Columbus is hopping into fall with apple picking, pumpkins, fall festivals, Buckeye fever, and more.
It’s a great season to live or visit Central Ohio, especially for families. Use this fall bucket list as you make your plans for the next couple of months – you will not want to miss these events.
Go Apple Picking
Apple Picking is a classic for fall. Apple picking is fun while doing it and at home while making homemade applesauce, apple pie, and more. To make your apple picking experience even more enjoyable remember to pack the following; closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, bug spray, hand sanitizer, and snacks.
READ MORE: Where To Go Apple Picking Around Columbus
Take A Walk Through The Great Outdoors
Go outside and enjoy a Nature Walk! Highbanks Metro Park, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, and Slate Run Metro Park are all great options for this. Look and collect the different types of leaves, hunt for animal tracks and guess which animal was here before you, see if you can find pine cones, ant hills, birds nests, worms, and more on your nature walk. You could even make it a scavenger hunt with an ice cream treat at the end. (We’ve got ice cream suggestions too!)
If your kids don’t mind getting a little dirty, you should definitely incorporate these scenic natural play areas into your plans. Off the beaten path can be a lot of fun!
READ MORE: 5 Amazing Fall Hikes Around Columbus
Visit a Corn Maze
Nothing says fall fun quite like a good, old-fashioned corn maze. It’s a great way for the kids to practice their problem-solving skills, and for us adults to practice our patience. Local corn mazes have some really awesome themes, so don’t be afraid to look around a little and see if there’s one that’s particularly appealing to your kiddos.
READ MORE: Don’t Get Lost! The Best Corn Mazes In Ohio
Take A Scenic Train Ride
There’s nothing quite like taking a train ride through some of the most beautiful fall foliage around. Not only will the kids love it, but it give parents the chance to sit back and enjoy nature.
READ MORE: Here Are 5 Can’t Miss Fall Train Rides Around Ohio
Go To A Fall Festival
This time of year, there are plenty of festivals around Central Ohio where you can load up on your favorite fall treats, shop at local vendors, and even enjoy some fun rides. The obvious choice is the Circleville Pumpkin Show, but there are so many more!
READ MORE: Your Guide To The Best Central Ohio Fall Festivals
Spend The Day Enjoying A Fall Farm
Leeds Farm, Lynd’s, Pigeon Roost, Jacquemin Farms, and Lehner’s are all great fall farms that offer pumpkin picking as well as hayrides, corn boxes, small rides, and more.
Take In The Natural Splendor Of Hocking Hills
Take a drive to see the fall colors. We love you so much we made it easy to know which routes to take. Use this guide to help you know which direction to go and pay attention to the fall foliage guide to see when the leaves will be changing.
Of course, the little ones will also enjoy getting out of the car to explore. Luckily, Hocking Hills is full of exciting things to do.
Take A Shot On The Apple Cannon
There’s nothing quite like the thrill of watching an apple go flying out of a specially designed cannon at top speeds. At Lynd Fruit Farm, you can enhance your apple picking experience by taking a turn on the cannon. In addition to the Apple Cannon, they’ve also got corn mazes, u-pick apples, a market, seasonal events, and so much more.
READ MORE: Lynd Fruit Farm Has An Epic Apple Cannon Shooting Range
Other Fun Stuff…
- Stop by the Columbus Zoo for Boo at the Zoo or Harvest Blooms at Franklin Park Conservatory.
- Watch the Buckeyes and make buckeyes! I love using this time of year to make one of my favorite treats. Is there anything better than the chocolate/peanut butter combo that is a Buckeye?
- Paint Pumpkins
- Jump in a Pile of Leaves
- Make Caramel Apples (or just eat one because making them is a lot of work)
- Get family photos taken. The change in the leaves, the autumn colors, and the cool air makes for the perfect time to dress everyone up for some pictures.
- Take a bike ride
- Have a cook-off with friends – chili, soups, comfort food…all of it.
- Have a backyard camp out – or if you’re like me send your husband and kids to the backyard and enjoy the house to yourself.
- Make a pine cone bird feeder. This one can get messy so make sure to head outside with a jar of peanut butter, bird seed, and pine cones. The directions are easy: Step 1 – Coat the pinecone in peanut butter Step 2 – Dip pinecone in birdseed Step 3 – add string and hang up outside (preferably by a window) for the birds to enjoy. Step 4 – Watch from your window as the birds enjoy the treat you made them
