Alright. If you live in Columbus, Ohio, there is a 95% chance you know what Cosi (Center of Science and Industry) is and have probably been there multiple times. But, you can always learn more or see it from a different perspective! I’ve been going to Cosi since it was on East Broad Street but I swear I find something new every time we visit.
Check out our favorite parts of Cosi below and let us know your favorite exhibit or activity on social or in the comments!
One of the greatest exhibits that Cosi has right now is their Dinosaur Gallery. It’s included in your membership and general admission, so everyone can check out these ferocious fossils. This exhibit has a TON of information, but if your kiddo isn’t a reader yet, you’ll definitely want to help them understand what they are checking out. O’s attention span is a pretty quick at the ripe age of 2 1/2 so we tend to look at the big fossils and wander through here pretty quick.
Cosi just added a new exhibit focused all about “crocs” so we definitely need to check that one out. That’s the great thing about Cosi, they are always adding something new to keep it fresh!
By the time you read this post, this exhibit might be gone. But, again that’s one of the cool things about Cosi, always adding something new! O could have stayed in here for hours, racing all these Hot Wheels cars. I love that even though she is having so much fun, she’s also learning how to play with others (no shortage of kids at Cosi), take turns, and maybe even a little science.
If you want to check out which exhibits are currently active at Cosi right now, you can check out their website here! They also have a slew of events for kids and adults alike. A few of them are listed below.
- Geek out with grown-ups and explore COSI, ride the High Wire Unicycle, enjoy special themed activities, concessions and a cash bar. No time to eat before coming? Add food to your COSI After Dark ticket. Offering a variety of small plates, guests who purchase this food ticket receive a wristband for all-you-can eat menu items. Buffet is open from 6:00-8:30.
- When school is out, COSI is in! COSI’s School’s Out Camps provide the perfect opportunity for campers to stay scientific outside of school. Single day camps offered, Each camp includes 2 daily snacks and all supplies. Parents and caregivers, please pack a lunch for your camper.
- Spend the night at COSI with Camp-In! Camp-In is the overnight camp experience that’s perfect for Scouts, school groups, youth groups, and families of all sizes. Since 1972, COSI’s Camp-In program has provided memorable educational experiences for girls and boys centered on science, technology, and teamwork. COSI’s Camp-In was the first overnight program of its kind in the country!
I’m pretty sure it took me years to realize that this room existed back in the Ocean exhibit. There are a few animals back here, some fish, turtles, a snake or two and I know some frogs! O loves this part because it’s like a little zoo inside Cosi.
These fun little activity tables are in the same room as the amphibians and are pretty cool! It’s funny how she will play with these are Cosi, but at home, she couldn’t care less about these exact same toys. Toddlers, I tell ya.
Pro tip: if you spend more than 5 minutes in the Ocean exhibit with a toddler, you will need an extra set of clothes. Don’t even try to keep them dry, just embrace it – there is a bathroom around the corner to change them into warm clothes. While you are wandering over to the bathroom with a wet child, make sure to check out some of the pictures and such on the walls. Everything in Cosi is pretty intentional, including those giant butterflies on the wall and the series of photos showcasing our greenways. You can read all about the hallway exhibits here.
The Gadgets exhibit is severely under-rated, in my opinion. Maybe it’s because O really likes the activities in here but I think this area is SO cool! Right when you walk in, there are two stations to do “science crafts,” one for little kids like O and another for older kids (7+) where they can even dress up in goggles and a lab coat. One time when we were there, they were making slime which is pretty great to do somewhere other than at home.
This gadget has a spinning wheel in the middle and you have to get these plastic wheels to stay on it. It was actually really hard even for the adults! Another reason I love Cosi, so many of the activities encourage you to learn with your child, not just let them go and see them later. Now that O is a little older, I love being able to watch her mind work as she tries to figure out the “games.”
If you have a 2 and younger kiddo but want to still experience Cosi, they have a pretty big “little kidspace.” This area is AWESOME but we tended to stay away when it’s busy because we get overwhelmed when areas are overrun with humans. It has various activity areas including a splash area, painting, a slide, and even a break area for snack time.
I swear I didn’t know this photo-worthy pulley chair was here until the last time we visited. I’m telling you, visit Gadgets! O loved the little ride and I got a workout lifting up her 30 pound toddler body.
There are tons of options for membership at Cosi. You can purchase single day tickets, but honestly if you are going to visit more than once per year, you should just buy a membership. Check out all the info below. Also, Cosi is part of the reciprocal museum program meaning you can get free or discounted tickets to other museums across the country. We got in to the Ann Arbor Children’s Museum for free because of our Cosi membership!
| Category | Benefit Level | One Year | Buy Membership |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultimate Family What’s included? | Ultimate | $329 | Join Renew Gift |
| Premium Family What’s included? | Premium | $209 | Join Renew Gift |
| Basic Family What’s included? | Basic Family | $149 | Join Renew Gift |
| Grandparent Family What’s included? | Basic Family | $149 | Join Renew Gift |
| Single Adult Family What’s included? | Basic Family | $119 | Join Renew Gift |
| Teacher Family What’s Included + Additional Terms | Basic Family | $119 | Join Renew Gift |
| Individual + Guest What’s included? | Basic Family | $109 | Join Renew Gift |
| Family Access What’s Included?/Additional Terms | Basic Family | $49 | Join Renew Gift |
| Add-On Guest What’s Included? | $45/ea |
If you want to take advantage of the Planetarium or National Geographic Giant Movie Screen, you’ll want to opt for the Premium or Ultimate Family membership. We’ve never gone to either since O has been too little but I think when we renew, we’ll level up to Premium or Ultimate!
This isn’t a total outline of everything that Cosi offers, but I hope you learned a little bit more about our wonderful science museum. A few of our other favorite areas are below.
- This laboratory in the sun is proof that science is anything but boring. Its larger-than-life activities are designed to let your inner scientist stomp around and shout out loud. Lift a car with the help of a lever, roll a giant granite sphere, and play with air pressure.
- We are curious about our bodies, awed by the power of our minds, and eager to probe the depths of our own human spirit. COSI’s Life exhibition tells the story of you through three areas: Body, Mind, and Spirit. From before birth to after death—and the many steps in between—Life explores what makes us human.
- Travel through time and interact with the technology from 1898. Then turn a corner and find yourself generations later – in 1962 – in that same town. In just sixty-four years, telegraphs gave way to television, Morse code to telephones, farmer’s markets to TV dinners. Stand on the corner of Hope Street and Fear Street in Progress and wonder: what will the future bring?
Some other family friendly spots to visit.
While COSI is amazing, we recommend these other places to visit in the Midwest too.
- 10 Family Friendly Spots in Butler County. This county in Ohio is home to the Famous Donut Trail but also has great other places to visit!
- The Indinapolis Zoo. This is seriously the best zoo. Okay, the Columbus Zoo is incredible but this one has dolphins!
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