During the spring season, we can encounter many different types of weather including rain, snow, and wind. Children will learn about these types of weather through a story and activities including “Ducks on the Pond” and “Wriggly worms”. A tissue paper puddle will also be made. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 10 AM Ages 3 […]
Toddlers can work on mathematical development, the concept of numbers, and counting with the help of nature. Toddlers along with an adult will take a guided hike on the trails, look for animals and natural objects, and practice counting such things as points on a leaf, wings on a bird, and legs on a spider. […]
The Plein Air Gatherings are an opportunity for artists to get together and paint or draw outdoors “en plein air” in Hancock County parks. All adult artists who use any medium conducive to working outdoors are welcome. If you are new to plein air painting or are hesitant to go out on your own, these […]
We will talk about what makes a bird a bird, how to identify birds, and how to use binoculars. We will create an observation journal to document the birds we see, observe birds at the bird feeders by looking through the Windows on Wildlife, and if time allows, continue birdwatching while hiking on trails through […]
It’s that time of year when the leaves are starting to appear and green is becoming more prevalent in nature. Activities to help learn about green are Hues of Green Scavenger Hunt, Can I Camouflage, and Peas in a Pod. Participants are encouraged to wear something green. Adult companions must remain with children during this […]
The 1847 cook stove will be on and the aroma from tea, apple crumb cake, and wood smoke will be in the air. There will be a cook stove demonstration, the opportunity to have tea and apple crumb cake, and enjoy the wood burning fire. Each guest will be given a recipe book to take […]
Riverbend Recreation Area Lakefront Activity Center 8PM
Spring is here and soon flowers will be blooming, and bees will be buzzing. You can learn about bees and flowers by painting a picture of a bee and some flowers using tempera paints, listening to a story about bees, and pretending to be a bee visiting flowers. Please wear clothing that can get stained. […]
Birding can often become a fast-paced activity when trying to document as many species of birds as possible. However, when we focus too much on filling up our bird lists, we often overlook the beauty and complex nature of the birds themselves. Come along on our bird hike as we slow down to really observe […]
The Plein Air Gatherings are an opportunity for artists to get together and paint or draw outdoors “en plein air” in Hancock County parks. All adult artists who use any medium conducive to working outdoors are welcome. If you are new to plein air painting or are hesitant to go out on your own, these […]
Turtles are terrific. Find out which species live in Hancock County and what habitat they prefer. Use handheld magnifiers to get a close look at the turtle shell and bones, explore our sensory tub and make a craft with paper plates and construction paper. Make sure you visit our Discovery Center residents, the box turtle […]
There are different ways to decorate an egg. In fact, decorated eggs will be on display, such as sugar eggs, acrylic painted eggs, yarn eggs, and jeweled eggs. Eggs can be decorated from materials of your choosing. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 10-11:30 AM Ages 8-12. Click here to register with $5 per person by […]
This early spring night should be full of animal sounds, including the spring peeper and the American woodcock. See what the trails at Aeraland Recreation Area look like under the light of the first full moon of spring. Trails may be wet, so wear appropriate footwear. Aeraland Recreation Area Shelter 8:30 PM All ages are […]
When most people think about crustaceans, they think of crabs, lobsters, and shrimp. However, there are other types of crustaceans that can be found in Ohio. Visit the Richard S. “Doc” Phillips Discovery Center to view live crustaceans in our tanks and under the microscope, create a crustacean craft, and complete a coloring page. Oakwoods […]
Wetlands at night are full of sounds. Join us for a hike into the wetlands to listen to the songs and calls from animals, such as frogs, toads, owls, woodcocks, and secretive wetland birds called rails. Wear shoes that can get wet and muddy. Rubber boots are recommended. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 8:30 PM […]
This story is a mystery about a mouse who disappeared on the farm. Sherlock Chick searched every habitat he knew of. Eyes peeked out from different places, but none were of little mouse. Be a detective and see if you can find him at the Discovery Center. There will be a story, and a fun […]
Children will learn the parts of a frog and partake in a quick game of leapfrog. A hike to the wetland area to look for and listen to western chorus frogs and spring peepers will follow. Adult companions must remain with children during this program. Blue Rock Nature Preserve Edgar Avenue Parking Lot 10 AM […]
Join us at the historic 1847 McKinnis House to learn what it was like to write letters in the 1800s. We will talk about the history and the art of letter writing and how pens and ink were made, use a feather quill and ink to write letters and draw pictures, and create a rubber […]
Many interesting creatures can be found living under logs. Learn about the importance of fallen logs and leaves to the environment and the types of creatures that depend on them. Afterward, hike the trails to flip logs in search of log life, including fun fungi, slimy salamanders, slow snails, and farting beetles. This is a […]
The Plein Air Gatherings are an opportunity for artists to get together and paint or draw outdoors “en plein air” in Hancock County parks. All adult artists who use any medium conducive to working outdoors are welcome. If you are new to plein air painting or are hesitant to go out on your own, these […]
It is nesting time for many animals that lay eggs. There will be a display of eggs from different animals, such as ducks, geese, turkey, shark, and ostrich. We will talk about the process an egg goes through to hatch. For example, a mallard duck will lay one egg each day until the preferred number […]
Different animals are either returning to the area or waking up for spring. Join us as we hike and listen to all the new sounds of spring. Animals that might be seen or heard on the hike include western chorus frogs, white-tailed deer, and migratory birds, such as Yellow Warblers and Rusty Blackbirds. Aeraland Recreation […]
Learn about birds with hands-on activities. Use handheld magnifiers to get a closer look at bird feathers and wings, including the Great Horned Owl, Snowy Owl, and Cooper’s Hawk. Try to build a bird’s nest using beak-like tools, such as tweezers and chopsticks, make your own baby bird nest, and participate in other bird-related activities. […]
The height of spring migration is right around the corner and with it brings a group of colorful and musical birds called warblers. Northwest Ohio is often called the warbler capital of the world by the number and diversity of warblers that migrate through the area each spring. Learn how to identify the 36 species […]
The Plein Air Gatherings are an opportunity for artists to get together and paint or draw outdoors “en plein air” in Hancock County parks. All adult artists who use any medium conducive to working outdoors are welcome. If you are new to plein air painting or are hesitant to go out on your own, these […]
Learn about poisonous plants found in Hancock County, identification tips and how poisonous plants can cause harm by skin absorption or ingestion, and how to avoid contact with them. Afterward, we will hike on the trail to look for examples, including poison ivy, poison hemlock, and jimson weed. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center Porch 10 […]
Bees are hard at work this time of year. They help pollinate crops and create products, like honey and wax. Learn about beekeeping in the 1800s. There will be a demonstration out in the yard about creating a bee house called a skep. We will talk about beekeeping and how honey and wax were used […]
Wildflowers come in a variety of beautiful colors and spring is a wonderful time to see them. We will hike to look for wildflowers and learn about colors. We will look for spring beauties, Dutchman’s breeches, and trout lilies. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center Porch 10 AM Ages 3 and under with an adult; other […]
