Provides car seat checkups, safety workshops and sports clinics that help parents and caregivers prevent childhood injuries. Visit their website for a list of car seat inspection locations.
240 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 645-1667
Car Seat Inspection Sites: safekids.org/coalition/safe-kids-central-ohio
Main Website: safekids.org
Get daily air quality information and protect your health. You can get Air Quality Alerts or forecasts by email or text. Call the air quality hotline for information in English or Spanish at (888) 666-1009.
Air Quality Alert Sign-Up
www.morpc.org/programs-services/air-quality
Stay educated about fitness and staying healthy with local events and stories of interest.
10tv.com/commit-be-fit
Provides support and resources for schools to engage school professionals, families and communities in actions that lead to healthy eating and physical activity.
actionforhealthykids.org
Visit their website to find information on local races, team sports and recreational activities and camps for kids.
activekids.com
The website has information on a wide range of health topics, including safety, fitness, school issues, dating, substance abuse; emotional wellness, including helping children handle stress, psychiatric medications, grief. It also provides information about healthy living, family life, immunizations, developmental stages and more.
healthychildren.org
Provides affordable access to bicycles and cycling-related resources to those who rely on bikes as their sole means of transportation. They offer new and pre-owned bikes, parts, tools and cycling gear, free maintenance classes, an open repair shop and group rides. They also accept donations.
934 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43206
(614) 670-8685
bikes4allpeople.com
Serves youth ages 6 through 18 from across the city. For a low cost, the nationally-acclaimed Club provides members with access to after-school and summer programming oriented around three pillars: Academic Success, Healthy Lifestyles, and Character & Leadership. Club members have access to tutoring, gym space, teen-specific areas, field trips, career-readiness opportunities and mentoring.
A soccer program for youth ages 3 to 15 years old. The program offers opportunities year-round for children to join a soccer club, get private lessons and one-on-one training, as well as opportunities to participate in group sessions. Children learn the game of soccer, establish passion for the game and improve their technical ability. There is a minimal cost. Visit the website for contact information.
Field Address: 2845 Noe Bixby Road, Columbus, Ohio 43232 (Nafzger Park)
columbusastro.com
The Columbus Public Health Healthy Places Program has provided walking maps for neighborhoods throughout the city to add more physical activity to everyday life.
240 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 645-5318
columbus.gov/publichealth/programs/Healthy-Places/Columbus-Walking-Maps
Works with Columbus area childcare centers and partners to prevent childhood overweight and obesity by improving food and physical activity for children from birth to 5 years old. Their website also has free information about ways to stay active, healthy beverages, healthy food and more that are age appropriate for children from birth to kindergarten.
240 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 645-1224 or (614) 645-0261
columbus.gov/publichealth/programs/Growing-Healthy-Kids-Home-Page
Offers recreational activities, after school programs and clubs that are modified to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities over age 6.
1755 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43203
(614) 645-5648
columbus.gov/theraputicrecreation
Columbus has parks and recreation centers throughout the city and surrounding areas. They provide a variety of programs, camps and classes for children, teens and adults. Click below to find local programs in your neighborhood.
Offer year-round hands-on classes, workshops and summer camps in gardening, cooking, fine art and wellness. General admission is free on the first Sunday of the month. A reduced-rate family membership is available for eligible families (including military families).
1777 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43203
(614) 715-8000
fpconservatory.org
Helps families keep their bikes in good working order through its free Open Shop program in which people repair their own bicycles with help from a volunteer mechanic. Youth helmets are free and refurbished bikes and new and used parts can be purchased at an affordable rate.
897 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43222
(614) 228-1852
franklintoncycleworks.org
The website provides free and low cost opportunities for families to live an active lifestyle.
columbus.gov/get-active
A ten-week program for girls in 3rd through 8th grade in which they develop a life-long appreciation for health and fitness. Trained coaches lead small teams through activities, running games and lessons that inspire girls to become independent thinkers, enhance their problem solving skills and make healthy decisions. The program ends with the girls doing a community service project and completing a 5K event. They also offer a summer camp for girls in 3rd-5th grade.
1145-L Chesapeake Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43212
(614) 681-4687
girlsontheruncentralohio.org
Offers online toolkits to educate the community on the issues of obesity and other negative health outcomes, by offering offering ways to support a healthy diet, creative play, and a creative environment for children’s development and growth. They have many practical tips on nutrition and staying healthy and active.
ohioaap.org/education-cme-moc-ii/parenting-at-mealtime-and-playtime/
Buddy Ball is a baseball league that runs from May through June for children and adults with developmental or physical disabilities (ranging from autism, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy and other special needs). Each player has a Buddy to assist them with whatever help they need to play the game. The fees are minimal, and financial scholarships are available. Visit the website for contact information.
Physical Address: 3400 Ventura Boulevard, Grove City, Ohio 43123
Mailing Address: PO Box 493, Grove City, Ohio 43123
grovecitybuddyball.com/home
This website promotes better health outcomes through a healthy lifestyle, and provides a free nutrition and weight management course as well as a general exercise course.
healthierwithscience.com
Offers dance and creative movement classes for youth ages 3 and up and adults. Visit the website to find descriptions and locations of classes.
PO Box 82630, Columbus, Ohio 43202
(380) 222-4196
hixondance.com
Provides a wide range of recreation and cultural arts opportunities. They also offer teen programs, summer and spring break camps for kids with and without special needs, after school programs, preschool and daycare, special events and more.
1125 College Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43209
(614) 231-1890
columbusjcc.org
This website offers a broad range of information on many topics for parents:
Offers information and local resources about local biking events and trails, bicycle safety, promotes bicycling in central Ohio. They also provide a Franklin County Home Repair program low- and moderate-income homeowners, home energy efficiency and safety services at no cost to income-eligible homeowners and renters, and information on air quality.
111 Liberty Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 228-2663 or (800) 750-0750 TTY
Home Repair: (614) 233-4171
Free Home Energy Efficiency & Safety Services: (614) 621-1171
morpc.org
A medically-supervised, wellness program that teaches children who have health problems ways to practice healthy habits at home by using play and fitness plans designed just for them. Children are referred to this program by their healthcare provider and the cost is billed to their medical insurance.
(614) 355-6036
nationwidechildrens.org/Play-Strong
A free youth development program dedicated to serving economically disadvantaged children in the Columbus community. Their programs include a sports summer camp for youth ages 9 to 15, a youth leadership academy that prepares youth ages 15-18 for college and future careers, and community-based sports clinics throughout the year. Transportation is free to all campers via buses.
2400 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio, 43210
(614) 688-3875
osulifesports.org
Explore events happening around you on the trails of Ohio. This website was created by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and the Ohio Trails Partnership. With more than 5,000 of miles of trails (biking, hiking, running, walking, water trails, and equestrian), Ohio has a lot of opportunities to get out and explore.
trails.ohiodnr.gov
A club whose goal is to create positive sports environments fostering social integration, healthy living, and greater self-confidence for children and young adults with special needs. Children and young adults with special needs play sports with volunteers at Ohio State University. Visit the website to find more RallyCap Sports programs in other Ohio cities.
(732) 391-2282 or (419) 708-4214
rallycapsports.org
OSU Chapter: rallycapsports.org/osu / facebook.com/RallyCapSportsOSU
Offers providers and parents resources to help children thrive and deal with some common issues that affect children’s lives. Explore topics related to health and wellness, social-emotional skills, and school readiness.
sesamestreetincommunities.org
To view their additional toolkit: sesamestreet.org/toolkits
Designed and developed for the special needs kids ages 8 and up. These camps take place at collegiate or professional athletic training facilities and are taught by collegiate athletes, along with current and former professional athletes. The camps are free of charge. Please contact the camp for further details and to be invited to participate.
967 Spring Grove Lane, Columbus, Ohio 43235
(614) 432-6627
specialskillssports.com
Provides free eye gear (prescription goggles for sports and vocational school programs), baseball and softball batting helmets, and fielder masks to aid in prevention of eye injuries. These items are available to kids ages 3 to 18 years old and applications are available throughout the year.
Ohio Ophthalmological Society
5115 Parkcenter Avenue, Suite 200, Dublin, Ohio 43017
(614) 527-6799
superspecs.org
Provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop independence, confidence, and fitness through participation in community sports, recreation and educational programs. TAASC is also known as Adaptive Sports Connection.
6000 Harriott Drive, Powell, Ohio 43065
(614) 389-3921
adaptivesportsconnection.org
Move United: moveunitedsport.org
National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD): nscd.org
Offers personal training, group training and fitness classes for people with special neurological, developmental or physical needs. These opportunities are offered in a special fitness center designed to meet their needs to encourage optimal levels of health and fitness for life.
6631 Commerce Parkway, Unit L, Dublin, Ohio 43017
(614) 389-0456
valemee.com
This free program is offered at several locations throughout Columbus to encourage healthy physical activity in people of all ages. Families and children can join a doctor and other people looking to improve their health at these free Walk With a Doc events each week.
(614) 714-0407
walkwithadoc.org
Provides resources and information for parents and kids ages 8 to 13 on healthy eating, play and physical activity, and screen time.
nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/wecan
Provides bicycle education for individuals and groups, programmed community events and leads fun, accessible rides to places in Columbus, year-round.
921 North Hight Street, Columbus, Ohio 43201
(614) 470-4220
yaybikes.com
Serves: Single Adults & Families, Youth & Teens
Their programs, services and initiatives are for men, women and children of all ages covering health and fitness, swimming, age-specific activities, child care, camps, juvenile justice, housing, programming for infants and children with special needs (ECRN+), loanable adaptive equipment, and more. In their YMCA Stable Families coordinated service program, families with children (from Pre-K to 12th grade) who live in Franklin County have access to a service coordinator who can help in increasing household income, obtaining/maintaining safe and stable housing, and increasing the academic achievement of school-aged children. Visit the website or contact a YMCA center for additional information.
YMCA Administrative Office: 1907 Leonard Ave, Columbus, OH 43219
(614) 389-4409
YMCA Stable Families: (614) 636-3208
ymcacolumbus.org
YMCA Stable Families: ymcacolumbus.org/stable-form
YMCA Locations & Contacts: ymcacolumbus.org/locations