KidsLinked Summer festivals

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 Children’s Festival

Saturday, June 14, 2025 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 person. The first 200 to register get VIP bag and early entry. Select events have additional cost. See all registration details here.
Activities: Rascal Racoon Stage Performance, a huge bounce park, large carnival game area, character meet & treat breakfast (Blue & Orange dogs, Paw Characters, Dalmatian & Sheriff, princesses, superheroes), huge Bungee Trampoline, mechanical surfboard, climbing wall, Tunnel & Fort Zone, mini golf, pony rides, barrel train, candy hunt, 2 stages of entertainment. 
BUBBLE RUN: Run through foam, bubbles, slip n’ slide, candy hunt and a foam cannon in this super fun race! Run the .25-,.5-, 1- or 2-mile course. Registration $18-$20.

Christmas in July Columbus Disabilities Festival

Sunday, July 13, 2025 from 1 pm – 5 pm

Location: Dorrian Green, 50 South Belle Street Columbus, OH 43215
Details: This event is to help families who are experiencing any kinds of disability either physical or mental. It will connect adults or children with disabilities to resources, classes, care, activities, products, and events. Activities include live Music, Contests, Entertainment, Scavenger Hunt for Prizes, Character Meet & Greets & Photo Ops, Face Painter, & Giveaways! Enjoy the FREE Splash Pad, Accessible Play Park, & Ping Pong Tables!
Admission: Free! Accessible COSI Parking (entrance off Belle Street) is underground below Dorrian Green. $10/car and has elevators up to the festival level & COSI entrance. More info here. 

Westerville Kidsfest and Back to School Bash

Thursday, July 17, 2025 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 (first 200 kids), bounce park, mini-golf, games, balloon artist, magician, shopping, classes, free games/activities, family resources & more!
Admission: Free; some activities require tickets

• First 200 kids receive free Back to School Supplies (Max 2 per family)
• Special Stitch Meet & Greet – 1st 500 receive a Stitch & friends Sticker!
• Special VIP Goody Bag – Must pre-register (see below)!
• First 200 Attendees receive a free treat from Tim Hortons!

See full event details and register on Eventbrite.

Other KidsFest events tba for 2025

Pickerington Back to School Bash and Bubble Run

Saturday, July 20, 2024 from 11 am – 2 pm.

Details: Fun summer festival that event that includes live entertainment, bounce park, carnival games, Princess & Superhero meet and greet, hula hoop & limbo contest, The Magic of Michael Principato performance, carnival games, Pickerington Bubble Run, food trucks, lollipop game, prize wheel, balloon artist, petting zoo, pony rides ($5), fun music, free cotton candy, cookies, popcorn and more.
Location: Mt. Carmel PASA Sports Complex 630 Hill Road North Pickerington, OH 43147
Admission: FREE! The first 100 registered get VIP entry bag and early admission. The first 200 kids receive FREE Back to School Supplies and cookies. $2 per person if register at event. Bounce Park is $5-$8 per child. 
Giveaways: Pre-register for special giveaways and activities

Pickerington Bubble Run (.25 / .5 / 1 Mile)

Starts at 10:30AM. This super fun race involves running through bubble machines, then run to a candy/prize hunt, and finish by going on a slip and slide filled with foam at the finish line. Registration is $12-$17 in advance.

Full details and registration on Eventbrite.

Columbus Back to School Bash Fam Jam 

Saturday, August 3, 2024 from 12 pm – 3 pm
Location: Goodale Park 120 West Goodale Street Columbus, OH 43215
Admission: FREE in advance, $2 at the door. Register early for VIP.
The Columbus Back to School Bash has so much fun from a bounce park, stage of entertainment, live entertainment, carnival games, prizes, balloon artist, cotton candy, cookies and lot of other neat items for your family!

• First 700 Kids free Back to School Supplies – Max 2 per family
• Free Pizza – 1st 1,500 attendees
• First 200 free treat from Tim Hortons!
• First 150 Free VIP Bag with a tons of goodies
• First 200 attendees receive a free cookie from C. Krueger’s

There’s also shopping, resources for back to school, education, classes, things for family, home & more.

Powell Kidsfest Back to School Bash, plus Bubble Run

Saturday, August 10, 2024 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, Petting Zoo, Bubble 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. Details and registration on Eventbrite. 

Grove City KidsFest Back to School Bash

Thursday, August 15, 2024 from 5 pm – 8 pm
Location: Grove City United Methodist Church, 2684 Columbus Street Grove City, OH 43123
Admission: FREE if you pre-register, $2 at the door if not registered. Sign up soon, will fill up fast! Some activities are extra.

Register now for a bounce park, mini golf, carnival games, special princess & superhero visit, magician performance, balloon artist, face painter, duck matching game, petting zoo, pony rides, contests, free cotton candy, cookies and more.

Find classes/programs/care as your family gets ready for back to school, support local businesses by visiting their booths, shopping, food trucks, neat things for you or your home and more. 

• First 200 kids free Back to School Supplies – Max 2 per family —
• First 200 free treat from Tim Hortons and a free cookie from C. Krueger’s

Sunday Family Funday at Columbus Oktoberfest and Bubble Run

Sunday, September 8, 2024 from noon – 9 pm 

Enjoy a special superhero & princess pancake breakfast or participate in our fun bubble run. There is also a princess and superhero parade, costume contest, story time, singing, crafts and more!

Fun contests such as hula hoop, limbo, bingo, giant Jenga, water balloon toss or cake walk contests (big prizes!). Exciting VIP bag, tons of entertainment, food, and shopping at the Oktoberfest!

Free admission; $10 parking paid to the Expo Center 
Event Admission is free and no pre-registration is required! See full details on Eventbrite. 

Princess & Superhero Breakfast: $6 Kids / $8 Adults / $23 Family 4-pack. All-you-can eat pancake & sausage breakfast
Oktoberfest Bubble Run presented by Ohio ENT & Allergy Physicians! (Fun Run .25, .5 or 1 mile – 10:40AM Start): $15 Super Sale (Ends 8/18) / $20 Entry after 8/18 or $25 Race Day

Ohio Expo Center (717 E 17th Ave, Columbus, OH 43211)

New Albany Fall Festival and Treatfest

Sunday, October 6, 2024 from 11 am – 2 pm 
Location: Marburn Academy, 9555 Johnstown Road New Albany, OH 43054
Admission: FREE – but some activities and perks require pre-registration

Register now to enjoy free pumpkins, a costume contest, hay rides, trick-or-treating, a bounce park, mini golf, carnival games, a giant inflatable pumpkin, a climbing wall, a gyroscope ride, the New Albany Pumpkin Run, princesses and superheroes, magician Jason Woyce, a world-famous dog show, petting zoo, pony rides, music, balloon artists, face painting, and lots of games.

Register in advance for free admission, free pumpkins (1st 200), FREE treat from Tim Hortons (1st 200) and more. You can also pre-register for Pumpkin Run ($18).

Newark Fall Festival and Treatfest

Sunday, October 13, 2024 from 1 pm – 4 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, characters, fun prize wheel, VIP bag, food & treat trucks, shopping, find things for the fall, education, classes, things for family, home & more!

• First 200 FREE Pumpkins – Pick a Coin to win small or medium pumpkin!
• First 200 attendees get a FREE treat from Tim Hortons!
• First 150 – One Free Bowling Pas to Park Lanes! (1 per family)

Register in advance for free admission.

Olentangy Fall Festival and Treatfest

Saturday, October 19, 2024 from 11 am – 2 pm 
Location: Olentangy Orange Middle School, 2680 East Orange Road Lewis Center, OH 43035
Admission: FREE – but some activities and perks require pre-registration

The Olentangy Fall Festival has so much fun to offer the whole family! Hayrides, Gyroscope ride, 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, VIP Entry Bag (1st 100), and more. You can also pre-register for Pumpkin Run ($10-$20), hayride, bounce park, and more.

Columbus STEM & Arts Expo 

Sunday, November 3, 2024 from 12 pm – 6 pm. 
Location: Polaris Fashion Place, 1500 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, OH 43240
Admission: FREE (First 200 get a special treat). Some activities have a separate cost.

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: 

See full details and registration information. 

KidsLinked.com’s Columbus STEM & Arts Expo

Canal Winchester Winterfest

Friday, November 17, 2023 from 5 pm – 8 pm. 
Location: X Church 6600 Bigerton Bend Canal Winchester, OH 43110
Admission: FREE; additional purchases optional

Register now for a Santa visit, Santa Run!, candy cane game, ornament making, carnival games, holiday coloring contest, magician, balloon artist, face painter, mini golf, laser tag, fun prize wheel, duck matching games (win different holiday items!), free popcorn, cotton candy, and cookies, holiday shopping, classes & programs for your kids, and more.

First 200 receive a free Treat from Tim Hortons! 200 first 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 15, 2024 from 11:30 am – 3:30 pm at Otterbein Clements Recreation Center, 180 Center St., Westerville, OH 43081

Register now to enjoy a Santa visit, an exciting bounce park, holiday hayrides, a brand-new iceless skating rink, a massive carnival game zone, ornament making, holiday coloring contests, candy cane or duck matching game, mystery prize wheel, mini golf, laser tag, a thrilling gyroscope ride (like riding a roller coaster), Family Bingo, Family Price is Right.

Sign up for the carnival food pass. Don’t miss the giant inflatable Santa Claus, magician, balloon artist and face painter. Enjoy free popcorn, cotton candy, and cookies! Plus, explore holiday shopping, kids’ classes & programs, and support local businesses by visiting their booths. 

• 150 Families receive a visit with Santa Claus – Must pre-register!
• Ultimate Everything Pass: Pick either FREE Disney on Ice Voucher or Snow Trails Experience Pass includes Lift Ticket/Ski Rentals!
• First 200 attendees receive a free cookie from C. Krueger’s.

Register online to ensure a spot and choose additional activities and benefits.

Kidslinked Columbus Winter Carnival

Saturday, February 1, 2025 from 11 am – 5 pm at Franklin County Fairgrounds, Northwest Pkwy, Hilliard, Ohio 43026

Register now for a special character meet & greet (Paw Patrol, Bluey & Bingo, or princess from Frozen + Superheroes), bounce park, huge carnival game area, laser tag, climbing wall, gyroscope, and more fun items. Tons of games to play lollipop game, mystery prize wheel, duck matching game, bubble-bubble gum game and lucky coin game. Don’t miss the face painter, and balloon artist.

Special entertainment from Magic of Eli, the amazing Major Scales juggling duo, Deal or No Deal game show (win $100!), Let’s Make a Deal game show, and additional activities on the stage. Enjoy, free cookies, popcorn and cotton candy.

Register early for special bonuses and VIP freebies. Tickets are $0-$22 per person. See full details and purchase here.

Worthington Kidsfest and Summer Camp Expo

Friday, February 7, 2025 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 a free treat from Tim Hortons. 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 coupon for 10 pack of Timbits at Tim Hortons, Texas Roadhouse free kids’ meal, 101 Beer Kitchen Free kids’ meal, BOGO to Skate Zone 71, and more!

Register is free in advance, or $2 at the door. Find more details here.

Kidslinked.com’s Columbus Baby & Kids Galleria Event

Sunday, February 23, 2025 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, face painter, balloon artist.

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! Register here. 

Polaris Fashion Place, 1500 Polaris Pkwy, Columbus, OH 43240

Columbus Bunny Run and Hilliard KidsFest

Saturday, April 5, 2025 from 9 am – 1 pm
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-$30. Register here!

Hilliard KidsFest details: The annual Hilliard Kidsfest is 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 18, 2025 from 5 pm – 8 pm
Location: Tremont Elementary School, 2900 Tremont Road Columbus, OH 43221

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.