Spring Break on a budget: How to have a fun Columbus staycation for $25
Spring break doesn’t necessarily mean a trip out of town or a giant credit card hangover. You can stay right here in Columbus and have a really good time for really cheap. For this installment of Columbus on a Budget, we had a full day of fun for $25 (ish).
If you’re looking for things to do with the kiddos during their break that will take up time but won’t break the budget, we’ve got some ideas.
Cheap Columbus spring break ideas
Columbus Bound Books
Storytime with Grammy Trish
Columbus Bound Books hosts Grammy Trish’s storytime, a free drop-in event that’s genuinely worth showing up for.
- Free to attend; no registration required
- Storytime is every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
- Features reading and play time
We grabbed one book while we were there: $4.99 and since Columbus Bound Books is a local independent, your $5 goes a little further.
Other free events at Columbus Bound
- Romantacy Book Club: Thursdays at 6 p.m.
- Mystery Book Club: Mondays at 6 p.m.
- Book bedazzling: April 7 at 6 p.m
- Peter and the Wolf performance: April 11, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Poets Speak: April 8, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Paul Pierce presents The Springer Ghost Book: April 10, from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Dinglewood Pharmacy
Dinglewood Pharmacy has been serving the scrambled dog since 1946, and it is perfect for a Columbus staycation.
- Sit at the counter for chitchatting with staff
- Split a scrambled dog if it’s just you and the kiddo. It can definitely feed two people.
- Keep in mind the upcharge for add-ons like cheese or slaw.
Children’s Bicycle Playground in Dinglewood Park
Recently opened the newest playground of its kind in the area at the intersection of 13th Street and Warren Williams Road. It has several features for riders of all skills and best of all, it is completely free.
- Shady areas for spectators
- Walking distance to restaurants
- Varying track levels: toddler, skills, linear and modular pump tracks
Icey Girl & Co
We ended the day with a cold treat from the midtown location of Icey Girl & Co, which is right across the street from the bike park. They have a ton of flavors, but my favorite is the Islands on the Hooch.
What we spent
The $25 dollar budget is getting increasingly hard to abide, and this trip was a tad over, but not by much.
The cost breakdown:
Lunch at Dinglewood
- Scrambled Dog: $7.50
- Coleslaw add-on: $1.25
- Cheese add-on: .65¢
- Sweet tea: $3.25
- 20% tip: $2.53
Subtotal: $15.18
Columbus Bound Books
- Hardback toddler book: $4.99
Subtotal: $2.99
Icey Girl & Co
- Small Islands on the Hooch: $4.00
- Pup cup, beef broth flavor: $1.00
Subtotal: $5.00
Total for the Spring Break Staycation: $25.17
Have a Columbus-on-a-budget tip? Send it to srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.
This story was originally published March 28, 2026 at 6:00 AM.