Happy Friday, Columbus,
This weekend feels less like “stack the schedule” and more like “pick one thing that sounds genuinely fun and call it a win.”
And honestly, that is probably the better kind of weekend anyway.
There is a nice mix this weekend: one solid little road-trip-worthy festival, a very easy Friday movie night, a live fox situation, and a water park discount that might do most of the convincing for you.
Here are a few good options for May 29 to 31.
If You Only Do One Thing This Weekend
Plain City Bluegrass & BBQ Festival
Saturday, May 30 | 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Pastime Park | Plain City
Free
https://www.plaincityohio.gov/government/parks___recreation/bbq.php
This is the standout this weekend. Bluegrass, BBQ, a bounce house, and a good excuse to get out of Columbus for a few hours without turning it into some giant production. Plain City is a good chance to get that small-town vibe without driving too far. How can you say no to pulled pork sandwiches and a little live music?
Happening This Weekend
The Minecraft Movie
Friday, May 29 | Activities at 6:00 PM, movie around 9:00 PM
Main Street Lawn at Capital University | Bexley
Free
https://bexley.org/mainevent/
The Minecraft obsession is going nowhere in our household. This is a nice little Friday night with Jack Black and the gang. Crafts, games, live music, food trucks, then a movie once it gets dark. It feels like a summer kickoff, assuming the weather cooperates.
Butterfly House Grand Opening
Saturday, May 30 | 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Blendon Woods Nature Center | Westerville
Free
https://ohfranklinctyweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/iteminfo.html?FMID=46339272&Module=AR
A brand-new butterfly house is pretty strong “we should go check that out” material. This is a nice pick if you want something calm, outdoorsy, and a little different from the usual playground loop. It also has that rare quality of being interesting for little kids and their parents at the same time.
Foxes in Folklore with Ohio Canid Center
Saturday, May 30 | 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Miller Park Branch | Upper Arlington
Free with registration
https://ualibrary.libnet.info/events?r=thismonth
A library event with fox stories is already cute. Add a live ambassador fox and suddenly it gets much more compelling. This is exactly the kind of oddball local event we love finding. Small enough to feel manageable, memorable enough that your kids will probably talk about the fox on the ride home.
Pre-WWII Classic Car Exhibition
Saturday, May 30 | 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Gallant Farm | Delaware County
Free
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/178GPCLLcX/
Vintage cars at a historic farm is a pretty nice combo. Plenty for kids to look at, enough open space to make it feel low-pressure, and just a little more interesting than a standard car show. A good fit for families who want something outside that still has a clear activity built in.
Watercolor Seal Kids Art Class
Sunday, May 31 | 3:00 PM
Combustion Brewery & Taproom | Pickerington
Paid
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/watercolor-seal-kids-art-class-tickets-1986172304830?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwY2xjawSD90dleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFmS05CbXoydmlud2tEWmZJc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHmHYgElZ1AH3_aerq9nE6hFP0zcxLfBlMzlQ3tmiJ1V0PhMZ10uC--RsB6e7_aem_ODvPNHxo4Kb0BvqFX48yNQ
This one is sweet and specific. Kids get to make an actual watercolor painting, and parents get the rare gift of an art activity without having to handle cleanup. No scrubbing the kitchen table afterward. Also, any event hosted somewhere with snacks nearby gets points from us.
Zoombezi Bay $5 Days
Through June 7
Zoombezi Bay | Powell
Child tickets are $5 with each regular-priced adult ticket
https://www.zoombezibay.com/events/5-days
Not a one-time event, which honestly is part of the appeal. If the weather looks decent and you want a very straightforward start-of-summer plan, this is a strong one. Five-dollar kid tickets are a pretty sweet deal.
That’s it.
You do not need to turn the weekend into a masterpiece. One good outing, one little memory, maybe one decent snack, and you are doing great.
If you end up trying one of these, hit reply and tell me how it went. I always love hearing which events are actually worth it for real families.
And if you run a local business that serves Columbus parents and kids, reply if you’d like to learn about supporting a future issue.
Hope you find one thing that feels worth leaving the house for.
— Columbus Families Unplugged
