by K Vaze

Created on: April 13, 2009   Last Updated: June 09, 2009

Being the capitol of Ohio the city of Columbus is usually abuzz with political and state administration activities. However it is also a bustling city of neighborhoods with great community services like public parks, recreation centers and excellent schools. As a mom of 2 active school age kids and a long time resident of this wonderful city, I know that this place is a treasure trove of summer activities for kids. Many of them are free of charge so that spending an active and fun summer is easier on your wallet too.

Here are some of these cost free activities you can do with your kids in Columbus OH in summer.

1. The Metro Parks

What can be more fun and exciting than spending an afternoon playing on the slides, swings, and sand with family or friends? There are more than 15 major metro parks and several small neighborhood playgrounds around the city. Enjoy a picnic on one of the many picnic tables littered around these parks amid the nature while relaxing on the soft grass. Some of the great parks are High banks, Orange Township Park, Inniswood gardens, Sharon Woods Park and Blendon Woods Park. Many of these parks run various educational programs like nature camps, full moon hikes and bird watching for different age groups for free.

2. Water Play parks

There are water play areas in some parks like Ballantrae Park in Dublin and Homestead Park in Hiiliard and Spray Park in Powell, where there are small fountains, manmade tiny waterfalls and choreographed water jets to keep the little ones cool on hot summer days. There is another small water play area in Easton mall just in front of the AMC theaters and along the fountain in the center. All of these are free for all.

3. The Graeter's Ice-cream Factory tour

Ice cream is almost every ones favorite and Graeter's is one of the most popular ice-cream brands around Ohio. The Greater's ice-cream factory located at Bethel Rd, offers free tours of their facility on weekdays. You can book a guided tour of their facility if you have 10 or more people with you or you can just walk in for a self guided tour and watch the interesting process of making ice cream. Don't forget to get your free sample and buy some to enjoy more back home before you leave.

4. Red, White and Boom (The 4th of July celebrations)

More than half a million people attend this annual event to witness the biggest fireworks display of the central Ohio region. The fireworks are fired from Veteran's Memorial Hall on Broad St. Usually there is a little fair around

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