10 Weeks of
Summer Fun Stay busy in Columbus this summer
By Megan Roth
F
or kids, summer means days of freedom, friends and warm weather – it’s hard not to get excited about that. But, without daily stimulation and structure, summer can also have negative health associations. The COVID-19 pandemic raised concerns regarding a nationwide increase in learning loss, a commonly cited effect of an idle summer. Learning loss isn’t the only drawback; research published in Frontiers in Public Health also suggests that summer break coincides with a significant decrease in physical activity. Keeping kids mentally and physically active with structure, social engagements and regular activities can help counteract those trends. And in Columbus, as the sun starts to shine, events fall into line. There are plenty of opportunities to get active, spend time outside and learn. Here are some of the most exciting kid-friendly activities and events for each week of this summer.
June 10-12
Columbus Arts Festival Spend a summer day at the 60th annual Columbus Arts Festival. The festival features visual art in more than 10 unique and innovative mediums including ceramics, digital art, jewelry, glass and leather. The festival also showcases performing arts such as music, dance, theater and spoken word. It’s a great opportunity to walk around, introduce kids to the arts or enjoy the dozens of food trucks on site. 26
June 10-12 Columbus Arts Festival For more information, www.columbusartsfestival.org.
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June 13-18:
Rose Run Fest Summer in Vienna In the inaugural Rose Run Fest, Vienna comes to New Albany for a week of activities leading to a concert by the New Albany Symphony. Events include hot air balloon rides, cooking and dance classes, a children’s concert, yoga in the park and a toddlers in nature class. Additionally, the New Albany Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library will have a selection of books on Vienna available. The festival focuses on highlighting Viennese culture, but it also emphasizes the value of spending time outdoors, an important part of the Viennese lifestyle. For more information, visit roserunfest.newalbanysymphony.com.
June 23
World’s Largest Swim Lesson What better way to learn how to swim or brush up on your skills than during the world’s largest swim lesson? Across the globe, water parks, pools and other aquatic facilities will host a swim lesson simultaneously in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record, which currently stands at 36,564 participants, and you can join in at Zoombezi Bay. Participants must be between the ages of 2 and 12, and those under 10 must have a parent or guardian present. For more information about the World’s Largest Swim Lesson, visit www.wlsl.org. Zoombezi Bay also hosts extended hours and a movie each Friday in July as part of its Summer Nights sewww.healthynewalbanymagazine.com
