Looking for something fun to do this weekend in Columbus? Try out one of these family-friendly Columbus and Ohio–based events and activities!
Local farms are gearing up for Fall Festivals and activities! Start your planning by checking out these posts:
- 6 Farms Where You Can Pick Your Own Apples
- A Complete List of Pumpkin Patches and Fall Festivals Near Central Ohio
- Get Lost in One of these Corn Mazes in Central Ohio
- The Best Places to See Fall Colors in Columbus, Ohio and Beyond
- Halloween Events and Trick-or-Treat Times in Columbus
Family-Friendly Things to do in Columbus, Ohio This Weekend:
These events are in chronological order. Ongoing events are listed first. If an event happens multiple times during a weekend, it will be listed in the order of its first occurrence, so make sure to read through the whole list! Have a great weekend!
Make sure to enter my giveaway for Fright at the Museum at the Ohio History Center on Instagram! Enter here!
1. Fall Festivals
This is the season when local pumpkin farms and apple orchards hold Fall Festivals on the weekends! These weekends include hayrides, pumpkin picking, farmyard games, corn mazes and much more! Click the link above to see a list of local fall festivals!
2. Fall Fun at Olentangy Caverns
A Fall Fun Activity Area will be open at Olentangy Caverns daily through October 31st. The area includes rubber duck races, shooting hoops, a scavenger hunt, pumpkin bouncers, straw bale obstacle course and more! Activity area is available for guests who purhcase admission to any paid activity. Pumpkins and mums will also be for sale. There will be a magic show for kids featuring Magic Nate on Sunday at 3:00 PM.
3. Haunted Maze at Hoover Gardens
The Haunted Maze will be open at Hoover Gardens every day during business hours. Cost is $3 per person.
4. Scarecrow City in Olde Town & JFK Park
Walk through Olde Reynoldsburg and JFK Park to check out scarecrow creations every day throughout the month of October.
5. Brick or Treat Monster Party at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus
Now through October 31st, LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus is hosting a Monster Party, featuring a special LEGO 4D Halloween movie, a Monster Rockers scavenger hunt in MINILAND, Monster games, a special Halloween build, and more. All activities are included in regular admission and take place daily. Reserve tickets online.
See my guide to visiting LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus!
6. Wizards & Wands Festival at Westerville Public Library
Throughout the entire month of October, there will be a celebration of magic and books at the Westerville Public Library. There will be an enchanted forest in the Kids Area, as well as many other themed areas throughout the library and special events every day! Check the link for all the details and this weekend’s specific events.
7. Minion Hunt in Grove City Town Center
Find all 14 minions hiding around Grove City Town Center and record each one’s location on a Minion Hunt Card. Turn it in to the Grove City Library, Grove City Welcome Center or Kingston Center for a prize! The deadline is November 1!
Check out my list of things to do in Grove City while you’re hunting!
8. Bob Evans Farm Festival
The Bob Evans Farm Festival takes place in Rio Grande, Ohio and includes live music, handmade vendors, farm contests, local food, rides, and more! Hours are Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Tickets are $5 at the gate. Kids 5 and under are free. Rides are an additional cost.
9. Wheels on the Farm at Slate Run Farm
Play “I Spy” and figure out how all the wheels around the farm work and what they do at Slate Run Farm all weekend. Hours are Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Read about all there is to do at Slate Run Farm!
10. Fire Truck Visit at Miller Park Library
See a fire truck up close and learn about fire safety at the Miller Park Branch of UAPL on Friday at 10:30 AM. Recommended for ages 1-8.
11. Columbus Italian Festival
The Columbus Italian Festival takes place on the grounds of St. John The Baptist Italian Catholic Church in Italian Village on Friday from 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM, Saturday from 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM and Sunday from 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased online. There is free parking and a shuttle at Columbus State. The festival features music, a parade, cultural events, rides and kid-friendly activities, cooking demonstrations, and more.
12. Boo at the Zoo at Columbus Zoo
Enjoy merry-not-scary activities at the Columbus Zoo during Boo at the Zoo weekends: October 10-12, 17-19 and 24-26. Hours are Fridays: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Saturdays: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM and Sundays: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Activities include a trick-or-treat trail, hay maze, Halloween Hoedown, character ambassadors, kid-friendly activities and more! Included in regular admission.
13. Flicks & Tricks at the Yard at Easton
Watch the movie Beetlejuice outside at The Yard at Easton Town Center. There will be a magician’s performance at 6:00 PM and the movie begins at approximately 7:45 PM on Friday.
14. Slaybrook Manor in Westerville
This haunted house is scary but family-friendly, and it will be open this Friday and Saturday from 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM. It’s recommended for ages 7 and up and is less scary between 6:30 PM and 7:45 PM. Tickets are recommended. Walk-ins will be taken as time allows.
Check out this list of 11 fun things to do in Westerville!
15. Halloween Hop at Broad & Westmoor
Hop around the businesses of Broad & Westmoor for activities for kids, local hand-made vendors, a food truck, Slice of Heaven baked goods and trick-or-treating. Costumes welcome. The event takes place on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
16. Pumpkin Bowling at Grove City Pumpkin Patch
This event at the Grove City Pumpkin Patch includes pumpkin bowling and a story time for kids on Saturday at 10:00 AM.
17. Pumpkin Painting at Hoover Gardens
Every weekend (Saturday and Sunday) in October, kids can paint pumpkins at Hoover Gardens for $5 a pumpkin. Hours are 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM both days. (Then go through the Haunted Maze!)
18. Fall Fest at Slate Run Metro Park
Enjoy family-friendly activities at Slate Run Metro Park on Saturday from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, including hay rides, a corn maze, face painting, fall crafts, archery, local vendors and more. This event will take place at the Buzzards Roost Picnic Area.
19. Fall in Love with Dawes at The Dawes Arboretum
This event takes place on Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM and includes wagon tours, a scavenger hunt, coffee trucks, hands-on crafts, a self-guided walking tour and more.
20. Bricks & Brews at Standardized Brewing
BAM Powell is hosting a LEGO build at Standardized Brewing in Lewis Center. Each ticket is good for 1 custom LEGO pumpkin kitty kit and 1 beer or 16 oz coffee. The event takes place between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM on Saturday. Tickets are available online.
21. October Open Barn Day at Sunrise Sanctuary
Visit with the animals at Sunrise Sanctuary on Open Barn Day, Saturday from 1:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Tickets are available online.
22. DIY Halloween at Northwest Library
Make scary good crafts at the Northwest Library in Worthington on Saturday from 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM. Recommended for ages 9-18.
23. Whooo Cooks for You? at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Learn about barred owls and make an edible treat at Battelle Darby Creek Nature Center on Saturday from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
24. Pumpkin Patch Express at Ohio Railway Museum
This event takes place at Ohio Railway Museum in Worthington on October 12, 19 and 26th from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM. It includes a trolley ride to the pumpkin patch where you can pick your own pumpkin and enjoy crafts and treats. This event also includes trick-or-treating through the museum. This is a family-friendly (not scary) event.
25. Made by Me Market at Olentangy Caverns
Made By Me Market is a kids’ craft market that takes place on the second Sunday of each month from 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM at Olentangy Caverns. Items are handmade by local entrepreneurs ages 5-17.
Read about all there is to do at Olentangy Caverns!
26. Mums and Mummies at Westgate Park
Enoy a festival of mums and Halloween fun at Westgate Park on Sunday from 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM. There will be food, a bake sale, costume contests, garden mum sale, games, activities and a “trunk” or treat!
27. Choose Your Own Adventure with Dan Gemeinhart
Head to Beanbag Books in Delaware to meet author Dan Gemeinhart and learn about his two new books. The store will be divided in half so you can choose your own adventure. There will be a mobster scavenger hunt on one side and a creepy science lab hunt on the other. Dan will be in the middle to meet you and sign your books. This event takes place on Sunday from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Check out my list of things to do in Delaware when you visit!
28. For Kids: Tree Identification at Three Creeks Metro Park
Learn to identify trees and get tips for collecting leaves at Three Creeks Metro Park on Sunday from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM. Best for school-aged kids.
29. Spooky Animals at Blendon Woods Metro Park
Learn about spiders, snakes, bats and other scary animals at Blendon Woods Nature Center on Sunday from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
30. Sundays at Scioto
Enjoy a free concert featuring Angela Perley with opener High Definitions at Scioto Park in Dublin on Sunday from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. There will be food trucks on site. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs.
Check out this list of things to do in Dublin before the concert!
*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!*