No matter what the weather is outside, it’s winter inside at Blendon Woods everyday through January 2nd! They’ve transformed the nature center into an interactive learning {free} experience, just in time form the holidays.
- Make a pinecone owl in the bird viewing area. Once you make your pinecone, use the binoculars to see if you can find any birds outside.
- Create a snowman bookmark in the discovery room. You’ll also find a puppet show area, turtle and snake friends, puzzles, games, etc.
- Make a pinecone bird feeder in the foyer when you first walk in. They used Crisco and birdseed. I haven’t ever heard of using Crisco, but it worked.
- Read two different stories on the story trails. One you’ll find inside throughout the magical winter forest and the other outside on the lake trail (0.3 miles, Easy โ Hike โ Paved, you end up at Thoreau Lake where you can look for wildlife, etc.).
- Do a scavenger hunt outside (pick up the laminated paper inside), make animal tracks with “snow,” and discover the winter forest sights, smells, and sounds.
- Check out the Natural Play area. When you enter Blendon Woods, you’ll go to the right (vs. the left for the Nature center) to get to the Natural Play area. There is a great toddler playground next to it.
- Hike one of the 7 outdoor trails.
If you haven’t been to the Nature Center before, check out my Instagram Reel from one of our first visits when it re-opened this summer.
Address: 4265 E Dublin Granville Rd., Columbus, OH 43081
Hours: 9AM – 6PM, Daily
Follow along on their Facebook page for updates and events.
