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. Attend a Fall Festival at a Local Pumpkin Farm
It’s fall festival time at local farms! click the link above for a list of pumpkin farms in Central Ohio and all the info about what they’re offering this season!
2. Go Apple Picking
Click the link for a list of apple orchards where you can pick your own apples!
3. Explore a Corn Maze
If getting lost in a corn maze sounds like fun, click the link for a list of local farms with corn mazes that are open just during the fall season!
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4. Attend a Halloween Event
Check this list for family-friendly Halloween events, Trunk-or-Treat events and Trick or Treat times around Columbus and Central Ohio!
5. Calling All Animal Lovers! Help Shelter Dogs with Seeds of Caring
Looking for a PAWsome way for your family to give back this fall? In this FREE Anywhere Project from Seeds of Caring, kids 4-12 will make a homemade dog toy and collect dog treats, gently used blankets, and towels for doggos at the Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center through Oct. 30.
6. Wizards & Wands Festival at Westerville Public Library
The Wizard & Wands Festival at Westerville Public Library takes place throughout the entire month of October. All ages can complete “missions” throughout the month including designing a potion, a treasure hunt and more. There will be performances and activities throughout the month and the library will be transformed into a fantasy-themed wonderland.
7. Brick or Treat Monster Party at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus
Every day in October you can participate in the Brick-or-Treat event at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus. There will be a 4D Movie: The Great Monster Chase, themed games and activities, character visits, Halloween photo ops and more! On Saturday and Sunday there will be costume contests and prizes! These activities are included in admission.
8. Pumpkins Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory
The grounds of Franklin Park Conservatory will be illuminated with hundreds of carved pumpkins and other Halloween-themed displays. Hours are 5:00 PM-9:00 PM Wednesdays, Thursdays & Sundays and 5:00 PM-10:00 PM on Fridays & Saturdays during the weeks of October 11–15, 18–22 & 25-29. This is a special engagement event and tickets are required.
9. Jack O’Lantern World at Franklin County Fairgrounds
Walk through thousands of carved pumpkins at the Franklin County Fairgrounds from September 29th through October 29th. The path is 3/4 a mile long and food trucks will be available. This event is open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. Hours vary by day. Online ticket purchase is required.
10. Bob Evans Farm Festival
Bob Evan’s Farm Festival takes place in Rio Grande Ohio Friday through Sunday beginning at 9:00 AM each day. Tickets are $5/person and kids five and under are free. Ride wristbands are an additional fee. There will be live music, pig racing, special performances, visits from the Columbus Zoo, food, demos, rides and more!
11. Pumpkin Archery at Alum Creek
On Friday from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM try out archery with pumpkins as targets! First come, first served at the amphitheater.
12. Boo at the Zoo at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
On Fridays from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Saturdays from 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM and Sundays from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Boo at the Zoo will include family-friendly activities, treat stations, the Character Express, a hay maze, pumpkin carving, and much more!
13. Haunted Library at Plain City Public Library
Walk around the library in search of ghosts and ghouls. Peek inside the windows for haunting sights! The building will not be open during this time. Hours are Friday from 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM.
14. Kiddie Consignment Sale at Grace Polaris Church
Shop for gently used kids clothing, toys, maternity items, baby gear and more! Early shoppers can get in on Saturday at 8:00 AM for $%. General admission is from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and the half price sale is from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
15. WOSU Kids Day
On Saturday from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM at the WOSU Ross Community Studio, kids can meet Curious George, play games, watch an episode of Curious George, color and more! This is a free event but registration is required.
16. National Dessert Day at Lawrence Orchards
Harvest Saturday celebrates National Dessert Day with an Apple Pie Contest, demonstrations and a food truck from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Apple picking hours are 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM that day.
17. Halloween Hop at Broad & Westmoor
On Saturday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM hop to each business at Broad & Westmoor to collect candy and enjoy fun events for the kids. Some activities may have a cost but the event is free to attend. There will be a food truck on site, live music at Third Way Cafe, a vendor market, pumpkin painting and more!
18. Groveport Apple Butter Day
Apple Butter Day takes place in Heritage Park on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. There will be homemade apple butter, crafts, pioneer demonstrations and live entertainment. There will also be free children’s activities, fishing, hayrides, food, pony rides, and lots more.
19. Let’s Get Squirrely at Ohio Wildlife Center
Register in advance to make a squirrel box to provide a safe place for squirrels who are being rehabilitated. There will also be visits from animal ambassadors! This event takes place on Saturday at 10:00 AM.
20. CRC’s 41st Annual Pumpkin Patch
On Saturday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, receive a pumpkin in exchange for a donation of $10 or 5 canned goods to benefit CRC’s Choice Food Pantry. There will also be fresh apple cider, food, face painting, games, crafts and more.
21. Harvest Fair at Stratford Ecological Center
At this event at Stratford Ecological Center on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM kids can explore farm life: feed chickens, climb on a tractor, press apple cider a more! Walk-ins are welcome but pre-registration is encouraged. Cost is $5/person. Ages 2 and under are free.
22. Fall Fest at Slate Run Metro Park
Fall Fest at Slate Run Metro Park takes place on Saturday from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM and includes a corn maze, hayrides, pumpkin patch, live music, crafts, games, food trucks and more!
23. Treat Street at Shops on Lane Avenue
Kids 12 and under can dress in costume and enjoy trick-or-treating, music, treats and more! This is a free event on Saturday from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
24. Performance Dogs at Lehner’s Pumpkin Farm
Watch Performance Dogs of Ohio perform stunts, feats of agility, tricks and more at 3 performance times on Saturday: 12:00 PM, 1:30 PM and 3:00 PM.
25. Scrawl in Franklinton
Scrawl will take place on Saturday and Sunday beginning at 12:00 PM each day in the Franklinton Arts District. The festival includes live art making, mural painting, food trucks, live music, local organizations and more!
26. Slamming’ Storytime with Macho Man at Packrat Comics
On Saturday at 12:00 PM, enjoy an afternoon of storytelling, cosplay and refreshments! Admission is free. Bring a camera for photo ops with Macho Man!
27. Boo & Brew at Polaris Fashion Place
Boo & Brew takes place on Saturday from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM outside near The Cheesecake Factory and inside in the Common Area of Polaris Lifestyle Center. There will be live music, food, beer, kid-friendly activities, face painting, a vendor show and more!
28. An Afternoon with Author Wendy Harris at Cover to Cover
Celebrate the debut of the book Field of Screams with author Wendy Harris at Cover to Cover Children’s Books on Saturday at 1:00 PM. This is a middle reader book geared toward ages 8-12.
29. Trunk or Treat at Hillcrest Baptist Church
This family-friendly Trunk-or-Treat features free food, games and candy in the parking lot of Hillcrest Baptist Church on Saturday from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
30. All Hallows Eve at Ohio Village
Families can enjoy an evening of 1890s-style family fun at All Hallows’ Eve, featuring a bonfire retelling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, pumpkin carving ($8 per pumpkin, cash and card accepted), and encounters with characters within Ohio Village. Visitors can revel in Victorian-era entertainment, including fortune-telling, a masquerade party, crafts, games, and more! All Hallows Eve will be taking place on upcoming Saturdays: October 14th, 21st, and 28th from 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM. Timed tickets are required.
31. Trunk or Treat at Bob Caldwell Chrysler
On Sunday from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM trick or treat at vehicles within the dealership, take photos with a superhero and princess and more. Bring a non-perishable food donation for the Mid-Ohio Food Bank.
32. 3rd Annual EASE Touch-a-Truck
This event on Sunday from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM will include over a dozen vehicles, free food, face painting, bounce houses, a petting zoo, a mobile video game truck, additional food trucks, and more! Bring canned food items for the Dublin Food Pantry!
33. Bug Man at Lehner’s Pumpkin Farm
On Sunday from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM the Bug Man will be at Lehner’s Pumpkin farm as long with a local bee keeper to share info about insects and honey bees.
34. Pirate Magic Show at Olentangy Caverns
On Sunday at 2:30 PM enjoy a free Pirate Magic Show from Erica Carlson including Sedge the Hedgehog! This is an outdoor event that will take place in the large shelter house at Olentangy Caverns.
35. KSM’s First Annual Trunk or Treat Car Show
On Sunday from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM put on your favorite costume and prepare for a candy extravaganza! There will be prizes, games, trunk and car decorations, and a cauldron-full of surprises! Reserve your spot online!
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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!*