(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Children and families are invited to get outdoors and get active this summer with the return of PlayStreets, free community events for children and their families featuring food, entertainment and a place to play.
PlayStreets events – organized by Nationwide Children’s Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families initiative – promote health and wellness through outdoor play and social interaction. The events, which began in 2019, return on Saturday, May 3, at the Linden Fresh Market and will continue on select Saturdays through August in the South Side and Linden communities.
Last year’s PlayStreets events saw the highest overall attendance since its inception and the addition of two new event sites in both Linden and the South Side communities. Over 2,800 families, children, caregivers and volunteers attended events in the 2024 season.
“We know that social connection and play are extremely important for a child’s development and well-being. PlayStreets provides an environment where the community can connect with each other, and children can meet new friends and have fun,” said Nick Jones, vice president of community wellness at Nationwide Children’s. “PlayStreets is part of our organizational commitment to building healthy neighborhoods, because health happens where kids live, learn and play.”
Location, dates and activities include:
Linden Events
- Location: Linden Fresh Market, 1464 Cleveland Ave.
- Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Schedule*:
- May 3 – Featuring the Johnson’s Ice Cream truck, face painting, book giveaways, an inflatable obstacle course and sports fun zone.
- June 7 – Featuring Chilljoy Hawaiian Shave Ice, face painting, a petting zoo with a camel, an inflatable Spiderman playground and soccer darts.
- June 28 – Featuring J-Pops Handcrafted Ice Pops, face painting, an inflatable obstacle course, inflatable ring toss and bowling.
- August 2 – Featuring Chilljoy Hawaiian Shave Ice, face painting, a Star Wars obstacle course and Ultimate Slam Dunk Basketball.
- Admission: Free
- Location: Maize Manor United Methodist Church, 3901 Maize Road
- Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Schedule*:
- July 19 – Featuring Little Ladies Soft Serve, face painting, an inflatable obstacle course, inflatable ring toss and bowling.
- August 16 – Featuring Chilljoy Hawaiian Shave Ice, face painting, a petting zoo with a camel, a Star Wars obstacle course and Ultimate Slam Dunk Basketball.
- Admission: Free
South Side Events
- Location: The Residences at Career Gateway, 755 E. Whittier St.
- Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Schedule*:
- May 17 – Featuring live music from the NACHO Band, Johnson’s Ice Cream, face painting, an inflatable mega slide and field goal kick.
- June 21 – Featuring Chilljoy Hawaiian Shave Ice, face painting, book giveaways, a petting zoo with a camel, an inflatable Spiderman playground and soccer darts.
- July 12 – Featuring Kai’s Sugar Shack, face painting, book giveaways, an inflatable obstacle course, inflatable ring toss and bowling.
- August 9 – Featuring Chilljoy Hawaiian Shave Ice, face painting, a Star Wars obstacle course and Ultimate Slam Dunk Basketball.
- Admission: Free
- Location: The Reeb Avenue Center, 280 Reeb Ave.
- Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Schedule*:
- July 26 – Featuring Little Ladies Soft Serve, face painting, an inflatable obstacle course, inflatable ring toss and bowling.
- August 23 – Featuring Chilljoy Hawaiian Shave Ice, face painting, a petting zoo with a camel, a Star Wars obstacle course and Ultimate Slam Dunk Basketball.
- Admission: Free
*Activities and vendors subject to change; event will take place rain or shine.
To learn more about PlayStreets, visit NationwideChildrens.org/PlayStreets.
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