Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System

What Is It?
2025-07-30 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-29 10:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing between 10am-4pm
All ages
Everyday objects familiar to people in the 1880s are a mystery to modern folks. Guess how ours work and what they do.

Summer Children’s Programs: Bullfrogs
2025-07-30 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-07-29 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-29 10:00 - 11:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Hop over to Inniswood to discover the amazing adaptations of Ohio’s state frog.

For Kids: Orienteering
2025-07-29 15:00 - 16:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Learn the basics of map and compass reading and then go on a fun scavenger hunt to practice your newly learned skills

Animal Encounter Tuesdays
2025-07-29 13:00 - 14:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Join us at the picnic area in front of the Nature Center (or inside if the weather is bad) to meet a few of our animal ambassadors.

Puppet Shows
2025-07-29 11:30 - 12:00, 2025-07-29 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-07-29 09:30 - 10:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
The Blendon Woods puppets are ready for an adventure! 15-minute show followed by a scavenger hunt.

Try it! Kayaking and SUP
2025-07-29 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-25 10:00 - 14:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Come out and try stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking for free at Quarry Trails Metro Park! First come, first served. All equipment provided. SUPs and solo sit-in kayaks ages 10+ only. Tandems open for all ages. Solo sit-in kayaks have a 275Ibs limit.
Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Columbus, OH. Please follow signage and be on the lookout for construction traffic.

World Nature Conservation Day: Pollinator Gardens 101
2025-07-28 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a half-mile hike and learn the ins and outs of creating a pollinator garden. Discover what native plants to use and how to get them, all while seeing pollinators in action.

Toddler Adventure Club
2025-07-28 10:00 - 11:00 | Walnut Woods, 6723 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Join us on an exploratory hike at Walnut Woods Metro Park during this month’s Toddler Adventure Club! We will hike as far as possible during the time-frame, and staff will have an adventure pack with compasses, maps, and other adventure tools for kids to utilize during the program. Meet at the Buckeye Area of Walnut Woods, 6716 Lithopolis Rd, Groveport OH.

Ohio Tree ID Basics
2025-07-27 15:00 - 16:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a half-mile hike and learn the basics of tree identification.

Try it! Archery
2025-07-27 14:00 - 15:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Come out to Scioto Grove Metro Park try your hand at this free archery program! Come out anytime between the times listed. All equipment and instruction provided. Ages 8+.

Butterfly Hike
2025-07-27 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Join us at the nature center butterfly house for a butterfly talk, then search for butterflies on a 1 mile guided hike.

Fossil Frenzy
2025-07-27 13:00 - 15:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Take a glimpse back in time to the prehistoric world of Ohio’s Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras, dating back to and before the time of dinosaurs. Learn about dinosaurs and other ancient apex predators while participating in a hands-on mock-fossil dig for remains of the creatures that once roamed where you do!
This program is geared for ages 10 and up. Meet at the Wetland Education Pavilion, rain or shine!

Riddle Me These, Please
2025-07-27 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-26 10:00 - 16:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Ongoing from 11am-3pm
Pick up a list of riddles at the farmhouse that will have you thinking your way around the farm.

Scavenger Hunt
2025-07-27 09:00 - 19:00, 2025-07-26 09:00 - 19:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Grab a scavenger hunt from the lobby and take a hike. Return your sheet and get a prize!
Lobby is accessed by entering 2600 Dublin Road Columbus OH 43228 and following the roadway back to the dog park. When the road forces you to turn left the Park Office will be on your left.

Introduction to Wildflowers and Pollinators
2025-07-26 18:30 - 20:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join a beginner to wildflower identification and their pollinators one mile walk through the Big Meadow and Dripping Rock trails. Meet at the Big Meadows bathrooms. The trail is paved/crushed limestone, and comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Ages 6+ Meeting location notes:Highbanks Metro Park-Big Meadows Picnic Area. This meeting location is located near the back of the park area in the back of the park. After you enter the park, take the main road down the hill. At the bottom of the hill, a sign will be on the right side saying “Big Meadows picnic area”. After the sign, take the ROAD on the LEFT. Park in the first lot on the left. Meet near the restrooms/bulletin board/playground area.

Lunchtime Chat
2025-07-26 12:00 - 13:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Bring your lunch and join us at the picnic area across from the Nature Center for a 30 min nature chat.
Saturdays:
7/5 – Box Turtles
7/12 – Spiders
7/19 – Birds of Prey
7/26 – Bats

Wellness: Yoga
2025-07-26 10:00 - 11:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Be in balance with nature as Joy Lawrence, registered yoga instructor, presents a gentle hatha yoga class. Please wear comfortable clothes and bring a yoga mat. This program is geared for adults, children may attend with adult supervision.

Blacklick Adult Hikers
2025-07-26 09:00 - 10:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist for a 2-mile, moderately-paced hike on the boardwalk and crushed limestone trails through the Walter Tucker Nature Preserve.

For Kids: Wild Explorers
2025-07-25 11:00 - 12:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Build and decorate your own binoculars. Then go for a half-mile hike searching for wildlife in the woods.

Kayak the Lake
2025-07-24 16:00 - 19:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Join us ON Schrock Lake and learn to use a kayak. Solo kayaks will be available with a max weight of 275lbs and open to ages 10+. Tandem kayaks for all ages with an adult. Equipment and instructions provided.

Fins, Feathers and Fur
2025-07-24 14:00 - 15:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Our nature center is chock full of all sorts of interesting native wildlife- follow us around as we give a mini lesson on the species found inside.

Mud Day
2025-07-24 10:00 - 13:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Kids of all ages can play in the giant mud pit. Wear old or easily cleaned clothing! Water will be available for basic clean-up. It’s probably a good idea to bring some protective newspapers, bags, etc for your car seats as well. Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport
