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. Attend a Fall Festival at a Local Pumpkin Farm
Fall festivals are starting up at local pumpkin farms! Fall Festivals typically take place on the weekends and include hayrides, pumpkin picking, plus tons of other outdoor activities! Click the link above for a complete list of pumpkin farms and fall festivals in Central Ohio!
2. Find Your Way Through a Local Corn Maze
There are some super fun corn maze designs at local farms this year! Click the link above for a list of corn mazes around Columbus and Central Ohio!
3. Go Apple Picking at a Local Orchard
It’s apple picking season! Click the link above for list of local orchards where you can pick your own apples!
4. Attend a Family Friendly Halloween Event
Click the link above for a list of Halloween events happening around Columbus! There’s something for every day of the week during the whole month of October!
5. 2022 Circleville Pumpkin Show
Everyone’s favorite fall festival is here! The Circleville Pumpkin Show is here for all of the great concessions, rides, contests and of course all things pumpkin! Visit downtown Circleville for all of the fun! See link for details!
6. Pumpkin Workout & Painting Play Date At Lazelle Woods
Friday October 21st at 9:30am visit Lazelle Woods for a morning of working out with your little one followed by a fun pumpkin painting activity. See link for registration.
7. Opening Day Of Wild Things Are Happening: The Art Of Maurice Sendak At CMA
This Friday at 10:30am visit Columbus Museum of Art for the opening day of Wild Things Are Happening: The Art Of Maurice Sendak. This event will feature the original art of Maurice Sendak and all of his books. See link for tickets.
8. Boo At The Zoo At Columbus Zoo And Aquarium
Friday, Saturday and Sunday attend Boo At The Zoo at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium! The fun starts at 5pm! Be sure to wear your favorite costume for this not so scary family friendly event. See link for details! Event is included with admission.
9. Pumpkins Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory
Each night this weekend from 5-9PM you can walk amongst hundreds of hand-carved pumpkins, two pumpkin houses, a spooky forest, a foggy creek and a ghostly graveyard. Advanced reservations recommended! This is a special engagement event with an additional cost. This event takes place outside the Conservatory and in the Children’s Garden.
10. Movie In The Park: Ghostbusters At Sharon Woods Metro Park
Friday October 21st at 6pm visit Sharon Woods Metro Park for a screening of the classic Ghostbusters movie. Costumes encouraged and there will be plenty of activities leading up to the movie which will start at dark.
Related: Kid-Friendly Trails at the Columbus Metro Parks
11. Author Meet & Greet With Gabrielle A. Hill At Prologue Bookshop
Friday October 21st at 6:30pm visit Prologue Bookshop for storytime, book signing and much more with author Gabrielle A.Hill featuring her book “Kaydee The Bumblebee”. Registration required.
12. Family Halloween Party At Vineyard Community Church
Friday October 21st at 6:30pm visit Vineyard Community Church for a family Halloween party. This free family friendly event will feature trunk-or-treat, hayrides, games & activities for all ages.
13. 43rd Annual Great Pumpkin Run In Grandview Heights
Saturday October 22nd at 9am line up at Grandview Heights Middle School and get ready to have some fun in the Great Pumpkin Run! This family friendly run is for all ages. Tiny Trot starts a half hour earlier at 8:30am. Registration required if you wish to have a t-shirt and goody bag at the race.
14. Fall Puzzle Hike And Campfire At Infirmary Mound Park
Saturday October 22nd at 10:30am visit Infirmary Mound park for a fun self guided hike to unscramble the puzzle and win a prize.
15. Spooky Storytime At Beanbag Books
Saturday October 22nd at 10:30am visit Beanbag books for a spooky storytime featuring a trio of Halloween favorites! This event is intended for ages 3-7 years old.
Related: 5 Magical Children’s Bookstores to Visit in Central Ohio
16. Author Visit + Book Signing With Julie Dinges At Griffeys’ Book Emporium
Saturday October 22nd at 11am visit Griffeys’ Book Emporium for a fun filled morning with Author Julie Dinges as she features her book The Search For The Scepter. This event will also include a scavenger hunt activity, followed by a book signing.
17. The Grandview Halloween Harvest Hop
Saturday October 22nd at 5pm visit Grandview Avenue for the Grandview Halloween Harvest Hop! This great event is just like summer hop, but with the bonus of trick-or-treating, costume contests for kids, scavenger hunt and more!
18. Trick Or Treat At Lehners Pumpkin Farm And Market Day
Sunday October 23rd at 10am visit Lehners Pumpkin Farm and Market for a day filled with fall fun, costumes and candy!
19. Sqashcarver At Easton Town Center
Sunday October 23rd at Noon visit Easton Town Center for a live giant pumpkin carving demonstration by Squashcarver Gus Smithhisler.
20. Kids Only Farmers Market at Kuhlwein’s Farm
Stop by the farm on Sunday from 12-4pm where kids will be selling their own creations! There will be raffle prizes, and you can also take a hayride and pick a pumpkin on the farm!
21. Trick Or Treat Trail At Gallant Woods Park
Sunday October 23rd at 1pm visit Gallant Woods Park for Trick Or Treat Trail. Wear your costumes and gather treats from an enchanted trail, go for a hayride, meet some creepy critters and vote for your favorite scarecrow.
22. Trunk Or Treat At Capital Law School
Sunday October 23rd at 1pm visit Capital Law School for an afternoon of costume contests, cider, hot chocolate and trick or treating!
23. Candy By The Carload At Seldom Seen Park
Sunday October 23rd at 4pm visit Seldom Seen Park for trick or treating, live performances by Celestial Voices and lots of Halloween themed dances. Registration required.
24. Ready, Set, Gobble! Thanksgiving Food Drive with Seeds of Caring
Shake a tail feather and start a Thanksgiving Meals Food Drive in your neighborhood, youth group or sports team benefiting the Byron Saunders Foundation! Kids ages 2-12 can use the Seeds of Caring service packet to learn about food insecurity, then collect food items for a touch-free drop-off by 11/6. Let’s work together to top last year’s 3,500+ items, which allowed 300 families to share food, smiles and memories on Thanksgiving Day.
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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!*