2026 KidsLinked Columbus Back to School Bash & Fam Jam
Presented by Meijer – Bank of America – Columbus Art & Technology School
Hosted by KidsLinked & Franklin County Children’s Services
📅 Saturday, August 1st |🕒 Noon – 3PM
📍Jefferson Historic District – Downtown Columbus (65 Jefferson Ave, Columbus, OH 43215)
Register Now!
Join us for the 16th Annual KidsLinked & Franklin County Children’s Services Columbus Back to School Bash & Fam Jam!
We are excited to invite you to this FREE Back to School Event that will help your family get ready by finding back to school items such as school enrollment, classes, education options, care & after school care & other family resources at this event packed with lots of fun activities!
Register now to get ready for Back to School – tons of FREE school supplies, FREE Pizza, character visits with Pikachu & Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, Candy Hunt, Bounce Park, Fun Zone, Tunnel Zone, Carnival & Prize Games, Candy Hunt, Arts & Crafts area, Bubble Zone and tons of other activities! The event is outdoors. All admissions include access to the vendor fair, performances, giveaways, Family Feud Game Show, Bingo, Hula Hoop/Limbo/Jump Rope contest, Magician and more!
Register soon as this event will sell out quickly!
Featured Activities:
- FREE BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES FIRST 500 (Limit 2 Per Family): Free School Supplies plus, find schools to enroll your child, classes, care, programs and resources for back to school and items for your kids.
- FREE PIZZA: 1st 2,000 attendees will receive a free slice of pizza!
- FREE TIM HORTONS TREAT - First 200! Special VIP Bag - 1st 150
- CHARACTER VISITS: 1st 500 Meet & Greet with Pikachu or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle!
- CANDY HUNT - Summer Fun Hunt - Candy & Prizes
- FREE FUN ZONE: Bounce Houses | Bubble House | Tunnel Zone | Fort Zone | Bubble Zone – Register for your Everything Pass or Unlimited Everything Pass to enjoy this fun!
- FUN ACTIVITIES – Get Carnival Tickets – 7 Carnival Games & Prize Games – win prizes! Also, NEW Foam Cannon Water Tag- So much fun!
- Balloon Artist | Face Painting | Free Treats
- Fun Games & Contests – Family Feud Show, Bingo, Limbo, Hula Hoop & Jump Rope contests – win prizes!
- Stage Entertainment – Magician Performance, Dance, Music & More
- School & Child Care Enrollment – Find your school or care options before they fill up
- Food & Treat Trucks, Local Area Businesses, Shopping & Find Care, Education, Fitness, Health, Classes, family resources!
Register Now!
Thanks to our Premier Sponsors:
➤ Thanks to our Premier Sponsor River Ridge Pediatric Dentistry!
➤ Thanks to our Premier Sponsor Buckeye Orthodontics!
➤ Thanks to our Premier Sponsor Horizon Science Academy!
➤ Thanks to our Premier Sponsor Performance Academies!
➤ Thanks to our Premier Sponsor Franklin County Children's Services!
🚚 Interested in being a Vendor or a Sponsor?
Visit our vendor page / Learn More: CLICK HERE (or go to: https://VendorFor2026KidsLinkedColumbusBackToSchoolBashandFamJam.eventbrite.com)
Event Registration Opportunities!
The event is outdoors. All admissions include access to the vendor fair, performances, giveaways, and more!
Registration Options (Pick ONE ONLY – Space Limited)
Pre-register for the fun items below (will fill up fast) - Click on "Register":
(1) GOLD Entry – FREE (Limit 2,000) – ADMITS ENTIRE FAMILY
- FREE Admission with pre-registration Or $2/person at the door
- Entry (Noon - 3PM)
- DOES NOT INCLUDE FUN ZONE WRISTBAND OR ACTIVITY TICKETS FOR CARNIVAL GAMES
- FUN Pass – Includes:
⮞ Bounce Park & Tunnel Zone Entry: Access our fun bounce park & Tunnel Zone for free!
⮞ Special Activities: Stage Contest – Limbo, Jump Rope & Hula Hoop Contest (1:15PM Main Stage) | Bingo (1:35PM Main Stage) | Family Feud Game Show (1:55PM)
⮞ CANDY Hunt -2:15PM - Fun candy hunts; 0-12 year olds! (Separate section for 0-4 year olds)
⮞ Fun Games at Vendor Booths – Win Prizes! Lucky Coin Game (win pirate treasure!) | Lollipop Game (win suckers!) / Duck Matching Game (Pick 2 ducks to win various prizes) / Mystery Prize Wheel (Spin the wheel to win 1 of 8 awesome prizes) / Bubble-Bubble Gum Game (Win bubbles, blow pops or bubble gum!)
⮞ Scavenger Hunt Card: Visit the different destinations on the card to play the Plinko game to win a prize! (1 card good for the entire family)
Register Now!
ADD-ON FUN ITEMS:
(1) Carnival / Activity Tickets
⮞ 3 for $6 online (games 1–2 tickets each) / $7 at event
- Carnival & Prize Games: Giant Prize Wheel, Going Fishing, Basketball Game, Frog Flipper, Balloon Darts, Duck Hunt Game, Claw Game and Spinner Game – all are 1-2 tickets
- NEW Foam Blast & Water Tag – Play fun Water Tag with water shooter & our new Foam Cannons (2 Tickets, you keep water shooter!)
(2) Character Mystery Box – Pick 1 Box: ($5 / $7 at event) Many Styles - See options: CLICK HERE
(3) Bubble Wand or Fun Item! ($8 online / $10 at event) SEE OPTIONS: CLICK HERE
What’s in the VIP Bag? (1 per family)
- Kids Meal Coupons
- Special Passes to Activity Centers
- Plus, More Surprises!
💥Refer-a-Friend Bonus💥
We are offering a “Refer-a-Friend” bonus. TOP 5 people who refers the most attendees will receive 50 Activity Tickets good for the event. We will award the winner at check-in!
Register Now!
Event Details (Outdoors):
- What: 16th Annual Columbus Back to School Bash & Fam Jam
⮞ Presented by Meijer – Bank of America – Columbus Art & Technology School
⮞ Hosted by KidsLinked & Franklin County Children’s Services
- Where: Jefferson Historic District – Downtown Columbus (65 Jefferson Ave, Columbus, OH 43215)
- When: Saturday, August 1st, 2026 (Noon - 3PM General Entry)
- Fun items: Register now to get ready for Back to School – tons of FREE school supplies, FREE Pizza, character visits with Pikachu & Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, Candy Hunt, Bounce Park, Fun Zone, Tunnel Zone, Carnival & Prize Games, Candy Hunt, Arts & Crafts area, Bubble Zone and tons of other activities! The event is outdoors. All admissions include access to the vendor fair, performances, giveaways, Family Feud Game Show, Bingo, Hula Hoop/Limbo/Jump Rope contest, Magician and more!
- Back to School - FREE BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES FIRST 200 (Limit 2 Per Family): Free Supplies! Plus, find classes/care/programs/resources for back to school, childcare for your kids, etc..
- What to do at the event: Find local resources, schools, and shopping products. Plus, discover and shop for neat things for your home.
- How it works: Start at the KidsLinked booth (located on the north side of parking lot (side of the school closer to the stadium) From there you can receive whatever item you signed up to do or directions on where to start the fun. Let the fun begin!
- Admission: Free (if you register ahead of time or $2 at the event)!
Register Now!
Event Schedule Highlights:
- NOON: GOLD ENTRY OPEN!!
- 12:05PM: BOUNCE PARK FUN ZONE / TUNNEL ZONE OPENS!
- 12:15PM: Character Visit Pikachu Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle
- 12:25PM: Eastland Performing Dance Group
- 12:45PM: Magician (Main Stage)
- 1:15PM: Hula Hoop, Jump Rope & Limbo Contests! (Main Stage)
- 1:30PM: Character Visit Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle
- 1:35PM: Family Bingo (Main Stage)
- 1:55PM: Family Feud Gameshow (Main Stage)
- 2:15PM: Magician (Main Stage)
- 2:15PM: CANDY HUNT – 0-12 years– special area for 0-4 years (Candy Zone)
- 3:00PM: Event Ends - Thanks for coming!
Make sure you pre-register to participate for all the fun activities! Register Now and invite your friends – don’t miss the biggest family party of the Summer!
Register Now!
How It Works:
Step 1: Click on "Register" online.
Step 2: Register for any of the fun items! Choose your admission level + any add-ons.
Step 3: Arrive at the event on time (check-in by name).
Step 4: Head to the KidsLinked Booth (near the front main entrance inside the building) Arrive to the event during your assigned time (depending on your entry time) the day of the event / your name will be checked off the list for entry.
Step 5: Let the fun begin!
Please share the event with family and friends, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
Register Now!