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 Weekend Events in Columbus, Ohio:
1. Go Apple Picking
Check the link for a list of 6 local orchards where you can pick your own apples!
2. Visit a Pumpkin Farm or Fall Festival
There are so many Fall Festivals going on in Central Ohio that there are too many to put on this list individually! Make sure to click the link to find a local farm where there are hayrides, pumpkin picking, farm activities and more! Most, but not all, of the Fall Festivals happen on the weekends only!
3. Find Your Way Out of a Corn Maze
Click the link for a list of corn mazes in Central Ohio to find one to visit this weekend!
4. Wizards & Wands Festival Westerville Public Library
From October 1-31, Westerville Public Library will be hosting the Wizards & Wands Festival with all sorts of performances and activities. There will be fantasy-themed missions and prizes! The library will be turned into a fantasy land with an Enchanted Forest to walk through in the Kids Area. This weekend will offer a Magical Storytime, and a Disney Heroes Adventure. See the link for the complete description of all activities throughout the month.
5. Brick or Treat Monster Party at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus
From October 1-31, LEGOLAND will be celebrating with a not-too-scary Brick or Treat family fun event featuring an exclusive 4D Movie, themed games and activities, Halloween photo ops and more! Included in admission.
6. Harvest Blooms at Franklin Park Conservatory
Enjoy two pumpkin houses, an overflowing cornucopia and lots more fall foliage at Franklin Park Conservatory’s Harvest Blooms! This exhibition will be on display now through November 3rd and is included in regular admission or membership.
7. Hoovers Haunted Maze
Choose between two levels of “scary” at the Haunted Maze at Hoover Gardens! The maze is open any time the store is open (generally 10AM – 5PM) and is $3/person for all-day access.
(See my list of Halloween Events for something to do every day of October!)
8. Fall Farm Family Fun at Young’s Jersey Dairy
Fall Fun at Young’s Dairy includes pumpkin picking, Cowvin’s Corny Maze & Playland, haunted wagon rides, and more! a Moo-It-All wristband is available for $25 and includes a two-dip waffle cone! Hours are daily from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
9. Carnival at the Mall at Eastland Mall
There will be fair food, rides and games at Eastland Mall on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Ride Wristbands are $25. Hours are Friday: 5pm-10pm, Saturday: 2pm-10pm and Sunday: 2pm-9pm.
10. Movies Under the Starts – Hocus Pocus at Greenlawn Cemetery
Watch the movie Hocus Pocus (PG) under the stars on Friday at 6:30 PM. The Abbey will be open for tours and the movie will begin at dusk. Tickets are available online.
11. Ohio Archaeology Day at Ohio History Center
This free event takes place on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at Ohio History Center. There will be presentations, partner booths and hands-on stations. Learn about pottery making, flint knapping, and see tools that archaeologists use. There will be a “mock” dig for kids at 1:15 PM where kids ages 6-12 can get hands-on and learn the basics of archaeology. This is a first come/first serve activity and there will be a sign up sheet at the front entrance.
12. Hello Kitty Cafe Truck at Easton Town Center
Find the Hello Kitty Café Truck near Crate & Barrel at Easton on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM. There will be exclusive goodies and limited-edition collectibles while supplies last.
13. Kid’s Day at the Butterfly Boutique
Visit the Butterfly Boutique in Grove City on Saturday between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM for crafts, face painting, candy and donuts. Crafts and face painting cost $10 each.
14. Harvest Moon Festival at Infirmary Mound Park
This festival takes place on Saturday from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM in Granville. Entrance is free and there will be hands-on activities for kids, live music, food trucks, farm animals, rock climbing, archery, carriage rides, bounce houses, crafts, pumpkin painting and more!
15. Chalk the Block + ’90s Vintage Fest at Easton Town Center
This event was rescheduled from last weekend! On Saturday from 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM celebrate the 90’s with live music, art and fashion! On Town Square, the annual Chalk the Block event will take place with artists creating 90s-inspired street murals. (You can come back on Sunday to view the finished chalk art designs.) There will be a 90s Vintage Fest with local vendors, a skate rink, and more!
16. Fall Tram Rides at Blendon Woods Metro Park
Take a tram ride around Blendon Woods Metro Park to see the fall colors. Tram Rides will take place on Saturday from 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM and Sunday from 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
17. Fall Festival at West Broad Nazerene
This event includes hay rides, games, music, food inflatables and more for the whole family on Saturday from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
18. Darby Creek Day
Celebrate the anniversary of Darby Creek becoming a Scenic River with live animals, crafts, archery and more along the Big Darby Creek. Community organizations and food trucks will also be on site. This event takes place on Saturday from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
19. Apple Cidering at Hilliard Library
Learn the history of apples and cider making and press your own apple cider at the Hilliard Library on Saturday from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
20. The Great Pumpkin Walk in Downtown Bellefontaine
The Great Pumpkin Walk takes place on Saturday from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM in downtown Bellefontaine. There are free activities like a petting zoo, trick-or-treating and a costume contest. For $15 kids can get a passport for more activities like bouncy houses, hayrides, a caramel apple bar and more! Passes are available online.
21. Jefferson Township Fall Festival
This fall festival takes place at Jefferson Community Park and features hayrides, farm animals, pumpkin bowling, face painting, Kona Ice and more on Saturday from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
22. Hike Behind the Lake at Blendon Woods Metro Park
Take a 1.5 mile 0ff-trail hike to explore the waterfowl refuge at Blendon Woods beginning at 3:00 PM on Saturday. All ages are welcome. Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.
23. Family Fun Night at Galloway Road Sports Complex
For Fire Prevention Week, Prairie Township Community Center will offer a CPR training, fire prevention education and a touch-a-truck at the Galloway Road Sports Complex on Saturday at 4:00 PM. They will be showing the movie Inside Out 2 (PG) at 7:00 PM.
24. Old Time Harvest Day at Century Village
On Sunday from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM at Century Village in Fryer Park there will be tours of the village, costumed teachers, live music, animals, hands-on activities, metalworking demonstrations, food vendors and more!
25. Upper Arlington Fall Fest
This annual event in Upper Arlington takes place on Sunday from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM in Fancyburg Park. There will be pumpkin decorating, a corn maze, cider pressing, food trucks, a petting zoo, hay rides and more! They will also be showing the Browns and Bengals games in the park!
26. New Albany Fall Festival & Treatfest at Marburn Academy
On Sunday from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM at Marburn Academy there will be free pumpkins, a costume contest, hay rides, trick-or-treating and much more. Everything Passes are available for more activities including carnival games, a bounce park and a VIP bag.
27. Kids Magic Show with Magic Nate at Olentangy Caverns
On Sunday at 2:00 PM, Nate the Magician will perform a comedy magic show at Olentangy Caverns. Olentangy Caverns will also have pumpkins for sale and a fall scavenger hunt!
28. Zoo Visit at Lehnher’s Pumpkin Farm
On Sunday from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM, The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium will be bringing a variety of animals to visit Lehner’s Pumpkin Farm.
29. Halloween Lantern Art Class at Standardized Brewing
On Sunday at 2:00 PM kids can make a Halloween-themed lantern. The ticket price includes one soft drink or token for the snack vending machine. Adults must remain on the premises. Tickets are limited and available online.
30. Fall Fest at Worthington Christian Church
On Sunday from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM at Worthington Christian Church there will be a petting zoo, pumpkin patch, inflatables, games and a donut and coffee truck. Hot dogs, popcorn and cold drinks will be provided. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to this free event.
31. Sundays at Scioto
Enjoy an outdoor concert featuring Hoodoo Soul Band at Scioto Park in Dublin on Sunday from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
32. Lend a Paw to Pets with Seeds of Caring
Know a kid who loves animals and wants to help our furry friends? Through October 27, kids 4-12 can show compassion for shelter dogs by collecting dog treats, blankets, and towels – and making a homemade toy! – for pups at the Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center.
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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!*