Let’s be honest—fall might just be the undisputed champion of kid-friendly seasons. The weather’s perfect, the leaves are crunchy, the pumpkins are plump, and Columbus knows how to do fall right. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, here are 10 awesome, low-stress, high-fun things to do with your kiddos in the 614 this season.
Let’s grab those sweaters, sip that cider, and jump into leaf piles of fun
1. Pick Your Own Pumpkins at Leeds Farm
- Ostrander, OH (just outside Columbus)
- Open: Late September through October weekends
- Cost: ~$15 admission (kids under 3 free)
This place is the fall MVP. It’s got:
- Pumpkin picking
- Hayrides
- Pig races (YES, pig races)
- Zip lines, pedal carts, barn slides
- A giant straw fort that will make you question your adulting choices
Pro Tip: Go early in the day—this place is popular, and parking fills fast.
2. Bat Fest at the Audubon Center
- Grange Insurance Audubon Center, Columbus
- When: October 12, 2024 (check for updates)
- Cost: FREE
Part science fair, part fall festival, and 100% bat-tastic.
Kids can:
- Meet real bats
- Play echolocation games
- Make bat crafts and masks
- Learn how bats help us grow bananas and eat mosquitoes (thank you, bats)
Perfect mix of spooky + science. A Halloween must-do.
3. Visit Lynd Fruit Farm for Apple Picking
- Pataskala, OH
- Open: August–October
- Cost: Pay by the pound + free to enter
Few things beat climbing into the back of a wagon, riding through orchards, and picking apples straight off the trees. Don’t forget the apple donuts and cider slushies in the farm market!
They also have:
- A corn maze
- Pumpkin patch
- Kiddie play area
4. Walk Through the Fall Foliage at Inniswood Metro Gardens
- Westerville, OH
- Cost: FREE
- When to Go: Late September through mid-October
Nature trails, fairy garden vibes, and leaf piles for days.
Let kids:
- Spot squirrels and chipmunks
- Collect colorful leaves
- Run through the “secret garden” and wooden bridges
Bonus: No playground necessary—it’s all about exploring.
5. Travel Back in Time at All Hallows’ Eve (Ohio Village)
- Ohio History Center & Village
- Weekends in October
- Cost: ~$12 adults / ~$8 kids (free for members)
Step into the 1890s for Halloween like your great-great-grandma did.
There’s:
- Candle-lit jack-o’-lanterns
- Fortune-telling
- Old-timey games
- Spooky storytelling by the fire
- Trick-or-treating through the village
It’s the perfect low-scare Halloween option for younger kids.
6. Make Fall Art at Columbus Museum of Art’s Wonder Room
- Downtown Columbus
- Cost: FREE on Sundays!
- Open: Year-round
A cozy creative indoor spot for rainy fall days.
- The Wonder Room is designed just for kids
- Build, draw, touch, sculpt, and explore
- Outdoor sculpture garden has big colorful leaves = photo gold
Hot tip: Kids under 5 get in free every day. Adults? Free on Sundays.
7. Boo at the Zoo – Columbus Zoo’s Kid-Friendly Halloween Bash
- Powell, OH
- Weekends in October
- Cost: Included with zoo admission
This is the not-so-scary Halloween event everyone talks about.
- Trick-or-treat trail
- Character meet-and-greets
- Decorated zoo exhibits (zebras and jack-o’-lanterns? Yes, please.)
- Hay maze, pumpkin patch, and photo spots galore
Dress the kiddos up, grab a treat bag, and let them run wild with joy.
8. Get Lost in a Corn Maze (then Find Your Way Out)
- Multiple Farms: Circle S, The MAiZE at Little Darby Creek
- Open: September–October
- Cost: ~$8–15 per person
Corn mazes range from short and sweet to full-on brain teasers.
Many farms also have:
- Hayrides
- Pumpkin launching
- Farm animals
- Bounce pillows and play areas
Turn it into a family competition. Losers buy the cider.
9. Catch a Family Show at COSI or CAPA
- Downtown Columbus
- Cost: Varies – look for free family days!
Check schedules for:
- COSI’s family science days
- CAPA’s sensory-friendly and family-focused shows
- Shadow puppet Halloween shows or storytime theater
Your kids will think it’s a show… but it’s also sneaky learning. Win-win.
10. DIY Leaf Hunt + Cider Picnic in a Metro Park
- Any Columbus Metro Park (Blendon Woods, Highbanks, Battelle Darby)
- Cost: FREE
Print out a leaf hunt checklist (or just make your own), pack apple slices, PB&Js, and a thermos of warm cider.
Let the kids:
- Find red, yellow, orange leaves
- Look for acorns, pinecones, squirrels
- Have a mini fall picnic on a blanket
It’s simple, it’s cheap, and it’s exactly what fall memories are made of.
BONUS TIP: Columbus Fall Bucket List Ideas
- Decorate pumpkins at home
- Bake cinnamon apple muffins together
- Visit a Columbus Metro Library for storytime + fall crafts
- Make a “Thankful Tree” with paper leaves
- Drive through German Village for ultimate cozy vibes
Final Thought
Columbus owns fall—and it’s even better with kids in tow. Whether you want crisp outdoor adventures, educational moments, or Halloween-style fun without the fear, the 614 has it all.
So grab those tiny jackets, pack some snacks, and go soak up the pumpkin-scented magic while it lasts.