Olentangy Indian Caverns

I am beyond impressed with our experience at the Olentangy Indian Caverns in Delaware. We've actually been twice this summer and still were not going to turn down an invite to participate in a special tour courtesy of Columbus Moms Blog and the Olentangy Indian Caverns!

If you have been nervous about whether this is an appropriate outing for your toddler or young child, fear no more! It's the PERFECT outing for a wide range of ages. My toddlers were just as interested as us parents during the cave tour. While us "boring" adults were listening to the history of the cavern, and the Wyandotte tribe that most likely utilized it, the kids were enamored by the walls of the cave and the different "rooms" they could peek into. They even got to rub some mud on their hands from the cave walls, leaving their skin super soft! (Someone needs to bottle that up and sell it)

After our adventure down under, we headed back up to the surface for some gem mining! The kids really enjoyed that experience and it was so easy, they were able to do it themselves! From there we headed over to the petting zoo and got to feed some goats and deer! It was impossibly adorable and it would have been well worth the trip to just come for the animals.  

If that's not enough there is also a playground and small climbing wall for the kids, miniature golf, shelters with picnic tables to enjoy a packed lunch, and a great gift shop!  

I have heard murmurings of worry from parents concerned about age appropriateness and I can tell you the whole family managed just fine. One trip included Dad and once all by myself!  I did wear the youngest (24 months) on my back but the 3 and 5 year old had no problem descending the stairs into the cavern and walking through the caves. The tour guides are very conscientious of warning you when there might be something to watch out for or step over. And even if you don't want to give the caves a try, this is an amazing spot for a family get together or birthday party. 

Sidenote: Their weekly summer camps sound amazing and so much fun for kids! I'll definitely be signing our kids up once they are school age! Feel free to sign up for multiple weeks since they switch up the themes. 

Cave Tour 

Gem Mining 

Petting Zoo 

If you are feeling like a super mom after this adventure, the awesome Veterans Park Spray and Play is only 12 minutes away! When in Delaware......

Everything You Need To Know About The New Ikea!

When: The Grand Opening is Wednesday June 7th, 2017 at 9 a.m.

Where: 1900 Ikea Way, Columbus OH 43240

Festivities: 

 Wednesday, June 7, 2017

• Rest Assured – The first 44 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Columbus on June 7, 2017 will receive a free EKTORP three-seat sofa, honoring our 44th U.S. store. 

• Take a Seat (And We Mean Take It!) – The next 100 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Columbus on June 7, 2017 will receive a free POÄNG armchair. 

• For the (Truly) Young at Heart – The first 100 children (17 & younger) in IKEA Columbus on June 7, 2017 will receive a free FAMNIG heart-shaped soft toy. 

• Pick a Card, Any Card – The first 2,500 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Columbus on June 7, 2017 will receive a random prize envelope with IKEA Gift Cards ranging from $10 to $250, or a “Buy One, Get One Free” cinnamon bun, hotdog or soft-serve frozen yogurt voucher. 

• Happy Birthday to You and Us – The first 100 adults (18 & older) bringing proof to IKEA Columbus on June 7, 2017 their birthday is the same as the store’s will receive a gift card in the amount of $44, a tie-in corresponding to IKEA Columbus as the 44th U.S. IKEA store. 

• Enter our Home, Enter to Win – From June 7 through June 11, 2017, visitors to IKEA Columbus may enter a drawing to win one of ten $1,000 IKEA Gift Cards through the IKEA FAMILY loyalty program. IKEA is matching the prizes (a total of $10,000) with a donation of home furnishings to The Homeless Families Foundation, a local organization that provides housing assistance and educational services to homeless families living in Columbus. 

Thursday, June 8, 2017

• Sleep Like Royalty – The first 44 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Columbus on Thursday, June 8, 2017 will receive a free queen-sized HAUGESUND mattress. 

• Cozy Comfort – The next 100 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Columbus on Thursday, June 8, 2017 will receive a free ALINA “sleep set” of bedspread and cushion covers and two FJADRAR pillows. 

• Kid’s Best Friend – The first 100 children (17 & younger) in IKEA Columbus on June 8, 2017 will receive a free GOSIG golden dog soft toy. 

Friday, June 9, 2017

• Cook (& Store) Like a Pro – The first 44 adults in IKEA Columbus on Friday, June 9, 2017 will receive a free 365+ 6-piece cookware starter set and a FORTROLIG food container storage set. 

• It’s in the Bag! – The next 44 adults (18 & older) in IKEA Columbus on Friday, June 9, 2017 will receive freezer bags filled with five different Swedish meals, complete with beverages and desserts, from the store’s Swedish Food Market. 

• A Cold Sweet-ish Treat – The first 100 children (17 & under) in IKEA Columbus on Friday, June 9, 2017 will receive a voucher for a soft-serve frozen yogurt that day at the Exit Bistro. 

Wednesday, June 7 - Sunday, June 11, 2017

• Play Big If You’re Little – Balloon artists, entertainment and face-painting will enhance the family-friendly fun at IKEA Columbus from June 7 through June 11, 2017. 

Thanks to Columbus Moms Blog, I was able to take a sneak peak of Ikea's second location in Ohio and it is just as awesome as you may have imagined. Being from Illinois, I am already used to having two Ikea's at my disposal. I have even driven to both on the same day to get an out of stock item. Safe to say, I am a fan. I'm so excited to finally have a location nearby again because yes, our family definitely purchase many of our home furniture items there. Especially for the children bedroom and playrooms. BUT there are so many smaller items that you can use from children's dinnerware, cute decorative items, picture frames, rugs, even children toys. And you can get them so much cheaper than anywhere else! 

Not to mention their giant cafeteria with the most amazing food! I have a feeling the kids and I might have some midday lunches there. And all the food is sold in the market as well. It's so strange to want to buy salmon from a furniture but yes, it was that good. 

Need to get some serious shopping done and don't want to be restricted by the children? If they are potty trained and 37-54 in tall, check them into Småland! They will have so much fun coloring, watching a movie, and / or playing in the fun ball pit! And don't worry mamas, family friendly parking, restrooms, and nursing areas. 

Too scared to brave the busy lines of opening day? Take a virtual tour below and start browsing the online Ikea catalogue to get prepped for your first visit! Want to know how to shop the store? Click the link below!