The week ahead (August 18th–24th) is full of opportunities to get out, connect, and keep the kids entertained. Each day offers a mix of regular favorites and special one-time events, so there’s something for just about every schedule.
The weekly event and activity guides now have a new home to make them easier to find. Starting this week, you’ll also see signup and registration links wherever it makes sense, so you can plan ahead without extra searching.
Here are a few events worth highlighting this week:
- KidConnect Fair Spring Hill(Tuesday morning)
- Story Time at Needle & Grain with Special Guest Bradley Mountain (Wednesday morning)
- Tummy Time at Villages Clubhouse (Saturday morning)
- Open House with Martial Arts Lessons (Saturday afternoon)
- Garden Focaccia Workshop with Firefly Garden Club (Sunday afternoon)
You’ll also spot a couple of new events in Chapel Hill. It’s just outside the usual 30-minute range, but worth mentioning, especially the $5 open gym (cash or Venmo) if you are nearby.
For those who want to stay local, Discovery Gymnastics open play is worth it. We checked it out last week and it was worth every penny for how much fun my daughter had and how well she napped afterward. You can see some pictures from our visit in last week’s Reel.
If you’re looking for something more structured, they mentioned their Parent & Child class (for ages 18 months and up) still has a couple open spots on Wednesdays from 9:00–9:45 AM. You can check with them directly about sign-up and costs, and find more details here.
Reminder: Unless an event clearly states otherwise, plan to stay with your child during activities. The majority of these events are not drop-off programs.
Want to jump to a specific day? Click the day below.
Monday, August 18
Monday starts the week with ice cream-themed sensory play, library favorites, and creative activities to wind down the day.
🍦Ice Cream Themed Open Play Session
Location: Villages Clubhouse (1127 S High St, Columbia)
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Cost: $12 per child or Membership Package (Sign up here)
Description: Enjoy open-ended indoor and outdoor sensory play designed for kids around ages 1–5. Sessions feature rotating sensory stations, and you’re welcome to stay and play as long as you like. Choose from two time blocks. Advance sign-up is recommended to guarantee your spot, as some timeframes may fill up. If arriving after 10:30 AM, on-site ticket purchase is required due to online cutoff.
👶 Baby Time (Spring Hill)
Location: Spring Hill Public Library (144 Kedron Pkwy, Spring Hill) – Multi-Purpose Room
Time: 9:30 to 10:30 AM
Cost: Free
Description: Rhymes, songs, books, and lots of bouncing that’s just right for your little one. Designed for children from birth to age 2 and their caregivers, with a brief playtime afterward.
📖 Family Storytime
Location: Maury County Public Library (211 W 8th St, Columbia)
Time: 10:00 to 10:30 AM
Cost: Free
Description: Stories, songs, and rhymes for children and their caregivers in a fun, interactive environment that fosters a love of reading.
🔧 Tinkering Station
Location: aMuse’um Children’s Museum (123 W 7th St #3213, Columbia)
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Reserve Your Spot)
Cost: Free for members; included with museum admission ($12 per child; one adult free per paid child, additional adults $6)
Description: Parent-led, hands-on activities designed to help kids explore, create, and problem-solve. Activities rotate weekly. Check their social media for details.
🎨 Artist of the Week / Crafternoon (Ages 5+)
Location: Maury County Public Library (211 W 8th St, Columbia)
Time: 4:30 to 5:30 PM
Cost: Free
Description: Learn about a different artist each week and create artwork inspired by their style. This week’s theme: Airplanes.
Tuesday, August 19
It’s a full day of events, from morning workouts and playtime to creative afternoons and evening family fun. Whether you’re looking to get moving, enjoy sensory play, or join a themed activity, today has something for every age.
💪 Stroller Workouts & Walks
Location: Riverwalk Park (102 Riverside Dr, Columbia)
Time: 8:30 to 9:30 AM
Cost: Free
Description: Hosted by Columbia Parks & Recreation, this parent-and-child fitness meetup includes light cardio, strength exercises, and a group stroller walk. Bring your stroller and kids for a fun outdoor workout and social walk. All fitness levels welcome.
🍦Ice Cream Themed Open Play Session
Location: Villages Clubhouse (1127 S High St, Columbia)
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Cost: $12 per child or Membership Package (Sign up here)
Description: Enjoy open-ended indoor and outdoor sensory play designed for kids around ages 1–5. Sessions feature rotating sensory stations, and you’re welcome to stay and play as long as you like. Choose from two time blocks. Advance sign-up is recommended to guarantee your spot, as some timeframes may fill up. If arriving after 10:30 AM, on-site ticket purchase is required due to online cutoff.
🤸 Weekday Open Gym (Chapel Hill)
Location: Tennessee Extreme Allstars (132 Depot St, Chapel Hill)
Time: 10:00 to 11:30 AM
Cost: $5 per child (cash or Venmo only)
Description: Parents stay to supervise as kids enjoy free play in the gym. No pre-registration needed.
🎯 KidConnect Fair (Spring Hill)
Location: 626 Beechcroft Rd, Spring Hill
Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Cost: Free
Description: Connect with local family-focused businesses that serve children, from piano and sewing lessons to speech services. Tour Acton TriStar Academy and learn about their hands-on, learner-driven programs.
📚 Story Time (Spring Hill)
Location: Spring Hill Public Library (144 Kedron Pkwy, Spring Hill)
Time: 10:00 to 11:00 AM
Cost: Free
Description: Books, songs, finger-play, and a craft project. Typically every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday unless there’s a holiday or library closure.
📖 Toddler Storytime
Location: Maury County Public Library (211 W 8th St, Columbia)
Time: 10:00 to 10:30 AM
Cost: Free
Description: Lively storytime with songs, fingerplays, and movement for toddlers and their grown-ups, promoting early literacy and motor skills.
💧 Bubble Fun
Location: aMuse’um Children’s Museum (123 W 7th St #3213, Columbia)
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Reserve Your Spot)
Cost: Free for members; included with admission ($12 per child; one adult free per paid child, additional adults $6)
Description: Kids can make giant bubbles, create their own wands, and enjoy interactive bubble stations. Check social media for the featured bubble activity.
🎨 After-School Art Break (Spring Hill)
Location: Spring Hill Public Library (144 Kedron Pkwy, Spring Hill)
Time: 3:30 to 5:00 PM
Cost: Free
Description: Drop in for a self-paced art activity using different materials each week. Designed for school-aged kids but open to all.
🧱 Lego Lab
Location: Maury County Public Library (211 W 8th St, Columbia)
Time: 4:30 to 5:30 PM
Cost: Free
Description: Weekly LEGO challenges to encourage creativity, engineering, and problem-solving. For ages 4 and up.
🎲 Family Game Night
Location: Chick-fil-A (605 S James Campbell Blvd, Columbia)
Time: 5:00 to 7:00 PM
Cost: Free
Description: Evening of games including Bingo, Cow Charades, and more fun for all ages.
Wednesday, August 20
Midweek is full of options for little ones and caregivers, from cozy storytimes and hands-on tinkering to active play at the gym. Whether you’re looking for something calm or ready to burn off some energy, there’s a variety to choose from today.
🍦Ice Cream Themed Open Play Session
Location: Villages Clubhouse (1127 S High St, Columbia)
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Cost: $12 per child or Membership Package (Sign up here)
Description: Enjoy open-ended indoor and outdoor sensory play designed for kids around ages 1–5. Sessions feature rotating sensory stations, and you’re welcome to stay and play as long as you like. Choose from two time blocks. Advance sign-up is recommended to guarantee your spot, as some timeframes may fill up. If arriving after 10:30 AM, on-site ticket purchase is required due to online cutoff.
📚 Story Time (Spring Hill)
Location: Spring Hill Public Library (144 Kedron Pkwy, Spring Hill)
Time: 10:00 to 11:00 AM
Cost: Free
Description: Enjoy children’s books, songs, finger-play, and a craft project. Typically held every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday unless there is a holiday or library closure.
📖 Preschool Storytime
Location: Maury County Public Library (211 W 8th St, Columbia)
Time: 10:00 to 10:30 AM
Cost: Free
Description: Fun preschool-focused storytime with books, songs, and activities to help prepare children (ages ~3–5) for kindergarten.
📖 Story Time with Guest Reader Bradley Mountain
Location: Needle & Grain (802 S Main St, Columbia)
Time: 10:30 to 11:00 AM
Cost: Free
Description: Each session brings a new reader who shares a favorite children’s book followed by a craft in a warm and welcoming setting. Attendees also receive 10% off their purchase during the event.
🤸 Open Gym
Location: Discovery Gymnastics (1943 Union Pl, Columbia)
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Cost: $7 (Sign up here)
Description: Open play gymnastics for all ages. Must create an account to see details and register.
🔧 Tinkering Station
Location: aMuse’um Children’s Museum (123 W 7th St #3213, Columbia)
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Reserve Your Spot)
Cost: Free for members; included with museum admission ($12 per child; one adult free per paid child, additional adults $6)
Description: Hands-on, parent-led activities designed to help kids explore, create, and problem-solve through playful experimentation. Activities spark creativity and build real-world skills in a fun, engaging way. Check their social media for activity details.
📚 Bilingual Story Time
Location: Maury County Public Library (211 W 8th St, Columbia)
Time: 4:00 to 4:30 PM
Cost: Free
Description: On the third Wednesday of each month, enjoy stories in both English and Spanish in a welcoming setting for all ages.
Thursday, August 21
From baby-friendly activities to active play and bubble fun, there’s something for every age today.
🍦Ice Cream Themed Open Play Session
Location: Villages Clubhouse (1127 S High St, Columbia)
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Cost: $12 per child or Membership Package (Sign up here)
Description: Enjoy open-ended indoor and outdoor sensory play designed for kids around ages 1–5. Sessions feature rotating sensory stations, and you’re welcome to stay and play as long as you like. Choose from two time blocks. Advance sign-up is recommended to guarantee your spot, as some timeframes may fill up. If arriving after 10:30 AM, on-site ticket purchase is required due to online cutoff.
🤸 Open Gym
Location: Discovery Gymnastics (1943 Union Pl, Columbia)
Time: 9:00 to 10:00 AM
Cost: $7 (Sign up here)
Description: Open play gymnastics for all ages. Must create an account to see details and register.
📚 Story Time (Spring Hill)
Location: Spring Hill Public Library (144 Kedron Pkwy, Spring Hill)
Time: 10:00 to 11:00 AM
Cost: Free
Description: Enjoy children’s books, songs, finger-play, and a craft project. Typically every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday unless there is a holiday or library closure.
👶 Baby Storytime
Location: Maury County Public Library (211 W 8th St, Columbia)
Time: 10:00 to 10:30 AM
Cost: Free
Description: Gentle storytime for babies (0–18 months) and caregivers featuring rhymes, simple stories, and music to encourage early language development.
👶 Baby Play Date
Location: Maury County Public Library (211 W 8th St, Columbia)
Time: 11:00 to 11:30 AM
Cost: Free
Description: A sensory-rich play session for babies ages 0–18 months where parents and babies can meet, explore toys, and enjoy social time together.
💧 Bubble Fun
Location: aMuse’um Children’s Museum (123 W 7th St #3213, Columbia)
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Reserve Your Spot)
Cost: Free for members; included with museum admission ($12 per child; one adult free per paid child, additional adults $6)
Description: Shimmering, floating fun for all ages. Kids can create giant bubbles, make their own wands, and enjoy interactive bubble stations packed with laughter and excitement. Check their social media pages to see which special bubble activity they’ll feature.
Friday, August 22
Friday brings a lighter lineup but still offers a great option to get out with your kids.
🍦Ice Cream Themed Open Play Session
Location: Villages Clubhouse (1127 S High St, Columbia)
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Cost: $12 per child or Membership Package (Sign up here)
Description: Enjoy open-ended indoor and outdoor sensory play designed for kids around ages 1–5. Sessions feature rotating sensory stations, and you’re welcome to stay and play as long as you like. Choose from two time blocks. Advance sign-up is recommended to guarantee your spot, as some timeframes may fill up. If arriving after 10:30 AM, on-site ticket purchase is required due to online cutoff.
Saturday, August 23
Saturday is packed with family-friendly options, whether you’re shopping local markets, joining a baby play session, letting your kids explore sensory play, or checking out a free martial arts lesson. With events spread from early morning through the afternoon, it’s a great day to get out and enjoy the community.
🛍️ The Market (Chapel Hill)
Location: Henry Horton State Park, 4209 Nashville Hwy, Chapel Hill, TN 37034, USA
Time: 8:00am – 1:00pm
Cost: Free Admission
Description: Shop handmade goods from local artisans, farmers, and bakers at Henry Horton State Park’s free monthly market. Held every fourth Saturday, this family-friendly event features plenty of vendors and a playground for kids.
🥕 Columbia Farmers’ Fresh Market
Location: Riverwalk Park, 102 Riverside Dr, Columbia, TN 38401, USA
Time: 8:00am – 12:00pm
Cost: Free entry
Description: Shop for fresh local produce and artisan goods while enjoying a relaxed, community-focused atmosphere along the river. It’s a great Saturday morning outing with plenty of space to stroll, snack, and support local farmers. Can’t make it on the weekend? A smaller group of vendors also sets up on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, perfect for a quieter midweek visit.
👶 Tummy Time – Parent & Me Playgroup for Ages 3 Weeks+
Location: Villages Clubhouse, 1127 S High St, Columbia, TN 38401, USA
Time: 9:30 – 10:30am
Cost: $20 per session (Sign up here)
Description: This parent-and-me playgroup is designed to support babies (3 weeks and up) and their caregivers through early development. Led by occupational therapist Cassie Kleinfelder, each session incorporates TummyTime!™ techniques and elements of infant massage to help reduce stress, improve sleep, relieve gas and constipation, and promote healthy development. You’ll also receive practical tips for understanding your baby’s needs, especially if tummy time has been a struggle. Drop in and gain confidence while bonding with your baby in a supportive setting.
🏕️ Camping Themed Open Play Session @ Villages Clubhouse
Location: Villages Clubhouse, 1127 S High St, Columbia, TN 38401, USA
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Cost: $12 per child or Membership Package (Sign up here)
Description: Enjoy open-ended indoor and outdoor sensory play designed for kids around ages 1–5. Sessions feature rotating sensory stations, and you’re welcome to stay and play as long as you like. Advance sign-up is recommended to guarantee your spot, as some timeframes may fill up.
🌽 Hidden Gem Farmers Market (Spring Hill)
Location: 863 Old Military Rd, Spring Hill, TN 37174, USA
Time: 11:00am – 2:00pm
Cost: Free
Description: Spring Hill’s weekly farmers market with local produce, food trucks, and family activities. Known as one of Spring Hill’s finest markets, it runs every Saturday through October, featuring a variety of vendors and a family-friendly atmosphere.
🥋 Open House with Martial Arts Lessons
Location: Nashville Krav Maga – Columbia, 2520 Hospitality Dr, Columbia, TN 38401, USA
Time: 12:30 – 2:00pm
Cost: Free (Sign up Here)
Description: Enjoy free martial arts lessons, games, prizes, and more at this Back to School community event to kick off the new school year. Open to kids and their friends. While no age range is specified, regular classes start at age 4.
Sunday, August 24
Sunday brings not one, but two rare treats for families in Columbia. From harvesting garden-fresh herbs for a hands-on baking workshop to getting messy with colorful crayon slime and ice cream, it’s the perfect way to wrap up the weekend with creativity, flavor, and fun.
🍧 Scoop & Slime Back-to-School Event
Location: Hattie Jane’s Creamery (Columbia, TN)
Time: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Cost: $20 per ticket + $2 sibling discount (Sign up here)
Description: Wrap up summer with a colorful, creative afternoon at Hattie Jane’s Creamery. Hosted by That Darn Pineapple Creations, this back-to-school event invites kids to make their own crayon slime and enjoy a scoop of ice cream as part of the fun. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the season with a mix of hands-on play and sweet treats.
🍞 Garden Focaccia Workshop
Location: Villages Clubhouse Kitchen (1127 S High St, Columbia)
Time: 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Cost: $35 (Sign up here)
Description: Join Sarah from The Bread Basket at Mckibbon Hollow for a hands-on sourdough focaccia bread class. Kids will head out to the garden to harvest fresh herbs and vegetables, then use them to decorate their focaccia dough. Sarah will share fun details about sourdough and provide instructions for baking at home. This is a take-and-bake project prepared in the clubhouse kitchen, ready for you to pop in the oven later. Only one spot left.
It’s shaping up to be a busy week, and I hope you find something in the mix that helps you fill the time, try something new, or just enjoy a little more of the week with your kids.
See something missing? Leave a comment or send me an email and I’ll get it added. I love hearing about new kid-friendly events and adding them to the lineup.
Columbia TN Kids Guide 
Leave a comment