Summer brings Columbus to life with color, energy, and countless ways for families to enjoy time together. As the days get longer and warmer, outdoor adventures, live music, and local festivals fill the calendar with possibilities. Children laugh as they cool off at Zoombezi Bay, parents relax at open-air concerts, and everyone gathers for outdoor movies and food truck nights. From paddling along the Scioto River to celebrating culture at local festivals, Columbus offers a summer season full of shared experiences and lasting memories.
To help you plan the perfect season, I have gathered fourteen of the best summer activities for families in Columbus, Ohio. Each of these options offers fun, enrichment, and a chance to enjoy the city’s welcoming spirit. Let this list guide your next family outing and make the most of every warm-weather day.
1. Spend the Day at the Columbus Zoo and Zoombezi Bay
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium ranks among the nation’s best, drawing families with its diverse wildlife and engaging exhibits. The zoo houses more than 600 species, with numerous exhibits such as Congo Expedition, Dinosaur Island, Polar Frontier, and Shores & Aquarium. Children love the interactive play areas and getting close to elephants, giraffes, gorillas, and penguins. Plan a full day to explore several regions like Asia Quest or Heart of Africa.
Pro tip: Check for Franklin County Community Days or the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Culture Pass for discounted admission. By riding the COTA Zoo Bus, you can get $5 off zoo tickets.
Zoombezi Bay, the adjacent water park, offers a refreshing escape from the summer heat. With exciting water slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, and kid-friendly splash zones, it caters to all ages. Families can enjoy dive-in movies at the wave pool on select Fridays, extending park hours until 10 p.m. Combining animal encounters with water fun makes this a favorite among family-friendly summer activities.
2. Explore Local Farmers’ Markets
A morning spent at one of Columbus’s vibrant farmers’ markets offers a relaxing and enriching family outing. Popular markets like the Worthington Farmers Market, Clintonville Farmers Market, and North Market Downtown showcase fresh produce, baked goods, artisan crafts, and more. The Worthington Farmers Market runs Saturday mornings and features live music and kids’ activities. The Dublin Market at Bridge Park, open Saturdays from May to September, pairs shopping with brunch at nearby restaurants.
Visiting these markets supports local farmers and businesses while filling your summer with fresh flavors, making it an accessible and rewarding summer activity for families in Columbus.
3. Celebrate Summer at Columbus Festivals
Columbus comes alive in summer with a variety of family-friendly festivals that celebrate culture, creativity, and community. The Columbus Asian Festival, held annually on Memorial Day weekend in Franklin Park, highlights Asian and Pacific Islander cultures with music, dance, martial arts, and authentic food. Children’s activities include crafts, face painting, and interactive games.
The Columbus Arts Festival transforms the downtown riverfront into an artistic hub each June. Families can explore booths with handmade art, enjoy live performances, and take part in hands-on activities in the Kids’ Art Zone. Food trucks and shaded seating make it easy to spend a full day outdoors.
Other highlights include Jazz & Rib Fest for barbecue and live tunes, and KidsLinked Children’s Festival with bounce park, performance dog shows, pony rides, and prize wheels. The Dublin Irish Festival immerses families in Irish heritage with crafts and performances. These events blend entertainment and community spirit, perfect for outdoor summer fun.
4. Visit the Ohio State Fair
The Ohio State Fair is a highlight of the summer calendar for Ohio families. Held at the Ohio Expo Center in late July and early August, it offers thrilling rides, agricultural exhibits, concerts, and classic fair treats. Children can pet farm animals, take pony rides, watch pig races, and try local favorites.
The fair appeals to all ages, with educational exhibits, shaded rest areas for toddlers, and rides that thrill older kids and teens. This blend of tradition and entertainment makes the Ohio State Fair a top pick for family-friendly events in Columbus.
5. Play at Columbus Commons
Located downtown, Columbus Commons is a summer hotspot for family fun. Every Friday, the Commons for Kids program delivers free activities including inflatables, crafts, face painting, and interactive games. The carousel also offers free rides, open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., delighting young visitors.
Evening events include free fitness classes and concerts, perfect for parents while kids play nearby. Food trucks and picnic areas make dining easy. Columbus Commons also hosts festivals, markets, and movie nights, adding variety to summer outings. This central park is one of the best free and versatile summer spots for families in Columbus. Check the website for event schedules to plan your visit.
6. Visit Franklin Park Conservatory and the Children’s Garden
The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens offers a peaceful retreat full of seasonal blooms, tropical plants, and art installations. Summer exhibits include butterfly releases, nature art made with LEGO bricks, model trains that travel across themed destinations, and glass artwork. Summer programs, like half-day camps for ages 3-5 and full-day camps for ages 5-8, blend nature and creativity.
The adjacent Children’s Garden is designed for exploration and play. Kids can climb, dig, and splash in natural play areas that encourage hands-on learning. Together, the conservatory and garden provide a mix of nature, art, and play that makes for one of the most memorable summer activities for families.
Pro tip: Admission is free for Franklin County residents on the first Sunday of each month.
7. Cool Off at Columbus Splash Pads
Splash pads provide free, safe fun for kids during the summer heat. Bicentennial Park’s large splash pad, with a 75-foot jet spray, is a downtown favorite. Hilliard’s Station Park offers another popular splash zone, and Powell’s Village Green Park splash zone is paired with playgrounds. Ballantrae Community Park in Dublin provides a large spray fountain area with rabbit sculptures.
Splash pads usually operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Checking current hours and availability ensures a smooth visit. These areas offer a low-cost way to cool off and let kids burn energy, perfect for enjoying summer together.
8. Watch Outdoor Movies at Local Parks
Watching movies under the stars is a simple pleasure in Columbus summers. Parks like Columbus Commons, Riverside Crossing Park, Thompson Park, and Easton Town Center host outdoor movie nights featuring family-friendly films. Drive-in options, like South Drive-In, offer a nostalgic twist, showing classics and new releases. Check local park districts for schedules, as many suburbs like Grove City, New Albany, and Gahanna have outdoor movie series.
Bring blankets, lawn chairs, and snacks, or enjoy dinner from nearby food trucks. These events provide a relaxed atmosphere and are among the most enjoyable summer evening activities for families in Columbus.
9. Enjoy Live Outdoor Concerts
Columbus parks come alive with free outdoor concerts all summer. Columbus Commons hosts regular performances, from local bands to tribute acts, with lawn seating for picnics. Bicentennial Park’s summer series features diverse genres, while Groove is at the Yard in Easton has acoustic performances. Schiller Park’s Actors’ Theatre of Columbus offers free shows, blending music and drama in a scenic setting.
Suburbs like Dublin, Upper Arlington, and Grandview host concerts at parks or libraries, often with food vendors and kids’ activities. Alum Creek Marina, Worthington Village Green, and Hilliard Arts Council have a weekend concert series during the summer. Bring chairs or blankets and check event pages for weather updates. These concerts offer a relaxed way to enjoy live music and summer nights.
10. Celebrate the Fourth of July
Columbus lights up for the 4th of July with family-friendly celebrations. Red, White & BOOM! is the city’s largest fireworks display, drawing crowds to downtown with music and food trucks. Suburbs like Dublin, Worthington, and Westerville host parades, picnics, and evening shows, blending small-town charm with festive spirit.
Arrive early for prime viewing spots and bring blankets for comfort. Many communities offer free admission, making these shows budget-friendly. From dazzling fireworks to community pride, these community events are a summer must for families in Columbus.
11. Paddle Kayaks at Bicentennial Park
Families who enjoy active outdoor adventures can rent kayaks or paddleboards on the Scioto River at Bicentennial Park. The Scioto Mile’s calm waters make it beginner-friendly for families with older children and teens. Paddling offers unique views of the city skyline and a refreshing way to spend time together. Exploring the river by kayak is one of the more adventurous activities during the summer.
Pro tip: Bicentennial Park’s Free Kayak Days, held July 12 and August 9, 2025, let you paddle for free, but you may expect long lines.
12. Relax at State Park Beaches
Several state parks around Columbus feature sandy beaches and designated swimming areas. Alum Creek, Delaware, Deer Creek, and Buck Creek State Park provide ideal spots for building sandcastles, swimming, and relaxing in nature.
These parks also offer amenities like picnic areas, restrooms, and trails, making them perfect for a full day of family-friendly outdoor recreation. A day at the beach remains one of the most classic and budget-friendly things to do in Columbus during summer.
13. Take a Day Trip from Columbus
For families looking to explore beyond the city limits, numerous day trips are within easy reach. Hocking Hills State Park offers breathtaking hiking trails, waterfalls, and caves that provide an immersive nature experience. It is a perfect summer getaway for outdoor lovers.
The historic town of Mansfield features the Ohio State Reformatory and seasonal events that offer educational and entertaining family experiences. Amish Country, less than two hours away, provides a slower pace with buggy rides, home-cooked meals, and hands-on farm activities at places like The Farm at Walnut Creek. These destinations expand your summer options with enriching adventures close to Columbus.
14. Explore Outdoor Adventures at Columbus Metro Parks and City Parks
Columbus is home to an extensive network of Metro Parks and city parks, offering families countless ways to enjoy the outdoors. Whether you are looking for hiking trails, picnic spots, playgrounds, or nature programs, there is no shortage of family-friendly options.
Columbus Metro Parks offer nature center exhibits and scenic hiking trails suitable for all ages. Highbanks features wooded paths with scenic overlooks, while Battelle Darby Creek is known for its living bison herd. Scioto Audubon is popular with its large climbing wall and obstacle course. Many parks have paved trails ideal for strollers or young bike riders. These parks also host free seasonal programs like guided hikes, wildlife encounters, and nature-themed crafts for kids.
Families can enjoy open green spaces for picnics, large playgrounds, and splash areas during the summer months at the city parks. The Park of Roses at Whetstone Park is especially beautiful in June when thousands of rose bushes are in bloom. Spending time in these parks encourages kids to explore nature and stay active, making them one of the most accessible and enriching summer activities.
Summer in Columbus invites your family to discover new places, try new activities, and make the most of every sunny day together in Central Ohio. From festivals and splash pads to Metro Parks and nearby day trips, these top fourteen summer activities for families offer countless ways to explore the city and build lasting memories. Plan your visit, grab your sunscreen, and dive into the fun. Which activity will your family try first?