What Should We Do This Weekend? Columbus, Ohio, June 2-4, 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 in Columbus, Ohio This Weekend:

1. Family Archery at Highbanks Metro Park

Learn to use a compound bow and shoot arrows. Metro Parks will provide the equipment and instruction. This event takes place from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM on Friday. For ages 8 and up.

2. Summer Community Read Kick-Off Party at Bexley Public Library

Sign up for the summer reading program, enjoy activities and games, and win prizes! There will also be a special guest. This event takes place at Bexley Library on Friday from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM.

3. Fore!Fest 2023 at Bridge Park

Fore!Fest is a two-day street and music festival held at Bridge Park in Dublin. The event features live music performances, a variety of food trucks, refreshing drinks, and additional attractions. It is a free community event scheduled to take place on Friday, June 2, and Saturday, June 3 from 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM each night.

4. Friday Night Street Fair at Global Gallery

Visit the Fair Trade Partners’ Corner of Clintonville every Friday to enjoy a selection of food trucks, vendors, games, and music. Hours are 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM.

5. Home Depot – Kids Workshops

Participate in free in-person Kids Workshops, held on the first Saturday of every month from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM at Home Depot. While supplies last. Click the link to find your nearest location.

6. Ohio State Wexner Medical Center Healthy Community Day

Ohio State University Outpatient Care East is hosting a free morning of fun on Saturday from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. The event will showcase various activities, including food and cooking demonstrations, fitness demonstrations, and family entertainment. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in giveaways and raffles.

7. Touch a Truck! Buckeye at Valley High School

Experience a multitude of trucks and vehicles at this Touch a Truck event in Delaware! Explore ambulances, fire trucks, police cars, tow trucks, and possibly even a helicopter (weather permitting). Additionally, canned food donations will be accepted to support People in Need of Delaware. This event takes place on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.

8. Hilltop Summer Safety Bash

The community is invited to a summer kickoff event featuring art contests, food, first responder vehicles, and inflatables. Connect with local organizations and support agencies providing valuable summer resources for families and students. This event takes place at Ohio Department of Public Safety on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.

9. Topsy Turvy Tea Party at AHA Children’s Museum

AHA! invites you to its kick-off to summer event, featuring Julie’s garden, an interactive activity for a hands-on experience. Explore Alley Park with Erin Burchwell, the author and illustrator of Pip’s Path through Lancaster. Enjoy sweet treats at the Topsy Turvy Tea Party, which is included with daily admission or membership. This event takes place on Saturday from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

10. Summer Reading Challenge Kickoff Party at Main Library

Kickoff the Summer Reading Challenge on Saturday from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM with indoor and outdoor activities. View the LEGO display, attending a Shazzbots concert, exploring an Instrument Petting Zoo, enjoy refreshments. Check the calendar for kickoff events happening at other branches, too!

11. The 2023 Franklinton Open at Land Grant Beer Garden

Join Good Land Brand at the Franklinton Open, a mini-golf tournament at Land-Grant beer garden on Saturday from 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Enjoy friendly competition, High Bank Distillery cocktails, and prizes. Free for kids from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, $5 to play from 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM.

12. Garden Safari Opening Day at Franklin Park Conservatory

Explore the opening day of Garden Safari with special activities on Saturday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Kids can enjoy making their own binoculars and wear safari hats while going on a fun topiary animal scavenger hunt. Keep an eye out for the stilt-walking safari animals during this family-friendly event.

13. 2nd Annual Fatherhood Festival at Memorial Health Pavilion

This community event on Saturday from 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM is free for families. There will be a guest speaker, a community resource fair, complimentary Kona Ice, a Dad Joke Competition, and a special presentation by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium featuring live animals!

14. Board Kids Game club at Columbus Metropolitan Library – Karl Road Branch

Kids and families can play board games at the Karl Road Branch of CML on Saturday at 3:30 PM.

15. Water Lantern Festival at Franklin Park

Create a lantern and launch it into the water with hundreds of other lanterns celebrating love, happiness, healing, peace and connection. Each participant will receive a floating lantern kit, LED candle, conversation cards and more. There will also be food trucks at the event that takes place at Franklin Park on Saturday from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Tickets are available online.

16. Community Day at Franklin Park Conservatory

Community Day is free for residents of Columbus and Franklin County. This Sunday from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM there will be special programming including demonstrations and community partners. Explore the Conservatory and the outdoor Children’s Garden! Bring your ID.

17. Summer Sunday Splash at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park

Drop by Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park anytime between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM on Sunday for creeking with naturalists. Explore the creek, search for crawdads, fish, and bugs. Closed-toed shoes recommended for entering water.

18. Concerts on the Green on the Village Green in Worthington

On Sunday at 7:00 PM enjoy a free concert on the Village Green in Worthington. This is a family-friendly concert featuring The Curtails.

19. Kind is Cool! Pack Summer Care Kits for Unhoused Neighbors with Seeds of Caring

You’re never too little to make a difference! In this Anywhere Project from Seeds of Caring, kids 4-12 will gain empathy for our unhoused neighbors through a read-aloud and age-appropriate discussion. Then helping hands will pack 2+ Summer Care Kits and make cheer cards for unhoused neighbors at Faith Mission’s men’s shelter. This event is available through June 25, 2023.

*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!*