This year’s Peter Rabbit Tea will feature “The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle.” Listen to the story read by Beatrix Potter inside the barn. Tea and snacks will be served at […]

This year’s Peter Rabbit Tea will feature “The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle.” Listen to the story read by Beatrix Potter inside the barn. Tea and snacks will be served at […]

Learn about the amazing powers of nature’s janitors. Explore the world of Ohio’s two species of vultures through hands on stations like creating a vulture kite, go on a vulture […]

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 […]

Aim, shoot, and score! Learn safety measures and the basics of archery from a Certified Archery Instructor while shooting arrows at targets with a compound bow. Archery equipment will be […]

Get on the water and explore the beauty of the Blanchard River on a guided kayak float. Start at Eastpoint Area and paddle upriver around Vogelsong Conservation Area to the pedestrian bridge at Rt 568 and back. Along the way, search for interesting river life like turtles, ducks, and herons. Staff will teach the basics […]

Acrylic pour painting is a fun activity. Blown out eggs will be used, and left-over paint will be poured over rocks. Finished samples will be on display. All supplies will be provided. Wear clothing that can get stained. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 1-2:30 PM Ages 7 and up. Click here to register with $5 […]

Dragons are fun mythical creatures. Enjoy a doughnut as the story Doughnuts for a Dragon is read. Walk through the time machine onto the adventure trail where the story will come to life. Encounter George, the princess, a witch, ogre, and a fierce little dragon on this amazing adventure. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Nature Play Area […]

Little Mouse lives deep in a hole in the ground. Each day is an adventure as he goes into the wide world. The story will be read, and an adventure hike will follow. Riverbend Recreation Area Big Oaks Activity Area Mariann Dana Younger Memorial Pavilion 10 AM Ages 3 and under with an adult; other […]

A corn husk doll is made from the dried outer covering or "husk" of an ear of maize. Participants will make their own set of dolls. Take a tour of the McKinnis House while waiting for the dolls to dry. Afterwards, use fabric scraps from the McKinnis House to dress the dolls just as pioneer […]

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 gatherings […]

A colony of breeding, Big Brown Bats live in the bat boxes on the side of the Activity Barn. Watch the bats leave the bat boxes for the night. Search the trails for other species of bats living in the park using bat echolocation detection equipment. Litzenberg Memorial Woods Activity Barn 9-10:30 PM All ages […]

Discover the amazing world of beetles. Find out what makes them different from other insects and which ones can be found around Hancock County. Look for examples of local beetles on the trails including Six-spotted Tiger Beetles, click beetles, and weevils. Litzenberg Memorial Woods Shelter 1 PM All ages are welcome. Free; registration is not […]

Hancock County is home to 79 species of Odonata, also known as dragonflies and damselflies. Search for different species found in the park like the metallic green body and black winged Ebony Jewelwing and the large and fast Midland Clubtail. Participants who are interested in helping document the species found during the program to the […]

Some of the earliest pigments used to produce art were from mud, soil, and rocks. Create art using the earth by painting a fun picture using a brush and a bucket of mud, learn about the process of creating earth tone pigment paints, and try using some premade soil-based paint. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center […]

Worms are wonderful creatures that live underground. Children will be able to check out the inhabitants of the worm bin and learn the animal’s body parts, create a habitat to take home with them, go on a worm search, and make worm art. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center Porch 10 AM Ages 3-6 with an […]

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 gatherings […]

The Discovery Center will be open for visitation. Visitors can choose to participate in unstructured and/or structured activities. Activities and attractions include bird watching via the Windows on Wildlife, mounted animals and live animals on display, nature videos, field guides and nature books for reading, touch table and puppets, and seasonal displays and exhibits. A […]

Chloe Nielson from the Millstream Astronomy Club will present a program titled Navigating by the Sky. The program will explain how to find location and direction using the stars or the Sun. After the program, view the night sky. The Millstream Astronomy Club will have telescopes available (club members can show you how to use […]

Metamorphosis is when an animal transitions from juvenile to adult forms while changing appearance. Animals that undergo this will be on display including butterflies and frogs. Children will be able to crawl through the Metamorphosis Tunnel and change from caterpillars into butterflies. Create a lifecycle wheel of a frog using construction paper and markers. All […]

Eggs come from different creatures in nature. See various kinds of eggs on display, then match the egg to who laid it. Play the egg game and search the area for hidden eggs. Litzenberg Memorial Woods Shelter 1 PM Ages 3-6 with an adult; other aged siblings are welcome to attend. Free; registration is not […]

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 gatherings […]

Let’s go on a safari! Discover the various animals that would be found on a safari including elephants, lions, and zebras. Go on a local expedition through the Nature Play Area looking for wild animals including Northern Cardinals, Eastern Fox Squirrels, and Stag Beetles. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center Porch 1 PM Ages 3 and […]

With fungi, people might think of mushrooms, yeast, or mold, but there is another interesting group. Learn about lichen and their importance in forest ecosystems. Hike the trails looking for species of lichen including Common Greenshield, Star Rosette, and British Soldiers. Litzenberg Memorial Woods Shelter 6 PM Ages 16 and up. Free; but click here […]

The Discovery Center will be open for visitation. Visitors can choose to participate in unstructured and/or structured activities. Activities and attractions include bird watching via the Windows on Wildlife, mounted animals and live animals on display, nature videos, field guides and nature books for reading, touch table and puppets, and seasonal displays and exhibits. A […]

The vegetables in the McKinnis garden are not ripe yet. One of those is tomato. There will be fried green tomatoes to sample and receipts to be shared. Litzenberg Memorial Woods McKinnis House 1-4 PM All ages are welcome. Free; registration is not required. Chris Allen callen@hancockparks.com  

Aim, shoot, and score! Learn safety measures and the basics of archery from a Certified Archery Instructor while shooting arrows at targets with a compound bow. Archery equipment will be provided. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Dold Lake 7 PM Ages 16 and up. Click here to register with $10 per person by 1 PM on Tuesday, […]

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 gatherings […]