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!
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. 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.
6. Help Nourish Local Kids in Need with Seeds of Caring
Kids 4-12 are invited to help Seeds of Caring and New Albany Food Pantry fight hunger in our community! With a kid-friendly discussion guide and hands-on Snack Bag packing you can do anywhere, little hands (and hearts!) can make a difference for families served by the food pantry. Families, teams, and groups can participate any time through Nov. 20.
7. 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 October 25-29. This is a special engagement event and tickets are required.
8. 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.
9. Hurray for Halloween at Sharon Woods Metro Park
Drop in between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM on Friday for a self-guided Halloween Activity Trail at Sharon Woods Metro Park. This will be a 1/2 mile trail through the woods! Come in costume and pick up a Halloween Goodie Bag when you finish! Meet at the Schrock Lake Restrooms.
10. Boo at the Zoo at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
On Friday from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Saturday from 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM and Sunday 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!
11. Magic Duel at Olentangy Caverns
Enjoy a magic show featuring Magic Nate and Erica Carlson at Olentangy Caverns on Friday at 5:30 PM. Show is recommended for ages 5 and up and tickets are required. No tickets will be available at the door so make sure to get them online ASAP!
12. Halloween Hip-Hop Family Skate at United Skates of America
Enjoy a hip-hop halloween skate for the whole family on Friday from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Prizes will be given for the best costume!
13. Fall Carnival at Grace Bible Church
This fall carnival takes place on Friday from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM and includes carnival games, face painting, food and more! Come in costume, but no scary costumes!
14. Trunk or Treat at Primrose School of Grandview
Trunk-or-Treat on Friday at 6:30 PM at Primrose School of Grandview.
Related: 17 of the Best Restaurants in Grandview Heights
15. Family Halloween Party & Trunk or Treat at Vineyard Community Church
This event on Friday from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM includes a trunk-or-treat in the parking lot and then games and activities inside. There will be food and drink for purchase, a dance party and hayrides. Costumes welcome!
16. Spooky Night Exploration at Alum Creek State Park
Head to Alum Creek State Park on Friday at 8:00 PM to take a short walk around the campground nature trail to look for bats, owls and raccoons! You will use UV lights to see what glows in the dark.
17. Truck Load Sale at Velvet Ice Cream
On Saturday from 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM you can buy Velvet Ice Cream at a discount! There will be a sale on frozen treats, food at the Olde Mill parlor and items in the gift shop. First come, first served.
18. Applebutter/Horseradish Day at Lawrence Orchards
This event will include making apple butter over a fire, horseradish grinding, a food truck and more at Lawrence Orchards on Saturday from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
19. Nostalgic Treat Day at Bake Me Happy
Celebrate 10 years of Bake Me Happy with your favorite nostalgic treats on Saturday at Bake Me Happy shops at North Market Bridge Park and Merion Village. Examples of treats you may find include Pop Tarts, King Dongs, Snow Balls, Zebra Cakes and more!
Related: 28 of the Best Things to do in Dublin, Ohio
20. Hilliard Halloween Haunt
On Saturday from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM trick-or-treat at participating businesses in Old Hilliard. Come in costume and enjoy free activities along the way.
21. Pop-Up Science: Spooky Science at The Works
This event on Saturday from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM will include exploding ghosts, monster art and more! Costumes are welcome. Included in admission or membership at The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art & Technology.
Related: 9 Fun Things to do in Newark, Ohio
22. Haunted Skate Party at United Skates of America
Enjoy a Haunted Skate Party. Family Skate is from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM on Saturday. Wear a Halloween costume and get 10 free game credits.
23. Blendon Bones at Blendon Woods Metro Park
On Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM check out a display of skeletons and meet a taxidermist (from 12-2) at Blendon Woods Metro Park. Enjoy a mammal skull maze, too!
24. Historic Dublin Candy Trail
Come in costume and bring a goodie bag to collect candy in Historic Dublin! The event is on Saturday from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM while supplies last. Pick up a map at the Dublin Ohio Visitor Center or participating locations. There will be photo ops, games and crafts, too!
25. Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat at Reynoldsburg Church of Christ
This free event on Saturday from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM includes candy, food, games and activities at Reynoldsburg Church of Christ.
26. Westerville Trunk or Treat with Jake from State Farm
Trunk or Treat at Jake Breakey State Farm Insurance in Westerville on Saturday at 4:00 PM. Costume wearers will get a goodie bag and can trunk-or-treat. This is a free event. Coffee will be provided, too.
27. Trunk or Treat at Hilliard Church of the Nazerene
This event on Saturday from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM includes an inflatable obstacle course, crafts, hotdogs and a trunk-or-treat!
28. 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! The final All Hallows Eve will take place on Saturday October 28th from 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM. Timed tickets are required.
29. West Side Trunk or Treat at City Life Center
This event on Sunday from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM includes a potluck lunch, trunk-or-treat for the kids, face painting, temporary tattoos, carnival games, photo backdrop and more!
30. Petting Zoo at Lynd Fruit Farm
On Sunday from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM there will be a petting zoo at Lynd Fruit Farm at the Corn Maze.
31. Annual Fall Fun Fest at CrossRoads Baptist Church
This event on Sunday at 3:00 PM include games, inflatables and a fire truck for kids to explore. This event is geared toward kids ages 3 years through 5th grade.
*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!*