Slate Run Winter Hike
2026-01-11 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Slate Run Park, 1375 St. Rte. 674 North, Canal Winchester, 43110, United States
Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Slate Run Metro Park. Refreshments and a treat will be served between 10am and 1pm.
Learn more about winter hikes by clicking here.

Winter Tree ID on the Canopy
2026-01-11 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Learn about winter tree identification from the canopy walk.

For Adults: Houseplant Tips & Tricks
2026-01-11 14:00 - 15:00 | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Learn tips and tricks for happy, healthy indoor plants.

Off Trail Wandering
2026-01-11 14:00 - 15:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We’ll take a slow off-trail walk with frequent stops to observe and learn about rarely seen parts of the park. Total length will probably be 1 to 2 miles and weather conditions will determine where we can go. Please wear clothing and footwear suitable for off-trail walking. No pets, please. Meets at Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Lantern Hike
2026-01-11 18:00 - 19:30 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Enjoy a hike under lantern light! Listen as the owls set up their homes, raccoons scurry for food, and deer investigate their surroundings!
Lanterns will be provided.
We will hike the Marsh Hawk Trail and our NEWEST trail – the Cardinal Trail! The hike will be approximately 1.5 miles and a mix of paved, dirt, and gravel trails.
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the Shelter House, rain or shine!

Adults: Winter Wellness Walk
2026-01-13 11:00 - 12:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Conquer the winter blues with a relaxing and mindful naturalist led winter wellness walk. We will be discussing the benefits of being present in nature. Walk/hike will be approx. 2 miles on the Coyote Run trail. Ages 18+ recommended. Meet at the Nature Center at 11:00 AM.
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.

Preschoolers: Over and Under the Snow
2026-01-14 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-01-14 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Listen to a story about animals in the winter and make a craft!

Herb Society Meeting: Spotted Lanternfly Info Session
2026-01-14 14:00 - 15:00 | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join the Central Ohio Unit of the Herb Society of America and learn about one of our newest pesky invaders – spotted lanternflies. Learn how to identify and control them, as well as the latest updates on their spread.

Adaptive Adventures: Sensory Storytime
2026-01-14 14:30 - 15:30 | Blendon Woods Inclusive Playground, 4265 E. Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Adaptive Adventures: Sensory Storytime
Come enjoy a story at the inclusive playground about Animals in Winter as we use our sense of touch to feel real mammal pelts! We will end our time with a craft! Fidgets are available for use!
*Adaptive Adventures programs are programs designed for individuals with disabilities and their families.

Preschool: Animal Winter Homes
2026-01-16 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-01-16 13:00 - 14:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Learn about different animal homes in Ohio with a naturalist. Listen to a story, take a hike, make a craft and meet some live animals. Dress for both indoor and outdoor activities. Most of the program will be indoors. Meet inside the nature center. Ages 3-5.
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.

For Adults 50+: Frigid Fungi
2026-01-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist on a 1.25-mile hike to look for and learn about some winter fungi.

Owl Prowl
2026-01-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist for a 1.25-mile hike while we learn about owls and search the forest for Barred Owls.

Scioto Audubon Winter Hike
2026-01-17 10:00 - 13:00 | Scioto Audubon, 400 West Whittier St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Scioto Audubon Metro Park. Refreshments and a treat will be served between 10am and 1pm.
Learn more about winter hikes by clicking here.

Winter Scavenger Hunt
2026-01-17 13:00 - 15:00 | Homestead, 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, OH, 43026, United States
BRRRRR! It’s cold outside! It’s hard to believe animals stay outside all winter long, and secretly plants are growing in anticipation for spring! Grab a scavenger hunt from the nature center and hit the trails! Learn fun facts about winter adaptations of plants and animals while you try to complete your scavenger hunt.
Once you’re ready to call it a day, swing back to the nature center to redeem your prize!
This program is geared for ages 3-12, but all ages are welcome. Meet at the Barn Shelter, rain or shine!

Rocky Fork Winter Hike
2026-01-18 10:00 - 13:00 | Rocky Fork, 7180 East Walnut St., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Rocky Fork Metro Park. Refreshments and a treat will be served between 10am and 1pm.
Learn more about winter hikes by clicking here.

Handprint Snowflake Craft
2026-01-18 14:00 - 16:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
No hand is alike, just like no snowflake is! Stop by the Nature Center to make a snowflake craft with your hand print.

Day Off School: Tree ID
2026-01-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Enjoy your day off of school by getting outside and learning a little more about the trees all around us! We will have stations for tree ID, testing your memory, and giving you a guide to go out and identify the trees yourself on a self guided hike!
The hike will follow the Red Oak Trail (approximately 0.6 miles) which is a gravel trail. Layers, and closed toed shoes are advised.
This program is geared for ages 8-14, but all ages are welcome. Meet at the Shelter House, rain or shine!

Day Off School: Snowflakes
2026-01-19 13:00 - 15:00 | Innis House, 940 S Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Stop by to make some “cool” paper snowflakes and explore the beauty of snow crystals.

Metro Parks Hiking Club: Adult Fitness Hike
2026-01-21 10:00 - 11:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike 2 or 4 mi. on gravel and natural surface trails. Moderate pace. Stairs and hills.

Homeschoolers: Nature Detectives
2026-01-22 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-01-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Look for signs of wildlife and play a game while going on a half-mile hike with a naturalist.

Winter Bird Hike
2026-01-22 11:00 - 12:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Look for wintering birds in the meadow and forest on a 1.5 mile hike on paved and crushed gravel trails. Bring a pair of binoculars if you have them; some will be available to borrow. All ages.
Meeting location: Highbanks Metro Park-Big Meadows Picnic Area. This meeting location is located near the back of the park. After you enter the park, pass the nature center and continue straight down the main park road. Continuing down the main park road, toward the back of the park. Look for a sign which says “Big Meadows picnic area”. After the ” Big Meadows” sign, take the first ROAD on the LEFT (it’s just after the crosswalk). TURN LEFT into the first lot. Look for the large playground. Naturalist will meet you near the shelter located next to the large playground.

For Adults 50+: Winter Along The Big Darby
2026-01-23 13:30 - 15:00 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Take an easy to moderate 2-mile walk along Big Darby Creek as we enjoy the sights and sounds of the coldest season.
Meet at the Sycamore Plains Area at 2009 Amity Rd., Hilliard.

Lantern Hike
2026-01-23 18:30 - 19:30 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a lantern-lit 1.5-mile guided hike through the Walter Tucker Nature Preserve while we look for nocturnal wildlife.

Winter Birding
2026-01-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist to watch birds from the Nature Center and on a half-mile hike.

Clear Creek Winter Hike
2026-01-24 10:00 - 13:00 | Clear Creek, 185 Clear Creek Road, Lancaster, OH, 43130, United States
Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Clear Creek Metro Park. Refreshments and a treat will be served between 10am and 1pm.
Learn more about winter hikes by clicking here.

For Adults 18+: Beat the Winter Blues
2026-01-24 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join drum circle facilitator Iggy Garcia for a freestyle drumming program. Drums and percussion instruments will be available or bring your own. No drumming or musical experience necessary. All are welcome to play or enjoy watching and feeling the rhythm of the group. The drum circle is beginner friendly and informal and you may come and go at any time during the program.
From Iggy: Together in the drum circle we will open up the space for all kinds of rhythmic beats to unfold in a magical harmonious way! It’s a great way to charge yourself up with positive energy and good vibrations.
Meet at the Beech Maple Lodge.

For Adults 18+: Winter Cookie Decorating
2026-01-24 16:00 - 17:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Naturalist and baker extraordinaire, Shannon, is back by popular demand for another cookie decorating class! Just in case you haven’t had enough sweets, join us for a fun, sugar-filled evening. You’ll learn the basics of designing winter-themed treats such as a pine tree, raccoon and owl. Pre-baked sugar cookies and icing will be ready and waiting for you. Participants will follow along with instructions, sip hot cocoa and share their decorated sugar cookie creations at the end. Of course, taste testing is part of the deal!
Meet at the Beech Maple Lodge.
