From mini donuts to kid

Less of an event, the Ohio State Fair feels more like a temporary community that pops up for a brief window every summer. While this means there’s no shortage of family-friendly fun, it also means it can be a bit overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to figure out what’s best to do with kids.

Don’t fear, though, Columbus. We have the opinion of a very particular two year-old to give you some insight into finding the best kid-friendly activities at the Fair.

I took a trip to the Fair with my daughter recently, and I’m here to offer some great options for keeping a real-life kid entertained. These were her top picks, and although your mileage may vary (and there are endless options), it’s definitely a good place to start

My daughter enjoyed quite literally all of her time at the Fair, but the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) offerings stole the show this year. Annually, ODNR rolls a literal, and figurative, playground filled with kid-friendly options for fun at the aptly-named Natural Resources Park.

The Kids’ Fishing Pond (now filled with bluegill instead of catfish), was at the top of her list, featuring simple, no-cast rods and friendly DNR officers to bait your hooks and safely remove any fish caught. The Accessible Playground, Butterfly House, and a walkway through a section of native Ohio prairie were also high up on the list.

“We are always looking to grow the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts and the Natural Resources Park is the perfect opportunity to introduce many kids to Ohio’s awesome natural resources,” ODNR marketing manager Jason Fallon said. “Seeing the kid’s faces light up and smile when they see a bald eagle up close for the first time or catch a bluegill in our fishing pond is what makes this park so special and creates memories that will last a lifetime.”

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Whether it was chickens, ducks, horses, cows, or even pigs (a surprise favorite of my daughter), the State Fair’s livestock exhibitions are massive and endlessly fascinating for the little ones. If you’re looking to kill time, the sheer number of animals and variety within species can keep animal-obsessed kids (like mine) busy for quite a while.

Did I mention we were even able to watch a cow give birth early Sunday morning? Unexpected, but pretty special nonetheless.

Natural Resources Park also offers a variety of native species (like eagles, skunks and more) in their own environments. A booth allowing kids to scoop up and inspect crayfish and other unique water-based animals and insects was also a top spot with my daughter.

We didn’t have time for the Camel Rides, Pig Race or Petting Zoo, but these are also great options to look into.

I’ll be honest, one of my daughter’s favorite Fair experiences came about by accident. While take a brief break after visiting a few of the newborn calves, we stumbled upon the Little Farmers space, a series of eight different miniature barns featuring a variety of hands-on educational displays.

Each barn focuses on a different category of Ohio farming (from eggs, to grain, to beef) , and kids can even receive a prize after grabbing a list of items from each stop, sort of like an agriculture-themed scavenger hunt. Not only did this keep my daughter entertained for quite a while, kids who complete the circuit can pick from a number of small prizes as a reward.

While this activity is technically listed for ages 3-10, I can personally attest to the fact that it’s great for two year-olds as well.

While I wish I had an under-the-radar option here that was healthy and delicious, my daughter’s top food pick were the mini donuts from Candi’s Concessions (located across from Kiddieland). That’s not to say healthier, kid-friendly options can’t be found, however. The Taste of Ohio Cafe, where we stopped for lunch, featured a variety of quality booths offering Ohio lamb, chicken, beef and a whole lot more.

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