If you ask your kids where they want to go on a trip to Columbus, more than likely they’ll say the zoo or a water park. While those are  available in Columbus, there are also places where kids can learn about other cultures. It’s a great way to help them understand that the world is bigger than where they live and help their minds to expand. Here are some of the best places for kids to have cultural experiences in Columbus.

Columbus Museum of Art

Art museums often get a reputation for being stuffy and sterile, but the Columbus Museum of Art has a room that is geared directly to kids. It’s called the Wonder Room, and it’s full of art that is just for kids. Here, families can build sculptures, view colorful paintings, and engage in interactive projections. There are also interactive stations throughout the museum where kids can create sand sculptures, react to artwork, and build with Lego blocks.

Every Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. is Open Studio, where kids will find just about every art supply imaginable. The studio is included in the price of admission. Young Child Studios is for kids 18 months to 5 years old. During this time, educators teach and play and think with the kids. The museum has definitely gone out of its way to invite young patrons to explore and learn. If you would like to be close enough to walk to the museum during your stay in Columbus, check out the many Columbus hotels nearby.

Columbus Children’s Theatre

Image via Flickr by Eva Rinaldi

If you want your kids to learn about other people, maybe the perfect way is immersing them in a new character. The Columbus Children’s Theatre is art created for kids by kids. Along with participating in the plays, there’s also the opportunity to watch one. There are performances throughout the year and all of them are kid-friendly plays like “Annie” and “Little Red Riding Hood.”

If you have a child who doesn’t do well with loud noises or sudden lights, check out the sensory-friendly performances. These are designed to be perfect for everyone in the family with the house lights kept on, quiet lobby areas for breaks, and communication cards for non-verbal guests. There are two sensory-friendly performances for each production.

Cultural Festivals

Columbus is a host to a wide variety of festivals throughout the year, and some primarily celebrate a specific culture. If you’re interested in having your kids learn about how others live and the foods they eat, these festivals are a great way to get them excited.

The Columbus Asian Festival takes place toward the end of May in Franklin Park. It includes food, sports, music, and dancing from countries across Asia. In August is the Dublin Irish Festival. It’s the second-largest Irish festival with 65 acts and 535 performers. The beginning of September is the Columbus Greek Festival where you can try baklava and souvlaki along with Greek singing and dancing. Be sure to check Columbus’s festival calendar to see if any are scheduled during your trip.

Though these ideas might not be at the top of your kids’ favorites list, they’ll definitely have some great memories and will be glad you took them.