Looking for things to do in Columbus, Ohio this weekend? Here are over 55 family-friendly events happening in Columbus, and Central Ohio this weekend!
Family Friendly Events in Columbus, Ohio This Weekend:
FRIDAY:
10:00 AM – 2019 Safari Pet Expo and Grooming Competition at Ohio Expo Center & State Fair – this pet focused event includes educational speakers, a mermaid meet and greet, pirate escape room, camels, a dog show, grooming competition and more!
10:00 AM – Forest Fridays at Sunbury Urban Farm – enjoy a nature activity plus free play in the woods. All ages welcome. $5 suggested donation.
10:00 AM – Farm Days at COSI – climb on real tractors and farm machines, meet local farmers, learn where your food comes from, milk a fiberglass cow, and more! This event will take place August 14-18, 2019. Also on these days, show your Giant Eagle Advantage Card to receive $3 off admission.
10:00 AM – Teacher Appreciation Month at Legoland Discovery Center (Columbus) – teachers can show their school ID or pay stub and receive free admission to LEGOLAND through August 31! Up to 6 friends or family can visit with you and receive $10 off standard admission!
11:00 AM – Creature Feature: Friday Feeding at Highbanks Metro Park – visit with animals and learn how they find food.
11:00 AM – Columbus Duck Race at the Food Truck Festival – the 8th annual Columbus Duck Race supports The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and will take place on Saturday but on Friday AND Saturday kids can take part in activities at The Duck Race Booth at the Columbus Food Truck Festival. Register online to race your own duck!
11:00 AM – Columbus Food Truck Festival 2019 at The Scioto Mile – this festival features over 60 food trucks to choose from, live music, vendors, crafters and more! Entry is free for all ages and the festival runs from 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.
12:00 PM – Columbus Zoo Animals at Experience Columbus – get up close to animals from the Columbus Zoo at the Visitor Center on Nationwide Blvd!
1:00 PM – Pataskala Street Fair – this street fair runs Wednesday through Saturday and features live music, a parade, tractor pulls, performances, vendors, food and more!
1:00 PM – Pastimes, puzzles, and play at Slate Run Metro Park and Living Historical Farm – this is your chance to try out games, riddles and activities from the Victorian age! This is a free event.
4:00 PM – S’miles of Sunflowers at Lynd’s New Farm “Lynd’s Patch on 37” – This festival is happening Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Explore 10 acres of sunflowers, enjoy a wagon ride, cut your own flowers, a barrel train, photo ops, live music, concessions, food trucks, backyard games, a kids tent and more! Dogs are welcome on Sunday, August 18th. Tickets are available online or at the gate.
6:00 PM – 19th Hole Family Fun Night at The Bogey – this event benefits the Nick Rozanski Memorial Foundation and includes food, face painting, games and more!
6:00 PM – Night Market at North Market – this nighttime market offers a carnival-like atmosphere with independent vendors, family-friendly games and activities, music, and more!
6:00 PM – Our Lady of Perpetual Help Community Festival – this carnival features games, rides, live entertainment, food and more and takes place on Friday and Saturday.
7:00 PM – Friday Night Bandstand in Lancaster – enjoy a live concert in downtown Lancaster!
7:00 PM – Outdoor Community Movie Night! at Scarlet City Church – this free outdoor movie night includes a movie, free popcorn and yard games. Bring a blanket or chair. Movie begins at 8:00.
7:00 PM – Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr. at Columbus Performing Arts Center – watch Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland adapted for kids: a fast paced story with updated songs from the Disney movie!
7:00 PM – The Usual Suspects | Summer Sizzle Concert Series at George Edge Music Park – enjoy free live music in Grove City Town Center!
8:30 PM – Uptown Movie Series in Westerville, Ohio – watch a movie on City Hall lawn! This week’s movie is Guardians of the Galaxy (PG-13).
8:45 PM – Lights, Cameras, Movies at Polaris Fashion Place – watch a free movie in the Polaris Lifestyle Center, bring a blanket or chairs. This week’s movie is Peter Rabbit.
A BIG Thanks to Marcus Theatres for Sponsoring this Post!
Treat your hatchlings to some back-to-school fun this weekend. The Marcus Crosswoods Cinema on Hutchinson Ave. is hosting FREE family parties to celebrate the opening of “The Angry Birds Movie 2!” Head to Crosswoods Cinema between 10 a.m. and noon for crafts, games, snacks, giveaways and more – then stay for the movie! (Film admission sold separately.) Learn more: http://bit.ly/2Ze6P4m.
Can’t make the party? Head to the Marcus Crosswoods or Pickerington Cinemas for the ultimate moviegoing experience any day of the week. And make sure to mark your calendars for the Disney Enchanted Tales Film Series. From September 6-29, both theatres are bringing back “Moana,” “Cinderella,” “Peter Pan” and “The Little Mermaid” for just $6 per person! Reserve your spot: http://bit.ly/32fDSXP
SATURDAY
8:00 AM – KidsLinked.com’s 7th Annual Powell KidsFest at Adventure Park – the Kids Fest features lots of opportunities for play, free carnival games, balloon artist, glitter tattoos, food trucks and much more!
8:30 AM – Morning Tram Ride at Glacier Ridge Metro Park – take a peaceful ride through the park. Refreshments will be provided.
9:00 AM – Hills Famous $5 Pancake Breakfast at Hills Market – on Saturdays and Sundays you can get 2 pancakes, sausage links and coffee for $5!
9:00 AM – Waffle Bar! at Coffee Connections of Hilliard – for $5/person you can get a waffle with unlimited toppings, juice and drip coffee!
9:00 AM – Market Day at Westgate Farmers Market – this week’s market will feature Short North Bagel Deli and Cream and Sugar Food Trucks, Fort Hayes Strings, exotic birds, and (in celebration of National Honey Bee Day) an observation bee hive!
9:30 AM – Our Village: DIY Teething Necklace Craft at Fancyburg Park – this free playdate will offer the chance to make a teething necklace! This playdate takes place at 10:30 AM after the 9:30 AM Stroller Strides Class.
10:00 AM – Farm Days at COSI – climb on real tractors and farm machines, meet local farmers, learn where your food comes from, milk a fiberglass cow, and more! This event will take place August 14-18, 2019. Also on these days, show your Giant Eagle Advantage Card to receive $3 off admission.
10:00 AM – Free Family Party at Crosswoods Cinema – this free family party has an Angry Birds theme! Kids can make their own party hats, build a popcorn box, enjoy free snacks, pin the tail on the Angry Bird, enjoy giveaways and prizes and more! Stay afterward for the movie (tickets sold separately).
10:00 AM – Ranger Bike Ride at Blacklick Woods Metro Park – take a 6 mile bike ride through the park with a ranger.
10:00 AM – Outdoor Exploration Expo at Camp Lazarus – explore the outdoors with free events like fishing, archery, a ninja obstacle course, martial arts, cooking classes and more!
10:00 AM – Teacher Appreciation Month at Legoland Discovery Center (Columbus) – teachers can show their school ID or pay stub and receive free admission to LEGOLAND through August 31! Up to 6 friends or family can visit with you and receive $10 off standard admission!
10:00 AM – Try-It Together: You Become a Zoologist at COSI Columbus’ Dynamic Hands-On Science Center! – this event is for kids ages 2-6 accompanied by an adult and will feature hands-on STEM activities with an animal theme! $10/person. Register online.
10:00 AM – Mud & Madness at Sharon Woods Metro Park – the whole family can take part in a 1.5 muddy obstacle course! Bring a towel!
10:00 AM – Fire Safety Storytime at Cover to Cover Books for Young Readers – an Upper Arlington firefighter and paramedic will read a book about fire safety and show kids around a real fire engine and medic truck.
11:00 AM – Columbus Food Truck Festival 2019 at The Scioto Mile – this festival features over 60 food trucks to choose from, live music, vendors, crafters and more! Entry is free for all ages and the festival runs from 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.
11:00 AM – Columbus Duck Race at the Food Truck Festival – the 8th annual Columbus Duck Race supports The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and will take place on Saturday but on Friday AND Saturday kids can take part in activities at The Duck Race Booth at the Columbus Food Truck Festival. Register online to race your own duck!
11:00 AM – S’miles of Sunflowers at Lynd’s New Farm “Lynd’s Patch on 37” – This festival is happening Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Explore 10 acres of sunflowers, enjoy a wagon ride, cut your own flowers, a barrel train, photo ops, live music, concessions, food trucks, backyard games, a kids tent and more! Dogs are welcome on Sunday, August 18th. Tickets are available online or at the gate.
12:00 PM – Back to School Open House at Musicologie Lewis Center – check out the newest location of Musicologie, meet the teachers, take a mini-lesson and enjoy refreshments and entertainment provided by the local teachers! New students can receive a discount on lessons if they register at this event.
12:00 PM – Pataskala Street Fair – this street fair runs Wednesday through Saturday and features live music, a parade, tractor pulls, performances, vendors, food and more!
12:00 PM – CrestFest 2019 in Clintonville – this annual event is a street party in south Clintonville that features a kid art activity area, inflatables, a youth stage, skateboard area, face painting, free popcorn and snow cones, a raffle, live music, vendors and more!
12:00 PM – Weinland Park Festival – this festival will include live music, free food, a bounce house, hamster balls, children’s games, face painting, a basketball tourney and more!
1:00 PM – Open Barn Days 2019 at Sunrise Sanctuary – visit the animals at the sanctuary at their monthly open house. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids and children 3 and under are free. Tickets are available in advance.
1:00 PM – 8th Annual Back To School Community Day at King Arts Complex – this is a free event including school supply giveaways (while supplies last), live performances, line dancing, face painting and more!
1:00 PM – Family Creeking Adventure at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park – catch fish, bugs and crawdads in the creek!
1:00 PM – Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr. at Columbus Performing Arts Center – watch Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland adapted for kids: a fast paced story with updated songs from the Disney movie!
2:00 PM – Discovery Day at Hanna Andersson Retail Stores – enjoy snacks, coloring, story time and the chance to build your own fruit mobile! The closest Hanna Andersson store is at Easton Town Center.
2:00 PM – Back to School Blast at Beechwold Christian Church – this free event features inflatables, face painting, a balloon artist, carnival games and more! Kids can also win school supplies as prizes!
2:30 PM – Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr. at Columbus Performing Arts Center – watch Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland adapted for kids: a fast paced story with updated songs from the Disney movie!
6:00 PM – Evening Fishing & Campfire with Rangers at Highbanks Metro Park – fish in the pond and then roast s’mores over the campfire. Limited supplies will be provided.
6:00 PM – Our Lady of Perpetual Help Community Festival – this carnival features games, rides, live entertainment, food and more and takes place on Friday and Saturday.
6:30 PM – Music Under the Paper Moon at Gallant Farm – channel the 1930’s by taking your pic under the paper moon! There will also be live music, refreshments and carnival games!
SUNDAY
9:00 AM – Hills Famous $5 Pancake Breakfast at Hills Market – on Saturdays and Sundays you can get 2 pancakes, sausage links and coffee for $5!
10:00 AM – Free Family Party at Crosswoods Cinema – this free family party has an Angry Birds theme! Kids can make their own party hats, build a popcorn box, enjoy free snacks, pin the tail on the Angry Bird, enjoy giveaways and prizes and more! Stay afterward for the movie (tickets sold separately).
10:00 AM – Farm Days at COSI – climb on real tractors and farm machines, meet local farmers, learn where your food comes from, milk a fiberglass cow, and more! This event will take place August 14-18, 2019. Also on these days, show your Giant Eagle Advantage Card to receive $3 off admission.
10:00 AM – Teacher Appreciation Month at Legoland Discovery Center (Columbus) – teachers can show their school ID or pay stub and receive free admission to LEGOLAND through August 31! Up to 6 friends or family can visit with you and receive $10 off standard admission!
10:00 AM – Sing Along with Joanie at Homestead Metro Park – enjoy an interactive performance for kids 5 and under at the Nature Center.
11:00 AM – S’miles of Sunflowers at Lynd’s New Farm “Lynd’s Patch on 37” – This festival is happening Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Explore 10 acres of sunflowers, enjoy a wagon ride, cut your own flowers, a barrel train, photo ops, live music, concessions, food trucks, backyard games, a kids tent and more! Dogs are welcome on Sunday, August 18th. Tickets are available online or at the gate.
1:00 PM – Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr. at Columbus Performing Arts Center – watch Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland adapted for kids: a fast paced story with updated songs from the Disney movie!
1:00 PM – Feed the Stream at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park – feed the fish in the stream at the Nature Center.
2:00 PM – Family Creeking at Blendon Woods Metro Park – look for salamanders and other creatures in the creek!
- Related: Exploring Blendon Woods Metro Park
2:00 PM – For Kids: Monarch at Highbanks Metro Park – kids 6-12 can learn about Monarch butterflies and look for caterpillars.
2:30 PM – Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr. at Columbus Performing Arts Center – watch Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland adapted for kids: a fast paced story with updated songs from the Disney movie!
4:00 PM – Sprouts Night Out at Hilliard’s Station Park – this free event features live music, activities for kids, food trucks and more! Mousetrap is the featured band.
6:00 PM – End of Summer Bash at Northwest Bible Church – celebrate the end of summer with inflatables, a dunk tank, food and ice cream trucks and carnival games. This is a free event.
*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. Enjoy what you do today!*