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
Columbus Bunny Run and Hilliard KidsFest
Saturday, March 25, 2023 from 8 am – 11 am
Location: Franklin County Fairgrounds, 4100 Columbia St, #B, Hilliard, OH 43026
Columbus Bunny Run details: Choose the classic run (1.5 or 3 mile) or Fun Run (.25 or .5 mile) options. 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 $20-$25. Register here!
Hilliard KidsFest details: The annual Hilliard Kidsfest is on Saturday, March 25, 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. Registration and details here!
Upper Arlington/Grandview Kidsfest and Bunny Visit
Friday, April 7, 2023 from 5 pm – 8 pm
Location: Grandview Middle School, 1242 Oakland Ave, Grandview, OH 43212
Register Now for our egg hunts (divided by age group), Bunny meet & greet area, bounce park, magician, balloon artist, face painter, carnival games, petting zoo, pony rides, contests, free popcorn, cookies and more. Find summer camps/classes/programs for your kids & family, support local businesses by visiting their booths, shopping, food – treat trucks for dinner, neat things for you or your home and more.
Admission: FREE admission with pre-registration, or $2 at the door! Register here for all activities; some have additional fees.
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Other KidsFest events tba for 2022
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!
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!
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.
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
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.
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 2, 2022 from 1 pm – 4 pm
Location: Delaware YMCA, 1121 South Houck Road
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 200) 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 Scene 75
Saturday, October 15, 2022 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 Worthington-Olentangy Fall Festival has so much fun to offer the whole family! Hayrides, Merry-Go-Round, VIP Bags, pumpkins, bounce park, costume contest, character meet & greet, fun prize wheel, food & treat trucks, shopping, find things for the family, home & more!
Register in advance for free admission, free pumpkin (1st 300) and VIP Entry Bag (1st 200). You can also pre-register for Pumpkin Run ($10-$20), hayride, bounce park, and more.
Newark Treatfest presented by Equity Resources, Inc.
Sunday, October 23, 2022 from 1 pm – 3 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!
Performance Dogs of Ohio will entertain at 1 pm and 2 pm. Costume contest is at 1:30 pm.
Register in advance for free admission, free pumpkin (1st 200), and VIP Entry Bag (1st 75). You can also pre-register for free general admission, bounce park.
Columbus STEM & Arts Expo presented by St. Joseph Montessori School
Sunday, November 6, 2022 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
- The Physics of Carnival Games Tournament
See full details and registration information.
Canal Winchester Winterfest
Friday, November 18, 2022 from 5 pm – 8 pm.
Location: X Church 6600 Bigerton Bend Canal Winchester, OH 43110
Admission: FREE; additional purchases optional
Visit Santa, drop off with list, do a sleigh ride, Santa Run, dessert with Santa, Pet Expo with Cute Pet Contest & pet adoption agencies, ornament making station, fun bounce park, carnival games, coloring contest, pet activities, free candy canes, holiday music, balloon artist, holiday shopping, free cotton candy, cookies and more. Hurry, this event will sell out.
First 200 receive a free Treat from Tim Hortons! 90 Families receive a visit with Santa Claus – Must pre-register!
Register online to ensure a spot and choose additional activities and benefits.
Westerville Winterfest and Carnival by Kidslinked
Sunday, December 11, 2022 from noon – 3 pm at Clements Recreation Center, 180 Center St., Westerville, OH 43081
Visit Santa, drop off a wish list, enjoy a sleigh ride, free ornaments, huge bounce park, coloring contest, free candy canes, carnival food, holiday music, balloon artist, face painter, holiday shopping, free cotton candy, cookies, popcorn, 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! Hurry, this event will sell out.
First 200 receive a free Treat from Tim Hortons! First 90 Families receive a visit with Santa Claus – Must pre-register!
Register online to ensure a spot and choose additional activities and benefits.
Kidslinked Columbus Winter Carnival
Presented by State Farm Agent Mike McClaskie
Saturday, February 4, 2023 from 11 am – 6 pm at Franklin County Fairgrounds, 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 $2 in advance; each game is 1-2 tickets), and Carnival food. Plus there will be Princesses and Superheroes to meet & greet during the early session, and SpongeBob and Patrick 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 $20-$40 per family pack. See full details and purchase here.
Worthington Kidsfest and Summer Camp Expo
Friday, February 10, 2023 from 5 pm – 8 pm.
Location: Worthington Community Center, 345 East Wilson Bridge Rd., Worthington, OH 43085
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, free activity to Scene 75, $10 game card to Scene 75, Texas Roadhouse free appetizer, $10 Power Card or $20 for $20 coupon to Dave & Busters, BOGO to Big Air Trampoline Park, and more!
Register and find more details here.
Kidslinked.com’s Columbus Baby & Kids Galleria Event
February 26, 2023 from noon – 3 pm at Polaris Fashion Place
presented by Ohio ENT & Allergy Physicians
Register your whole family for this fun, free event that includes great resources, health, care options, baby/kids products, services, and classes, shopping and more for pregnant women to parents of 0-10 year olds! FREE registration; add-on activities have additional fee!
Register here for all activities
Fun activities include
Candy Land Scavenger Hunt Includes (limit 450 total) with 9 Fun Candy stops, plus Play Duck Matching Game, Mystery Prize Wheel, Lollipop, and Plinko Game.
Contests include Daddy Diaper Changing Contest, Cute Kids outfit contest, and Candyland board game tournament
Guests also enjoy Princess and Superheros meet and greet and photos, Magician Magical Mr. J., Face painter, balloon artist.
7th Annual Mommy & Me Walk
This fun, indoor walk through the lower level of Polaris Fashion Place is presented by Ohio ENT & Allergy Physicians. Pick Either.25, .5 or 1 mile option. It includes 7 candy stops and a finish at Big Air Trampoline Park where all registered kids receive 1 hour of free bouncing from Noon-1PM!
Polaris Fashion Place, 1500 Polaris Pkwy, Columbus, OH 43240
New Albany Kidsfest
Friday, March 10, 2023 from 5 pm – 8 pm
Location: Marburn Academy, 9555 Johnstown Rd, New Albany, OH 43054
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.
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