Looking for something fun to do this weekend in Columbus? Try out one of these family-friendly Columbus and Ohio–based events and activities!
This weekend’s list also includes Solar Eclipse events on Monday, April 8th! Have a great weekend and don’t look directly into the sun! LOL
Family Friendly Events this Weekend in Columbus, Ohio:
1. Mission: Kid Possible Nature Trail at Blendon Woods Metro Park
Complete mission activities on the Ripple Rock/Hickory Ridge Trail Loop at Blendon Woods to become a Nature Expert! Available during regular park hours throughout the whole month of April!
2. TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition at COSI
See over 200 authentic artifacts rescued from the wreckage site of Titanic including full-room recreations! There is an additional cost for this exhibit which will be available at COSI daily during regular hours through September 2, 2024. Reservations are strongly encouraged!
3. Blooms and Butterflies at Franklin Park Conservatory
Blooms and Butterflies is open at Franklin Park Conservatory! You can walk through the Pacific Island Water Garden to see free-flying butterflies. Check out the Metamorphosis Lab to see new butterflies emerge from their chrysalis. Daily hours are 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
4. First Friday in Delaware – The Space to Be
On Friday night from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM join Downtown Delaware for their First Friday event with a space theme featuring a SciFi Scavenger Hunt, a cosplay contest, free COSI Learning Lunchboxes, eclipse glasses and more!
5. Bingo Night at Family Room Coffee & Bake Shop
Head to Family Room Coffee & Bake Shop for a game of BINGO on Friday night from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Win prizes and treats!
6. Flashlight Egg Hunt at Glacier Ridge Metro Park
Enjoy an egg hunt after dark at Glacier Ridge Metro Park on Friday night from 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Bring your own flashlight and bags. Register online.
7. Waffle Bar at Coffee Connections Hilliard
Join Coffee Connections of Hilliard for their waffle bar on Saturday at 8:00 AM. For $5 you get two waffle squares with unlimited toppings! For $10 add a large latte!
8. DIY Expo at Glacier Ridge Metro Park
Enjoy different DIY stations at Glacier Ridge Metro Park on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. You can also take home nature-based gadgets! Register online.
9. Hot Chicken Takeover Turns 10!
Celebrate 10 years of Hot Chicken Takeover with a free slider with the purchase of any side! In-store only on Saturday beginning at 10:30 AM.
10. Poetry Party at Old Worthington Library
Celebrate National Poetry Month with crafts and art on Saturday from 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM. For ages 6-11.
11. Putting the “Fun” in Fungi at Blacklick Woods Metro Park
This event on Saturday from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM will feature a hike to look for fungi in Blacklick Woods!
12. Community Day at Franklin Park Conservatory
Residents of Columbus and Franklin County receive free General Admission to Franklin Park Conservatory on Sunday from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Identification is required. This Sunday’s theme is Japanese Culture & Cherry Blossoms. There will be special programing including Japanese drums, vendors, calligraphy, koi art, a puppet show and more!
Solar Eclipse Events on Monday, April 8, 2024:
Please know that proper eye protection is necessary in order to observe the total solar eclipse! If you have any questions, please review this website on Eclipse Safety from NASA!
These community events are taking place on Monday as a celebration of this once-in-a-lifetime event!
1. Solar Eclipse at the Alum Creek Dam
On Monday from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM head to Alum Creek Dam for activities, food trucks, and information booths and a viewing of the eclipse!
2. Eclipse Storytime with ProMusica at Shepard Library
This story time will feature music and an eclipse-themed story at Shepard Library on Monday at 10:00 AM. Great for ages 0-5 and their families.
3. Solar Eclipse Day at the National Museum of the USAF
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force will hold an Eclipse adventure beginning at 10:00 AM on Monday but gates will open early! There will be hands-on activities, rocket launches, a Hot Air Balloon Glow, live stream from NASA, food trucks and more!
4. Kid-Friendly Solar Eclipse Viewing at Olentangy Caverns
Enjoy all the fun at Olentangy Caverns as well as multiple food trucks and a viewing of a total eclipse! Hours are 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM with the eclipse beginning at 1:55 PM.
5. Solar Eclipse Solar-Bration at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
On Monday from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM the Columbus Zoo will have activities from local organizations, Character Ambassadors, hands-on activities and the opportunity to view the total eclipse!
6. Solar Eclipse Block Party at Woodward Park Community Center
This event takes place on Monday beginning at 12:00 PM and includes live telescope viewings, expert-led discussions, activities for students, and snacks!
7. Total Eclipse in the Park
This event will take place in downtown Hilliard on Monday from 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM and will include a DJ, fire juggler, solar eclipse trivia, space-themed snacks, yard games and more!
8. Solar Eclipse Viewing at Boardman Arts Park
The Boardman Arts Park in Delaware will be open for viewing the eclipse from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM on Monday.
9. COSI Solar Eclipse Watch Party at Main Library
COSI will host a solar eclipse watch party in Grant Plaza at CML Main Library. The event will include hands-on activities and a viewing of the eclipse. The event starts at 1:00 PM and the eclipse will happen at 3:12 PM.
10. KidX Total Solar Eclipse Watch Party at Polaris Fashion Place
This party will take place at the Dave & Buster’s Polaris location on Monday from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM and will include a free D&B Power Card for kids with unlimited video game play. Then head outside to watch the eclipse around 3:10 PM. This is a free event.
11. COSI’s Epic Eclipse Experience
On Monday from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM COSI will offer hands-on demonstrations, a live video stream of the eclipse, and STEAM kits. Check the link for more events across Ohio, too!
12. Westerville Total Eclipse Viewing Party
This eclipse viewing party will take place at Hoff Woods Park on Monday from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Bring your own chairs, blankets and glasses! The first 500 attendees will get a gift bag! This party is designed for ages 5 and up and will include a DJ, yard games, a photo booth, arts and crafts, live footage from NASA and more!
13. Eclipse Viewing Party at Northwest Library
Make pinhole eclipse viewers and play cosmic trivia at this watch party on Monday from 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM at the Northwest Library backyard.
14. Eclipse Viewing Party at Old Worthington Library
Enjoy out-of-this-world crafts and activities for families at this viewing party on Monday from 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM.
*Please be aware, information is gathered from multiple community sources. Times, dates and locations are subject to change. There may be a fee to participate in a featured activity. Please call ahead or check links to confirm activities. Inclusion of an event on this list is not considered an endorsement. Please use your best judgement when attending public events and consult your doctor if you have questions regarding the safety level of a public event. Read my disclaimer here. Enjoy what you do today!*