Columbus on the Cheap

Good, Cheap, Fun

Events for Families and Kids

Great Wolf Lodge deals and discounts for Sandusky and Cincinnati, plus tips for your visit!

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Looking for a fun and quick getaway that the kids will LOVE? Columbus has not one, but two Great Wolf Lodge locations within easy driving distance!  Groupon is currently offering special deals for Great Wolf Lodge in Cincinnati and Sandusky (as well as other locations around the … [Read more...] about Great Wolf Lodge deals and discounts for Sandusky and Cincinnati, plus tips for your visit!

Visit the Hartford Fair: “The Biggest Little Fair in the World”

Ohio LOVES fairs, and if you haven't visited the Hartford Fair before, put it on the calendar for this year for August 9-15, 2026. Located in Croton, just north of Johnstown, the Hartford Fair is only 30-40 minutes from much of Columbus. The first Hartford Fair was in 1858, and in all of … [Read more...] about Visit the Hartford Fair: “The Biggest Little Fair in the World”

Best Places for Canoeing and Kayaking in Columbus

Get outside and enjoy nature with a paddle on the water this summer! Don't know where to go? We've gathered a list of the best places for canoeing and kayaking in Columbus, along with places to rent your boats or stand up paddle boards. Explore the waterways and the banks of the rivers and … [Read more...] about Best Places for Canoeing and Kayaking in Columbus

Urban Air Launches Unlimited Play Summer Pass- Indoor Fun all Summer

Looking for an easy way to keep kids active and entertained all summer long—without melting in the heat? Urban Air Adventure Park has launched its new Unlimited Play Summer Pass, offering 120 days of unlimited fun starting at just $49.99. Available now at locations nationwide (including … [Read more...] about Urban Air Launches Unlimited Play Summer Pass- Indoor Fun all Summer

10+ fields and farms with Lavender in Ohio to visit this Summer

We can't get enough of gorgeous fields of flowers, and lavender fields are some of the prettiest (and best smelling) fields you can enjoy! Find out where you can find some amazing lavender in Ohio. And then see where you can find Sunflower Fields in Ohio, including many in Central Ohio, starting … [Read more...] about 10+ fields and farms with Lavender in Ohio to visit this Summer

Columbus Women and Girls’ Fest at Maroon Arts Box Park – Aug 15

Annually, Columbus Women & Girls’ Fest celebrates and promotes women and girl-identified leaders in arts and culture. The WGFest is free and open to the public, hosted By Education Foundation for Freedom.  The Columbus WGFest is on August 15, 2026 at Maroon Arts Group Box Park … [Read more...] about Columbus Women and Girls’ Fest at Maroon Arts Box Park – Aug 15

Go Lunch! Free summer meals for kids

In an effort to curb food insecurity with kids in Franklin County, there are programs to provide free lunch for kids, and free produce to low income families. The Go, Lunch! Summer Food Program with Columbus Recreation and Parks' offers free, nutritionally balanced meals during the Summer months … [Read more...] about Go Lunch! Free summer meals for kids

Explore city vehicles and more at New Albany Touch a Truck – Aug 22

If your kids love trucks, safety vehicles, and heavy equipment, don't miss the New Albany Touch a Truck! Head to the New Albany Public Service Department on Saturday, August 22, 2026 from 10 am - 12:30 pm. Kids will explore their favorite vehicles including fire engines, police cars, snow plows, … [Read more...] about Explore city vehicles and more at New Albany Touch a Truck – Aug 22

2026 Union County Fair in Marysville

The Union County Fair takes over fairgrounds in Marysville from July 26 - August 1, 2026! Catch all of the fair food and fun with entertainment, agriculture, education, arts and crafts, and more. Union County Fair Grandstands Grandstand schedule includes Harness Racing, Demolition Derby, … [Read more...] about 2026 Union County Fair in Marysville

Explore Dublin with the Dublin Park Pass for a chance of prizes

July is National Parks and Recreation Month, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with the return of Visit Dublin’s 2025 Parks Pass in partnership with OhioHealth.  The Dublin Park Pass is FREE and fully digital to encourage users explore 60+ parks throughout Dublin to discover … [Read more...] about Explore Dublin with the Dublin Park Pass for a chance of prizes

Star Lanes Specials: Manic Mondays and other deals

Looking for something to do inside? Star Lanes in Polaris is way more than just bowling, and has so much fun for everyone.  Whether its too cold, too hot, too rainy, or you're just looking for something fun to do, Star Lanes is a great option. Plus, they have lots of good deals, so you can … [Read more...] about Star Lanes Specials: Manic Mondays and other deals

Blue Star Museums: Military families get free museum admission across U.S.

Blue Star Museums offers free museum admission to more than 2,000 museums across America for active duty service members and families. Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and museums across … [Read more...] about Blue Star Museums: Military families get free museum admission across U.S.

Best places for Creeking in Columbus

When it's warm in Ohio, we look for outdoor activities to entertain our kids! Want to fill a warm morning or afternoon? Go creeking in Columbus! Kids LOVE getting their feet wet, looking for bugs, crawdads, fish, and skipping stones.  There are places to explore creeks all over Columbus. … [Read more...] about Best places for Creeking in Columbus

Columbus ArborFest at Whetstone Park

Don't miss the return of Columbus ArborFest at Whetstone Park on Saturday, August 22, 2026 from 12-5 pm. Columbus ArborFest is a celebration of the trees, plants, waterways, animals, and insects of Columbus. The festival is free to attend. There is live music, food trucks, local … [Read more...] about Columbus ArborFest at Whetstone Park

Beautiful Blooms at Coshocton Sunflower Festival

Sunflowers season is highly anticipated in Central Ohio during which the sunflower unofficially officially becomes the flower of Instagram. The Coshocton Sunflower Festival brings all of the happiness and photo ops to a 4-acre field this August. Heading in the 9th year of the festival, the … [Read more...] about Beautiful Blooms at Coshocton Sunflower Festival

Living on the Cheap

Columbus on the Cheap is a member of Living on the Cheap, a network of websites published by frugalistas, journalists and consumer advocates. Find practical advice on saving money on groceries, travel and shopping, plus tips from our experts on how to live the good life for less at Living on the Cheap.