Kids can explore at these Touch-a-Truck events in Columbus

Kids love to explore emergency vehicles, construction vehicles, and farm equipment, and there are plenty of touch-a-truck events in Columbus and Central Ohio to fulfill their curiosity!

These events are a wonderful learning experience for kids that are full of photo-ops, so don’t forget your phone or camera. 

While some Touch-a-Truck events are planned for 2024, details are still tba for others. We will add them as they are announced.

April Touch-a-Truck events

Touch a Truck at Grove City UMC with Wide Open Doors

Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 11 am – 2 pm
See and touch the trucks and vehicles, and meet the drivers! There will be crafts, vendors, food trucks, and more. Bring gently used clothing and non perishable food for their local mission project with the schools. Details here. 

May Touch-a-Truck events

Powell Touch a Truck

Friday, May 3, 2024 from 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Trucks and vehicles will fill Adventure Park for this fun event. Details here. 

Touch a Truck in Pickerington

Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 10 am – 12 pm
At the Pickerington Community Pool. Bring your kids to enjoy a variety of big trucks, cars, engines and more. Kids will be able to see the ins and outs of all vehicle and receive a free Kids Driver’s License. Read more here. 

Touch a Truck at Hilliard’s Station Park

Friday, May 10, 2024 from 10 am – 12 pm.
This Children’s event features interactive fun with Big Trucks, Cars, Machines, Police and Fire Vehicles. Decorate your own helmet and enjoy inflatables, Paw Patrol strolling character, and more!

Near Hilliard Station Park (Wayne and Center Streets Parking lot in Old Hilliard) 

Details on Facebook

Touch a Truck in Canal Winchester

Friday, May 17, 2024 from 6-9 pm
During Music in the Park. Bring the Family to Touch-A-Truck at Stradley Park to check out Police & Fire vehicles on display. Live music by Poverty String Band. Read more about Canal Winchester here. 

36 S. High St, Canal Winchester

Kids and Cops Day ‘24

Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 10 am – 2 pm at OHIO University Lancaster, 1570 Granville Pike, Lancaster, OH
The Ohio University Law Enforcement Technology, Lancaster Citizen Police academy and the Lancaster Police Department are working together to provide children with the opportunity to interact and feel comfortable with law enforcement community, while learning about equipment and technology which law enforcement personnel use.

Agencies throughout the State of Ohio will be in attendance for this family-friendly, fun educational event! Details. 

Upper Arlington Spring Fling 

Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 11 am – 2 pm 
Kids can explore city vehicles during the Spring Fling at Sunny 95 Park. Read more details here.

Touch a Truck at Prairie Township Community Center

May 18, 2024 from 12 pm – 2 pm
Visit the Galloway Sports Complex and climb around in some of the vehicles that help keep the Township safe and running smooth. Details here. 

June Touch a Truck events

Marysville Touch a Truck

Saturday, June 7, 2024 from 10 am – 1 pm.  
Check out fire trucks, police cars, ambulances, tractors, a wheel loader and more at Mill Valley Park South, 1067 Creekview Dr.

More details here. 

Dog Days of Summer at Pataskala Grace Church

Saturday, June 8, 2024 from 11 am – 2 pm.
Support Pataskala Police Department K9 Program at this annual fundraiser. All of the proceeds from this event will go towards the purchase and training of a new police K9. It is FREE to attend!

Read more about the event here!

DCEMS Touch a Truck at Buckeye Valley High School

June 8, 2024 from 10 am – 1 pm.
Join DCEMS, Tri Township Fire District, and so many others for a fun, free, family day with lots vehicles big and small that you can see up close and in person. Ambulances, fire trucks, police cars, tow trucks and so many others (including a helicopter if the weather is nice) will be on display.

Canned food donations will be collected to benefit People in Need of Delaware. Details on Facebook. 

The Science of Big Machines at COSI

June 8-16, 2024
Big machines and construction equipment converge in downtown Columbus for COSI’s annual Science of Big Machines.

Get behind the wheel and experience equipment that builds roads, bridges, and buildings! Explore the science and technology of construction by trying it out first hand and learning with real engineers.

From small tools to big equipment, you’ll discover how big jobs get done. A multitude of pieces of construction equipment will be on hand to explore.

Cops and Kids Day in Westerville

June 15, 2024 from 12 pm – 4 pm.
Kids can interact with community police officers, and check out their technology and equipment along with motorcycles, cruisers, and specialty vehicles from agencies through Central Ohio.

Check details here. back for updates.

Cops & Kids Day in Westerville

Polaris Fashion Place Touch a Truck KidX Club

June 18, 2024 from 5 pm -7 pm.

Located in the Polaris Lifestyle Center near The Cheesecake Factory. This is a FREE, family fun event where you and your kids can interact with a variety of COOL vehicles up close, including cranes, semi-trucks, emergency vehicles, and more!

Wet Suits & Way-Cool Trucks

June 28, 2024 from 10 am – 11:30 am 

Dublin Community Recreation Parking Lot by amphitheater. Enjoy a variety of activities with Washington Township Fire Department to help make your summer safe!

Tour Sparky’s fire safety house, Watch a fire department’s dive team demonstration in the Recreation Center pool (11 am), learn bike safety, and check out the fire and medic truck.

Read more about Dublin’s touch-a-truck.

July Touch a Truck events

Dozers & Diggers: The Science of Big Machines at The Works:

July 13, 2024 from 9 am – 2 pm.
Families are invited to get an up-close view of the fire trucks, lifts, bull dozers, and other big machines that get things done in our community. Jump in, climb around, and speak to the people who operate these extraordinary machines every day.

From construction equipment to emergency vehicles, The Works’ campus will be filled with big wheels and treads! The day will also include food trucks, live demonstrations, activities and discounted admission to The Works ($7).

Metro Parks Touch-a-Truck at Sharon Woods Metro Park

Friday, July 26, 2024 from 4 pm – 7 pm

Ever wonder what it’s like working at Metro Parks? Stop by Sharon Woods Metro Park and meet the people and the equipment behind the job.

During this interactive family-friendly event, you can see, touch and explore a variety of trucks, tractors and more! Drop by between 4-7pm at the Schrock Lake Picnic Shelter. 

August Touch a Truck events

Touch-a-Truck Community Day at Colony Square Mall

August 3, 2024 from 11 am – 3 pm.

Interact with community support leaders and first responders, military personnel and more at Colony Square Mall in Zanesville! Kids can check out police cars, army truck, fire truck, and more!

Kids can sit in the driver’s seats and even honk the horns! Located in the front mall parking lot. 

National Night out

August 6, 2024

Gather with your local police departments for community bonding on National Night Out Day! Events vary, but may include emergency vehicles, K9 demonstrations, food, games, giveaways, and more.

See the big list of National Night Out events in Columbus. 

National Night Out events around Columbus

COSI Farm Days

August 7-11, 2024. Farm machines, farm activities, and more at COSI. Included with admission.

Westerville Touch a Truck

Saturday, August 9, 2024 from 10 am – 12 pm at the Westerville Sports Complex. Check out fire trucks and ambulances, police cruisers, service vehicles, and construction equipment. Sensory-friendly event is from 9-10 a.m. (no sirens/horns).

Details here. 

Explore at the Touch a Truck in Westerville

New Albany Touch a Truck

Saturday, August 24, 2024 from 10 am – noon.
The event features all of the city vehicles, farm equipment, activities, child identification program, and free lunch in New Albany. They’ll be accepting canned foods to donate to the New Albany Food Pantry.

Explore city vehicles and more at New Albany Touch a Truck

Plain Township Fire Dept Open House

September 29, 2024 from 10 am – 3 pm. 
You don’t want to miss this exciting event; kids can explore the fire department and vehicles, use a real fire hose, watch a MedFlight helicopter take off (weather depending) and finish up with a HUGE foam party!

There is lots of food with the chili cook-off, and you can have child ID badges made. Details here.

October Touch a Truck events

Touch a Tractor at Fall Harvest Moon Festival

Saturday, October 5, 2024 from 12pm – 5pm
Infirmary Mound Park, Granville, OH.

Hands-on events for your young children. Held during the Fall Harvest Moon Festival at Infirmary Mound Park, explore, climb and touch tractors of all shapes and sizes!  This event is free and open to the public.

Prairie Township Family Fun Night and Free CPR

Saturday, October 5, 2024 from noon – 4 pm at 123 Inah Ave, Columbus, OH 43228
Join the Prairie Township Fire Department for Family Fun Night & Free CPR. This event will bring our firehouse to the park with education, interaction, and a whole lot of fun! The event also features a touch-a-truck and movie, Inside Out 2. Details here.

Details here.

Fire Prevention Week

October 6-12, 2024
Most township and city fire departments will host special events at the fire stations, including touch-a-truck. See all of the Fire Station Open Houses!

Fire Dept. Open Houses in Columbus for Fire Prevention Week

Franklin County Engineer’s Office Touch-and-Ride-a-Truck

Thursday, October 17, 2024 from 4 pm – 8 pm

The FCEO Touch-And-Ride-A-Truck moves to a new location at Fortress Obetz!

This Halloween-themed event is designed to give kids an opportunity to interact and learn about various equipment and vehicles. See Facebook event page.

Annual Cops & Community Trunk-or-Treat: October tba 2024 from 1-4 pm. 
1955 Frank Rd, Columbus. Meet various Central Ohio law enforcement and first responders. Free raffles for bike helmets, gift cards, and gift baskets. Emergency vehicles will be decorated and candy will be passed out. Hot dogs, soda, water, chips and candy provided.

Trunk or Treat in Whitehall: October tba 2024 from 5:00-8:00 pm
Whitehall City Hall parking lot. Ghouls and goblins are invited to enjoy Trunk or Treat, a free family-friendly alternative to Trick or Treat, complete with candy, pumpkins, Touch-a-Truck, and more

EASE Logistics Touch-a-Truck

tba 2024 from 11 am – 2 pm.
Featuring 20+ trucks, family activities, free food, and more. Accepting canned goods for admission. Details here. 

https://www.columbusonthecheap.com/ease-logistics-touch-a-truck/.

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