What Should We Do This Weekend? Columbus, Ohio, August 19-21, 2022

Looking for something fun to do this weekend in Columbus? Try out one of these family-friendly Columbus and Ohio–based events and activities!

1. Columbus Food Truck Festival At Franklin County Fairgrounds

This weekend August 19th through 21st visit the Franklin County Fairgrounds for the Columbus Food Truck Festival. Food trucks, live music, local artisans selling handmade goods and more! See link for tickets, times and pricing.

2. A Hunting We Will Go! At Slate Run

Friday August 19th starting at 10am visit Slate Run for a fun scavenger hunt around the farm. Pick up your scavenger sheet at the farmhouse.

3. Preschoolers: Bugs! At Battelle Darby Creek

Friday August 19th starting at 11am visit Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park for a morning filled with bugs! Learn all about these creepy crawly friends and where to find them!

4. Creative Critters On Canvas-Painting Class For Kids At Terra Gallery

Friday August 19th starting at 3pm visit Terra Gallery for a hands-on creative learning experience. Children will learn different painting techniques all while creating their very own piece of artwork to take home. See link for tickets, registration and pricing.

5. Wildlife Shoot At Blacklick Woods

Friday August 19th at 4pm visit Blacklick Woods as you take a 1-mile hike through the woods and join other photographers to search for subjects to photograph.

Related: Kid-Friendly Hikes at the Columbus Metro Parks

6. Screen On The Green-Moulin Rouge At Goodale Park

Friday August 19th at 7pm visit Goodale Park for a screening of Moulin Rouge. Feel free to bring your picnic blankets, chairs and snacks with you. Or enjoy one of the food trucks available to dine at.

7. Powell Kidsfest At New Hope Church 

Saturday August 20th starting at 9am hop on over to the Powell Kidsfest at New Hope Church! This back to school bash features some of your favorite characters, games, live entertainment and prizes! See link for tickets and details.

8. Meet The Bees Hive Tour At Stratford Ecological Center

Saturday August 20th at 10am head out to Stratford Ecological Center to meet the bee’s. This event features a firsthand look inside of a living bee hive. Learn about bees on how they live and work together. See link for details on tickets, registration and proper clothing for this event.

9. Magnificent Monarchs At Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park 

Saturday August 20th at 10am visit Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park for a morning of learning all about monarch butterflies. A naturalist will join you to teach about the history and life cycle of this famous butterfly.

10. Storytime With Author Frederick Aldama At Cover To Cover Bookstore

Saturday August 20th at 10am join author Frederick Aldama for a storytime featuring his latest book Con Papa’ With Papa’. This bilingual story celebrates growth and discovery in childhood.

11. GrowIN Jam Session At Franklin Park Conservatory

Saturday August 20th starting at 10am visit the Franklin Park Conservatory Children’s Garden for a morning featuring the Worthington Jammers. Event is included with admission.

12. Free CBUS Soul Family Funday At Columbus Commons

Saturday August 20th starting at 10am visit the Columbus Commons for a day of Soul family fun! This event features a family funday that has something for everyone! Bounce houses, amazing entertainers, food and more! It’s all here at the CBUS Soul Family Funday!

13. Stories And More At Tremont Library

Saturday August 20th at 10:30am visit the Tremont Library for Stories and More! This event features some great stories, special guests and activities for all!

14. Paint ‘N Dip At Ye Olde Mill

Saturday August 20th At 11am visit Ye Olde Mill for painting and ice cream. At this event you will be guided in creating a beautiful piece of art all while enjoying the scenery and ice cream at the mill! See link for tickets and pricing.

15. CBUS Soul Fest At Bicentennial Park

Saturday August 20th starting at 11am visit Bicentennial Park to celebrate Black culture. This event will feature live music, food, art, history and plenty of soul! You don’t want to miss this first ever Soul Fest!

16. Columbus African Festival At Franklin Park 

Saturday August 20th at Noon visit Franklin Park. African food, drinks, live entertainment, games and craft vendors are all here at the Columbus African Festival. See link for tickets and pricing.

17. For Families: Monarch Mania Open House At Highbanks Metro Park

Saturday August 20th at 1pm visit Highbanks Metro Park for an afternoon of learning all about monarch butterflies. There will be crafts, activities and fun for the entire family!

18. Scoop Up Summer With Little Ladies Soft Serve Truck And Author Renee Casteel Cook

Saturday August 20th starting at 1pm visit the Rite Rug in Clintonville for an afternoon of delicious soft serve and saying farewell to summer. Meet author Renee Casteel Cook and learn about her book Ohio Ice Cream: A Scoop Of History.

19. Spiders! At Blendon Woods Metro Park

Saturday August 20th at 2pm visit Blendon Woods Metro Park for an afternoon of learning about these 8 legged creatures and head off to the fields to search for some!

20. For Families: Guided Hike At Walnut Woods 

Saturday August 20th at 2pm visit Walnut Woods for a guided hike through the trails. This 1.5-mile hike is guided by a naturalist and will have all kinds of fun facts to share along the way.

21. Shucking Bubba at Destination Outlets

On Saturday Aug 20th make Destination Outlets YOUR destination for savings, music, and fun! Join us from 5 – 8pm as Shucking Bubba, with songs ranging from old school hip-hop to funk and alternative rock, takes the stage! There will be food trucks, a chance to win VIP seating sponsored by Open Box Outlet! Gates open at 5pm and event starts at 6pm. FREE entry with the Download of the Destination Outlets membership app or $10 (cash) at the gate.

22. After Dark In The Park At Clear Creek Metro Park

Saturday August 20th at 7:30pm visit Clear Creek Metro Park for an evening of roasting s’mores, meeting some nocturnal animals and more!

23. Ultraviolet Night Walk At Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park 

Saturday August 20th at 8:30pm use a blacklight flashlight to illuminate the colors of the night. Limited flashlights will be available, so come early or bring your own blacklight.

24. Celebrate Life And Diversity Antibullying Fashion Show Gala At Columbus Museum of Art

Sunday August 21st at 11am visit Columbus Museum of Art for a fashion show like no other. This fashion/kids art show will feature youth models that will be modeling fashion from around the world. Art from kids ages 5-17 will also be on display. See link for details on tickets for this special event.

25. Back To School Bash At Westgate Park 

Sunday August 21st at Noon visit Westgate Park for a back to school bash! Live music, entertainment and touch a truck will all be here at this event. Children will also receive a backpack full of school supplies.

26. Ride The Tram! Family Rides At Blendon Woods

Sunday August 21st at 2pm visit Blendon Woods for an afternoon of riding the tram! Hop on board and ride all around the park. 

27. WOSU Family Day With The Columbus Clippers

Sunday August 21st at 3pm visit Huntington Park for WOSU Family Day as you watch the Columbus Clippers take on the Toledo Mud Hens. Meet the cast of Super Why from PBS Kids while you are there!

28. World Honeybee Day At Blacklick Woods Metro Park

Sunday August 21st at 3pm visit Blacklick Woods as we celebrate World Honeybee Day! Learn all about honeybees and how to care for their hives.

29. Concert On The Green: North To Nashville At Bryn Du Mansion

Sunday August 21st at 6:30pm visit the Bryn Du Mansion for a live concert featuring North To Nashville. Pack your chairs and picnic blankets for this great performance out on the lawn. 

30. Kids and Grandparents: Team Up to Care for Other Families

Grandparents Day is coming up on September 11 and what better way to celebrate than bringing the young and the young-at-heart together to share quality time while serving? Running through 9/19, this Anywhere Project connects generations as they pack Family Care Kits for those staying at the Van Buren Family Shelter. Pass on a legacy of caring while having fun and making lasting memories! 

*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!*