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:
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. Harvest Blooms at Franklin Park Conservatory
Harvest Blooms features thousands of pumpkins, mums, cabbages and more including two pumpkin houses! Included in general admission through October 29th. Daily hours are 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
5. Cartoon Crossroads Columbus
Cartoon Crossroads Columbus is a comics, art and animation festival that takes place from September 27-October 1 at various locations around Columbus. A large portion of the event takes place at the Main Library downtown. Click this link for specifically family-friendly programming.
6. Jack-O-Lantern World at Franklin County Fairgrounds
Walk through thousands of hand-carved jack-o-lanterns at the Franklin County Fairgrounds from September 29th through October 29th. The path is 3/4 a mile long and features 17 immersive worlds. Food trucks will be on site. Times and prices vary by day. Tickets are available online.
7. Woof! Dog Shelter Donation Drive with Seeds of Caring
Local families can lend a “paw” this fall with 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 pups at the Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center. This project is available through Oct. 30.
8. Board Game Night at Griffeys Book Emporium
Play board games at Griffey’s Book Emporium on Friday from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Bring your own or choose from a selection at the store.
9. Fall Festival at Olentangy Caverns
Enjoy a Fall Festival at Olentangy Caverns which includes pumpkins for sale, a scavenger hunt for kids on Saturday and Sunday, and draft horse hayrides on Saturday. Open daily from 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM.
10. Ohio Archaeology Day
This event takes place at Ohio History Center on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. There will be presentations, pottery making, flint snapping, crafts and more!
11. Stuffy Sleepover with Author Blythe Russo
Attend a story time with author Blythe Russo featuring her book Sloth Sleeps Over on Saturday at 10:00 AM. There will be games and kids should bring their favorite stuffy! Stuffies can sleep over and be picked up on Sunday. Check out their overnight adventures on social media!
12. Columbus Trading Card and Collectibles Show at Franklin County Fairgrounds
On Saturday from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, attend this card and collectibles show featuring Pokemon, Magic, Yugioh, Anime, and other collectibles at Franklin County Fairgrounds. There is free parking and admission and a food truck on site.
13. Blues Brews & Barbecue at Velvet Ice Cream
Enjoy BBQ, a fishing derby, pumpkin carving, live music and ice cream at this special event at Ye Olde Mill on Saturday from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
14. Falling into the Holidays at Aladdin Temple
This sip and shop features crafted, vendors, food trucks, prizes and more! Bring a new stuffed animal or blanket to donate to children receiving treatment at Shriner Hospital. This event takes place on Saturday from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
15. Music and Monarchs at The Dawes Arboretum
This event takes place from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM on Saturday and features a Fall Plant Sale, live music and releases of monarch butterflies.
16. Fall Festival & Bark in the Park
This Fall Festival takes place in downtown Lancaster on Saturday from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. There will be live music, free hayrides, vendors, family activities, a pet costume contest and parade and more!
17. Buckeye Bye Week Sidewalk Sale at Comic Town
Shop this sidewalk sale for BOGO Free dollar bin comics, 50% off trade paperbacks and more at Comic Town. Event takes place on Saturday from 12:15 PM to 6:30 PM.
18. Birthday Magic with Sedgie the Hedgie at the Hilliard Library
Celebrate the library’s 150th birthday with a magic show from Erica Carlson and Sedgie the Hedgie! This event begins on Saturday at 1:00 PM.
19. Fall Wagon Tours at Dawes Arboretum
Take a wagon ride through The Dawes Arboretum! Tickets are $5 per person and kids 5 and under are free. Admission is also required. Tours begin Saturday at 1:00 PM.
- Related: Fun Things to do in Newark, Ohio
20. Darby Creek Day at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Darby Creek Day takes place at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park on Saturday from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM and features music, archery, crafts, live animals, food trucks and more!
21. Founders Festival at North Orange Park
This festival takes place in North Orange Park on Saturday from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM. It includes food, inflatables, games, vendors, yard games, face paint and more!
22. Jefferson Township Fall Festival
This Fall Festival takes place at Jefferson Community Park and features a hayride, farm animals, pumpkin bowling, face painting and more! The event takes place on Saturday from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
23. Pumpkin Float and Flick at Hilliard Municipal Park
Pumpkins will be launched in the pond at Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park during this event on Saturday from 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM. There will be a lantern-lit train, hot chocolate and the movie Transylvania. This is a free event but you can register to bring your own pumpkin to float.
24. Zoo Day at Lehner’s Pumpkin Farm
The Columbus Zoo will visit Lehner’s Pumpkin Farm on Sunday from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM with a variety of animals! The Westerville Jazz Band will perform at 3:30 PM.
25. DIY Crafts Inspired by Storybooks
Create crafts inspired by books at the Linden Branch of CML on Sunday at 2:00 PM.
*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!*