Looking for something fun to do this weekend in Columbus? Try out one of these family-friendly Columbus and Ohio–based events and activities!
1. Think Outside the Brick at Columbus Museum of Art
Visit Think Outside The Brick, the annual LEGO display at the Columbus Museum of Art by Ohio LEGO Users’s Group. There will be a museum-wide scavenger hunt, a LEGO brick-building zone and more! This exhibit is included in admission and will be on display through March 13, 2025. Don’t forget Sundays are free!
2. Anywhere Birthday Bags with Seeds of Caring
No matter how old or young we are, birthdays are special days to feel loved by those around us. Through Feb. 16, kids ages 4-12 can bring birthday cheer to families supported by the YWCA Center for Women with this Anywhere Project from Seeds of Caring ! Your family, team, or youth group will pack Birthday Bags with everything a child needs to celebrate their special day – plus a handwritten note to show how much you care!
3. Wanderlights in Downtown Columbus
New this year in Downtown Columbus is Wanderlights! Follow this festive path beginning at Columbus Commons down Town Street and ending at Bicentennial Park! Enjoy holiday lights, a mural and special displays along the way! Lights will be lit from November 22 – February 16 from 5 – 10 pm, daily.
4. Disney on Ice Presents Frozen & Encanto at Nationwide Arena
Disney On Ice presents Frozen & Encanto will be at Nationwide Arena from January 30- February 2! Your favorite Disney stars come to life through cutting-edge figure skating, high-flying acrobatics and stunning set designs! Each show time also offers the option to buy a ticket to the Character Experience which includes games, stories, crafts and visits with Elsa and Mirabel. There are 9 shows throughout the week and weekend! Check the link for times and tickets. Columbus Zoo members receive 20% off for select performances. See details here.
5. Storytime at Blendon Woods Metro Park
On Friday at 10:00 AM kids can enjoy stories songs and large motor activities at the Nature Center at Blendon Woods. Ages 2-5.
6. Riverside Crossing Park Ice Rink
This ice rink in Dublin is open on Fridays from 5–10 p.m., Saturdays from noon–10 p.m. and Sundays from noon–8 p.m. Cost is $12 per person and skates are available for sizes Youth 9 – Adult 13. You may also bring your own skates.
7. Dog Man Meet and Greet at The Strand Theatre
The Dog Man Movie Premiere takes place on Friday and you can meet Dog Man 30 minutes before each show time at the Strand Theatre in Delaware, Ohio. Show times are 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM on Friday. Beanbag Books will be selling books and Dog Man items or you can save your ticket stub from the Strand and bring it to Beanbag Books for 15% off Dog Man books & merch.
8. Stargazing at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Look at the stars and make a star chart at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park on Friday at from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
9. Bulk LEGO Smash at Bricks and Minifigs Powell
Smash LEGO sets and pick out the pieces you need to buy in bulk at Bricks & Minifigs in Powell on Friday from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
10. Ice Cream for Breakfast Day at Jeni’s
From 9:00 AM – Noon on Saturday at Jeni’s Scoop Shops, celebrate Ice Cream For Breakfast Day with a new breakfast ice cream flavor, activities for kids, special menu pairings and more! Pajamas welcome! (I got a sneak peek of the new flavor! See the photos on my Instagram post!)
11. Underground Railroad in Central Ohio Exhibit at Reynoldsburg Library
Check out an exhibit on Central Ohio’s role in the Underground Railroad at the Reynoldsburg Branch of CML beginning Saturday at 9:00 AM. The exhibit will be on display through February 5.
12. Musical Storytime with Saavan Arora at Cover to Cover
On Saturday from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM at Cover to Cover, Saavan Arora, an 11 year old and a 6th grader at Hastings Middle School will be playing the acoustic guitar to raise funds for Sam’s Fans, a local charity that funds Music and Art Therapy programs in all seven Ohio Children’s Hospitals.
Check out this list of children’s bookstores, including Cover to Cover!
13. Winter Hike at Blendon Woods Metro Park
Take a hike along any of the trails at Blendon Woods Metro Park and then meet at the Natural Play Area Shelter for a treat and hot cocoa on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
14. Learn and Roll at Skate Zone 71
On Saturday from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM kids can learn to skate with Fisher Price skates, Skate Mates and wrist guards available. This Saturday is Cotton Candy Skate – wear pink or blue for a free bag of cotton candy.
15. Nature Center Animal Feed and Greet at Alum Creek State Park
Learn about the animals that live at the Nature Center at Alum Creek State Park and help feed them on Saturday at 11:00 AM. (See photos of the Nature Center in my blog post!)
16. Groundhogs and More Walk at Three Creeks Metro Park
On Saturday at 2:00 PM take a 1-mile walk to discover how groundhogs and other animals survive winter. This same event will also take place on Sunday at 2:00 PM.
17. Urban Strings Columbus Youth Orchestra at Whetstone Library
Urban Strings Columbus Youth Orchestra will perform music from popular African-American composers and arrangers at the Whetstone Library on Saturday from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
18. Gallery Hop in the Short North Arts District
From 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM on Saturday in the Short North Arts District, enjoy street performers, art exhibitions, vendors and more during Gallery Hop! Each business may have different operating hours.
19. February 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. This month’s theme is Black History Month and special activities include special visitors from the Lincoln Theatre and a West African dance performance at 1:00 PM. Identification is required.
20. Lil Slice Sundays at Mikey’s Late Night Slice
On Sundays at the Easton, Bridge Park, OSU Campus, and 4th Street locations of Mikey’s Late Night Slice, kids can make their own pizzas for $6.99. They will get a build-your-own pizza kit, drink and mini Unicorn Bar.
21. Groovy Groundhogs at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
On Sunday from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM, learn about groundhogs at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
22. Groundhog Day: Rodent Round-up at Deer Haven Park
Drop by the Nature Center at Deer Haven Park on Sunday between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM to explore self-guided stations that will help you learn about groundhogs. (Read my blog post about Deer Haven Park to plan your trip!)
23. Family Jigsaw Puzzle Race at Worthington Park Library
Teams of up to 4 people can race to finish as many 100-piece jigsaw puzzles as they can in 60 minutes at Worthington Park Library at 2:30 PM on Sunday. Ages 6 and up.
*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!*