Best Nature Centers for Kids Around Columbus

Katie G.:  The Grange Insurance Audubon Center is a conservative education center designed to restore natural ecosystems for the benefit of humanity. Inside the nature center you will find wall-to-wall glass overlooking the beautiful grounds of the Scioto Audubon Metro Park and the Scioto River. A library full of nature-based books for kids and adults overlooks the bird sanctuary and is a perfect place to relax and take in the sites of nature. The center offers plenty of programs throughout the year and even camps for the kids during the summer.

Katie G.:  A bird lovers paradise is located at Blendon Woods Metro Park. Visitors can view birds and other wildlife through the nature center's windows which overlook several bird feeders at the park. Just outside the nature center, from June - Sept, there is a screened in gazebo known as Monarch Mansion. The staff at Blendon Woods raises monarch caterpillars until they become butterflies then release them in the gazebo for visitors to see. Be sure to check out the programs and activities located at the nature center and the park.

Katie G.:  Known for the massive high shale bluff towering over the Olentangy River, a visit to Highbanks Metro Park offers plenty to do. The nature center features a library, bird watching/feeding area, terrariums and exhibits including fossils from 400 million years ago. Often times there are coloring pages and animal puppets for the kids to use their imagination. Take a walk outside the huge observation deck out the back door of the nature center where you may catch an animal walking by.

Katie G.:  Blacklick Woods Metro Park features 643 acres of woods, fields, swamps and prairies. The nature center features small exhibits of local and natural history, as well as large glass windows overlooking a pond and bird feeders. Visitors may see a variety of birds or animals, such as raccoons or deer.

Katie G.:  Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park is one of the largest Metro Parks in Columbus, stretching 13 miles along the Big and Little Darby Creek rivers. The nature center, which blends in with the landscape, overlooks the park's enclosure of roaming bison. Inside the nature center a 53-foot "living stream" flows through the exhibits and is stocked with several kinds of creatures (fish, turtles, frogs) that can be found in the Big Darby Creek. There is also a variety of educational and interactive exhibits to learn about the park's ecosystems.

Katie G.:  The Deer Haven Park nature center is a great place any time of the year. Here you can sit and watch birds feeding off one of the many bird feeders at the park or view taxidermy animals hanging on the walls. There is also a nature library filled with many books about plants and animals and a cozy fireplace for the wintertime. The nature center offers a variety of programs for families throughout the year which usually include animals, crafts and activities.

Katie G.:  Hogback Ridge Park is a wooded park with trails that wind through forest and scenic ravines. The Mary Barber McCoy Nature Center is located at the park where visitors can view birds out the windows and learn about osprey who are often found at this park. A variety of live fish, turtles, snakes and frogs are on display as well as taxidermy animals.

Katie G.:  The Dawes Arboretum covers 2,000 acres of grounds with more than 17,000 living plants and a Japanese Garden. Visitors can climb to the top of the Observation Tower for an amazing view. The Visitor Center at the arboretum offers a gift shop with unique gifts and light snacks and a Bonsai Collection with many different forms of bonsai trees. In the Discovery Center kids can enjoy hands-on nature activities while adults can relax at the Bird Watching Garden. Guests can also view a live fox snake, spotted turtle and a working bee hive.