Looking for something fun to do this weekend in Columbus? Try out one of these family-friendly Columbus and Ohio–based events and activities!
Family-Friendly Events in Columbus, Ohio this Weekend:
1. Commons for Kids at Columbus Commons
Each Friday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Columbus Commons, kids of all ages can enjoy activities like free carousel rides, lawn games, and activities by community partners. This week’s theme is Carnival Day.
2. Columbus Food Truck Festival on the Scioto Peninsula
On Friday and Saturday from 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM enjoy a variety of food trucks, an artisan market, Columbus Vintage Exchange and live music.
3. From Book to Film at Gateway Film Center
On Friday or Saturday at 1:30 PM, get free admission to see The Hunger Games (PG-13) at Gateway Film Center with your library card as part of the Book to Film series!
4. Midway on the Mile
Midway on the Mile is a free event on Friday and Saturday from 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM on the Rich Street Bridge. This is a carnival-style event with a trackless train, obstacle course, wipeout attraction and more.
5. Franklinton Fridays
On the second Friday of each month head to Franklinton for art, live performances, food, entertainment and more from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
6. Movies in the Park at Sunny 95 Park
Watch the movie Wish in Sunny 95 Park on Friday at 7:00 PM. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.
7. Free Family Movie Night at Columbus Commons
Watch Ratatouille at 8:15 PM on Friday night at Columbus Commons. The movie follows a Popcorn Pops concert that is ticketed so the park will not open until 8:00 PM. Free popcorn while supplies last.
8. Dozers & Diggers at The Works
Get up close to trucks, dozers and other big machines and meet the people who operate them at this event at The Works on Saturday from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. All of the outdoor activities are free to explore. There will be discounted admission to the museum for $7/person. There will be a sensory hour from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM when horns, lights and noise will be reduced. There will also be food trucks on site.
9. Columbus Book Festival at Columbus Metropolitan Library
On Saturday from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM and Sunday from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM head to the Main Library for the Columbus Book Festival featuring author talks, book signings, meet and greets, live performances and readings, a children’s area with live entertainers. lawn games, community partners, storytimes, crafts, and more. There will be food trucks on-site, too!
10. History Myth Busting at Ohio Village
On Saturday from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM in Ohio Village, learn about some of the most common myths and misconceptions from the 19th century. There will be family-friendly activities, experiments and more!
11. Big Splash at Three Creeks
Try out canoeing, slide down a water slide, play in the squirt zone or look for critters in a table-top pond at Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
12. Story Time with Mesha Griffith at Serenity Book Shop
Local author, Mesha Griffith will hold a story time and book signing for her book The Bedtime Mantra at 10:30 AM on Saturday at Serenity Book Shop in Grandview.
13. Butcher Block Party at Carfagnas
On Saturday from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM enjoy a live DJ, Food trucks, face painting, cornhole, drink specials, free samples and more! Tickets are not required but they are asking for an RSVP for planning purposes.
14. Summer Jam West at Westgate Park
Summer Jam West Community Arts Festival takes place at Westgate Park on Saturday from 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM and will feature over 40 artist and artisan vendors, food trucks, chalk artists, a kids arts area, Kiwanisauraus Park, art demonstrations, commmunity parters, balloon artists and more!
15. Kids Series at Grandview Theater & Drafthouse
This Saturday at 11:00 AM, watch TMNT: Mutant Mayhem at Grandview Theatre and Drafthouse. Admission is free for kids!
16. Second Saturday at Tanger Outlets Columbus
On Saturday there will be food trucks, sidewalk sales, crafts and more near the Nike and J. Crew shops at Tanger Outlets Columbus. This month’s theme is Hometown Superheroes there will be a touch-a-truck with emergency vehicles, food trucks, and live music from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
17. Free Kayak Day on the Scioto River
On Saturday from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM there will be free kayaking on the Scioto River beginning at the Main Street Bridge in downtown Columbus. Wristbands for kayaks will be distributed until they run out beginning at 1:00 PM.
18. Rally in the Alley in Downtown Columbus
On the second Saturday of the month beginning at 4:00 PM at Gay and Pearl Streets in downtown Columbus, there will be musicians, artists, a craft marketplace, food trucks and more until 10:00 PM.
19. Conservatory Explore Nights at Franklin Park Conservatory
Come in costume for a night of superhero-themed fun at Franklin Park Conservatory on Saturday from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM. There will be a trackless train, superhero characters, an obstacle course, a chalk artist and more activities for kids. This is a special engagement event and tickets are required.
20. Goodale Park Music Series
Enjoy live music by Paisha Thomas at the Goodale Park Gazebo on Sunday from 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM. Bring a lawnchair or blanket for this free concert.
21. Kid Rave 3 at Skully’s Music Diner
On Sunday from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM at Skully’s Music Diner there will be a live DJ, face painting, arts and crafts and vendors. This event is for kids ages 4-12 and their accompanying adult and aims to introduce kids to electronic music. Tickets are available online.
22. Summer Sunday Splash at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
On Sunday between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM search for crawdads, fish and aquatic bugs in the creek. Supplies will be provided. Follow signs from the Ranger Station.
23. Make Your Own Gemstone Necklace at Olentangy Caverns
Create your own wire-wrapped necklace with a gemstone you find while gem mining at Olentangy Caverns! The workshop includes all materials including 1 bag of gem mining paydirt. Time slots are available on Sunday between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Recommended for ages 4 and up.
24. Sundays with the Symphony at Woodward Park
Enjoy a free concert by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra in Woodward Park on Sunday. The music starts at 7:00 PM and free ice cream will be available beginning at 6:45 PM.
25. Back-to-School Supply Drive with Seeds of Caring
Summer isn’t over yet (phew!), but you can help make sure local kids have the supplies they need in time for the first day of school! Through August 12, kids can make a difference with a supply drive and packing Back-to-School Kits for families supported by Student Success Stores. This is the perfect opportunity to get your team, group, family, or whole neighborhood involved in a summer service project!
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*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!*