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
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 an educational talk and animal ambassadors from Ohio Wildlife Center on Sunday at 2:00 PM.
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.
Sponsored
At Five Star Home Services, we deliver expert HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services across Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati, driven by our F.A.S.T. Promise: Fast Service, Accountable Always, Service with Purpose (we give 10% back to local charities), and Transparent Pricing. With over 50 years of trusted service, we make home repairs simple, stress-free, and reliable—because you deserve five-star service, every time.
Don’t forget to use my code whatshouldwedotoday_cbus25 for $25 off a service call!
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.
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. 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!
7. One Weekend Left! Kids’ Hat & Mitten Drive with Seeds of Caring
Want to help keep local kids cozy and warm this winter? In this Anywhere Project from Seeds of Caring, children 2-12 can make a difference by collecting new or gently used toddler hats and mittens that will be distributed to families supported by Columbus Early Learning Centers, now through Nov. 2.
8. Pumpkins Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory
Wednesday through Sunday you can attend this Special Engagement Event at Franklin Park Conservatory to enjoy over a thousand illuminated pumpkins along the paths, a pumpkin tunnel light show, pumpkin houses, spiders, mermaids, aliens and more! There will be activities for kids, lawn games and refreshments for sale. Hours are 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday and 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are required.
9. Slaybrook Manor in Westerville
This haunted house is scary but family-friendly, and it will be open this Thursday from 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM and Friday from 8:00 PM – 10:30 PM. Tickets are recommended. Walk-ins will be taken as time allows.
Check out this list of 11 fun things to do in Westerville!
10. In the Land of Oz at Columbus Children’s Theatre
This spooky, immersive theatre experience includes a journey through Oz on cursed yellow brick roads. It’s a 60-minute experience recommended for ages 10 and up. Shows take place on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:00 PM and also Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 PM.
11. Trick or Treat Statehouse Tours at Ohio Statehouse
On Friday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM you can take a free guided tour of the Ohio Statehouse with not-so spooky ghost stories and trick or treating along the way! Costumes encouraged. Tours start at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Register online by October 29th.
Read about touring the Ohio Statehouse!
12. Halloween Storytime at Main Library
Enjoy not-so-spooky Halloween stories, songs and other activities at this family storytime at Main Library on Friday at 10:30 AM. Costumes are welcome.
13. Kids Mini Golf and Trick or Treating at Miner 49er Blacklight Mini Golf
On Friday from 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Miner 49 kids in costume can play free mini golf and get candy.
14. Halloween Spooky Tours at Ohio Statehouse
On Friday from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM you can take a free guided tour of the Ohio Statehouse with spooky ghost stories. Tours start at 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM. These tours are recommended for ages 14 and up. Register online by October 29th.
15. Creepy Lanterns at Worthington Park Library
Create a creepy Halloween head in a jar on Friday at 4:00 PM at the Worthington Park Library. All supplies provided. For ages 6-18.
16. Dave & Boo-ster’s Boo Bash
On Friday from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM enjoy family-friendly Halloween activities, crafts, games, a costume contest, 3 hours of Unlimited Game Play, and more at the Dave & Busters Hilliard location. Tickets are available online.
17. Howlin’ Halloween at Grandview Library
Stop by Grandview Heights Public Library on Friday between 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM for treats, a costume contest, photo ops, and a pumpkin carving demonstration with Gus “Squashcarver” Smithhisler.
18. Spooky Night Hike at Blacklick Woods Metro Park
Take a half-mile hike in Blacklick Woods Metro Park on Friday at 6:30 PM as it gets dark to learn about creepy crawlies, listen for coyotes and look for nocturnal animals.
Read about 5 Fun Things to do at Blacklick Woods Metro Park before you visit!
19. Joanie Calem: Dream Big, Reach Far! at McConnell Arts Center
Join songwriter Joanie Calem for a program full of stories, songs, dancing, singing and puppet shows with the message of inclusion for preschool children and their caregivers. Adult admission is free with child ticket. This concert takes place on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM.
20. Sacagawea Speaks! Native American Tales & Traditions at Westerville Public Library
Meet Sacagawea, a Shoshone Native American who traveled with Lewis and Clark and her baby, Pomp, at the Westerville Public Library on Saturday at 2:00 PM. This program will feature Native American stories and song.
21. Punk Rock Patch Making at Northwest Library
Teens and tweens can make patches to add flair to and mend their clothing at the Northwest Library in Worthignton on Saturday from 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM.
22. Community Day at Franklin Park Conservatory
Residents of Columbus and Franklin County receive free General Admission on Sunday from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Identification is required. The theme is Ohio Day and there will be a performance by The Ohio State Alumni Band, local organizations with displays and Graeter’s Ice Cream food truck. The Conservatory will close at 4:00 PM to prepare for Pumpkins Aglow.
23. CMA Community Days: Día de los Muertos
This event on Sunday from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM includes free admission to the Columbus Museum of Art, a community ofrenda, live performances, hands-on art activities, a bilingual storytime, a vendor market, food and more.
24. Apple Fest at German Village Makers Market
This special edition of GVMM includes over 60 makers and artists, activities, food trucks and fun on Sunday from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
25. National Bison Day at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Celebrate our national mammal with a guided hike to see the bison, activities and props. Activities will take place on Sunday from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM at the Nature Center and the hike will take place at 2:00 PM.
See all there is to do at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park!
26. Ohio Day at Blacklick Woods Metro Park
Learn about animals that are native to Ohio and meet animal ambassadors at the Blacklick Woods Nature Center on Sunday from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
27. Meet Children’s Author & Help Wildlife at Highbanks Metro Park
Join Ohio book author Jess Leibson as she reads part of her new children’s chapter book Kit the Keystone at Highbanks Nature Center on Sunday at 2:00 PM. Learn about conservation actions we can do to help protect wildlife and then head outside to plant native wildflowers. Wear old clothes and be prepared to walk off-trail.
*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!*