KidsLinked.com puts of fun and free festivals throughout the year all over the city. These KidsFest events are planned with kids and parents in mind! They featured fun and freebies, scavenger hunts, games, and activities for kids, plus vendors with great resources for parents.
Past events have included fun activities such as character breakfasts, foam runs, sport activities, and more, and these will resume when it’s safe to do so!
Upcoming KidsFest Events
Grove City KidsFest Back to School Bash
Thursday, August 18, 2022 from 5 pm – 8 pm.
Location: Grove City United Methodist Church, 2684 Columbus St. Grove City, Ohio 43123
Admission: FREE if you pre-register, $2 at the door if not registered.
The Grove City Back to School Bash has so much fun, plus food & treat trucks, shopping, find things for back to school, education, classes, things for family, home & more! Pre-register for character visits and mystery candy.
1st 200 kids free back to school supplies, live entertainment/ Joanie Calem – Sing Along (musician), Petting Zoo, Pony Rides ($6), Fun Characters, carnival games, bounce park ($4-$6), prizes, balloon artist, Air- brush tattoos, cotton candy, cookies and lot of other neat items for your family!
* VIP Bag (first 150 registered) Includes: Free mini golf pass to Putt N Play, 1 free drink coupon to Tim Hortons, BOGO Airhouse Adventure Park (Polaris), free $10 game card to Scene 75, Texas Roadhouse free appetizer, BOGO Air Park Passes to Lazer Kraze, $10 Power Card or $20 for $20 coupon to Dave & Busters, sunglasses, and more!
Powell Kidsfest Back to School Bash, plus Bubble Run
Saturday, August 20, 2022 from 9 am – 12 pm
Location: New Hope Church, 4739 W. Powell Rd., Powell, Ohio
Admission: FREE!
Powell Bash has the free school supplies, bounce park, games, balloon artist, airbrush tattoos, shopping, classes, family resources & more!
1st 200 kids free back to school supplies, live entertainment/ Performance Dogs of Ohio (dog show), Petting Zoo, Bubbles Run ($10-$14), Pony Rides ($6), Fun Characters, carnival games, Water Balloon Toss, prizes, balloon artist, cotton candy, cookies and lot of other neat items for your family!
Free with pre-registration, or $2 at the door.
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Other KidsFest events tba for 2022
Past 2021/2022 KidsFest events
Newark Springfest
Sun, March 7, 2021 from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Canal Market District, 36 East Canal Street, Newark, OH 43055
presented by DSP Employment Connections
Details: Springfest is a Bunny visit, mystery egg, candy, balloon artist, music, shopping, resources for your family & more! Find a showcase of vendors, activities, and resources. Plus, start your spring by shopping at over 20+ shops & find neat things for you or your home.
Fun Activities: Special Bunny visit, Mystery Egg that has a special prize, canes, music, balloon artist and more.
Giveaways: VIP registration includes a visit with the Easter Bunny & one of its helpers, ability to take a social distanced picture (limit 150 – 1 registration/family). Each child will receive a Mystery Egg to receive either a prize or a small bag of candy. Afterwards visit our balloon artist for a fun balloon animal or design.
All VIP bags Includes either a $10 Power card voucher or $20 for $20 coupon from Dave & Busters, hand sanitizer, BOGO lazer tag pass to Lazer Kraze, street chalk, and more. SUPER BONUS: First 100 receive a FREE Ski Package to Snow Trails – includes Lift Ticket / Rentals / Lessons – $150 value!!
Admission: FREE! Register here for all activities.
Dublin Kidsfest and Bunny Visit
Thursday, March 25, 2021 from 4 pm – 8 pm. The Annual Dublin Kidsfest will be held drive-through style!
Location: SportsOhio, 6314 Cosgray Road, Dublin, OH 43016
Drive-through details: Stay in your car and drive through the event! You may choose to briefly get out of your car and check out the vendor booths, or you can stay in your car for the activities. Masks are required.
Admission: FREE!
Giveaways: All VIP bags Includes either a $10 Power card voucher or $20 for $20 coupon from Dave & Busters, 5 free classes to ATA Black Belt Academy (Powell), hand sanitizer, Texas Roadhouse Kids Meal Coupon, BOGO lazer tag pass to Lazer Kraze, street chalk, and more!
Fun Activities: Kidsfest is a Bunny visit, mystery egg, candy, balloon artist, music, shopping, Summer Camps, resources for your family & more!
Bunny Visit & VIP Entry Bag (Preregister to insure you receive the VIP bag and scheduled a special Bunny Visit time – all Free. Update: Bunny Visit and VIP entry bag are filled up. You can still attend the event, but there is no guarantee we will have Bunny visit times available.
Canal Winchester Springfest & Bunny Visit Drive-thru
Thursday, April 1, 2021 from 5 pm – 8 pm. Springfest will be held drive-through style!
Location: X Church, 6600 Bigerton Bend, Canal Winchester, OH 43110
Drive-through details: Stay in your car and drive through the event! You may choose to briefly get out of your car and check out the vendor booths, or you can stay in your car for the activities. Masks are required.
Admission: FREE; register now!
Giveaways: Bunny visit includes a visit with the Easter Bunny for a social distanced picture. Each child will receive a Mystery Egg with either a prize or a small bag of candy. Visit the balloon artist for a fun animal shape or design. The first 100 registered will receive a VIP bag, which includes either a $10 Power card voucher or $20 for $20 coupon from Dave & Busters, hand sanitizer, Texas Roadhouse Kids Meal Coupon, BOGO lazer tag pass to Lazer Kraze, street chalk, and more!
Fun Activities: Kidsfest is a Bunny visit, mystery egg, candy, balloon artist, music, shopping, Summer Camps, resources for your family & more!
Grandview KidsFest and Woody & Bo Peep Meet and Greet
Friday, April 30, 2021 from 5 pm – 8 pm. The Annual Grandview Kidsfest is a one-way walk thru outdoor event
Location: Trinity United Methodist Church, 1581 Cambridge Blvd, Columbus
Details: Meet and Greet with Woody and Bo Peep, and watch them perform. This safe, outdoor event has a 1 way walk-thru path and limited number of attendees. Masks are required.
Admission: FREE! Registration required! Free VIP registration required for Meet & Greet and Mystery Cupcake. Special character visit includes a visit and chance to take a social distanced picture. Each child will receive a Mystery Cupcake that gives them a chance to spin the wheel to win a prize or win a small bag of candy! General admission does not get Meet & Greet or cupcake.
Giveaways: VIP bags include Free Kids Meal or Appetizer voucher from Texas Roadhouse, Dave & Busters discount, BOGO to Lazer Kraze, Treats, FREE Balloon Artist, prizes, & more!
Fun Activities: Food and treat vendors, balloon artists, check out local businesses, activities and classes for kids. Stay tuned for registration information and other fun features! Pony rides available for a small fee.
KidsLinked Sunday Family Funday at Columbus Oktoberfest
Sunday, September 12, 2021 from noon – 9 pm.
Details tba!
Delaware Fall Festival and Treatfest KidsFest
Sunday, October 3, 2021 from 1 pm – 4 pm
Location: Buckeye Valley High School, 901 Coover Road, Delaware, OH 43015
Admission: FREE!
The Delaware Fall Festival & Treatfest features trick or treating, hayrides, pumpkins, bounce park, costume contest, stage entertainment, character meet & greet, fun prize wheel, VIP bag, food & treat trucks, shopping, find things for the fall, education, classes, things for family, home & more!
Register in advance for free admission, free pumpkin (1st 400) and VIP Entry Bag (1st 75). You can also pre-register for hayride, bounce park, and more.
Worthington-Olentangy Fall Festival and Treatfest presented by ServPro
Saturday, October 16, 2021 from 11 am – 2 pm
Location: Marcus Crosswoods Cinema, 200 Hutchinson Avenue, Columbus, OH 43235
Admission: FREE – but some activities and perks require pre-registration
The Olentangy-Worthington Fall Festival & Treatfest (10/16) is the ultimate destination for fun from trick or treating, hayrides, pumpkins, Pumpkin Run, bounce park, costume contest, stage entertainment, character meet & greet, fun prize wheel, VIP bag, food & treat trucks, shopping, find things for the fall, education, classes, things for family, home & more!
Register in advance for free admission, free pumpkin (1st 400) and VIP Entry Bag (1st 75). You can also pre-register for Pumpkin Run ($8), hayride, bounce park, and more.
Newark Treatfest presented by Park National Bank
Saturday, October 23, 2021 from 10 am – 1 pm
Location: Canal Market District, 36 East Canal Street, Newark, OH 43055
Admission: FREE! Some activities and extras require free registration and fees
The Newark Fall Festival & Treatfest is the ultimate destination for fun from trick or treating, pumpkins, bounce park, costume contest, stage entertainment, character meet & greet, fun prize wheel, VIP bag, food & treat trucks, shopping, find things for the fall, education, classes, things for family, home & more!
Register in advance for free admission, free pumpkin (1st 400), and VIP Entry Bag (1st 75). You can also pre-register for free general admission, bounce park ($4).
Columbus STEM & Arts Expo presented by BMI Credit Union
Sunday, November 7, 2021 from 12 pm – 6 pm.
Location: Polaris Fashion Place, 1500 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, OH 43240
Admission: VIP Entry Bag – FREE (First 150- 1 per family – FREE)
The STEM & Arts expo is your families resource fair to find neat things to help grow your children’s education. It includes competitions, resources, products, robotics, math, arts, technology, financial planning and more! Free competitions include:
- Columbus Talent Competition
- Math Quiz Bowl Challenge
- Spelling Bee
- Checkers Tournament
- Comic Book Art Competition
- Candyland Tournament
- Chess Tournament
- Paper Airplane Tournament
- Climbing Wall Challenge
Register in advance for free admission, free pumpkin, costume contest, bounce park ($4), Pumpkin Run .25 or .5 mile run/walk ($5), Hay Ride ($2). Registration begins Oct 15.
Lancaster Winterfest and Carnival presented by Park National Bank
Friday, December 10, 2021 from 5 pm – 8 pm.
Location: Beavers Field – Fairfield County Baseball, 1651 Granville Pike, Lancaster, OH 43130
Admission: FREE; additional purchases optional
Visit with Santa, drop off wish list, do a sleigh ride, ornament making station, fun bounce park, coloring contest, free candy canes, holiday music, balloon artist, holiday shopping, free cotton candy, and more. Register early for VIP bag and Santa visit before it sells out.
Optional activities include unlimited bounce park ($5-$7) and family sleigh ride ($10).
Santa Visit Details: If you sign up for VIP Entry or Gold Bounce Pass you receive early visit hours with Santa 5-7:30PM! For the “Santa Pass” your visit hours are 6-7:30PM. Registration required for Santa Visit.
Westerville Winterfest and Carnival by Kidslinked presented by Fairway Mortgage
Sunday, December 12, 2021 from noon – 3 pm at Clements Recreation Center, 180 Center St., Westerville, OH 43081
So much holiday fun and fun carnival food! You can visit Santa, drop off with list, do a sleigh ride, free ornaments, huge bounce park ($6-$8), coloring contest, free candy canes & lollipop game, carnival food, holiday music, balloon artist, holiday shopping, free cotton candy, cookies, popcorn, hot chocolate and more. Also packet pickup for Run the Lights – magical 3-mile run/walk through Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights. Plus, an exciting VIP bag and more activities! First 500 Receive FREE Hot Chocolate!
Optional activities include Bounce Park ($6-$8), Carnival Food Pass (Limit 50): Pick 2 items – Giant Pretzel, Hot Dog, or Nachos: $7 per person or $9 at event, Santa Pass (Limit 50): See Santa between 1-2:30PM. Do not select this option if doing VIP Entry or GOLD Pass, because Santa visit is already included these items. (1 per family – FREE), Family Sleigh Ride ($10).
Kidslinked Columbus Winter Carnival presented by State Farm Agent Mike McClaskie!
Saturday, January 29, 2022 from 11 am – 6 pm at Franklin County Fairgrounds, Edwards & Ganyard Buildings 5035 & 5031 Northwest Pkwy, Hilliard, Ohio 43026
This super fun Winter Carnival has magician, jugglers, big bounce park, carnival games & food, dinosaur & super hero area, and so much more!
Enjoy live stage entertainment, Huge bounce park and trampolines, Carnival Games (Tickets only $1 in advance; each game is 1-2 tickets), and Carnival food. Plus there will be a Superhero meet & greet during the early session, and a Dinosaur meet & greet during the late session, as well as a face painter, balloon artists, shopping, prizes, and so much more.
Register early for special bonuses and VIP freebies. Tickets are $5-$10 per person, or $25-$35 per family pack. See full details and purchase here.
Worthington Kidsfest
Friday, February 11, 2022 from 5 pm – 8 pm.
Location: Cornerstone Athletic Center, 535 Lakeview Plaza, Worthington
Activities: Bounce houses, magician, face painter and balloon artists, and more! Win Valentine candy, spin the wheel, play games, visit characters, and more. The first 200 people get free cookies! There will also be popcorn, cotton candy, and food trucks.
Admission: FREE; register now! Some activities require special admission
Giveaways: VIP Bag Includes 1 free drink coupon to Tim Hortons, BOGO Airhouse Columbus, Texas Roadhouse free appetizer, free kids’ meal 101 Beer Kitchen, BOGO to Air Park Pass to Lazer Kraze, $10 Power Card or $20 for $20 coupon to Dave & Busters, sunglasses, and more!
Kidslinked Mommy & Me Walk 2022
February 27, 2022 at 11 am at Polaris Fashion Place
Presented by Ohio ENT & Allergy Physicians
Mommy & Me Walk Registration: .25, .5, 1 or 2 mile walk through the mall (all indoors). Registration is only $12, or just $5 without the t-shirt. Register by 2/16. Strollers welcome; no pets. Anyone in the family can walk – not just mommy!
Fun Course & Stations: This is a super fun walk with a winding path through the Polaris Fashion Place. Along the way you will stop by up to 4 fun stations (at each station you’ll be able to pick one of these items):
Fun Station #1 (.5, 1 or 2 miles only): Cookies!!
Fun Station #2 (1 or 2 mile only): Squishy Toy!
Fun Station #3 (ALL): Mini Stuffed Animal!
Fun Station #4 (ALL At Finish Line): Free Access to Bounce Park at Airhouse Columbus 11AM – Noon + Finish Line Medal!!
Fun Event #5: Baby & Kids Expo – starts at Noon! Stick around for all the fun!
Every participant receives: Admission to the Columbus Baby & Kids Expo from noon-3, Race T-shirt with $12 entry (Must register by 2/16 to guarantee to receive shirt), Free Tot Bounce from Airhouse Columbus, BOGO to Lazer Kraze, 4 Different Fun Stations (depending on walking distance), Finish Medal, Free Bounce Park access to Airhouse Columbus from 11AM – Noon!
Kidslinked.com’s Columbus Baby & Kids Galleria Event
February 27, 2022 from noon – 3 pm
presented by Dublin Dance, benefiting The Columbus Diaper Bank
Location: Polaris Fashion Place
Details: Find a showcase of vendors, activities, and resources, focusing on the needs of parents and expectant parents, including childcare, classes for kids, health, products, shopping, services and more for parents and expecting parents of young children!
Fun Activities: Juggler and stage performances, diaper changing or cute kid outfit contest, balloon artist, win a cute rubber ducks & spin the wheel, racing pig carnival game, Candyland & Chutes and Ladder board game tournament, Mommy & Me Walk, character visit, lollipop game, music, free popcorn, and more.
Giveaways: First 150 receive Free Timbits. VIP Bag Includes 1 free drink coupon to Tim Hortons, BOGO Airhouse Columbus, Texas Roadhouse free appetizer, BOGO to the new HUGE Inflatable Airpark at Lazer Kraze, $10 Power Card or $20 for $20 coupon to Dave & Busters, sunglasses, and more!
Rubber Duck + Mystery Prize Wheel! FREE (LIMIT 200 -Noon-2PM): Pick from a variety of cute Rubber Ducks and if you pick one with a GREEN sticker you get to spin the wheel to win a prize otherwise YELLOW wins a small bag of goodies!
Admission: FREE registration; add-on activites have additional fee! Register here for all activities.
Reynoldsburg KidsFest
Thursday, March 3, 2022 from 6 pm – 8 pm
Location: Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church, 1636 Graham Rd, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
Details: Find information and resources for families, classes & programs for kids or adults, Summer Camps, shopping and services, and more
Admission: FREE with pre-registration, or $2 at the door! Add-on activities may be additional
Fun Activities: Stage with various entertainers, contests, and other items on the stage. Also, lots of great things from free popcorn, cotton candy, cookies, balloon artist, a fun scavenger hunt, and a special VIP entry bag for the first 150 families!
Giveaways: The first 150 cars get swag bags including: Free Kids Meal or Appetizer voucher from Texas Roadhouse, BOGO to Lazer Kraze, Treats, FREE Balloon Artist, FREE Scavenger Hunt for prizes, & more!
New Albany Kidsfest
Friday, March 11, 2022 from 5:30 pm – 8 pm
Location: Quest Vineyard Church, 4877 Central College Road, Westerville
Fun Activities: Special Bunny visit, Mystery Egg that has a special prize, mini egg hunt, shopping, music, balloon artist, family resources & more!
Giveaways: VIP registration includes a visit with the Easter Bunny and special treats, Mystery Egg, VIP bag of coupons and goodies, and more.
Admission: FREE admission with pre-registration, or $2 at the door! Register here for all activities; some have additional fees.
Upper Arlington Kidsfest and Character Visit
Friday, March 25, 2022 from 5 pm – 8 pm.
Location: Trinity United Methodist Church, 1581 Cambridge Boulevard, Columbus
Fun Activities: Special Bunny visit, Mystery Egg that has a special prize, mini egg hunt, shopping, music, balloon artist, family resources & more!
Giveaways: VIP registration includes a visit with the Easter Bunny and special treats, Mystery Egg, VIP bag of coupons and goodies, and more. VIP Bag includes 1 free drink coupon to Tim Hortons, BOGO Airhouse Columbus, Texas Roadhouse free appetizer, BOGO Air Park Passes to Lazer Kraze, $10 Power Card or $20 for $20 coupon to Dave & Busters, street chalk, and more!
Admission: FREE admission with pre-registration, or $2 at the door! Register here for all activities; some have additional fees.
2022 Columbus Bunny Run and Hilliard KidsFest
Saturday, April 16, 2022 from 9 am – 1 pm
Location: Franklin County Fairgrounds, 4100 Columbia St, #B, Hilliard, OH 43026
Columbus Bunny Run details: Choose a 1/2, 2 Mile, or 4 Mile Run/walk option, or the modified 1/4 mile route. Race entry includes pancake breakfast, trophies, and more Bunny Fun!
All race entries receive fun Pancake breakfast + t-shirt (if ordered by deadline) + entry to the Hilliard Festival! Entry fees range from $15-$60. Register here!
Hilliard KidsFest details: The 10th annual Hilliard Kidsfest is on Saturday, April 16, after the Bunny Run at the Franklin County Fairgrounds. Registration is FREE!
The event features a Candy Hunt, Bunny run, Pancake Bunny Breakfast, Bunny meet & greats, mystery Egg prizes and more! Stage with various entertainers, free popcorn, cotton candy, cookies, balloon artist, a fun scavenger hunt, and a special VIP entry bag for the firs 150 families! Plus many more items. This is an indoor walk-thru event with one directional flow. Families must pre-register to limit crowds. Registration and details here!
Gahanna KidsFest Summer Bash
Friday, May 20, 2022 from 5 pm – 8 pm.
Location: Shepherd Christian School, 425 South Hamilton Road, Gahanna, OH 43220
Details: Gahanna Bash has the free Squishy Toy, bounce park, balloon artist, Adventure run, magician, shopping, Camps, family resources & more! Live entertainment/ Performance Dog Show (dog catching frisbee & other fun tricks), Petting Zoo, Pony Rides ($5), Fun Characters, Water Balloon Toss, Prizes, balloon artist, cotton candy, cookies and lots of fun
Admission: FREE! Registration required! Free VIP registration required for VIP treats.
Gahanna 5k, 10k OR Adventure Run (.5 or 1 mile adventure run option) $10-$20.
Fun Activities: Food and treat vendors, balloon artists, check out local businesses, activities and classes for kids.
Columbus Children’s Festival
Saturday, June 18, 2022 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: SportsOhio in Dublin, 6314 Cosgray Rd, Dublin, OH 43016
Details: The free festival celebrates youth and family sports and will feature lots of activities and entertainment for the family, including sports competitions, family fun zone, bounce park and inflatables.
Admission: Pre-registration is FREE! Admission at the door is $2 per family. The first 200 to register get VIP bag and early entry.
Activities: Kids can register for a few special events including Treasure Run and Columbus 5k, 3v3 soccer tournament, sport competitions, Talent Show, Character Breakfast, and more!
Westerville Kidsfest and Back to School Bash
Friday, July 15, 2022 from 5 pm – 8 pm.
Location: Westerville North High School, 950 County Line Road, Westerville, OH 43081
Details: Westerville Bash has the free school supplies, bounce park, games, balloon artist, magician, shopping, classes, family resources & more!
Admission: FREE admission with pre-registration, or $2 at event; $4 for 2 hour bounce park pass from 6-8 pm (optional).
Giveaways: Limited amount of free school supplies and cookies, and other giveaways
Columbus KidsLinked.com Back to School Event
Sunday, July 17, 2022 from 12 pm – 3 pm
Location: Eastland Preparatory Academy, 2741 S Hamilton Road, Columbus, Ohio 43232
Admission: FREE in advance, $2 at the door.
The Columbus Back to School Bash has so much fun from a bounce park, stage of entertainment, Mystery Prize Zone, FREE Back to School Supplies (1st 400 kids), free cookies (1st 200), live entertainment/ juggler, dog show, carnival games, Water Balloon Toss, prizes, balloon artist, cotton candy, cookies and lot of other neat items for your family!
There’s also shopping, resources for back to school, education, classes, things for family, home & more.
Pickerington Back to School Bash
Saturday, July 23, 2022 from 11 am – 2 pm. Pickerington Bash has the free school supplies, bounce park, games, balloon artist, magician, shopping, classes, family resources & more!
Location: PYAA Sports Complex, 630 Hill Road North, Pickerington, OH 43147
Admission: FREE! Sign up now. The first 150 registered get VIP entry bag and early admission. The first 200 kids receive FREE Back to School Supplies and cookies. Bounce Park is $5-$8 per child.
Foam Run: Pickerington Treasure / Inflatable / Slip & Slide Run starts at 10:30AM. Choose .25, .5, 1, or 2 mile run through foam and collect prizes at the treasure zones. Registration is $10-$14 in advance.
Giveaways: Pre-register for special giveaways and activities
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