The leaves are down, the cold is here, the clocks have fallen back… and now we are going to be stuck inside for months… right?

Nope! It doesn’t have to be that way!

We are so fortunate here in Central Ohio because we have so many options for amazing, nature-centric family adventures that are nearby, super-cool… and free! I’ve visited all these places on my seasonal nature adventures (next one is coming up in January!) or with my own family. Here are my favorites that you can checkout soon!

Scioto Audubon Metropark

Where? Right next to Downtown Columbus

Play Opportunities: This park has it all: cool playground, big watchtower you can climb, an obstacle course, an observation platform with telescopes, and a super-cool nature center with an indoor playground, nature exhibits, and a sweet library! They also giveaway free seeds!

Nature-y Goodness: This park has prairie (which will be sleeping now), a wooded path, big views of the city/river, and tons of birds! This time of year you can sit in the cozy library and watch the many birds come to their window feeders, or walk among the prairie and pond to see the birds eating the prairie seed buffet!

Glacier Ridge Metropark

Where? Northwest of Columbus, between Dublin and Plain City

Play Opportunities: Glacier Ridge has a sweet wooden playground (with plenty of opportunities for big moves and creative play) that’s right next to the edge of the woods, where kiddos will find the Natural Play Area: a spot specifically set-aside for kiddos to climb logs, build forts, and explore!

Nature-y Goodness: Plenty of woods/prairie trails allow your family to see and hear all sorts of wildlife. The prairie areas are a beautiful yellow and red right now. You’ll have a good chance of seeing Deer, Squirrels, Woodpeckers, Bluebirds, Cardinals, Sparrows, and other wild animal brothers and sisters as you play and explore!

Shale Hollow Park

Where? Located on Rt.23 in Lewis Center

Play Opportunities: Their Natural Play Area features rope bridges, log tables, games, as well as a shallow creek you can walk in and very cool Jurassic Park-looking cliffs. The nature center has interactive exhibits, books, and animals!

Nature-y Goodness: This park also has beautiful wooded/prairie walking trails. The creek is a great place to explore, and features a fascinating geologic phenomenon called “concretions”. This park is a great place to see Deer, Fish, Chipmunks, Woodpeckers, Goldfinches, Bluebirds and more.

Highbanks Metropark

Where? Located on Rt.23 near Polaris

Play Opportunities: The Natural Play Area (located near the river at the northwestern corner) features riverside exploration, logs to climb, big Sycamore trees, and even islands you can walk out to when the water is low. The nature center here has a really cool treehouse, as well as books, art, and animals!

Nature-y Goodness: Highbanks is HUGE with lots of woods/prairie/river to explore. There’s even an active Bald Eagle nest you can hike to! This park is a great place to see virtually all of Ohio’s many animal brothers and sisters!

Battelle-Darby Creek Metropark

Where? Southwest of Downtown Columbus, off of Broad Street

Play Opportunities: The Natural Play Area features forts, and lots of nooks & crannies for exploration and discovery. The BIG DEAL at BDC however is the nature center! Designed by a former LDBB parent, this amazing place has: an indoor stream full of living fish, frogs, turtles and more, wildlife fur specimens, live snakes, live Buffalo outside, a playroom with a treehouse, games, and puppets and more! It’s seriously so cool.

Nature-y Goodness: BDC is gigantic (1,000+ acres!) and has every habitat you can imagine. Here you can find Owls, Mink, Deer, Hawks, Woodpeckers, many birds, and pretty much every other Ohio animal! BDC is truly a treasure of wilderness… also, it’s rated one of the cleanest habitats in the state!

Blendon Woods Metropark

I’ve saved the best for last…

Where? Northeast of Downtown Columbus, close-ish to Easton

Play Opportunities: Oh. My. GOODNESS! This Natural Play Area has it ALL: interactive scavenger hunts, climbing logs, natural teeter-totters, 2 gigantinormous rope swings, rope bridges, climbing, jumping, and running space… it’s amazing. You’ve got to see it!

Nature-y Goodness: I’ve only been to this park for the Natural Play Area, but I know there is also an amazing pond area, and lots of places to see many animal brothers and sisters. But seriously… go to the Natural Play Area… I mean it’s really that awesome.

So there you go… my favorite spots to play, climb, explore and connect with my family and nature! November-February doesn’t have to be cabin-fever, screen time… there are plenty of cool places to explore and plenty of animals to meet! If you decide to check one or more of these spots out, tag or message me on Instagram @jaredthenatureguy

Have fun and I’ll see ya in the woods!