Family events in Ontario, OH

This relaxed schooling show welcomes a wide range of experience levels, with Dressage from Intro through Fourth Level, Western Dressage from Intro through Level 5, and Combined Tests from Greenie to Novice. Leadline competitors can take part in a ground poles combined test and dedicated dressage classes. Musical freestyles and in hand divisions are also available. Ribbons are awarded through fifth place. Attend at least three of the five shows in the series to qualify for year end awards. More information and registration are available through the show series website.

Explore daily life in the 18th and 19th centuries as living history reenactors share the crafts, skills, and stories of early America. Throughout the day, see traditional trades in action, including blacksmithing and open hearth cooking demonstrations. Take in civilian and military reenactments, and look for games and activities designed for children. Admission and parking are free. A food truck will be available for visitors. Reenactors are provided setup support as well as water, firewood, and restroom facilities.

Open Studio invites people of all ages to explore materials and spark ideas through hands-on making, guided by monthly themes connected to special exhibitions and the art on display. Visitors are encouraged to think like artists while experimenting with a wide variety of supplies in the Studio. The first Saturday session each month is reserved for members. A designated quiet hour offers a calmer experience for guests with sensory sensitivities.

Visitors can enjoy hands-on activities such as arts and crafts, nature-themed toys, and a selection of nature books to read. Interactive displays present information to explore, and there are crossword puzzles and word searches with a nature theme.

Spend a day celebrating basset hounds at Pizzuro Park Dog Park, featuring basset races, raffle baskets, a live auction, chances to create paw print art, competitions recognizing the longest ears and the biggest paws, a costume contest, nail trims, items for sale and more. This is the biggest in-person fundraiser of the year, and last year welcomed 270 people along with 162 bassets. All dogs are welcome, and standard dog park rules apply. The gathering will take place rain or shine. Bring a blanket, a chair, and money for activities and purchases.

Children can take part in a self-defense session hosted by Mansfield Martial Arts Center.

Colony Cats volunteers will be on site at Petco Lennox Town Center to help prospective adopters connect with adoptable cats and kittens. Volunteers will assist with introductions so visitors can get to know the animals.

Colony Cats (& dogs) brings adoptable cats and kittens to Petco in Upper Arlington. Each cat has been tested for FIV and FeLV, vaccinated, microchipped, spayed or neutered, and dewormed, and is ready for a new home. An approved adoption application is required.

Put your knowledge to the test in a migration-themed challenge that uses a game to explore the obstacles birds face during their annual journeys. Dress appropriately for the weather and wear closed-toe shoes. Meet at the Nature Center.

Week to week, this casual Pokémon play event offers relaxed matches, opportunities to test decks against skilled players, and time to trade cards with fellow trainers in a friendly setting.

Pokémon League play welcomes participants of all ages and skill levels to enjoy the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Pokémon Go, and Pokémon video games with fellow fans. Share your enthusiasm for collecting and playing in a friendly community setting. Children 13 and under must be accompanied by a guardian at all times. For questions, email professorellensevents@gmail.com.

Modern Alternative Mamas gather in Central Ohio for a bi-weekly meetup that offers a welcoming space for like-minded women to connect, share experiences, and find support. Conversations span motherhood, womanhood, personal values, and everyday life, with a focus on genuine connection. While children enjoy a dedicated play area, moms can relax with freshly brewed herbal tea and chat with others who understand. The setting encourages building community, asking questions, and forming new friendships.

At the Peacock Playhouse, this Storytime Series session offers a read aloud from a picture book about nature, plus a coordinated activity created for children six and younger. Admission covers the program, and no sign up is needed.

Give climbing a try at DICK’S House of Sport with an introductory session for beginners age 6 and older. Certified coaches provide welcoming instruction, explain safety procedures and essential gear, and lead supervised climbs on the indoor wall. Expect guidance that builds confidence, technique, and strength in a supportive setting suitable for kids and adults at any experience level.

Explore how foxes are portrayed in literature, films, and other media in an interactive program at Marvin Memorial Library. A hands-on table invites close examination of pelts, bones, and paw print casts to deepen understanding of these animals. The program also features an appearance by Rigby, an ambassador fox. It is presented by the Ohio Canid Center, a small USDA licensed and ODNR permitted wildlife education facility in central Ohio with a mission to promote conservation and coexistence with wolves and other wild canids through interactive education and guided experiences alongside trained ambassador animals.

Settle in outdoors for a Halloween-themed movie on the lawn. Free popcorn will be available while supplies last. Bring a blanket or a chair for comfortable seating, and pick up a drink from the bar. A food truck will also be on site.