Kids love to explore emergency vehicles, construction vehicles, and farm equipment, and there are plenty of touch-a-truck events in Columbus and Central Ohio to fulfill their curiosity!
These events are a wonderful learning experience for kids that are full of photo-ops, so don’t forget your phone or camera.
While some Touch-a-Truck events are planned for 2023, details are still tba for others. We will add them as they are announced.
April Touch-a-Truck events
Autism Awareness Open House with City of Hilliard Division of Police
April tba, 2023 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am. The agency’s 5th Annual Autism Awareness Open House will be held Saturday, April 2, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Safety Services Building, 5171 Northwest Parkway. This event provides participants the opportunity to socialize with First Responders in a calm and reassuring environment.
May Touch-a-Truck events
Powell Touch a Truck
Friday, May 5, 2023 from 11 am – 1 pm.
Trucks and vehicles will fill Adventure Park for this fun event
Touch a Truck in Pickerington
Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 10 am – 12 pm
At the Pickerington Community Pool. Bring your kids to enjoy a variety of big trucks, cars, engines and more. Touch-A-Truck may have a slightly different setup from prior years, but kids will still love seeing their favorite big vehicles.
Touch a Truck in Canal Winchester
Friday, May 19, 2023 from 6-9 pm
During Music in the Park. Bring the Family to Touch-A-Truck at Stradley Park to check out Police & Fire vehicles on display.
Touch-A-Truck will showcase vehicles from Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office, Madison Township Police Department, and Madison Township Fire Department, with live music by Simple Harvest.
36 S. High St, Canal Winchester
Touch a Truck at Hilliard’s Station Park
Friday, May 12, 2023 from 10 am – 12 pm.
This Children’s event features interactive fun with Big Trucks, Cars, Machines, Police and Fire Vehicles. Touch-A-Truck takes place at Hilliard’s Station Park (corner of Center and Main Streets in Old Hilliard)
Upper Arlington Spring Fling
Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 11 am – 2 pm
Kids can explore city vehicles during the Spring Fling at Sunny 95 Park.
Touch a Truck to Fill a Truck
May 20, 2023 from 10 am – 2 pm
At Byers Chevy. There will be a fire truck, tow truck, cement truck, fork lifts, John Deere tractor, garbage truck, dump truck, Police Cruisers, Police K9 units, skid steer, and more.
Admission is free, but please bring a canned or non-perishable food item to help fill the bed of the truck to donate to the Grove City Food Pantry. Byers Chevy, 5887 N Meadows Dr., Grove City, Ohio 43123
Touch a Truck at Prairie Township Community Center in Galloway
May 20, 2023 from 12 pm – 2 pm
Visit the Galloway Sports Complex and climb around in some of the vehicles that help keep the Township safe and running smooth.
June Touch a Truck events
Marysville Touch a Truck
Saturday, June 2, 2023 from 10 am – 1 pm.
Check out fire trucks, police cars, ambulances, tractors, a wheel loader and more at Mill Valley Park South, 1067 Creekview Dr.
Touch a Truck! Buckeye Valley High School
June 3, 2023 from 10 am – 2 pm.
Join DCEMS, Tri Township Fire District, and so many others for a fun, free, family day with lots vehicles big and small that you can see up close and in person. Ambulances, fire trucks, police cars, tow trucks and so many others (including a helicopter if the weather is nice) will be on display.
Canned Food donations will be collected to benefit People in Need of Delaware.
Dog Days of Summer at Pataskala Grace Church
Saturday, June 10, 2023 from 11 am – 2 pm.
Support Pataskala Police Department K9 Program at this annual fundraiser. All of the proceeds from this event will go towards the purchase and training of a new police K9. It is FREE to attend! You’ll enjoy:
- Police K9 demonstrations
- Fire and EMT Vehicles
- Food trucks and Bake Sale
- Vendor tables/booths and Silent Auction
- Activities for kids
Cops and Kids Day in Westerville
June 10, 2023 from 12 pm – 4 pm.
Kids can interact with community police officers, and check out their technology and equipment along with motorcycles, cruisers, and specialty vehicles from agencies through Central Ohio.
The Science of Big Machines at COSI
June 10-18, 2023
Big machines and construction equipment converge in downtown Columbus for COSI’s annual Science of Big Machines. Get behind the wheel and experience equipment that builds roads, bridges, and buildings! Explore the science and technology of construction by trying it out first hand and learning with real engineers.
From small tools to big equipment, you’ll discover how big jobs get done. A multitude of pieces of construction equipment will be on hand to explore.
Touch a Truck at Texas Roadhouse East Main
Monday, June 26, 2023 at 5 pm.
Texas Roadhouse partners with the Reynoldsburg PD and Reynoldsburg FD for a Touch a Truck event. Our local heroes will be here with their fire trucks, police cars, and more.
Read more about this touch-a-truck here.
Wet Suits & Way-Cool Trucks
Friday, June 30, 2023 from 10 am – noon
Dublin Community Recreation Parking Lot by amphitheater. Enjoy a variety of activities with Washington Township Fire Department to help make your summer safe! Tour Sparky’s fire safety house, Watch a fire department’s dive team demonstration in the Recreation Center pool (11 am), learn bike safety, and check out the fire and medic truck.
Read more about Dublin’s touch-a-truck.
July Touch a Truck events
Dozers & Diggers: The Science of Big Machines at The Works:
July 15, 2023 from 9 am – 2 pm.
Families are invited to get an up-close view of the fire trucks, lifts, bull dozers, and other big machines that get things done in our community. Jump in, climb around, and speak to the people who operate these extraordinary machines every day.
From construction equipment to emergency vehicles, The Works’ campus will be filled with big wheels and treads! The day will also include food trucks, live demonstrations, activities and discounted admission to The Works ($7).
Polaris Fashion Place Touch a Truck KidX Club
July 27, 2023 from 5 pm -7 pm.
Located in the Polaris Lifestyle Center near The Cheesecake Factory. This is a FREE, family fun event where you and your kids can interact with a variety of COOL vehicles up close, including cranes, semi-trucks, emergency vehicles, and more!
Touch-a-Truck Community Day at Colony Square Mall
July 29, 2023 from 11 am – 3 pm.
Interact with community support leaders and first responders, military personnel and more at Colony Square Mall in Zanesville! Kids can check out police cars, army truck, fire truck, and more! Kids can sit in the driver’s seats and even honk the horns! There will be complimentary face painting inside.
Metro Parks Touch-a-Truck at Sharon Woods Metro Park
July 28, 2023 from 4 pm – 7 pm.
Ever wonder what it’s like working at Metro Parks? Stop by Sharon Woods Metro Park and meet the people and the equipment behind the job. During this interactive family-friendly event, you can see, touch and explore a variety of trucks, tractors and more! Drop by between 4-7pm at the Schrock Lake Picnic Shelter.
August Touch a Truck events
Whitehall’s National Night out
August 1, 2023 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
On the lawn of the Whitehall Police Station. Family fun, with a variety of emergency vehicles on display, safety-related vendors, an inflatable bounce house for kids and music!
COSI Farm Days
August 9-13, 2023. Farm machines, farm activities, and more at COSI. Included with admission.
Berlin TWP Fire Dept./ DCEMS Medic 10 Touch A Truck:
August 12, 2023 from 9 am – 12 pm
Olentangy Berlin High School. Bring the entire family for fire trucks, ambulances, police cars, helicopter and many more. Bring canned food and box fan donations for People in Need of Delaware County if you can.
New Albany Touch a Truck
August 19, 2023 from 10 am – 12:30 pm.
The event features all of the city vehicles, farm equipment, activities, child identification program, and free lunch in New Albany. They’ll be accepting canned foods to donate to the New Albany Food Pantry.
October Touch a Truck events
Touch a Tractor at Fall Harvest Moon Festival
October 7, 2023 from 12pm – 5pm
Infirmary Mound Park, Granville, OH.
Hands-on events for your young children. Held during the Fall Harvest Moon Festival at Infirmary Mound Park, explore, climb and touch tractors of all shapes and sizes! This event is free and open to the public.
Prairie Township Fire Department Food Truck & Fire Prevention Festival
October 8, 2023 from noon – 4 pm.
At the Fire Department. Food trucks, fire safety plans, touch-a-truck, tours of the fire house, and much more on the afternoon at Station 241, 123 Inah. There will be family activities to learn how you can prevent fires and make your community safer. Details here.
October 8-14, 2023
Most township and city fire departments will host special events at the fire stations, including touch-a-truck. See all of the Fire Station Open Houses!
Fire Dept. Open Houses in Columbus for Fire Prevention Week (2023)
EASE Logistics Touch-a-Truck
October 15, 2023 from 11 am – 2 pm.
Featuring 20+ trucks, family activities, free food, and more. Accepting canned goods for admission. Details here.
https://www.columbusonthecheap.com/ease-logistics-touch-a-truck/.
Plain Township Fire Dept Open House
October 15, 2023 from 10 am – 3 pm.
You don’t want to miss this exciting event; kids can explore the fire department and vehicles, use a real fire hose, watch a MedFlight helicopter take off (weather depending) and finish up with a HUGE foam party!
There is lots of food with the chili cook-off, and you can have child ID badges made. Details here.
Franklin County Engineer’s Office Touch-and-Ride-a-Truck
Thursday, October 19, 2023 from 4 pm – 8 pm
The FCEO Touch-And-Ride-A-Truck moves to a new location at Fortress Obetz!
This Halloween-themed event is designed to give kids an opportunity to interact and learn about various equipment and vehicles. See Facebook event page.
Annual Cops & Community Trunk-or-Treat: October tba 2023 from 1-4 pm.
1955 Frank Rd, Columbus. Meet various Central Ohio law enforcement and first responders. Free raffles for bike helmets, gift cards, and gift baskets. Emergency vehicles will be decorated and candy will be passed out. Hot dogs, soda, water, chips and candy provided.
Trunk or Treat in Whitehall: October tba 2023 from 5:00-8:00 pm
Whitehall City Hall parking lot. Ghouls and goblins are invited to enjoy Trunk or Treat, a free family-friendly alternative to Trick or Treat, complete with candy, pumpkins, Touch-a-Truck, and more
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