What Should We Do This Weekend? Columbus, Ohio, August 11-13, 2023

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 Things to do this Weekend in Columbus, Ohio:

1. Farm Days at COSI

Learn about farm equipment, how plants grow, see baby chicks and other farm animals and learn about where your food comes from at Farm Days at COSI during regular business hours at COSI from August 9-13!

2. Wands & Wizards Weekend in Fairfield County

Wands & Wizards Weekend takes place in Lancaster, Ohio and beyond! There are special events happening all over Fairfield County like an Enchanted Garden Scavenger Hunt, cookie decorating, a wand workshop, special drinks and foods, a Wizard Faire and much, much more!

3. Festival Latino at Genoa Park

Festival Latino takes place Friday through Sunday and features food trucks, local artist, music, dance lessons, a marketplace and more! The kick off Dance Party takes place on Friday night at Lower.com field.

4. Make Snack Kits for Kids Staying at CHOICES with Seeds of Caring

This Seeds of Caring service project can be done at home, school, or wherever you are! Through Sept. 17, kids ages 6-12 can share kindness by packing Snack Kits and cheer cards for kids staying at CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence. Like all of our projects, an easy-to-use discussion guide helps you engage children’s hearts and minds before getting their hands active with service. 

5. Toddler Hike at Scioto Grove Metro Park

Take a slow-paced hike on a paved trail in Scioto Grove Metro Park on Friday at 10:00 AM.

6. Commons for Kids at Columbus Commons

Every Friday this Summer from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM enjoy activities for kids at Columbus Commons! There will be free carousel rides, inflatables, face painting, balloon twisting and a theme each week. This week’s theme is Music and Arts Day!

7. EcoKids at The Works

Learn about habitats and the natural world in the outdoor habitat exhibit at The Works! This event takes place every Friday from 10:00 AM – 10:30 PM and is included with admission. Perfect for ages 3-6.

8. Book to Film Series at Gateway Film Center

This movie series featuring movies based on books is free with your library card! August 11-13 the film will be Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and the showings are at 2:00 PM each day. This movie is recommended for ages 11-17.

9. Franklinton Fridays

Franklinton Fridays offers the chance to visit Franklinton art studios, local businesses and enjoy food and entertainment! Hours are 6:00 PM-10:00 PM on Friday.

10. Friday Night Uptown in West Jefferson

Enjoy a street party in downtown West Jefferson that includes music, food trucks and fun on Friday from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM.

11. Family Movie Night at Sharon Woods Metro Park

Watch the movie Zootopia on Friday at Sharon Woods Metro Park. Beginning at 8:00 PM there will be a visit with Ohio House Rabbit Rescue and the movie will begin at dark. Refreshments will be provided.

12. Touch a Truck at Olentangy Berlin High School

On Saturday from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM kids can get up close to vehicles and meet their operators. Bring a canned good to donate.

13. August Hilltop Hop

Head to the businesses of Broad & Westmoor for coffee, local vendors, baked goods and special events on the block from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM on Saturday. Slice of Heaven Bakery will be popping up at The Design Refinery, you can support the new location of Third Way Cafe by painting a fence post and you can make mini sun catchers at Clay Street Ceramics.

14. Wings, Rails and Wheels Model Expo at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

Enjoy model aircraft, locomotives, vehicles and more at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. This event is free to attend.

15. Second Saturdays at Main Library: Summer Fun

On Saturday from 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM there will be special programming at Main Library including games on Kaufman Plaza and activities for kids and adults inside the library! See the link for all of the individual events for the day.

16. Annual Poindexter Village Drum Circle

This Drum Circle takes place on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM at Champion Park. There will be vendors, food trucks, drum making, live music and more!

17. Kids Series at Grandview Theater & Drafthouse

Grandview Theater and Drafthouse is offering free admission for kids to movies on Saturdays and Wednesdays! This Saturday’s movie is The Iron Giant and it will be shown at 10:30 AM.

18. Open Studio at Columbus Museum of Art

Drop into the Open Studio at Columbus Museum of Art on Saturday from 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM to experiment and create art! August theme is Under the Sea and this activity is included with admission.

19. PBJ & Jazz in Topiary Park

PBJ & Jazz takes place on Saturday and begins with a story time inside the Columbus Metropolitan Library at 11:00 AM, and a free jazz concert in Topiary Park at 12:00 PM. This is a family friendly concert designed to introduce kids to jazz music. The Terrance Charles Quartet is the band.

20. Free Kayak Day on the Scioto Mile

Free kayaking, tandem kayaking and SUP will be available on Saturday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM on the Scioto river.

21. Minecraft: Blendon Woods Expansion Pack

On Saturday at 2:00 PM, you can go on a short hike at Blendon Woods to learn about how natural resources are used in Minecraft and real life!

22. Folks Dance! – OSU Hillel Folk Dancers at the Hilliard Branch of CML

Watch folk dances from Israel and around the world at the Hilliard Branch of CML. Audiences can join in, too! This event takes place at 2:00 PM on Saturday.

23. Summer Music Series in Historic Dublin

Enjoy live music in Historic Dublin on Saturday from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.

24. Sunday Funday in Worthington

This month’s theme is A Tribute to Fair Food and from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM on Sunday in downtown Old Worthington you can enjoy your favorite fair foods, games, music, face paining, and more!

25. Summer Sunday Splash at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park

Drop by Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM on Sunday for creeking! Search for crawdads, fish and aquatic bugs.

26. Goodale Park Music Series

The final concert of the Goodale Park Music Series is Mery Steel. The concert takes place on Sunday at 12:30 PM. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.

27. Sundays in the Park in Topiary Park

This Sunday in Topiary Park and Kaufman Plaza enjoy food trucks, live music, games. Event begins at 1:00 PM. Food Trucks this week will be: Ciao Café Gelato.

28. Going on a Bigfoot Hunt at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park

On Sunday from 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM, learn how to track life in the forest and search for Bigfoot! This will be an off-trail hike.

29. Sounds of Summer Concert Series in Westerville

This free concert takes place at the Alum Creek North Park Amphitheater at 6:30 PM on Sunday. This week’s music is provided by Wet Bandits.

30. Concerts on the Green at Worthington Village Green

Enjoy a family-friendly concert by the Mad, Mad Men at 7:00 PM on Sunday on the Northwest Quadrant of the Village Green in Worthington.

*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!*