The Ohio State Fair is back for 2022! It runs from Wednesday, July 27, 2022 through Sunday, August 7, 2022. There is something fun to do every single day but today we are rounding up the best FREE kid friendly spots at the Ohio State Fair.
What is the cost of the Ohio State Fair in 2022?
Before we get into the FREE part of the fair, here is the cost of the Ohio State Fair for all ages. Note that parking is free.
- $10 for Adults / $8 for ages 6-12 or Seniors (60+) / Free for 5 and under
- You can purchase tickets online here.
- There are also special discounted days which you can read all about here.
What activities are FREE for kids at the Ohio State Fair in 2022?
The answer is … just about everything! This isn’t a completely exhaustive list of all the incredible events and activities at the Ohio State Fair but it includes some of my absolute favorite spots.
- OVMA (Ohio Veterinary Medical Association) outside the Butter Cow building
- They always have cows here who are about to give birth or just gave birth! One year we even saw the calf being born which was pretty cool. They also set up a milking station during some times so you can try your hand (literally) at milking a cow.
- The Dairy Building
- This is a no brainer! You have to see the Butter Cow. Not technically free, but grabbing a scoop of ice cream is always a fun treat after seeing the exhibit.
- All the livestock buildings
- If you want to see how hard the animals and their caregivers work, head into the livestock buildings. It’s cool to see the animals, of course, but also great to see the camaraderie and hard work from these dedicated families. One year I saw baby piglets and it made my dreams come true.
- Note: just make sure to be respectful because these are working animals – not a petting zoo.
- The Bricker Building
- I might have a soft spot for seeing all the Ohio State Departments in here because I helped plan one when I was an intern at The Ohio Department of Insurance. But, I love seeing their booths and activations every year! They are always so nice and have fun trivia, activities, and giveaways for kiddos. Olivia got a pop-it this year from one and she was so excited!
- Land & Living Building
- Growing up, they always had puppies in this building and I keep waiting for that to happen again. But, it is a fun building filled with hands-on activities for kids like “shopping” in a grocery store, planting sunflower seeds, “pig racing,” and more. Plus, it’s right next to Wild Bill’s cheese fries which are THE BEST.
- Natural Resources Park
- I could probably write an entire blog post about this area of the Ohio State Fair. It’s most well known for Smokey the Bear, rightfully so, but there is SO much to explore. You can see tons of aquatic animals, play on a brand new inclusive playground, hang out in the sand pit, go fishing, kayak, visit the butterfly exhibit, and more.
- Lausche Youth Exploration Place
- This is a can’t miss area for anyone with kids 10 and under! I honestly wouldn’t have even gone in here but we were chatting with some friends and I happened to see a sign for COSI so we wandered indoors and it’s incredible. COSI is in there, a really fun “Tiny Town” that kiddos can “drive” around, Girl and Boy Scouts, a story time courtesy of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, and more.
Where can I relax with my toddler or baby at the Ohio State Fair?
The folks at OhioHealth and Big Lots have graciously sponsored the Infant Care Room and Quiet Room in the Taste of Ohio building. I used it for about 45 minutes to let Finnegan nap and it was amazing. They have 3 little areas in the Infant Care Room with changing tables, comfy recliners, a bottle warmer, and more.
We love the Ohio State Fair as a family! It’s such a fun place to explore, learn, and celebrate the great aspects of Ohio. If you want to see more about the Ohio State Fair, make sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook!
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