Holiday Ornaments
2024-12-15 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Drop By to make a nature keepsake for your home, or make an outdoor ornament for the birds

Winter Hike Series: Family hike & Hot Cocoa
2024-12-15 16:00 - 17:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Take a 1-mile forest hike with a naturalist followed by hot cocoa. Stay afterwards for the holiday lights at 5pm. This program counts as part of the Metro Parks Winter Hike Series.
Meeting Location Notes: Highbanks Nature Center is the first right after entering the park. There is limited parking in the Nature Center lot on busy days. Additional parking is available in the Oak Coves Picnic Area, a 10 minute walk from the Nature Center. Follow the paved trail through Oak Coves toward the Nature Center.

Full Moon Hike
2024-12-15 17:00 - 19:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Take a brisk 4-mile hike through forests and fields. Meet us at the Ranger Station, 1775 Darby Creek Drive.

Full Moon Family Hike
2024-12-15 17:00 - 19:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
The weather may be frightful, but the Full Moon is so delightful! Join us for a family-friendly, 1-mile guided hike through the winter woods. Strollers not recommended.

Fast-Paced Full Moon Hike
2024-12-15 17:00 - 19:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
The weather outside is frightful, but the Full Moon is so delightful! Keep warm with a Fast-Paced, Adult Full Moon Hike. Not suitable for strollers or slow walkers.

Bright Light Nights
2024-12-15 17:30 - 19:30 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
The holiday lights are adorning Homestead all this month! Celebrate the seasonal festivities as we make a craft under the twinkling lights and enjoy hot chocolate.
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the barn shelter, rain or shine!

Toddler Hike
2024-12-16 11:00 - 12:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Bring your toddler to Scioto Grove Metro Park for a slow-paced hike through the park! Meet at Arrowhead Picnic Area. Trail is paved and stroller friendly.
Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure is hosting a Toys for Tots toy drive!
Donate a new toy at any Outdoor Adventure program between December 1st and December 17th and you’ll be entered into a raffle. The winner will be awarded a private Outdoor Adventure program of their choice for themselves and up to 9 guests! Program options include: Archery, Rock Climbing, Kayaking or Stand-up paddle boarding (seasonal). Date will be selected upon visitor and staff availability.
Donation Guidelines
Consider gifting to under served age groups such as infants and teens.
School supplies are accepted as well!
NO food or edible donations. NO realistic looking toy weapons. Such items will not be distributed.

Homeschoolers: Insects in Winter
2024-12-17 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-12-17 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Learn how insects survive in winter, then dig through leaf litter, turn over logs and shake tree branches to find some.

Preschool: Bird Count
2024-12-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn about one of our oldest citizen science projects with the story “Bird Count”, then make your own binoculars to take outside to count birds like a scientist!

Extinct & Extirpated
2024-12-17 11:00 - 12:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Mountain lions, porcupines, Scioto madtoms… learn about some of the animals that no longer live in Ohio.

Try It! Archery
2024-12-17 17:30 - 19:00 | Blacklick Woods Golf Course, 7309 E Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Enjoy the thrill and fun of archery this winter while being toasty warm inside at the Blacklick Woods Golf Course!! Archery will be indoors at the Golf Course Pro Shop! All equipment provided, fun and free! Ages 8+.
Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure is hosting a Toys for Tots toy drive!
Donate a new toy at any Outdoor Adventure program between December 1st and December 17th and you’ll be entered into a raffle. The winner will be awarded a private Outdoor Adventure program of their choice for themselves and up to 9 guests! Program options include: Archery, Rock Climbing, Kayaking or Stand-up paddle boarding (seasonal). Date will be selected upon visitor and staff availability.
Donation Guidelines
Consider gifting to under served age groups such as infants and teens.
School supplies are accepted as well!
NO food or edible donations. NO realistic looking toy weapons. Such items will not be distributed.

For Adults: Micro Wonders
2024-12-18 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a closer look at the smaller details of nature with the help of a microscope. Explore insects, fungi, feathers and more from a whole new perspective.

Metro Parks Hiking Club: Wednesday Fitness Club
2024-12-18 13:00 - 14:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike 2 or 4 mi. on grave and natural surface trails. Moderate pace. Stairs and hills.

Homeschoolers on the Farm: A Victorian Christmas
2024-12-18 13:30 - 14:30 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Program begins a 1:30 pm.
Meet in front of the farmhouse.
For homeschooling families with children of all ages.
Many of our Christmas traditions come from the Victorian Era.
Stop by the farmhouse to enjoy the holiday decorations, learn about Victorian Christmas traditions, and enjoy some historic activities.

Homeschool: Winter Watercolor
2024-12-19 13:00 - 15:00 | Spring Hollow at Sharon Woods, 1069 W Main St, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Homeschoolers can learn the basics of watercolor and paint a winter landscape. Paints will be used, so please dress accordingly. Meets at Spring Hollow Lodge (1069 W. Main St. Westerville, OH 43081)

For Adults 50+: Winter at the River Bluff
2024-12-20 11:00 - 12:30 | Highbanks River Bluff, 8400 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus, OH, 43235, United States
Search for birds and other wildlife and enjoy a view of the high bluffs along the Olentangy River on this 1-mile easy hike. Bring binoculars if you have them. The trail is unimproved and narrow in some spots and there are no restrooms at this location.
Meet at the River Bluff Area at 8400 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus 43235

Watercolor Tea Bag Art Demonstration
2024-12-20 13:00 - 14:00 | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Watch as artist of the month, Nancy Simmons, demonstrates how she uses watercolors and recycled tea bags to create unique works of art that are enhanced by the stain and texture of each tea bag.

Gifts for Wildlife
2024-12-20 15:00 - 17:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Happy Holidays for all! Help celebrate this festive season with native wildlife as we create some gifts for our furry and feathered friends!
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the shelter house, rain or shine!

For Adults 50+: The Gardens in Winter
2024-12-20 15:30 - 17:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Meander along the nature trails on a 1.5-mile walk. The trails are considered easy. Stay after the program to enjoy the winter lights.
Meet at the Gardens Entrance

Cocoa & Cryptids
2024-12-20 17:00 - 18:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Walk under the twinkling lights and enjoy a complimentary cup of hot chocolate. Use your cellphone to get a picture or two with Bigfoot and the Grinch!

Winter Hike - Campfire & Hot Cocoa
2024-12-20 17:30 - 19:30 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a half-mile hike along the Buttonbush Trail under the twinkling lights and stop by the Nature Center to enjoy a cup of cocoa around the campfire. The Canopy Walk and Nature Center will be open late to explore

Winter Solstice-Sunrise
2024-12-21 07:30 - 09:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Celebrate the shortest day of the year by watching the sun rise over Schrock Lake. Enjoy a camp fire, snacks and some information about the science and meaning behind this annual event.

Hike Behind the Lake
2024-12-21 10:00 - 11:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Enjoy the first day of winter on this 1.5-mile hike through the waterfowl refuge.

Adventure 101: Shelter Building
2024-12-21 13:00 - 14:00 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Our “Adventure 101” educational series includes everything from guest speakers to interactive outdoor skill lessons! Participants are encouraged to take notes and ask questions
Learn the best practices to safely adventure solo during this class! Instructors will discuss their own solo adventuring experiences, and how they set themselves up for success on the trails!

Winter Crafts
2024-12-21 13:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Learn to craft beautiful, unique snowflakes that will add a festive touch to your home and bring some winter magic indoors.

Pokémon Go! Hike
2024-12-21 15:30 - 16:30 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
Enjoy Pokémon Go! at Homestead Metro Park! Bring your own device to access Pokémon Go! and hike around the park with park staff to find different Pokémon! Meet at the Homestead Barn Shelter.

Winter Solstice Sunset Saunter
2024-12-21 16:00 - 18:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Join a naturalist on a 3-mile walk to see the bison as the sun sets. Meet at the Ranger Station, 1775 Darby Creek Dr.

A Victorian Christmas Evening
2024-12-21 16:30 - 18:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Program ongoing between 4:30-6:00 pm at the farmhouse.
Make decorations and enjoy other seasonal 1880s activities on a special lamplit evening.
Enjoy popcorn and a hot drink.

Winter Solstice: Sunset
2024-12-21 16:30 - 18:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Celebrate the longest night of the year by watching the sunset at Schrock Lake. Enjoy a campfire, snacks and learn some information about the science and meaning of this annual event.
