1
Tsartisans Summer Camp
July 15-19
Tri-State Artisans Gallery, Columbus
Ages: 6-14
Have you got a budding artist at home that just cannot wait to get their creative juices flowing? Take a look at downtown Columbus at the Tartisans store that boasts it’s very own workshop inside. Children will get the opportunity to fearlessly tackle challenges with curiosity and optimism. The great thing with this camp is that you don’t have to sign up for the whole week of camp, you can build your own camp. Either one day ($30), one camp ($135 for five days), full single day-all four camps ($110 bring lunch, drinks, and snack) or full day week ($450 bring lunch, drinks, and snack) all four camps for all five days. Ages 6-14, visit their website to book.
2
Search for Waldo
All of July
Viewpoint Books & downtown Columbus
As I child I would spend hours looking for Waldo in the Where’s Waldo books and now there’s a real life version! This fun family event runs through July allowing you plenty of time so you don’t have to find all the Waldos in one day. The idea is you pick up a passport from Viewpoint bookstore and explore downtown Columbus shops and attractions looking for the 25 hidden Waldo, I warn you now it’s not easy! It’ll get even the adults scratching their heads and asking the store assistance for clues. Once you have found him make sure you get your stamp from the store assistants before you move on. Then when you have found all the Waldos submit your passport to Viewpoint bookstore and be entered into the prize draw to win some exciting prizes. The draw will happen July 31 at 5:15 pm.
It’s a great time to explore downtown Columbus and be out and about with the family, visit some of the nearby parks and try some of the lovely restaurants Columbus has to offer.
3
AMC summer camp
Wednesday Mornings:
- July 3: Small foot
- July 10: Lego movie 2
- July 17:Teen Titans go to the movies
- July 24: The house with a clock in its walls
- July 31: How to train your dragon
Its still here! Nice cheap tickets and some family fun time. Each year I look forward to the AMC summer camp where you can see some great films on a Wednesday morning for just $4 a ticket which includes the ticket, child size popcorn and a packet of candy. Films being shown this July are Small foot-July 3, Lego movie 2-July 10, Teen Titans go to the movies-July 17, The house with a clock in its walls-July 24, and How to train your dragon-July 3.
4
Steam after Dark
July 19, 5-8 pm
Kidscommons
Ages: 5-12
Night at the museum! Okay, so maybe not the whole night, more like late evening but still exciting, right?! An evening where parents can go out for a few precious hours all while knowing your kiddies are nice and safe, and learning.
This is a three-hour Sherlock Homes inspired event happens after the museum has shut to the general public and gives children the opportunity to explore the museum whilst being introduced to hands on STEAM concepts using science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
Pizza will be provided for dinner so do let the museum know if there are any dietary instructions. Cost is $20 members/$25 non- members; to register call the Kidscommons at (812) 378-3046 (registration deadline is Tuesday before each event).
5
Bartholomew County Fair
July 5-13
Bartholomew County Fairgrounds.
I love a county fair, seeing all the local people get together to show off their homemade wares and makes.
See all the agriculture and livestock that resides in Bartholomew county and watch the events and judging when it takes place, will your favorite win? There will be opportunities to ride and pet animals, feast on a variety of county fair foods, fairground rides and family oriented games. Its makes a great family day out and whilst there take in a show at the demolition derby!
Parking is cheap at just $5 for the whole day and very well organized.
6
Blue’s Canoe Livery
Blue’s Canoe Livery
Ages: 4 & up
July is a hot hot hot time and where’s a better place to keep cool than by the water. Blues Canoe Livery is an outdoor recreation center that provides canoe, kayak, and raft trips on the beautiful Driftwood river. The most popular trip down the river is through the secluded state wildlife preserve and part of the Camp Atterbury wilderness area. This stretch of the river is alive with deer, beaver, great blue heron, osprey, wild turkey and great for small mouth bass fishing. Do be warned though, there is added excitement of occasional mild rapids!
Bring a picnic and make use of the many shelter houses and dine outdoors.
Children are more than welcome to come along but its required that children are aged 4 and over.
7
JCB Neighborfest
July 11, 6-8 pm
downtown Columbus Arts & Entertainment district
The annual outdoor summer concert held 6-8 pm in downtown Columbus Arts & Entertainment district. So, bring your family, friends, neighbors and lawn chairs and grab a space to enjoy the free evening of music provided by the Bigger is Better Band. Don’t forget to bring a bit of money for dinner and drinks as the Savory Swine will be grilling delicious burgers and brats, and Fun on the 4th will be serving thirst quenching adult beverages.
8
Storytime at Viewpoint Books
July 5, 12:15 pm
Viewpoint Books
It’s time for Storytime with Miss Polly at 12:15 pm on the first Friday in July, sometimes, with a furry doggy friend! Seats tend to be limited so I’d advise you to get there a little early otherwise there is plenty of standing room.
Storytime lasts for around 30 mins and visitors are welcome to stay and play for as long as they like with a range of Melissa and Doug toys, plenty of books to look at and explore, anything that lets yours and your child’s imagination run wild. It’s great because they have a restroom with baby changing facilities in the bookshop so no need to leave until you really need to.
9
Columbus Parks and Rec
Did you get a chance to get to any of the free activities in June laid on by Columbus Parks and Rec? Well, they’re doing it again in July!
Join them at Donner Park for:
- Animals, animals, animals with Indiana Wild on July 19, 1:30-3 pm
- Carnival time 1:30-3 pm
- Family Bingo/Make your own sundae night July 24, 6:30-8:30 pm (must pre-register, limited to the first 30 families and max of five people per family)
10
Girls Only Hockey Class
July 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29, 6-7:15 pm
Hamilton Ice Center
Is your daughter dying to have a go hockey but not quite ready to play for real yet? Well, the Hamilton Ice Center are offering girls only hockey class all throughout July at $50 per session, 6-7:15 pm each night.
11
A Fairytale day to Remember
July 27
Come along dressed as your favorite character to this very special fairytale day where you can paint your favorite fairytale character. There will be many options to choose from each with 15% off each piece. The event will run from 10 am-9 pm or until Simply pottery run out of items.
