ Corner” will be held on the Town Square during the Art Affair on June 28th from 12:00pm - 4:00pm. “Kids’ Corner” consists of hands-on activities for all children, compliments of Easton Town Center.

- Movies by Moonlight (Tuesdays, starting July 7th at dusk)

Bring a blanket and bucket of popcorn and join us for movies under the stars! Our summer outdoor movie series features favorites for the whole family.
July 7: E.T.

July 14: Madagascar

July 21: Hook

July 28: Annie
August 4: Surf’s Up

August 11: The Goonies

August 18: Grease

August 25: Ferris Buehler's Day Off

Chalk Festival (July 12th & July 26th, 2:00pm to 6:00pm)

Come see incredible walks of art! Artists will decorate the streets and sidewalks of Easton with spectacular chalk designs. And kids can even create chalk masterpieces of their own!

Get Animated (July 23rd, 1:00pm to 6:00pm)

Cartoon Network’s Summer Tour for Kids comes to Columbus once again! The “Get Animated Tour” is a live event touring the country to motivate and energize kids, taking on the country’s biggest childhood health initiative: child obesity. This event is for children ages 6-14 and involves physical activities of all kinds. The program focuses on using the power of Cartoon Network’s shows and characters to demonstrate the benefits of healthy lifestyles. Activities include a basketball challenge, obstacle course, hockey maze and a climbing wall.

Easton's Kids Fest (August 8th, 10:30am to 4:30pm)

The Easton Town Center Kids Fest offers a fun-filled day of games, prizes, interactive shows, and magic. Jugglers, comedians, music and more are showcased on the Town Square stage.

Information gathered and collected from http://www.eastontowncenter.com/. For more information please visit their website.