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. Calling all Planet Protectors! Litter Cleanup with Seeds of Caring
Seeds of Caring invites kids to help keep our community clean this fall! This free at-home activity is available through October 23 and teaches kids 2-12 about the buildup of trash on Earth, with a fun a game on how to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Kids will put their knowledge into action by building Litter Pick-Up Kits to clean up parks, playgrounds, or wherever you see trash.
6. The Columbus Italian Festival At St. John The Baptist Church
This weekend October 7th, 8th and 9th visit St. John The Baptist Church for The Columbus Italian Festival! This long time family favorite festival has all of the fun, entertainment, rides, games and great food that you can expect year after year at this great festival! Don’t forget to see the Italian Festival parade on Sunday October 9th at 1pm where they will be having a high school marching band competition as well! See link for tickets, times and pricing of event.
7. Chillicothe Halloween Festival At Yoctangee Park
It’s spooky season at Yoctangee Park! All weekend long October 7th, 8th and 9th you can visit for the Chillicothe Halloween Festival. This 3-day festival has inflatables, live entertainment, vendors, food and more! Celebrate the fun of Halloween! Admission is free!
8. On Golden Wings At The Lincoln Theatre
Friday October 7th head to the Lincoln Theatre for an interactive living history play featuring the story of James Herman Banning and Thomas Cox Allen, who were the first African Americans to fly across the United States! This play is part of Capa’s Social Justice Series and is recommended for grades 4-12. See link for tickets, times and pricing.
9. 5th Annual Mac & Cheese Festival At Easton Town Center
This Friday October 7th starting at 4pm visit Easton Town Center for the 5th Annual Mac & Cheese Festival! This family friendly event will feature mac & cheese samples from some of the best local restaurants! As well as kids zone with activities, live entertainment, raffle prizes and more! This event raises money for young adults and adolescents cancer research at OSUCC. See link for tickets!
10. Liberty Lift-Off Hot Air Balloon Festival In Liberty Park
Saturday October 8th and Sunday October 9th visit Liberty Park in Powell for the Liberty Lift-Off Hot Air Balloon Festival. This event features all kinds of hot air balloon teams lifting and launching their hot air balloons to take flight over Liberty Township. See link for times of events and for purchase of hot air balloon rides.
11. Defend Your Friend 5K At Prairie Oaks Metro Park
This Saturday October 8th at 8am visit Prairie Oaks Metro Park for Defend Your Friend 5K. This is a fun and casual 5K run or walk with kids, your four legged friends and lots of friends here to support the Columbus Humane Society. See link for registration and details.
12. WOSU Second Saturday Kids Day At WOSU Ross Community Studio
Saturday October 8th at 9am visit WOSU Ross Community Studio for WOSU Second Saturday Kids Day! This free event features characters from the show Elinor Wonders Why lots of crafts, activities and stories for all! This event is free, but registration is required.
13. Day Of The Dead/El Dia De Los Muertos At Green Lawn Cemetery
Just like Miguel in the Disney movie Coco, on Saturday October 8th at 10am visit Green Lawn Cemetery for a Day Of The Dead celebration. This event hosted by the Latino Arts for the Humanities will feature cultural performers, food, music, vendors and an opportunity to learn how Latin Americans honor and celebrate past loved ones.
14. Apples: Their History And Uses At Slate Run Metro Park
Saturday October 8th at 1pm visit Slate Run Metro Park for a morning of learning about apples, their history and their uses! Sample heirloom varieties of apples, stir apple butter over an open fire and help press fresh cider during this event featuring the autumn season’s favorite fruit!
Related: 11 Fun Playgrounds at Columbus Metro Parks
15. Fall Farm Field Day At Sweet Grass Dairy
Saturday October 8th at 2pm visit Sweet Grass Dairy for an afternoon of farm tours and sampling great food from the dairy!
16. Saturday With Author Jasmine Warga At Tremont Road Library
This Saturday October 8th at 1pm Cover To Cover Bookstore will welcome Author Jasmine Warga to the Tremont Road Library. Author Jasmine Warga will be speaking about her latest book A Rover’s Story. See link for registration.
17. An Evening On The Farm At Slate Run Metro Park
Saturday October 8th at 5pm visit Slate Run Metro Park for an evening of hot cider, a campfire, s’mores and family activities as you watch the sunset.
18. Sensory-Friendly Halloween Character Meet And Treat Experience
Sunday October 9th starting at 10am visit the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for a sensory friendly Halloween experience! Treat stations and Columbus Zoo characters dressed in their best Halloween costumes are ready for your little ones to have a sensory friendly Halloween experience.
19. 2nd Annual World Pumpkin Pie Eating Championship at Destination Outlets
Bring the whole family to Destination Outlets on Sunday, Oct 9th for the 2nd Annual World Pumpkin Pie Eating Championship! Who will beat the record of 16lbs 12oz of pie? Find out on Oct 9th! This event will be from 12pm – 3pm, there will be free pie, face painting, food trucks and more! Bring the whole family to shop, eat and play!
20. Family: Off-Trail Ravine Geology Hike At Highbanks Metro Park
Sunday October 9th at 2pm visit HIghbanks Metro Park for an afternoon of taking a 2-mile off trail hike into the ravine! This event is intended for children ages 8 and up. Remember to bring a change of clothing and wear appropriate shoes to get wet/muddy!
21. Full Hunter’s Moon Hike At Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Sunday October 9th at 6:30pm visit Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park for an evening hike under the full moon. This is a 4-mile hike through the forest and fields.
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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!*