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!
1. 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. Local teen rock band Short Fuse will perform on Sunday at 3:30 PM.
2. Haunted Maze at Hoover Gardens
The Haunted Maze will be open at Hoover Gardens every day during business hours. Cost is $3 per person.
3. 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.
4. 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!
5. 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.
6. Share Happy Birthday Wishes with Local Kids
Now through Oct. 5, you can help local children experience the joy of a birthday celebration! In this Anywhere Project from Seeds of Caring, kids 4-12 will learn what it means for families to experience “tight times” and why birthdays are so important for everyone. Then they’ll pack birthday bags with items like cake mix, frosting, and candles for families supported by the YMCA Van Buren Center.
7. Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival
From July 31 – October 5, the Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival will take place on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM. Asian lanterns will highlight wildlife scenes throughout the zoo. Tickets are available online.
8. Family Storytime: Snug as a Bug at Main Library
This story time is ideal for kids ages 0-6 and it will feature bug-themed stories! This storytime takes place at Main Library on Friday at 10:30 AM.
9. Baby & Me Tour at Columbus Museum of Art
This is a specialty tour for kids 2 and under and their caregivers on Friday from 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM. Explore and engage with art through developmentally appropriate activities. Register online. Free for members.
10. Flicks & Tricks at the Yard at Easton
Watch the movie Hocus Pocus 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.
11. Movies Under the Stars at Greenlawn Cemetery
Watch the movie Hocus Pocus under the stars at Green Lawn Abbey on Friday night beginning at 6:00 PM. Tickets are available online. There will be food trucks and beverages available for purchase.
12. 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!
13. Frolic for All At Groovy Plants Ranch
This event celebrates fall and includes live music, local vendors, a petting zoo, face painting and a huge selection of pumpkins. There will also be food trucks on site. Hours are Saturday 9:00 PM – 5:00 PM and Sunday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
See 6 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Groovy Plants Ranch!
14. Things That Go! Grandview Heights at the Grandview Heights Public Library
On Saturday from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM the lawn of the Grandview Heights Libraryw ill be filled with a dozen service vehicles including Police and SWAT vehicles, a fire truck, constrution vehilces, the Ghostbuster Ectomobile and more. There will be lawn games, chalk art, bubbles books, music and more!
15. Going Nutty: The Nature of Nuts at Three Creeks Metro Park
Walk through the woods at Three Creeks Metro Park on Saturday at 10:00 AM to look for nuts, seeds and fruit and learn about the roles they play in Ohio’s ecosystems. All ages welcome.
16. 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!)
17. Authors at the Library with Jashar Awan at the Karl Road Library
Register in advance for this author talk by Jashar Awan featring his new picture book, Every Monday Mabel. The event begins at 11:00 AM on Saturday and is followed by a book signing and meet and greet. Tickets are required.
18. The Pumpkin Walk in Downtown Bellefontaine
The Great Pumpkin Walk takes place in downtown Bellefontaine on Saturday from 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM. There will be free activities, vendors, treats and family fun, including crafts, trick-or-treating, a puppet show, costume contest, bouncy houses, pumpkin painting, hayrides and more! Some events require a Kid’s Passport for $15. Other activities are free.
Related: 5 Fun Things to do with Kids in Bellefontaine, Ohio
19. Boo & Brew at Polaris Fashion Place
This free event celebrates fall and Halloween with live music, beer sales, food trucks, pumpkin decorating, inflatables and costume contests for kids and dogs! Other activities include face painting, balloon twisting and an appearance by Glinda and Elphaba. It will take place in the outdoor Polaris Lifestyle Center on Saturday from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
20. Gallery Hop in the Short North Arts District
Explore the Short North while galleries and shops stay open late and feature live performances, public art and special events. There will be a Mini Market with local vendors. Hours are 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM on Saturday.
Browse this list of 10 Things to do in the Short North!
21. October Community Day at Franklin Park Conservatory
Community Day at Franklin Park Conservatory takes place on the first Sunday of each month from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Residents of Columbus and Franklin County receive free General Admission. Identification is required. This month’s theme is Music in the Palm House. There will be musical performances in the Palm House at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. There will also be a Smart Columbus Ride and Drive Event in the Well’s Barn Parking Lot from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
The Children’s Garden at Franklin Park Conservatory is Unlike Anything Else in Columbus!
22. LEGO Free Play at Olentangy River Brewing Company
Enjoy a free LEGO build on Sunday from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM at Olentangy River Brewing Company, provided by BAM Powell. Kids (and adults) can get creative with LEGO bricks while you enjoy a drink.
23. Drop In: Animal Signs at Highbanks Metro Park
Drop in between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM on Sunday at the Highbanks Nature Center to learn about the signs that animals leave behind. There will be hands-on activities, too. All ages are welcome.
24. Día de los Niños
The annual Día de los Niños event takes place at Lincoln Theatre on Sunday and includes music, dance, crafts, food trucks, a theatre show and more! Activities take place from 1:30 PM. 3:00 PM and at 3:00 PM there will be a free performance of MISTER G Presents: Señorita Mariposa: A Bilingual Eco-Adventure.
25. Fall Fest at Fancyburg Park
This free event takes place from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM on Sunday at Fancyburg Park in Upper Arlington. There will be hands-on activities for kids, hayrides, pumpkin decorating, food trucks, a corn maze, inflatables, a corn pit, crafts and more.
See photos of Fancyburg Park on my list of fun playgrounds in Upper Arlington!
26. Darby Creek Day at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Celebrate the anniversary of Darby Creek being named a Scenic River on Sunday from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM. There will be live animals, crafts, archery and more. There will be guided programs at 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM and food trucks will be on site.
Read about all there is to do at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park!
27. Leaf Rubbing at Quarry Trails Metro Park
Go on a 1-mile hike to collect leaves and then use them in a leaf rubbing activitiy at Quarry Trails Metro Park on Sunday at 4:00 PM. Meet at the Kingfisher Shelter.
Have you seen the new playground at Quarry Trails?
28. Sundays at Scioto
Enjoy a free concert featuring Honey & Blue with opener Hannah Hampton 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!*