Family events in Columbus, OH

Nationwide Children's Hospital presents this family-friendly series with free fun for kids and a new theme each week.

Get ready for the new school year at the Back-To-School Style Drop, where families can pick up clothing and school essentials at no cost. Items are available for all ages, helping everyone head into the first day feeling prepared and confident.

Enjoy a free outdoor movie projected on a large screen, welcoming families. Pack a chair or blanket and settle in near the screen for a cozy viewing. Concessions will be available for purchase.

Children of all ages are welcome to a free community event featuring bounce houses, games, and creative craft stations. Enjoy temporary tattoos and the fun of a balloon artist. Lunch will be provided with hot dogs, chips, fruit, and water.

PlayStreets at Linden Fresh Market offers a free, family-friendly block party that encourages neighbors to step outside and make lasting memories. Enjoy music, games and activities, food trucks, book giveaways, face painting, and inflatable attractions, with more fun in the mix.

Many thanks to I-Hop and City BBQ for sponsoring the event in 2024.

At Lincoln Theatre, the 2nd Annual Back-to-School Concert with a Purpose brings music, community, and impact together in a bigger way than before. Building on last year’s unforgettable energy and love in the room, this edition promises even more excitement, a stronger sense of purpose, and a powerful community focus. Columbus can look forward to an experience that turns impact into something truly felt, with an emphasis on youth empowerment and community impact. Tickets are available. Sponsors, partners, and community champions are welcome.

Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms and Spin Doctors perform together at the Ohio State Fair. Buying tickets ahead of time includes entry to the Fair, making it easy to explore the grounds before the concert. Visitors can expect a lively midway, major entertainment, hundreds of displays and one of the country’s largest junior fair showcases. The Celeste Center provides indoor, air conditioned seating for 10,000.

General admission is free every Sunday, made possible by support from Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All & Free for the Future Campaign Donors. Admission to special exhibitions is included. Friends and families can explore at their own pace, visit the Walter Wing, or work on a puzzle together in a gallery. There is something to discover around every corner. Photo by JToland Photo.

In partnership with Columbus Recreation and Parks, Dorrian Days returns to Dorrian Green with a lineup of no-cost activities for kids and families. Expect inflatable attractions and games, the COSI curbside van, a themed activity area, and a food truck. The park’s water feature provides a place to cool off. The day can also include a stop at COSI before or after, or a stroll across the river to Bicentennial Park for additional free fun.

Art Breaks opens the Studio to guests of all ages for hands-on exploration of a wide variety of materials. Seasonal weekly sessions during school breaks encourage creative thinking, with monthly themes inspired by special exhibitions and artworks on view. A quiet hour is available for a calmer experience. Participation is included with museum admission, and all materials are provided. Supported by Bath & Body Works, Battelle, and the Siemer Family Foundation. Photo by JToland Photo.

Take a free ride on the carousel, play beneath a parachute, build with big blue Imagination Playground blocks, kick around a soccer ball, or come up with your own activities.

Enjoy a Tuesday public skating session with a budget-friendly deal. Two people can skate for $10, or a single admission is $6. Skate rentals are $6. Get more details and secure tickets in advance online, or call 614-239-7202 for information.

Summer PE at Dick’s House of Sport offers kids ages 6 to 13 the chance to climb the rock wall or test their skills in the HitTrax Cage. In the Cage, participants can try baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, or ice hockey. Rock wall sessions are available in 30 minute blocks for $5, and the program is offered on Wednesdays and Fridays. Please bring a water bottle and wear closed toe shoes.

An introductory rock wall climbing class at DICK’S House of Sport welcomes beginners ages 6 and up to learn the basics of indoor climbing. Certified coaches lead a safety briefing and gear overview, then guide participants on the wall to practice fundamental skills. The instruction focuses on building confidence, technique, and strength, and the atmosphere is designed to support all ability levels in a positive and encouraging way.

Presented by Fifth Third Bank, this Columbus Commons food truck gathering features a changing lineup of ten Columbus trucks serving a wide range of lunch options. Dogs are welcome, and it suits both groups and solo diners who want to relax in the sun. The selection updates each week, offering new flavors to explore.

FUNBOX brings a 25,000-square-foot inflatable playground to Polaris Fashion Place, where guests can jump, climb, and race through attractions like Obstacle Course, Gumball Gallop, Marshmallow Mountain, Ninja Walls, and Huge Slides. Suitable for all ages, this bounce park offers an energetic mix of challenges and slides across a sprawling course.

Settle in at The Yard for an evening of handpicked live music spanning funk, acoustic sounds, Americana, and rock, all performed by standout local talent. Sip a drink on a patio with a view, or spread out on the lawn and let the songs roll into the night. This performance spotlights The Moonbats. The Yard sits just north of Macy’s and east of Nordstrom.