Family events in Upper Arlington, OH

This event opens the playspace to older brothers and sisters, letting them step off the sidelines to build, dig, and explore alongside their little siblings. Participants of any age are welcome when they come with a sibling who is 7 or under, and admission for the older child follows the same rate as guests age 7 and younger. No special reservation is needed. The focus is on keeping families together and supporting growth at every stage, building confidence, problem solving, and resilience while giving big kids chances to lead, model creativity, and strengthen their building skills.

Presented by Fifth Third Bank, this weekly lunchtime gathering at Columbus Commons brings together a lineup of ten of the city’s best food trucks, serving a wide range of delicious options. Attendees can bring their dogs, meet up with friends, or enjoy a solo meal in the sunshine. The mix of trucks changes each week, offering a fresh variety of flavors.

All-day open play at Little Diggers Grove City keeps little ones active, engaged, and creating. It works for planned playdates, a spur of the moment outing, or any time a space is needed where kids can be kids. No reservation is required. A brief waiver is completed on arrival, then the fun begins.

Colony Cats & Dogs will bring adoptable cats and kittens to Petco Upper Arlington. Every cat has been tested for FIV and FeLV, vaccinated, microchipped, spayed/neutered, and dewormed, so they are ready for new homes. An approved application is required to complete an adoption.

Grandview Avenue transforms into an open-street market and community celebration produced by the Columbus Young Professionals (CYP) Club. A half-mile stretch from 1st to 5th becomes a pedestrian corridor that connects Grandview Heights, Columbus, and the greater Central Ohio community. This free, family-friendly experience features more than 200 local vendors, makers, artists, nonprofits, and food trucks, along with live music, hands-on art, and activities for all ages. New for 2026, the Community Courtyard at Grandview Center offers themed experiences including Chalk the Courtyard, a classic car showcase, a Columbus sports pavilion, and a pet expo with a pop-up dog park. Attendees can browse handcrafted goods, discover neighborhood shops, and enjoy local flavors at Grandview Avenue restaurants while building community connections. Additional highlights include a charity beer garden that supports local nonprofits and community initiatives, entertainment throughout the event footprint, outdoor dining, public art, family activities, and opportunities for engagement. The event is produced by the CYP Club with support from the City of Grandview Heights, the City of Columbus, local businesses, sponsors, and a wide network of participating vendors and volunteers. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Wandering Quills Bookshop returns to Grandview Hop this year for a short run with only a small number of appearances. Those nearby who have been waiting to visit will have a brief window to stop by before it wraps up.

St Agatha Church hosts its yearly picnic, continuing a simple tradition for the church community.

Watch the Columbus Crew face the New England Revolution while honoring the Type 1 Diabetes community at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. Tickets are offered at a savings compared to face value and include access to the match. Five dollars from each ticket goes to Breakthrough T1D, supporting research and the ongoing effort to find cures for Type 1 Diabetes. Friends, families, and fellow supporters can enjoy soccer in Columbus together while helping make an impact.

The Columbus Toy & Game Show returns to the Ohio Expo Center’s Lausche Building as one of Ohio’s longest-running gatherings for toys, video games, trading card games, and collectibles. Browse more than 400 vendor tables offering a wide range of items for every kind of collector. Activities include arcade machines set to free play, face painting, and appearances by the Columbus Ghostbusters and the Rebel Legion. Concessions will be available from Schmidt’s Sausage Haus. The event welcomes collectors of all ages and provides family-friendly fun. Attendees can track down long-sought pieces, discover unexpected finds, and spend the day alongside hundreds of fellow collectors.

This open play time features complimentary rides on the carousel, parachute activities, building with large blue Imagination Playground blocks, and space to kick a soccer ball. There is also plenty of room for self-directed fun.

Enjoy a public skating session with a budget-friendly admission offer. Two skaters can enter for $10, and single admission is $6. Skate rental is available for $6. For questions or ticket information, call 614-239-7202.

Connect with fellow fans of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Pokémon GO, and Pokémon video games at VGMX’s Pokémon League. This casual gathering welcomes all ages and experience levels, creating a friendly space to play and meet others who enjoy collecting and gaming. For questions or concerns, contact Ellen at professorellensevents@gmail.com.