Commons For Kids
Commons for Kids
Presented by Nationwide Children's Hospital
Friday mornings
10 AM - 1 PM
June 9 - August 11
Every week has a unique theme, with activities for the little ones AND the big kids! Check below for more information on each date.
Kids of all ages can enjoy unique activities, carousel rides, and lawn games - all with a panoramic view of Downtown’s skyline for FREE thanks to Nationwide Children's Hospital. Each Commons for Kids is programmed to be a launching pad for exploration. With six acres of open and inviting space, there’s no shortage of fun on Fridays at the Commons.
Pack a picnic or grab a bite to eat from Tortilla Mexican Street Food and dessert from Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams. Tortilla and the vending machines by the cafe stands sell Pepsi products, and there are drinking fountains behind the cafes as well.
Easy and convenient parking is available just south of the park at the Columbus Commons Main Garage, located at 55 East Rich Street.
Please note: Our permanent restrooms will be open, which are located behind Jeni's. The portable restroom units onsite will remain locked for the Picnic with the Pops performance the following evening.
Characters and Superheroes
Friday, June 9
- Max the Dog & Dottie the Dino Characters
- Face painting from Pretty as a Princess
- Balloon Twisting from Pretty as a Princess
- Crafts from OSU Urban Arts Space
- Stilt Walkers by The Amazing Giants
- Puppet Mascots and face mask crafts by Primrose School
Going Green
Friday, June 16
- Face painting from Pretty as a Princess
- Balloon Twisting from Pretty as a Princess
- Crafts facilitated by OSU Urban Arts Space
- Plant & Grow Project by Lowes
- Play a Recycling Game with Alum Creek Park Rangers
- Check out the Veggie Van from Local Matters
- Crafts facilitated by Primrose School
- Create your own Green-themed artwork with sidewalk chalk
- Meet Stilt Walkers from The Amazing Giants from 11am-12pm
- Carousel rides and lawn games
Imagination - CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
Friday, June 23
- Special Reading of "Do Not Bring Your Dragon to the Library" from The Columbus Metropolitan Library
- Face painting from Pretty as a Princess
- Balloon Twisting fromPretty as a Princess
- Crafts facilitated by OSU Urban Arts Space
- Crafts facilitated by Primrose School
- Bubble Fun with The Bubble Lady
- Meet Stilt Walkers from The Amazing Giants from 11am-12pm
- Carousel rides and lawn games
Games
Friday, June 30
- Inflatables from SuperGames include: Giant Tic Tac Toe, Hungry Hippo Chow Down, Lego Obstacle Course, and The Wacky Bouncer Inflatable.
- Face painting from Pretty as a Princess
- Crafts facilitated by OSU Urban Arts Space
- Crafts facilitated by Primrose School
- Chess Fun with Royal Oak Initiative
- Play in the Video Game Truck from Buckeye Mobile
- Mini Putt-Putt
- Carousel rides and lawn games
Health and Safety
Friday, July 7
- Inflatables from SuperGames including Fire Truck Slide, Police Dog Bouce House, and The Wacky Jr. Obstacle Course
- Face painting from Pretty as a Princess
- Crafts facilitated by OSU Urban Arts Space
- Make your own smoothie on Molina Healthcare's Blender Bike
- Grab some fresh produce from The Veggie Van
- Learn about Health and Safety from an Alum Creek Park Ranger
- Try on the Uniforms and Gear that keep our military officers safe with National Veterans Memorial Museum
- Bike safety course facilitated by the City of Columbus Department of Neighborhoods
- Play Games and Learn about Healthy Teeth from Capitol Square Dental
- Columbus Division of Fire will be bringing their HOME 1 RV.
Columbus Public Health will also provide free Flu and Covid vaccines for those 6 months and older, and offer an air-conditioned changing and nursing area within the RV (space is limited) - Carousel rides and lawn games
Animals
Friday, July 14
- Inflatables from SuperGames including Zoo Playland, Polar Bear Slide, and Atomic Rush 45 Obstacle Course
- Face painting from Pretty as a Princess
- Meet a 4-legged friend from Franklin County Dog Shelter
- Crafts facilitated by OSU Urban Arts Space
- Learn about animals in the military from NVMM
- Learn all about Primates from For The Love of Primates team
- Play Animal Games with Alum Creek Park Rangers
- Animal glitter tattoos & an adoptable dog from Columbus Humane
- Touch & feel bones & fur from Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks
- Carousel rides and lawn games
Carnival Day
Friday, July 21
- Inflatables from SuperGames including Ferris Wheel Bounce House, Dual Lane Slide, Wacky Obstacle Course
- Face painting from Pretty as a Princess
- Crafts facilitated by OSU Urban Arts Space
- Performance by Opera Columbus
- Carnival Games and Stiltwalkers provided by Amazing Giants
- Parachute People will be onsite leading an interactive parachute experience
- Carousel rides and lawn games
Sports
Friday, July 28
NOTE: THIS EVENT WILL BE END EARLY AT 12PM DUE THE FORECASTED HEAT ADVISORY. ACTIVITIES WILL BE OUT FROM 10AM TO 12PM.
- Inflatables from SuperGames including Endzone Obstacle Course, Football Bounce, Soccer Kick, and QR Blitz
- Meet the Columbus Crew Cat
- Face painting from Pretty as a Princess
- Crafts facilitated by OSU Urban Arts Space
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital Development Board will be onsite with a ring toss, relay race, bean bag toss, and sports bookpark to take home as a souvenir.
- Obstacle Course by JumpBunch
- Carousel rides and lawn games
STEAM: Science, Technology, Electronics, Arts, Math
Friday, August 4
- Face painting from Pretty as a Princess
- Balloon Twisting from Pretty as a Princess
- Crafts facilitated by OSU Urban Arts Space
- Bubble Fun with the Bubble Lady
- Play a STEM-themed game with an Alum Creek Park Ranger
- Biofilm Slime Lab and Handwashing Activity with OSU Extension
- Participant in STEM experiments with COSI
- Learn about loading and balancing a military aircraft with the National Veterans Memorial Museum.
- Meet Stilt Walkers from The Amazing Giants from 11am-12pm
- Carousel rides and lawn games
Music and Arts Day
Friday, August 11
- Face painting from Pretty as a Princess
- Balloon Twisting from Pretty as a Princess
- Make and decorate your own tambourine with OSU Urban Arts Space
- Coloring activity facilitated by National Veterans Memorial Museum.
- Build with Legos and have a dance party with 934 Gallery
- Stained glass activity and improv games with Columbus Children's Theatre
- Meet the Columbus Symphony Orchestra's Bee-thoven and make an egg-shaker maraca!
- Meet Stilt Walkers from The Amazing Giants from 11am-12pm
- Carousel rides and lawn games
