Things to do with kids in Columbia this weekend, found and checked for you.
The South Carolina State Fair runs its final week through Sunday, and Boo at the Zoo fills Riverbanks Zoo & Garden every evening with trick-or-treating and Ray’s Moonlight Magic. Saturday morning pairs pumpkin decorating on Boyd Plaza at the Columbia Museum of Art with five Family Storytimes, including Richland Library Main at 10. Wednesday’s free Gladys’ Gang session at the museum suits 4- and 5-year-olds. This week has 22 outings, 19 free and 18 indoors.
Last checked · 22 outings at 12 places · 19 free · 18 indoor. Every listing links to the page we checked it on. How we choose
Top 5 picks
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A Saturday that actually works.
Here’s how we’d do Saturday, Oct 24. One thing from this week’s list, plus two of our regulars from Around town. Tap a stop for the details.
MORNINGSouth Carolina State FairFair hours 11am–9pm Mon–Fri, 10am–9pm Sat, noon–8pm Sun · South Carolina State Fairgrounds · $20 at the gate ($16 online, $15 at Circle K); 5 and under free; ride vouchers $40–42- LUNCHAround townMarket on MainOpen 10am–10pm · Main Street, 1320 Main St. · $$ (opens their site)
- NAPHome by 1:30 for nap. Car seat, stroller, whatever works.
- AFTER NAPAround townSouth Carolina State MuseumOpen 10am–5pm · Columbia · Kids $10, adults $13, children under 3 free (opens their site)
Times come from each event’s page or the place’s own site. Plans change, so check before you head out. Print this plan
A Sunday that actually works.
Here’s how we’d do Sunday, Oct 25. One thing from this week’s list, plus two of our regulars from Around town. Tap a stop for the details.
- MORNINGSouth Carolina State FairFair hours 11am–9pm Mon–Fri, 10am–9pm Sat, noon–8pm Sun · South Carolina State Fairgrounds · $20 at the gate ($16 online, $15 at Circle K); 5 and under free; ride vouchers $40–42
- LUNCHAround townMarket on MainOpen 10am–3pm · Main Street, 1320 Main St. · $$ (opens their site)
- NAPHome by 1:30 for nap. Car seat, stroller, whatever works.
- AFTER NAPAround townSouth Carolina State MuseumOpen noon–5pm · Columbia · Kids $10, adults $13, children under 3 free (opens their site)
Times come from each event’s page or the place’s own site. Plans change, so check before you head out. Print this plan
Find your thing
Columbia favorites
A few of the places we keep going back to. The full list, with prices, hours and kid-friendly restaurants, lives in the guide.
Coming up
Outings for little ones in Columbia: the FAQ
What can I do with a little one in Columbia this weekend?
This week we found 22 outings that work for kids ages 0–6. Our top three: South Carolina State Fair, Boo at the Zoo, Pumpkins and Painting on Boyd Plaza. See the full list.
Are there free things to do with little ones in Columbia this week?
Yes, 19 of this week’s 22 picks are free, including library storytimes and Gladys’ Gang Preschool Edition: Head to Toe. Tap “Free” in Find your thing. For free places you can visit any week, see free things to do in Columbia in the city guide.
What are good indoor activities for kids in Columbia when it rains?
18 picks this week are indoors, mostly library programs and shows. Tap “Rainy-day OK” in Find your thing.
Where can I find storytimes and toddler activities in Columbia?
This week we list 18 library storytimes and baby or toddler programs. Each one links to the library or venue page with the time and place. See them in the list.
What’s on for babies and toddlers under 3 in Columbia this week?
6 of this week’s picks are baby or toddler programs or made for ages 3 and under, including Toddler Storytime (Richland Library Main), Toddler Storytime (Richland Library Sandhills) and Hello, Baby! (Richland Library Cooper). 6 of them are free and 6 are indoors. See them in the list.
How do you pick what goes on the Columbia list?
We go through Columbia’s library calendars, parks, museums, zoos and local family pages every week, and keep what works for ages 0–6. Each listing links to the page we checked it on, and where the organizer or venue has its own page, we confirm the date, time, place and price there. This list was last checked Oct 19, 2026. How we choose and check listings.
How do I get this list every week?
Sign up for the Friday email at the bottom of the page. It’s one short email, and you can unsubscribe any time.
Running something for little kids in Columbia?
If it’s good for the under-6 crowd, we’d like to hear about it. Free events go on the list for free, always. If you want a guaranteed spot at the top or in the Friday email, there’s a sponsored option too, and it’s clearly labeled. We’re just getting started, so the first 10 local partners in each city get 50% off your first booking.
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We do the digging, you get one short email every Friday morning: the five things worth leaving the house for in Columbia, plus what to skip.