A Complete Guide to Bringing Your Kids to the Ohio State Fair: Everything You Need to Know in 2024

This blog post is written in partnership with Ohio State Fair.

Get ready for the 2024 Ohio State Fair—it’s finally here! This week, brace yourself for acres upon acres of everything a classic fair has to offer: mouthwatering fair food, thrilling rides, eclectic shopping, and the chance to meet the most adorable animals around. Join the hustle and bustle of excited crowds, enjoy favorite fair traditions like Smokey Bear and the sky glider, marvel at the livestock, and groove along with the All-Ohio State Fair Band & Youth Choir. And, of course, don’t forget to pay homage to the beloved butter cow, the undisputed star of the show!

In this blog post, I’ve got you covered with the ultimate guide to making the most of your time at the fair with your kids. What’s even better? We’ll be there not just once, but multiple times! Be sure to follow us on social media  ’cause we’ll be dishing out live updates and sharing all the cool stuff we stumble upon!

Essential Information You Need to Know

• Dates: July 24 – Aug 4, 2024
• Hours of Operation:
  • Fair Hours
    • Monday through Friday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
    • Saturday and Sunday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., except Sunday, Aug. 4, when admission gates close at 6 p.m.
    • Most buildings and activities close at 6 p.m. All Fair activities are concluded by 9 p.m.
  • Admission gates open daily at 7 a.m. Please note that most food vendors, activities, entertainment, and buildings do not open until 10 a.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. on weekends. Fairgoers must exit the grounds by 11 p.m. each day of the Fair, except for the last day of the Fair when the fair closes at 9 p.m.
  • Mountain Dew Midway:
    • Wednesday, July 24: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
    • Thursday, July 25: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. **Sensory-friendly morning (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
    • Friday, July 26: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
    • Saturday, July 27: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
    • Sunday, July 28: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
    • Monday, July 29: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
    • Tuesday, July 30: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
    • Wednesday, July 31: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
    • Thursday, Aug. 1: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
    • Friday, Aug. 2: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
    • Saturday, Aug. 3: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
    • Sunday, Aug. 4: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Gate Admission Prices:
  • $12 – Adults 13-59
  • $10 – Seniors 60+
  • $10 – Children 6-12
  • Free – Children 5 and under
  • Free – Veterans, Military, and First Responders with appropriate ID
• Rides:
  • Operational 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. (Open 11 a.m. – Midnight on Fridays, open 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Saturdays, Sunday, July 30, and Wednesday, Aug. 2.; closes at 10 p.m. on Aug. 6)
  • Ride-All-Day Wristband:
    • $36 (purchased on-site)
    • $33 (Advance-Sale Ride-All-Day Wristband available online only in advance through July 23) Purchase here.
  • Individual ride credits (Talley’s Magic Money):
    • $1 each
    • All rides require 3 or more credits
    • RFID-enabled wristbands and ticket cards can be purchased on-site at Talley Amusements kiosks or the Talley Amusements Guest Information Services Booth with cash or credit card.
• Free Parking:
  • General parking is free in the main O’Reilly Auto Parts Parking Lot north of the Cardinal Gate
  • Accessible parking is available
  • Reserved parking is not available to the general public
• Outside Food and Beverage:
  • You may bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages
  • Glass bottles and containers are not permitted on grounds
• $3 {Food} Thursdays
  • Both Thursdays at the Fair, all vendors will be offering a menu item of their choice at a smaller size for just $3! This new initiative is the perfect way to try all the best Fair foods without breaking the bank. Visit ohiostatefair.com/3-Thursday for a full list of miniature food items and locations
• One thing that really was helpful when the girls were babies were the Infant Care & Nursing Stations presented by Molina Healthcare. The Ohio State Fair offers two large, air-conditioned Infant Care & Nursing Stations. One is located in Kiddieland and the other in the Taste of Ohio Café, at which parents can change their children’s diapers, and mothers who prefer to breastfeed their children in privacy can do so comfortably. Additional nursing stations are located in Kasich Hall and the Bricker MarketPlace Building.

Click here for a map highlighting the gates, games, rides, food, entertainment, and everything else at this year’s fair.

Sensory Information for your Visit

Sensory-Friendly Area

Navigating the hustle and bustle of the Ohio State Fair during peak hours can be overwhelming, especially for individuals with sensory sensitivities. One particular area, the 8- acre Natural Resources Park, is naturally soothing. With plenty of trees, benches, and even a waterfall, this serene
area allows for some sensory refuge. It also features an accessible play area.

Quiet Room

For a moment of peace and calm, step into the air-conditioned Quiet Room located in the heart of the fair at the Taste of Ohio Café. Here, you’ll find a small adjacent restroom, sensory items to help you relax, and comfortable seating to unwind. It’s the perfect spot for a quick sensory relief, allowing you to recharge before diving back into the fair’s vibrant atmosphere.

Sensory-Friendly Morning: Thursday, July 25, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

They understand that some fairgoers require a more sensory-friendly experience to fully enjoy the Ohio State Fair. That’s why, in partnership with OCALI, they have designated Thursday, July 25, as a special Sensory-Friendly Morning. During this time, they have made thoughtful adjustments to create a welcoming environment for individuals with sensory sensitivities. To help you navigate the fairgrounds with ease, they have provided a sensory accessibility guide that outlines the various sensory-friendly opportunities available. You can find additional resources such as print social narratives, a first-then board, wait cards, and a parking permit for a special area on the OCALI website at ocali.org.

Daily Kid-Friendly activities you shouldn’t miss

Meet the Iconic Smokey Bear at the Ohio State Fair

• 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Natural Resources Park

For lots of families, one super cool tradition is to get a friendly shout-out from the famous Smokey Bear at Natural Resources Park. Can you believe he’s one of just two talking Smokey Bears in the whole country? You gotta make it a mission this year to swing by and say hi to Smokey Bear during the Ohio State Fair.

Fun and Thrills Await at Kiddieland

• 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. (open until midnight on Fridays; opens at 10 a.m. for the sensory-friendly morning on Aug. 2; closes at 10 p.m. on Aug. 6)
• Kiddieland

Parents and kiddos alike are in for an awesome time at Kiddieland! They’ve got a ton of cool rides – nearly 30 of ’em – that are a total blast for the whole fam. Picture mini-coasters, a super cute kiddie carousel, a towering 65-foot Ferris wheel, and even spinny tea cups.

Discover Agriculture at the Land & Living Exhibit

• 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

This exhibit is super interactive and has a ton of cool activities for the whole fam to enjoy. You’ll get to see, experience, and learn all about taking care of animals on the farm, how science and technology are helping farmers make safe food and take care of the environment, how scientists are finding solutions to big food and farming problems, and even how you can have a career in agriculture. While you’re there, you can even try your hand at planting crops on a tractor simulator, do some shopping in a groovy interactive grocery store, and grab a free photo to remember your time at the State Fair. How cool is that?

Engage in Hands-On Agriculture at Little Farmers Exhibit

• 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Voinovich Livestock & Trade Center Lawn 42

Get ready for an incredible adventure at this hands-on educational exhibit designed just for kids aged 3 to 10. It’s all about exploring the amazing world of Ohio agriculture! Families will have a blast navigating through a variety of stations, where they can get up close with simulated animals, discover real grains, learn about gardening, and so much more. Plus, the cherry on top is that you’ll have the chance to pick a small prize at the final station.

Get Up Close with The Cutest Animals at the Petting Zoo

• 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. (open until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday)
• Kiddieland

The free Petting Zoo features more than 50 animals from around the world including goats, llamas, zebras, antelope, kangaroos, a spotted Highland cow, giant tortoise, and more. I will confirm, but last year they had food you could purchase to feed the animals and it was CASH only. As a general rule, it’s just ideal to keep a bit of cash with you while visiting the fair!

Explore and Engage at the Lausche Youth Exploration Space

• Lausche Building
• Operating Hours: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. (closes at 6 p.m. on Aug. 7)

Embark on an adventure at the Lausche Youth Exploration Space. Pick up a lanyard and earn brag tags at nine different interactive and educational stops along the way like the healthy initiatives hub, COSI, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, Battelle, Phun with Physics, 4-H, Department of Higher Education, and the Department of Education and Workforce. Don’t miss the Tiny Town filled with playhouses, Cozy Coupes, and play gas pumps. Kids can enjoy some play time while the adults relax!

Additional attractions outside of the Lausche Youth Exploration Space:

• Family Fun Area – Giant board games, the library reading nook, coloring, and more. You can even take some time to write a thank you note to first responders, healthcare heroes, and veterans.
• Career Pathway Program -The Lausche Youth Exploration Space is always buzzing with endless activities and programming for children. A new addition in 2024 is the career pathway program; see life-size cutouts of personnel in the workforce and learn about their career path. From a space operations officer to a meat inspection training officer these Ohioans are sure to inspire fairgoers of all ages.

Discover Nature’s Wonders at the Natural Resources Park

• 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. (times of activities vary)
• Natural Resources Park

Get ready to be blown away by the breathtaking beauty of nature at the Natural Resources Park! This place is like a hidden gem, a magical 8-acre oasis carefully looked after by the awesome folks at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. However, it’s not just about the stunning scenery! Brace yourself for a whole bunch of cool stuff to do and see that will put a smile on everyone’s faces. So, here’s the lowdown on what’s waiting for you:

• Free Fishing for Kids
• Kayaking (There is typically a sign-up area)
• Two play areas
• Archery
• Butterfly House
• Native Ohio Wildlife
• Geological Walkway
• Nature Center
• Tall Grass Prairie
• Outdoor Amphitheater – From lively musical performances to the popular lumberjack show, there’s always something exciting happening throughout each day of the State Fair.

Explore Ohio’s Rich History at the Ohio History Center and Ohio Village

• Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Daily
• North of Main Cardinal Gate Entrance

For the second time, folks at the fair will get the awesome chance to explore Ohio’s fascinating past by checking out the Ohio History Center and Ohio Village, all at no extra charge while enjoying the Ohio State Fair. Just outside Kasich Hall, there’s a handy shuttle service that can take you over from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the fair. Let yourself get immersed in the rich heritage of the Buckeye State as you wander through the Ohio History Center. You’ll come across captivating exhibits that showcase the diverse history of Ohio, all the way from its Native American roots to the present day. Be amazed by artifacts, interact with the displays, and gain a deeper understanding of the events that have shaped Ohio’s past. And when you step into Ohio Village, you’ll be transported back in time to a 19th-century Ohio town. With period buildings, interpreters dressed in costumes, and authentic demonstrations, it’s like living in another era. Take a leisurely stroll through the streets, chat with the village’s residents, and experience what life was like in days gone by.

Click here to read a blog post about our visit to the Ohio History Center

Special Family Friendly Days/Events

• Thursday, July 25: Sensory Friendly Morning, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. – We’ve turned down the lights and volume to make the Ohio State Fair more sensory-friendly in partnership with OCALI. Ride the rides with no flashing lights or music, visit the Fair’s many educational and sensory activities, take a break in a quiet room or use our accessibility guide to find a Fair opportunity that suits you. Print social narratives, a first-then board, and wait cards are also available on OCALI’s website.
• Thursday, July 25: WOSU Kids Day @ Central Park 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Join WOSU Public Media in Central Park south of the Gazebo for a chance to meet some of your favorite PBS KIDS® characters on July 25 only! The event, designed to keep the whole family entertained, will offer PBS KIDS® activity stations. Be sure to see PBS KIDS® characters throughout the day for photo opportunities
• Monday, July 29: NBC4 Family Discount Day – Adults will be admitted for the kids’ admission price of $10, and kids 12 and under will be admitted free all day. Until 5 p.m., purchase ride-all-day wristbands for just $19! All riders are required to have a wristband or credits to ride.

There is SO much to do at the Ohio state fair! For even more ideas, check out this blog post by The Beard and The Baker for 185 things to do at the fair!

Pro Tip: These are the BEST fries at the fair. You can find them towards the back of the fair in front of the Land and Living Building.

Get ready for endless fun at the Ohio State Fair! From the famous butter cow to thrilling escape acts and live music, there’s something for everyone. Create cherished memories as you explore fascinating exhibits, enjoy the petting zoo, and discover the wonders of the natural resources park. Don’t miss out on this adventure! Mark your calendars and join us for a journey of exploration and enjoyment. See you there! If you have any questions or need tips to make the most of your time, just shoot us a message.