Get ready to have an absolute blast in Westerville, Ohio during the summer months with the whole family! This vibrant city is bursting with excitement, and every weekend is packed with thrilling events and unforgettable experiences. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite kid activities and noted the best ages to help you plan your next adventure in Westerville!

Outdoor Parks & Recreation

Westerville is a city within a park and is situated amongst 6,000 acres of parkland, including city parks, metro parks and Hoover Reservoir for kayaking and paddling. We have an abundance of wonderful parks to explore (see the full list here) but here are some of our highlights:

Alum Creek Park North (All Ages)

This has a great playground for all ages.  For the little ones, there is a fun ‘train’ to climb and sit in. There is additional smaller playground equipment for young kids along with larger playground equipment for elementary-aged kids. Teens can enjoy basketball courts, sand volleyball, and fishing.   Alum Creek Park North also features an outdoor amphitheater.  Be sure to check out the Sounds of Summer Concert Series schedule to make an entire evening out of it.

Story Book Trail at Johnston-McVay Park (Toddlers & Young Kids)

This literacy adventure builds reading skills and creates memories, from start to finish. This trail is a windy 1/4-mile paved loop (think stroller-friendly!) and also features unique, nature-inspired playground equipment and hammocks.  It’s located here.

Hoff Woods Park (All Ages)

Hoff Woods has something for all ages. It features baseball diamonds, basketball courts, tennis & pickleball courts. Kids can enjoy the fun playground equipment and short nature trail.  A large shelter with tables is the perfect spot to have a family picnic.

Skate Park & Hockey Rink at Alum Creek Park South (Elementary age and above)

Activities offered at this 30+ acre park include a roller/street hockey rink, skateboard park, BMX track, climbing feature, 1.7 mile recreation path, soccer, and sports fields.

Pickleball (Elementary age and above)

Is your family getting into the Pickleball craze that has hit the country?  Then check out Hoff Woods Park. It has four outdoor pickleball courts.  The Westerville Sports Complex also features four permanent outdoor courts, nine indoor courts and twelve mixed-use courts (tennis and pickleball).

Golf (Elementary age and above)

If your kids like Disc Golf check out Blendon Woods Disc Golf Course.  Westerville Golf Center has a fun 18-hole putt-putt course along with a driving range and batting cages. And Top Golf is located nearby too!

Kayaking, SUP or Sailing (Elementary age and above)

If being on the water is your family’s favorite activity, check out Hoover Reservoir, a Columbus Parks & Recreation gem.  This large reservoir on the east side of Westerville allows kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and sailboats. Don’t have a kayak, SUP or sailboat?  No worries!  Check out this page for more information on how to rent one! Please note that jet skis, tubing and swimming are not allowed at Hoover.

Splash Pads & Pools

Need a place to cool off during the heat?  Check out these fun water spots.

Hanby Park (Toddlers and Young Kids)

Located off of the Westerville Bike Depot on the Ohio to Erie bike trail, this park features a fun splash pad for young kids.  It also has accessible swings, a colorful play tower and shaded swinging benches.  If you brought your bike and want to head over to Graeter’s, Dairy Queen, Whit’s or one of the many other great stops in Uptown Westerville, Hanby Park offers convenient bike lockers for those that don’t have a bike lock.

Highlands Park Aquatic Center (All Ages)

The Aquatic Center features a speed and body slide tower, a zero-entry toddler pool with a simulated-rock slide, a spray playground, lazy river, and eight-lane, 25-meter pool with a diving well. There’s enough here to keep a family of any age busy for an entire day or for the whole summer.  For day rates and hours click here.

Westerville Community Sports Complex Pool (All Ages)

No matter the weather outside, it’s always swimsuit weather at the Westerville Community Center indoor pool! A new water playground located in the zero-entry pool is filled with fun interactive equipment featuring mini dueling slides, a tube slide, fountains and the nearly 159-gallon water bucket for a new, fun and exhilarating splash zone.  Older kids and stronger swimmers will enjoy the racing slides that incorporate lights and scoring/gaming systems to record your speed and accuracy while you slide.

Biking

Westerville BMX (Ages 2 and Up)

Alum Creek South Park is home to the only BMX track in the greater Columbus area!  Westerville BMX is a USA BMX sanctioned program that makes the Olympic Sport of BMX Racing available to people of all ages and ability.  They have weekly BMX Races, balance bike races for ages 2-5, practices and skills clinics.

Bike Trails (All Ages)

Westerville offers 51 miles of trails making pursuing a healthy, active lifestyle accessible for all. The trail system is a great way to explore the city on two wheels and intersects with various parks, playgrounds and goes right through the heart of the city and beyond.

Westerville also has a 4.5 mile and 8.7 mile Art Bike tour that allows riders to see public art along the way.  See the routes here.

History & Book Lovers

Hanby House (All Ages)

The Hanby House is the former home of William and Ann (Miller) Hanby where the family occupied it from 1853-1870.  William Hanby was the 15th Bishop of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. He was an abolitionist and opened his home as a station on the Underground Railroad.  The Hanby House is open for tours and they feature many fun events throughout the summer: https://www.westervillehistory.org/events

Historical Walking Tours (Elementary age and up)

Explore the rich and varied history of Westerville, Ohio with self-guided tours of the city’s cultural, historical and architectural heritage.

Westerville History Museum (Elementary age and up)

Westerville’s Underground Railroad activities and anti-alcohol efforts shaped the course of American history and gave the community a unique legacy.  The museum is located at 126 S. State Street inside the Westerville Library and features rotating exhibits.

Westerville Library (All Ages)

The Westerville Library has events geared towards all ages.  From story times for babies and toddlers to book clubs especially designed for ages 12-18, you can find something to do here for the whole family.  Don’t forget to check out their Innovation Lab which includes an area for digital creations (think video cameras, green screens, and lighting equipment), 3D printers and advanced design software. The whole family can learn something new.

Birdie Books (All Ages)

Check out their Free Storytime with Birdie on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. They will read children’s books and arts and crafts materials will be provided following the readings. Complimentary snacks and coffee will be available.

Events & Festivals

With each passing weekend, Westerville becomes an epicenter of entertainment, where you can immerse yourself in the vibrant energy and discover live music and fun festivals. Get ready to dance, sing along, and embrace the exciting spirit that makes Westerville the ultimate destination for summer revelry.

Uptown Fourth Friday (All Ages)

On the fourth Friday of every month May-October, the main thoroughfare in Westerville shuts down to traffic for the Fourth Friday Festival, which offers guests plenty of live music, entertainment, food trucks, pop-up vendors, restaurants, and retail shopping. The festival runs from 6-9 p.m.

Uptown Friday Nights (All Ages)

The first, second, third (and sometimes fifth) Friday of every month during May-September, features a variety of live musicians throughout the streets of Uptown Westerville, and many merchants stay open late.

Sounds of the Summer Concert Series (All Ages)

This summer, get out and enjoy fresh air and live music on select Saturday nights and each Sunday night at Alum Creek Park North Amphitheater for the Sounds of Summer Concert Series. Music genres and artists vary each week and range from country to rock n’ roll, and music from the 60’s through today. Grab a blanket, picnic basket and the family and come out to enjoy a beautiful evening in Westerville.

Westerville Farmer’s Market (All Ages)

The Westerville Farmers Market, happening every Saturday morning May-September behind City Hall, provides entertainment while you shop amongst local farmers and vendors. Performances are typically one or two musicians playing acoustic jams and occasionally feature a local band for the duration of the market from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Westerville Music & Arts Festival (All Ages)

The annual Westerville Music & Arts Festival is an exciting, fun-filled weekend event featuring 130+ artists, 30+ performances, 20 unique food vendors, a youth entertainment and art show, and a silent auction. In 2023, the festival will take place July 8-9 at Heritage Park & Everal Barn. On the Saturday evening of the festival, there is a special concert featuring CYNTsation at 5:30 p.m. followed by The Reaganomics at 7:30 p.m.

Arts & Crafts

Get your kids’ creative kiddos juices flowing with one of the many arts classes available in Westerville.

Uptown Art & Clay (Ages 6 and Up)

The benefits of working with clay in children are good for a child's development! It encourages sensory and fine motor skills development, builds imagination, and boost self-esteem. Create a clay frog, mushroom or fairy house, just to name a few! Check out their full list of kid-friendly classes here.

David Myers Art Studio & Gallery Art Classes (Ages 5 and Up)

David guides, coaches and mentors others to create, express and find their voice and tell their story.  Artists will build a strong foundation, art skills, techniques and principles while learning to trust & express their intuitions.

Inspiring U Crafting Classes (Ages 3 and Up)

Inspiring U teaches classes in sewing, knitting, painting, drawing, painting, clay, string art and more. They have classes for both adults and kids and they can even accommodate birthday parties.

The Arts Council of Westerville (Ages 6-12)

The Arts Council of Westerville has morning and afternoon day camps available for kids to get creative and have fun!  Check dates and availability here.

Music & Arts (Ages 5 and Up)

Music and arts offers private and group lessons options.  They also sell instruments and offer rentals, repairs, a wide selection of books and sheet music.

Uptown Music (Ages 5 and Up)

They specialize in guitar (electric, acoustic and bass), banjo, mandolin, ukulele, and vocal instruction.

Uptown Shopping (All Ages)

Ready to hit some shops or satisfy your kid’s sweet tooth?  We’ve got a great selection of stores and confectionaries in Westerville.  Here are just a few of our favorites:

Old Skool Skate Shop

This skateboard shop has been a popular spot since it first opened in 2001.  The owner, Wally, is a big fan of the sport and will help you create the skateboard of your dreams!

A Gal Named Cinda Lou

Owner Julie Bennati sells a mixture of vintage and new items such as records, clothing, and jewelry, plus, handmade and novelty items. But the highlight for kids?  The chicken machine towards the back of the store.  Each egg the hen distributes contains a fun toy or treat!

Westerville Florist

They have a fun BYOB (Build Your Own Bouquet) Bar with seasonal flowers ready to go!

Sweet Treats (All Ages)

There are so many great options to satisfy those sugar cravings in Westerville!  For hot summer days, we have Graeter’s Ice Cream, Dairy Queen, Whit’s Frozen Custard, Rita’s Italian Ice, Coppa Gelato, or Little Ladies Soft Serve.

Other fun treat stops to check out include Sugarbees Fine Confections, Schneider’s Bakery, Java Central, Just Pies and what kid can resist the extra-large cookies at Northstar Café?!

Share the joy of your Westerville family adventures with us by tagging us in your social posts (@visitwesterville) and using the hashtag #VisitWesterville. We can't wait to hear about your favorite family moments!

Post by: Jennifer Kerns