Toddlers have a lot of energy and short attention spans, so parents need to find activities for them that interest them and allow them to interact and move around. Residents of or visitors to the state of Ohio have many options, including zoos, parks, and museums, that will please active toddlers.
Toddlers love seeing and learning about animals, and Ohio boasts many zoos and animal parks that will capture the attention of these little ones. Toledo, Cleveland, Akron, and Cincinnati all have zoos with different animals to see and experience. The Columbus Zoo offers a zoo and aquarium where toddlers can see clownfish, sharks, stingrays, and a new polar bear exhibit, in addition to traditional zoo animals. The Columbus Zoo also has a ZooKids program for toddlers aged 3 to 5, which allows children to learn about animals in a fun, interactive environment including art projects, stories and movies.
Toddlers enjoy playing in water, and many waterparks have created areas that are designed with toddlers in mind. They have shallow water, small slides, and safe areas for toddlers to play and climb. Zoombezi Bay in Powell and Monsoon Lagoon in Port Clinton are outdoor waterparks that have toddler areas. Cedar Point, a large amusement park in Sandusky, also has a section of its waterpark that is toddler-friendly. If summer has passed, Coco Key Water Resort has indoor waterparks in Cincinnati and Columbus where toddlers can play. Columbus also has Fort Rapids, an indoor waterpark with a fun Western theme that has interactive features just for toddlers.
Often toddlers and museums don't go well together, but Ohio offers two that are hands-on interactive experiences that welcome children of all ages. The Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland has exhibits involving space, energy, and the history of the Great Lakes. Toddlers will enjoy the Polymer Funhouse as they jump in the ball pit and pretend to drive the steamship. The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is located in Dayton, and welcomes children to interact and touch exhibits involving space, the environment, the universe, and animals. "That Kids Playce" is a special area just for toddlers and preschoolers, with interactive activities developmentally appropriate for them.
Many indoor play centers are geared toward older children, but the Rockin Robbins Amazone Family Entertainment Center has toddler-friendly activities as well. Its indoor playground features smaller sections that are just right for younger children. Chuck E Cheese, another indoor entertainment establishment, provides a special toddler area with a playground and games just the right size in Columbus, Cincinnati, Akron and Toledo.
Many toddlers have a love of trains, thanks to a little blue engine very popular with the little ones. Toddlers with an interest in trains can go for a scenic ride on one with mom and dad and hear the clickety-clack of the wheels on the track firsthand. The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad in Peninsula, and the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway in Nelsonville Ohio are both places to take a fun train excursion.
