19 Interactive Indoor Activities in Columbus for 2026
A free afternoon in Columbus can take a very specific turn. You might start with cartoons and end up drinking bubble tea beside an adoptable cat.
It’s that playful streak that really sets indoor activities in Columbus apart, whether you are planning a birthday, family outing or indoor date idea. Play is particularly important when choosing indoor activities for kids, with The Hechinger Report highlighting how it supports children’s development and helps families connect.
And with plenty of free indoor activities in Columbus, Ohio, following that curiosity does not have to cost much.
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Indoor Activities for Adults
1. Cooking Classes
Cooking classes are an excellent choice for indoor activities in Columbus for adults. Bring a friend or go solo to connect with other like-minded foodies.
You’ll join gourmet chefs who will share tips and techniques for preparing a variety of local and international cuisines.
Whether you choose to prepare French pastries, Japanese sushi, German dumplings or Italian pasta, you’ll learn valuable skills in kitchen safety, ingredient sourcing, vegetable prep, grilling methods and much more. These same interactive classes that are guided by a top chef also make for a powerhouse team-building outing for co-workers or friend groups!
2. Paint and Sip
For a fun and creative indoor experience, consider a paint and sip session. You’ll learn painting techniques such as outlining, shading and color selection while working with watercolors, acrylics and more.
Sip your favorite wine, craft beer or other beverage while enjoying time with family, friends or colleagues. This is one of the best indoor activities in Columbus, Ohio for couples who enjoy the artistic side of life.
3. Columbus Museum of Art
When you’re looking for indoor activities in Columbus, the Columbus Museum of Art is an excellent date idea in Columbus or afternoon outing.
Spend time strolling through exhibits and displays featuring French artist Marie Laurencin, photography by Ming Smith and other contemporary and modern art installations.
4. 16-Bit Bar+Arcade
Relive your gaming days with a multitude of classic arcade games like Donkey Kong, Frogger, Pacman and more. 16-Bit Bar+Arcade offers more than 40 arcade games, and you can even indulge in your favorite craft brews, wine and cocktails.
It’s one of the best indoor activities in Columbus for adults who haven’t given up their love of arcade games. But it's also a fun, retro Sweet 16 gift idea for your teen who thrives on 80s pop culture. Check it out the next time you’re looking for an indoor activity in Columbus.
5. Kitty Bubble Café and Cat Lounge
Calling all the cat lovers! The Kitty Bubble Café and Cat Lounge offers the chance to pet and play with cute kitties while sipping bubble tea, matcha lattes and other beverages.
The cats are adoptable, making this one of the best indoor activities in Columbus for feline fanatics to find the perfect pet. The café even holds cat yoga and pet painting sessions. You do need a ticket for the cat lounge side of the building, but the café is walk-in.
6. Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum
Are there any free indoor activities in Columbus? Of course, there are! The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum, located at Ohio State University, is one of them.
It features the world’s largest collection of cartoon memorabilia, including newspapers, magazines, comic books, art, Japanese manga comic books and more.
Established in 1977, it’s one of the best free indoor activities in Columbus, Ohio for adults who love cartoons. Explore exhibits on Sunday newspaper cartoon strips, Ernie Bushmiller’s popular Nancy cartoon or Gus Arriola’s Gordo.
7. Escape Room
Put your problem-solving skills to the test. The Escape Game Easton Town Center is an excellent idea for indoor activities in Columbus, Ohio for adults who enjoy a bit of competition.
Spend your time searching for clues and solving riddles before your friends, family or co-workers do.
Indoor Activities for Families
8. Pottery Classes
Are you searching for indoor activities in Columbus for family members who like to create? Explore your artistic side with pottery classes. The whole family can take part in these sessions.
Led by an artist instructor, you’ll learn techniques for shaping, throwing and spinning clay into bowls, vases or abstract sculptures.
9. Swimming
Indoor swimming pools are just the thing to help chase away the winter blues. Check out the Columbus Aquatics Center, the Westerville Community Center or the Goldfish Swim School in Dublin for indoor activities in Columbus for couples or families who love the water.
Take water aerobics classes, practice your butterfly stroke or just splash about with the kids.
10. Otherworld Art Installation
Similar in nature to the trippy, immersive and out-of-this-world Meow Wolf art installations, Otherworld delivers creative, colorful and interactive indoor activities in Columbus for couples and families who enjoy art experiences.
Stroll through 40 rooms of larger-than-life art displays, secret passageways, escape room concepts and much more. Dazzling lights, musical beats and colorful displays will enthrall the kids.
If you’ve been to Burning Man, you’ll love this indoor activity in Columbus. The venue also holds dance parties, arts and crafts classes, concerts and more.
11. Fun in the Jungle
Are you looking for indoor activities in Columbus where you can spend the entire day? Fun in the Jungle is your one-stop shop for mini golf, bowling and arcade games. There’s even a specialized play area just for the little ones.
12. Ohio Railway Museum
If the kids, or you, can’t get enough of trains, the Ohio Railway Museum is the place to be. Founded in 1948, it features a large collection of streetcars and steam, electric and diesel locomotives.
Check out more than 25 rail and train-related vehicles, including cabooses, passenger cars, interurbans, locomotives and “Red Bird,” a CD&M interurban parlor car.
Located at the former Columbus, Delaware and Marion rail tracks, most of the train cars are outdoors, but some are in warehouses. Train rides are available at specific times of the day.
13. Roller Skating
Strap on the roller skates and show the kids how it’s done. Head to Skate Zone 71 or United Skates of America for a fun day of rolling around the floor.
The complex has a laser tag arena, a café and an arcade. This is the perfect indoor activity in Columbus for birthday parties, family outings or date nights.
Indoor Activities in Columbus for Kids
14. Art Classes
What is there to do in Columbus for kids indoors? Share an afternoon or evening of fun with the kids by taking some art classes.
Choose from painting, pottery, drawing and other creative endeavors. This is a wonderful way to introduce the whole family to art and pick up a fun new hobby in the process.
15. Game Arena
Plan a birthday party, a date night or a team-building activity at Game Arena. You’ll find the latest arcade games on state-of-the-art computers and game consoles, complete with comfy chairs.
Purchase food, snacks and drinks. Gameplay is charged by the hour, making this a terrific venue for the kids to play new games or practice skills on tried-and-true favorites.
16. Anthony Thomas Candy Company
Any candy connoisseurs in your group will enjoy touring the immense 154,000-square-foot factory at the Anthony Thomas Candy Company. Watch as more than nine different types of candy are made and assembled.
Find out how the Buckeye State makes those tasty peanut butter and chocolate buckeye candies. You’ll receive a candy sample at the end of the tour. You can’t go wrong with that!
17. LEGOLAND Discovery Center
Brick builders will want to spend the entire day at LEGOLAND Discovery Center. In addition to spending hours building LEGO race cars, exploring LEGO-themed exhibits, and checking out the 4D theater, themed play lands and a LEGO Ohio, you can ride simulator rides at this 36,000-square-foot complex. There’s also a café for when the munchies set in. If you're feeling inspired afterward, check out these LEGO sets for adults.
18. Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
Unleash your adventurous side and head to the Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park. You’ll find mini golf, trampolines, laser tag, indoor skydiving and climbing walls.
This is one of the best indoor activities for kids in Columbus, Ohio who like to walk on the daring side.
19. Momi Land
Are you wondering “Where can I take my toddler in Columbus?” Momi Land is one of the best indoor activities for kids in Columbus, Ohio. There’s an oversized ball pit, slides, trampolines and themed playrooms.
Choose packages for birthday parties and other events. You can join a monthly membership for lots of opportunities for indoor play dates.
Columbus rewards people who follow the odd little interests that make a day memorable. One plan leads to another, and before long, a simple afternoon indoors has become something far more distinctive.
For even more fun things to do in Columbus, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
