# Free things to do with kids in Columbus this week

> Yes, plenty is free with little kids in Columbus this week: we found 21 free outings, including CAPA Haunts the Palace, Circleville Pumpkin Show and Haunted Village, plus nine library programs. Four free days and events are coming up, including three museum or zoo free days, each with its date. And five places never charge admission, like Scioto Mile Fountain and Columbus Metropolitan Library, Main Library.

- Last checked: 2026-10-19
- 21 free outings this week; 4 free days and events coming up; 5 always-free places
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/columbus/free/
- Indoor play (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/columbus/indoor-play/index.md
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/columbus/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/columbus/llms.txt

## Free days and free events coming up

- **Free first Sunday at Franklin Park Conservatory** at Franklin Park Conservatory, Franklin Park. When: Sun Nov 1 and Sun Dec 6. Price: Free for Franklin County residents (bring proof of address). The glasshouses and gardens, free on the first Sunday of the month for county residents. Official page: https://www.fpconservatory.org/plan-a-visit/ (checked 2026-10-17)
- **Bank of America Museums on Us weekend** at Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus. When: Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8, Sat Dec 5 and Sun Dec 6. Price: Free general admission for Bank of America, Merrill and Private Bank cardholders (one per card, with photo ID). Only the cardholder gets in free, so bring the card and an ID. Columbus Museum of Art is free with the card on Saturdays only. Official page: https://about.bankofamerica.com/en/making-an-impact/museums-on-us-partners (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Wanderlights** at Columbus Commons and downtown, 160 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215. When: Nov 27 – Nov 29. Time: 5–10 p.m. daily. Price: Free. A free walk of light displays from Columbus Commons along West Town Street to the Scioto Mile, running Nov. 20 through mid-February. Official page: https://downtowncolumbus.com/wanderlights/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Museums for All at Franklin Park Conservatory** at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Franklin Park. When: Any open day, 10am–5pm. Price: $4 with SNAP, EBT, WIC or Medicaid. Valid 10am–5pm and for special engagements. Official page: https://www.fpconservatory.org/plan-a-visit/ (checked 2026-10-19)

## Free this week

- **CAPA Haunts the Palace** at Palace Theatre, 34 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: 4–7pm. Price: Free; no tickets needed ($5 parking at LeVeque Tower Garage). Ages: 0–10. Kids in costume trick-or-treat through the historic Palace Theatre, which turns 100 this year, with crafts and selfie stations along the way. Official page: https://www.capa.com/productions/capa-haunts-the-palace/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Circleville Pumpkin Show** at Downtown Circleville (Pumpkin Show Park), 121 N Court St, Circleville, OH 43113. When: Wed Oct 21, Thu Oct 22, Fri Oct 23 and Sat Oct 24. Time: Rides 10am–4pm on wristbands; parades and stages into the evening. Price: Free admission; ride wristbands $35 per person. Ages: 0–99. The 119th 'Greatest Free Show on Earth' fills downtown with giant pumpkins, rides and nightly parades. The Little Miss Pumpkin Show parade steps off Wednesday at 3:30pm. Official page: https://www.pumpkinshow.com/schedule (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Toddler Monster Mash** at Marysville Public Library, 231 S Plum St, Marysville, OH 43040. When: Tue Oct 20. Time: 11am–11:45am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Spooky-themed music and activities for the under-5 crowd. Costumes encouraged. Official page: https://marysvillelib.libnet.info/event/16975124 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Family Storytime: Fall-o-ween** at Columbus Metropolitan Library – Reynoldsburg Branch, 1402 Brice Rd, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 10:30am–11am. Price: Free, drop in. Ages: 0–6. A family storytime with a fall-and-Halloween theme, with books, songs and activities for the whole family. Official page: https://events.columbuslibrary.org/event/16544633 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Pajama Storytime** at Columbus Metropolitan Library – Canal Winchester Branch, 123 Groveport Rd, Canal Winchester, OH 43110. When: Tue Oct 20. Time: 7pm–7:30pm. Price: Free, drop in. Ages: 1–6. An evening storytime with songs and kindergarten-readiness tips. PJs are welcome. Official page: https://events.columbuslibrary.org/event/16625934 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Fall Fest at Karl Road** at Columbus Metropolitan Library – Karl Road Branch, 5590 Karl Rd, Columbus, OH 43229. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: 4pm–6pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–12. Farm animals visit the branch, and there are fall crafts and games for every age. Official page: https://events.columbuslibrary.org/event/17542920 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Family Pajama Storytime** at Columbus Metropolitan Library – Whetstone Branch, 3909 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: 7pm–7:35pm. Price: Free, drop in. Ages: 0–6. An evening storytime for families at the Clintonville branch. Come in pajamas, ready for bed. Official page: https://events.columbuslibrary.org/event/16421190 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Silly Stories in the Park** at Independence Park (Pickerington Public Library outreach), 3065 Dewbourne Dr, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068. When: Tue Oct 20. Time: 4pm–5pm. Price: Free. Ages: 2–8. The library's outreach team brings silly stories, songs and outdoor play to the park, and the Library On-The-Go van comes along for checkouts. Official page: https://pickeringtonlibrary.libnet.info/event/17599240 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Pumpkin Parade** at Upper Arlington Public Library – Tremont Road Branch, 2800 Tremont Rd, Upper Arlington, OH 43221. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 10:30am–11:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–8. A costume storytime, then a parade through the library collecting treats. Official page: https://ualibrary.libnet.info/event/16827968 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Wizards & Wands Festival: 4th Friday Celebration** at Westerville Public Library, 126 S State St, Westerville, OH 43081. When: Fri Oct 23. Time: 4:30pm–9pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–99. The library's fantasy festival peaks during Uptown Westerville's 4th Friday, with spellbinding performers and an outdoor sing-along at 4:30. Official page: https://westervillelibrary.org/wizards (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Haunted Village** at Olde Pickerington Village, Olde Pickerington Village, Pickerington, OH 43147. When: Thu Oct 22. Time: 6pm–8pm. Price: Free library table; other activities vary. Ages: 0–99. Olde Pickerington turns into a Halloween village with trick-or-treating at the shops, ghost stories and a haunted museum. The library has a table of its own. Official page: https://pickeringtonlibrary.libnet.info/event/16875538 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Boo & Brew at Bridge Park** at Bridge Park, Longshore St, Dublin, OH 43017. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: From 5pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–10. Bridge Park businesses line Longshore Street handing out candy for a midweek trick-or-treat, with more activities for kids along the way. Official page: https://www.bridgepark.com/events?event=3003 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Halloween on the Green** at Worthington Village Green, 6550 N High St, Worthington, OH 43085. When: Fri Oct 23. Time: 6–8pm. Price: Free; no registration. Ages: 0–12. All four quadrants of the Village Green fill with games, crafts and live entertainment, plus a trick-or-treat trail on the northeast corner. Official page: https://www.worthington.org/2034/Halloween-on-the-Green (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Old Hilliard Halloween Haunt** at Downtown Hilliard and Hilliard's Station Park, Main St, Hilliard, OH 43026. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 9–11am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–10. A not-so-spooky morning of trick-or-treating at downtown shops, with Mr. E's music and balloon twisting at Station Park. Held rain or shine. Official page: https://www.destinationhilliard.org/event/halloween-haunt-2026 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Historic Dublin Halloween Candy Trail** at Historic Dublin (Dublin Branch Library plaza), 75 N High St, Dublin, OH 43017. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 2–4pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–10. It opens at 2pm with a spooky dance party and scream-along with Mr. E on the library plaza. Then the kids follow the candy trail through Historic Dublin's shops. Official page: https://historicdublin.org/event/halloween-candy-trail-2026/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Boo & Brew Bash at Polaris** at Polaris Fashion Place (Lifestyle Center), 1500 Polaris Pkwy, Columbus, OH 43240. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 2–6pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–12. An outdoor Halloween party with a kids' costume contest at 3pm, a dog costume contest at 3:15 and a K-Pop performance at 4:30. Official page: https://polarisfashionplace.com/booandbrew/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Halloween Party with Coco at Homestead** at Homestead Metro Park (Lakeside Pavilion), 4675 Cosgray Rd, Hilliard, OH 43026. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 5:30pm–7pm party; Coco at 7:30pm. Price: Free; no registration. Ages: 0–99. Caramel apples (first come, first served), pumpkin decorating, then an outdoor screening of Coco at dusk. Bring chairs or blankets; it goes on rain or shine. Official page: https://www.metroparks.net/event/halloween-party-at-homestead/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Halloween Party at Inniswood** at Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S Hempstead Rd, Westerville, OH 43081. When: Sun Oct 25. Time: 2pm–4pm. Price: Free; no registration. Ages: 0–99. Garden games and crafts, plus animal ambassadors from the Ohio Wildlife Center. Costumes encouraged. Official page: https://ohfranklinctyweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/search.html?Action=Start&SubAction=&keyword=halloween&module=AR&display=table&beginmonth=10&beginday=19&beginyear=2026 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Preschoolers: Halloween Party** at Blacklick Woods Metro Park, 6975 E Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: 10am–11am & 1pm–2pm. Price: Free; no registration. Ages: 3–5. A park-naturalist Halloween party for ages 3 to 5, with crafts, activities and a costume contest. Two sessions. Official page: https://ohfranklinctyweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/search.html?Action=Start&SubAction=&keyword=halloween&module=AR&display=table&beginmonth=10&beginday=19&beginyear=2026 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Monster Movie Night: Hotel Transylvania** at Easton Town Center (Town Square), 160 Easton Town Center, Columbus, OH 43219. When: Thu Oct 22. Time: 6pm–8:30pm. Price: Free outdoor screening. Ages: 3–99. Pre-movie fun on the Town Square at 6, then Hotel Transylvania at 7. Bring blankets and lawn chairs; costumes encouraged. Official page: https://eastontowncenter.com/event/monster-movie-night-featuring-hotel-transylvania/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Playtime with The Play Spot: Wizards & Wands Edition** at Westerville Public Library, 126 S State St, Westerville, OH 43081. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 10am–11am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Wizard-themed pretend play for toddlers and preschoolers. A caregiver stays in the room. Official page: https://westervillelibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/6a31b83f154fb14b0022130b (checked 2026-10-19)

## Always free

- **Scioto Mile Fountain**, Downtown. A free interactive fountain on the downtown riverfront. Official page: https://www.sciotomile.com (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Columbus Metropolitan Library, Main Library**, 96 S Grant Ave, Columbus, OH 43215. Free, with books, a children’s area and no ticket to buy. Official page: https://www.columbuslibrary.org/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Glacier Ridge Metro Park**, 9801 Hyland Croy Rd, Plain City, OH 43064. Free Metro Park, with open space for a toddler to run. Official page: https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/glacier-ridge/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Three Creeks Metro Park**, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport, OH 43125. Free, with flat riverside paths that work for strollers. Official page: https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/three-creeks/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Columbus Museum of Art**, Downtown. Free every day for ages 0–16 plus one caregiver, and free for everyone on Sundays (10 a.m.–5 p.m.). Official page: https://www.columbusmuseum.org/free-discounted-tickets (checked 2026-10-18)

## Free library storytimes

- **Columbus Metropolitan Library**: Weekly at 20 locations; Monday–Saturday, mostly mornings, plus some evening sessions. Baby, toddler and preschool storytimes at branches across the county, including the Main Library downtown. Calendar: https://events.columbuslibrary.org/
- **Delaware County District Library**: Weekly at 4 locations; Tuesday–Saturday, mostly mornings, plus some evening sessions. Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Delaware Baby Storytime (Tuesdays 10:30am, Delaware Branch Library) and Liberty Baby Storytime (Wednesdays 10:30am, Liberty Branch Library), with more at Orange Branch Library and Ostrander Branch Library. Calendar: https://delawarelibrary.libnet.info/events?r=thismonth
- **Upper Arlington Public Library**: Weekly at 2 locations; Monday–Thursday, mostly mornings, plus an evening session. Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Babytime (Mondays 10:30am, Tremont Road Branch) and Baby Playtime (Mondays 11am, Tremont Road Branch), with more at Lane Road Branch. Calendar: https://ualibrary.libnet.info/events
- **Westerville Public Library**: Weekly at the Westerville Public Library; Monday–Thursday. Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Baby Storytime (Tuesdays 9:30am) and Family Storytime (Mondays 9:30am). Calendar: https://westervillelibrary.bibliocommons.com/v2/events

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### What’s free to do with kids in Columbus this weekend?
This week we found 21 free outings for ages 0–6, including CAPA Haunts the Palace, Circleville Pumpkin Show, Haunted Village and Boo & Brew at Bridge Park. See [free this week](https://littlesweekly.com/columbus/free/#this-week); the list is rebuilt every Thursday.

### Are there free museum or zoo days in Columbus?
Free first Sunday at Franklin Park Conservatory: Sun Nov 1 and Sun Dec 6. Bank of America Museums on Us weekend: Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8, Sat Dec 5 and Sun Dec 6. Museums for All at Franklin Park Conservatory: Any open day, 10am–5pm ($4 with SNAP, EBT, WIC or Medicaid). Dates come from each venue’s own page; see [free days and free events](https://littlesweekly.com/columbus/free/#free-days).

### What free holiday events are there for kids in Columbus?
Wanderlights is free this season. Dates and times are on each card under [free days and free events](https://littlesweekly.com/columbus/free/#free-days).

### Where can we go for free any day in Columbus?
Scioto Mile Fountain, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Main Library, Glacier Ridge Metro Park, Three Creeks Metro Park and Columbus Museum of Art don’t charge admission. Some charge for parking or special exhibits; the cards say so where the place does.

### Is there free indoor play in Columbus?
Yes: Columbus Museum of Art. See all of them on [indoor play places in Columbus](https://littlesweekly.com/columbus/indoor-play/#places).

### Are library storytimes free in Columbus?
Yes. Columbus Metropolitan Library, Delaware County District Library, Upper Arlington Public Library and Westerville Public Library run free storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Times change by branch, so check the calendar linked below.

### How do you check these free listings?
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 19, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday for dated events and once a month for free places. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).