Nature Kids: Choose Your Own Adventure Trail
2025-07-13 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take an adventure through the Walter Tucker Nature Preserve and make decisions that will guide your journey.

Toddler Adventure Club
2025-07-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Join us on an toddler adventure to the creek at Blendon Woods Metro Park! We will hike as far as we can in the times listed. Meet at the Nature Center Parking lot. Wear water shoes, and clothes that can get dirty.

Try it! Kayaking
2025-07-14 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-20 10:00 - 14:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Come out anytime during the listed times and enjoy kayaking the lake at Quarry Trails Metro Park, kayaking will be first come first served. Solo, sit in kayaks available for ages 10+, max weight: 275Ibs. A couple of tandem kayaks will be available for all ages, with an adult. Equipment and instruction is provided. Free and fun!
Use address 2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Columbus, OH. Please follow signage and be on the lookout for construction traffic.

Summer Children’s Programs: Ladybugs
2025-07-15 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-07-15 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-16 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-07-16 13:00 - 14:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Ladybugs, lady beetles, ladybirds – come learn all about this iconic insect and how they fit into our ecosystem!

Animal Encounter Tuesdays
2025-07-15 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.

For Kids: Tree Identification
2025-07-16 10:00 - 11:00 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Tree identification is fun and kids can learn the basics on a short walk. Best suited for kids age 6 and older. Meets at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Metro Parks Hiking Club: Adult Fitness Hike
2025-07-16 10:00 - 11:30 | 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.

Preschool Tram: Follow the Flocks!
2025-07-16 10:00 - 15:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Join us on a fun filled ride around the park looking for birds! We will follow where they go and see if we can spot their homes!
We will have rides at 10am, 10:35am, 11:10am, 11:45am, 1pm, 1:35pm, 2:10pm, 2:45pm, 3:20pm (lasting about 20 mins). The tram seats approximately 18-20 bodies, so it will be first come first served! We will be giving out tickets 30 mins before each ride to reserve your seat. Children sitting in laps will NOT require a ticket, but must sit on the lap the entire tram ride.
This program is geared for ages 3-5. We will meet at the second parking lot beside the flag pole. If there is heavy rain, we will reschedule the program!

Adaptive Adventures: Sensory Storytime
2025-07-16 14:30 - 15:30 | Blendon Woods Inclusive Playground, 4265 E. Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Adaptive Adventures: Come listen to a story about wildlife while we use our senses to feel and interact with wildlife pelts and other nature sensory items! Afterwards we will have a craft! Meet at the Inclusive Playground shelter house at Blendon Woods Metro Park!
* Our Adaptive Adventures Programs are programs designed for individuals with disabilities and their families!

Try it! Kayaking
2025-07-16 15:00 - 17:30 | Prairie Oaks, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson, OH, 43162, United States
Enjoy Darby Bend Lakes at Prairie Oaks Metro Park from a kayak! Kayaks are solo, sit in kayaks with a max weight of 275 lbs for ages 10+. Some tandems will be available for all ages with an adult. Water wicking clothing is recommended. Meet at Lake 1 at Darby Bend Lakes, 2755 Amity Rd, Hilliard OH.
First come/first serve. Equipment and instruction are provided.

For Adults 18+: Cold Blooded Cookies
2025-07-16 18:30 - 19:30 | 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! Midsummer is an active time for cold blooded critters so it’s the perfect time to learn the basics of designing reptile and amphibian-themed treats such as a frog, snake and turtle. Pre-baked sugar cookies and icing will be ready and waiting for you. Participants will have fun, get to share their decorated sugar cookie creations at the end, and of course, taste testing is part of the deal!
Meet at the Beech Maple Lodge.

Summer Evening Bird Walk
2025-07-16 19:00 - 20:30 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Take a 1.5-mile stroll to look for some evening birds. Trail is crushed gravel and accessible. Meet at the Kuhlwein Parking Lot across from the Nature Center entrance

For Families: Try It Tae Kwon Do
2025-07-17 10:00 - 10:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join black belt instructors from Tiger Woo’s World Class Tae Kwon Do for a 30 minute Taekwondo lesson. This martial arts class instills confidence, builds strength and agility, and develops coordination. No experience necessary. Please wear comfortable gym attire. Free! Kids ages 4 and older. Meet at Highbanks Metro Park- nature center
Feel free to come to one or all these sessions
Thu 6/26/25 @ 10am “Cooperation”
Thu 7/10/25 @ 10am ” Respect”
Thu 7/17/25 @ 10am “Confidence”
Meeting location notes- Nature Center: Highbanks Nature Center is the first right after entering the park. Limited parking in the nature center parking lot on busy days. Additional parking available in the Oak Coves Picnic Area. The Oak Coves picnic area, 10-min walk from the nature center. Follow the paved trail through Oak coves toward the nature center.

Preschool: Vulture View
2025-07-17 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-07-17 13:00 - 14:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Learn about nature’s feathered clean-up crew through literature, craft and activities.

For Adults 50+: Nature Ramble
2025-07-17 10:00 - 11:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We’ll walk about 2-miles, stopping along the way to learn about what we observe. Wear shoes suitable for some muddy areas if we’ve had recent rain. Meet at Three Creeks Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

For Kids: Dress to Impress
2025-07-17 14:00 - 15:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Come dressed as your favorite woodland critter and learn about how animals use their appearance to survive on this half-mile hike.

Intro to Spikeball
2025-07-17 17:30 - 19:00 | Scioto Audubon, 400 West Whittier St., Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
Join us for a free and fun session of Spikeball! This game requires some hand-eye coordination. Learn the basics and become a pro! All instruction and equipment provided. We will be playing in the field behind the Scioto Audubon Climbing Wall.

For Families: Campfire & S'mores
2025-07-18 18:00 - 19:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Stop by the nature center between 6-7pm to enjoy a campfire and smores. Limited supply of smore supplies and roasting sticks. 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.

Moth Mayhem
2025-07-18 21:00 - 23:30 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join us after hours and marvel at the night flying insects we don’t normally see as they visit our light traps.

Lunchtime Chat
2025-07-19 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

Science Saturday: All About Bees
2025-07-19 13:00 - 15:00 | Glacier Ridge, 9801 Hyland Croy, Plain City, OH, 43064, United States
Get your buzz on with this month’s Science Saturday! We will be peeking into the fascinating world of honeybees including their laborious process of transforming nectar to honey, the hierarchy of a bee colony, and what else goes on inside a hive, complete with hands-on activities!
This program is geared for all ages. Meet at the Wind and Solar lot, rain or shine!

100 Acre Wood Off-trail Hike
2025-07-19 14:00 - 15:30 | 100 Acre Wood, 5280 Cambria Way, Westerville, Ohio, 43081
Explore the hidden gem of the Metro Parks. We will attempt to reach less-traveled areas of the park. Hiking may be strenuous and muddy, so wear sturdy shoes. Meet at 5220 Cambria Way.

Cicadian Rhythm
2025-07-19 15:00 - 16:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Hike 1.5-miles and learn all about periodical and annual cicadas and how they can sing so loud!

Blacklight Hike
2025-07-19 20:30 - 22:00 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Learn all about fluorescence and use blacklights to illuminate glowing creatures in the dark! Hike will be approximately 1 mile on a flat trail of asphalt and crushed limestone. Guests are encouraged to bring their own blacklights. A limited supply will be available. Program will end at 945pm; the park closes at 10pm. Meeting Location notes: Big Meadows Picnic Area. This meeting location is located 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.

Creeking
2025-07-20 11:00 - 14:00 | Sharon Woods, 6911 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Drop by our Natural Play Area and come ready to get wet and muddy as we explore Spring Creek and discover what lives there. Meet at our Natural Play Area and follow the trail to the creek. Shoes must be worn in the creek.
