June 1: Alphabet Walk at Slate Run Farm from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Explore the farm while learning 26 facts about tools, animals and life in the 1880s. No Sign-up Required.
June 2: National Prairie Day: Bison, Flowers, and Fun at Battelle Darby Creek Nature Center from 1:00 pm –3:00 pm. Celebrate National Prairie Day with activities at the nature center. View the bison, get free prairie seeds to take home, see how deep those roots really go, learn how the Metro Parks restored over 500 acres of native prairie, climb through the soil tunnel, learn how we burn the prairies to help them grow, and maybe catch a glimpse of the elusive 13-lined ground squirrel! No Sign-up Required.
June 3: Feed the Stream at Battelle Darby Creek Nature Center from 2:00 pm –3:00 pm. Enjoy the fish feeding frenzy as you help feed them worms, crickets, and minnows. No Sign-up Required.
June 4: Storytime at Highbanks from 10:00 am –10:30 am. Visit the Nature Center and listen to some stories about frogs, toads and other amphibians. No Sign-up Required.
June 5: Trail Tots at Blacklick Woods from 10:00 am –11:00 am. Share a slow paced 0.5-mile walk with your toddler and learn about nature along the way. Perfect for ages 4 and under. No Sign-up Required.
June 6: First Time Fishing at Prairie Oaks Darby Bend from 11:30 am –12:30 pm. Learn how to bait a hook, cast a line, and try to catch a big one in the pond. Adult must accompany child and be able to assist with baiting a hook and untangling fishing line. Perfect for ages 6 – 15. Sign-up is required! Search activity number 31351400 on the metro park website!
June 7: Preschool Storytime at Scioto Audubon Grange Insurance Audubon Center from 10:00 am–11:00 am. Bring your little ones for a nature-inspired story or two. No Sign-up Req.
June 8: Weekend Kick-off: Snakes at Blendon Woods from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm or 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Listen to a story about snakes, meet a snake and make a snake craft to take home. No Sign-up Required.
June 9: For Families: Go Creeking at Highbanks Big Meadow Picnic Area from 2:00 pm –3:00 pm. Wear your old shoes as we explore the Olentangy River looking for animals. Please wear closed-toed shoes and bring a complete change of clothes, towels and shoes for afterwards. No Sign-up Required.
June 10: Turtle Time at Blendon Woods from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Meet our ambassador turtles and find out what makes these reptiles so special. No Sign-up Required.
June 11: Tae Kwon Do: Focus at Highbanks from 9:30 am –10:30 am. Join the black belt instructors from Tiger Woo’s for a 40-minute Tae Kwon Do lesson on the theme of focus. No experience needed. Please wear comfortable gym attire. Ages 3+. No Sign-up Required.
June 12: Go WILD! Kids Club: Fishing at Sharon Woods from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Drop a line in Schrock Lake and try to catch a big fish. No Sign-up Required.
June 13: Preschoolers: Touch-a-Truck at Blacklick Woods Meadows Picnic Area from 10:00 am–11:00 am and 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm. See the trucks and tractors that park staff use to patrol and maintain the park. Suggested age is 3-6. No Sign-up Required.
June 14: Preschool Storytime at Scioto Audubon Grange Insurance Center from 10:00 am–11:00 am. Bring your little ones for a nature-inspired story or two. Suggested age is 3-5. No Sign-up Required.
June 15: Creature Feature: Amphibians at Highbanks from 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm. Visit with live amphibians and learn how we take care of these animals. No Sign-up Required.
June 16: Insect Safari at Blendon Woods from 10:00 am –11:00 am.Learn about insects and other bugs, then go out in the field to search for them. No Sign-up Required.
June 17: Creeking with Dad at Blendon Woods from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Take an off-trail hike through the creek to look for aquatic creatures. Wear closed toe shoes and prepare to get wet. No Sign-up Required.
June 18: Nature Kids: Ancient Ohioans at Blacklick Woods from 10:00 am –11:00 am and 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm. Take a hike out to the Blacklick Circle and learn about the life of the indigenous people of Ohio. Suggested age is 6-12. No Sign-up Required.
June 19: Summer Children’s Programs: Bug Recyclers at Inniswood Metro Gardens from 10:00 am –11:00 am and 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm. From rotten logs to road kill, get the dirt on the bugs that are breaking down dead stuff. Search for composting critters and more as we learn about bugs with an important job as nature’s recyclers. Suggested age is up to 8 years old. No Sign-up Required.
June 20: Summer Tram Ride at Blendon Woods Natural Play Area at Cherry Ridge. Bring your picnic lunch, play on the playground, and have some summertime fun on the tram! Follow signs to program location. Multiple times. No Sign-up Required.
June 21: Preschool: Summertime Tram Ride at Blendon Woods Natural Play Area at Cherry Ridge. Bring a picnic lunch, play on the playground and have some summertime fun on the tram. Follow signs for program location. No Sign-up Required.
June 22: What is It? at Slate Run Farm from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Everyday objects familiar to people in the 1880s are a mystery to modern folks. Guess how ours work and what they do. No Sign-up Required.
June 23: Make a Birdhouse Gourd at Rocky Fork 10:00 am –11:00 am. Join gourd expert Karen Kruse to learn about birdhouse gourds, then make a birdhouse to take home. Sign-up Required. Search activity number 31950400-01 on the metro parks website.
June 24: Firefly Frenzy at Blendon Woods from 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Catch and release these amazing jewels of the night. No Sign-up Required.
June 25: Tae Kwon Do: Cooperation at Highbanks from 9:30 am –10:30 am. Join black belt instructors from Tiger Woo’s for a Tae Kwon Do lesson on the theme of cooperation. No experience needed. Please wear comfortable gym attire. Ages 3+. No Sign-up Required.
June 26: Summer Children’s Programs: Pollen Movers at Inniswood Metro Gardens from 10:00 am –11:00 am and 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm. Learn about the insects that assist in pollination through crafts and activities. Suggested age is up to 8 years old. No Sign-up Required.
June 27: Teens on the Farm” Life on an 1880s Farm at Slate Run Farm from 10:00 am –11:45 am. Meet and care for farm animals, try your hand at making a snack on the woodstove and participate in some entertainment available in the 1880s. Sign-up Required. Search activity number 31221000-02 on the metro parks website.
June 28: Preschoolers: Insect Safari at Sharon Woods from 9:30 am –10:30 am, 11:00 am -12:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm. Learn about the different insects that live in the park as we catch and release these six-legged critters. Suggested age 3-5. No Sign-up Required.
June 29: International Mud Day at Blendon Woods Natural Play Area at Cherry Ridge from 12:00 pm –2:00 pm. Make a mud pie, wallow around, and get really dirty in honor of International Mud Day! Some buckets and shovels provided, but bring your own if your can. We’ll provide water to clean up when you are done. Follow signs for location. No Sign-up Required.
June 30: Family Movie Night at Blendon Woods Cherry Ridge Program Area. Watch Jumanji under the stars. Bring your own seating. Movie begins at dark. No Sign-up Required.
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There are more events happening throughout the month of June besides what is listed above. You can check them out here. One top of all of the FREE activities (yes, everything listed above is FREE), they offer wonderful summer camps for the kiddos. You can find a list here. Don’t forget you can visit one of the 20 outstanding natural area parks with more than 230 miles of trails and over 27,500 acres of land in seven Central Ohio counties.
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If you’re looking for a park to explore for the day, I highly suggest Inniswood in Westerville! Many hidden gems. Also, quite beautiful!
The nature center at Highbanks park is the perfect spot for a rainy or hot day!
