One thing that I always rave about are our Metro Parks here in Columbus. We are so fortunate to have them. Not only are they absolutely gorgeous, offering hiking trails, bike trails, streams, woodlands and wildflowers – they offer wonderful program, most being free of charge. I have listed a few that caught my eye for the rest of the year.
October
- October 28 – Preschoolers: Halloween Open House at Sharon Woods Spring Hollow Lodge. Wear your costume and enjoy games, crafts and other activities to celebrate the season. Age 3-5.
- October 29 – Preschoolers: Costume Party at Blacklick Woods. Come dressed in your Halloween costume and learn about animals that camouflage themselves or mimic others.
- October 30 – Graveyard Hike at Battelle Darby Creek. Take a 4-mile off-trail hike to prehistoric Indian and pioneer burial grounds.
- October 30 – Halloween Party at Inniswood Gardens. Join them in the gardens. Enjoy activities and crafts in celebration of this traditional holiday.
November
- November 2 – Preschoolers: Nutty Squirrels at Homestead. Learn about squirrels through a story, song, game and activity.
- November 2 – Preschool in the Gardens: Rocks Rock! at Inniswood Gardens. Rocks are all around us. Discover different types of rocks and find out why they are important to us through hands-on activities.
- November 3 – Pre-K Storytime at Scioto Audubon. Bring your little ones for a nature-inspired story or two. This is a re-occuring event EVERY Thursday!
- November 5 – Celebrate National Bison Day at Battelle Darby Creek. Celebrate America’s national mammal, and North America’s largest land mammal too, with a movie and activities.
- November 6 – Fairy and Troll House Building at Blendon Woods. Use materials found in the forest to build tiny houses for fairies or trolls.
- November 8, 12 and 18 – Preschoolers: Gobble Gobble at Battelle Darby Creek. Learn about the life cycle of the wild turkey and how it became a holiday symbol.
- November 9 – Preschoolers: Beech Tree Puppets Take a Hike at Blacklick Woods. Join the Beech Tree Puppets as they take a hike around Blacklick Woods.
- November 10 – Go WILD! Kids Club at Sharon Woods. Explore off-trail in the Natural Play Area while you hunt for items on a scavenger hunt. Age 5-12
- November 10 – PRESCHOOLERS: FURRY FRIENDS at Blendon Woods. Find out about furry animals through a story, activities, and a craft. Ages 3-5.
- November 12 – Women’s Protection Clinic 2.0 at Blacklick Woods. Join the rangers for a fast paced, hands-on self defense class for beginning and intermediate levels. Age 13 and older. Under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Wear comfortable clothing and tennis shoes.
- November 14 – Homeschoolers: Decomposers at Blacklick Woods. Learn the roles different organisms have in the process of decomposition through an activity.
- November 16 and 17 – Preschoolers: Busy Beaver at Highbanks. Learn about beaver through crafts, stories and a hike.
- November 17 – Homeschoolers on the Farm-Thanksgiving Traditions at Slate Run Farm. Stop at numerous stations around the Farm to learn about typical foods and their origin, as well as the history of many American Thanksgiving traditions.
- November 29 and 30 – Preschoolers: Puppet Show at Sharon Woods Spring Hollow Lodge. Join the Discovery Forest Puppets on an autumn adventure.*Make sure to pre-register for this event. It fills up! We love going!*
December
- December 13 and 30 – Preschoolers: River Otters at Battelle Darby Creek. Discover the charismatic river otter through a story, song and craft.
Did you know if your kiddo {they do offer family/adult events, too} attends five, they earn a metro park badge? Another awesome perk for attending them. Make sure to check and see if you need to register. A lot of them you can just show up, but, there are a few that require registration.
