So many choices!
❄️Hunt of the Month: Yetis
Highbanks Nature Center
We have hidden 10 toy yetis in the nature center. Stop by to see if you can find them! Fun indoor activity for families. Masks are required inside the nature center. Nature Center is open from 9am-6pm daily.
📚Facebook Live Storytime
Friday, January 14
10:00am – 10:30am
Virtual Service
Visit our Columbus Library Facebook page for a live storytime featuring books, songs and rhymes.
https://events.columbuslibrary.org/event/5969809
🙌🏼Puppet Tales with Leigh
Friday, 10 am
1/14 – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82278441884?pwd=eHgzUHF6S0tiTTdKczJtY1ZxOWxJQT09
Through Me To You Puppetry invites you to join Newton and his puppet friends Live Online for some storytime fun on Friday mornings at 10:00 a.m. in January! Newton and his friends take turns reading stories and singing songs with the kids. At the end of the show, the kids are invited to “unmute” and say hi to Newton. This program is geared to ages 3-6 years, but all are welcome!
No Registration Required
https://facebook.com/events/s/puppet-tales-with-leigh-baltze/1012192656034688/
👍🏻Telling a People’s Story Exhibit – African-American Children’s Illustrated Literature Exhibit
Friday, January 14: All Day
Delaware Main Library – Delaware Open Meeting Space
AGE GROUP: TWEENS TEENS FAMILIES CHILDREN ADULTS
EVENT TYPE: LOCAL HISTORY & GENEALOGY, FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY, CULTURE, COMMUNITY EVENT, ARTS & CRAFTS
An exhibition devoted to the art within African-American children’s picture books. The selection of approximately 130 works features more than 30 artists, spanning nearly 50 years of creativity.
🐾For Families-Afterschool Animal Signs Hike
Friday, 4 pm
Hike 1-mile to search for animal signs with a naturalist. Plan to hike off-trail along animal trails. Expect to get muddy. Parents may want to bring a change of shoes and clothes for the ride home depending on muddy conditions. Ages 5+. Program approximately 1 hour.
Program completely outdoors. Dress for the weather. If you plan on going into the nature center, masks are required. Masks are not required during the outdoor program.
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.
https://facebook.com/events/s/for-families-afterschool-anima/318307813515762/
🦉Harriers and Short-ears
Friday, 4:30 pm
We’ll visit the wetland looking for Harries and Short-eared Owls on a short Prairie Hike. Dress for the weather and muddy trail conditions. Meet us at 1378 Darby Creek Dr. Galloway, OH 43119
https://facebook.com/events/s/harriers-short-ears/710083976630058/
🦉Whoooo Goes There
Friday, 7 pm
Owls are designed perfectly for the
night, but what makes them so unique?
Join us on two nocturnal adventures into
the woods and fields to call for owls and
learn about their natural history. Ages 7+. For more info: https://preservationparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=119
https://facebook.com/events/s/whoooo-goes-there/230524565836169/
Friday, January 14: All Day
Tremont Road Library
AGE GROUP: TEENS KIDS ALL AGES
EVENT TYPE: READING, HOLIDAY, EARLY LITERACY
Yeti, Set, Read! Readers of all ages are invited to join our Winter Reading Club. Pick up a coloring sheet at any UA Library to get started and win prizes. All ages welcome!
https://ualibrary.libnet.info/event/5698484
🚂Winter Train Display
Saturday, 9-5 pm
Explore model train displays that feature seek-and-find challenges, interactive play, and railroad safety!
Stop by the Delaware Main Library anytime from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm for an all-ages Winter Train Display.
Operation Lifesaver will be there to share more about railroad safety!
The library will also be debuting a new train display created by Al Roop, donated by Steve Jefferis!
We hope you choo-choo-choose to visit the Delaware Library that day!
https://facebook.com/events/s/winter-train-display/443343393858789/
🚂Model Railroaders Open House
Saturday, 10 am-2pm
Stop in the model railroad open houses
during these winter weekends. Members
of the model railway group will share the
history of railroads in America. For more info: https://preservationparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=114
https://facebook.com/events/s/model-railroaders-open-house/314766187144322/
👀I-Spy Nature Challenge
Saturday, 10 am-2 pm
Whooo’s up for a challenge? Stop by the Naturalist Office between 10am-2pm to pick up your challenge sheet and complete it to win a prize!
Please note the program ends at 2pm. Please return your challenge sheets by this time to earn your prize.
https://facebook.com/events/s/i-spy-nature-challenge/705679557064919/
🥾Winter Hike Series-Alum Creek
Saturday, 10 am-12 pm
Take a guided 4-mile hike along the South Loop of the Multipurpose Trail to explore the park in winter. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy boots. Meet at the New Galena Picnic Area at 4550 Africa Rd., Galena, OH 43021
https://facebook.com/events/s/winter-hike-series-alum-creek/1048100466032770/
🌲Winter Tree ID
Saturday, 2 pm
No Leaves? No Problem! Learn to identify trees by the rest of their features. Meet us at the Ranger Station – 1775 Darby Creek Dr. Galloway, OH 43119
https://facebook.com/events/s/winter-tree-id/658242721974923/
👀Headlamp Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, 5-7 pm
A strong wind came through Scioto Grove Metro Park and scattered all of our favorite recreation equipment around the park!! Find all of our missing gear hiding around the Arrowhead Picnic area and win a prize! Meet at Arrowhead picnic shelter to get your activity sheet and instruction. Headlamps or flashlights recommended.
https://facebook.com/events/s/headlamp-scavenger-hunt/617837242769382/
🦉Owl Hike
Saturday, 5:30-6:45 pm
Join a naturalist for a 1.5 mile hike in search of owls. Flashlights are encouraged. Park will have red cellophane to cover the flashlights to help prevent disturbance to the wildlife. Plan on being outside for 1+hrs. We will try calling for the owls in several locations. Expect uneven terrain. Trail is not stroller friendly. All ages.
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.
https://facebook.com/events/s/owl-hike/1099174104191268/
🚂Model Railroad Open House
Saturday, 12-4 pm
Stop in the model railroad open houses
during these winter weekends. Members
of the model railway group will share the
history of railroads in America. For more info: https://preservationparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=114
https://facebook.com/events/s/model-railroaders-open-house/432327068470596/
🥾For Families-Winter Hike with your dog
Sunday, 1pm
What better way to give your dog some exercise than a 1.5-mile winter hike? Join the naturalist for a relatively flat walk with lots of water breaks for the dogs- at the end each pup will get a treat
Meeting Location: Big Meadows picnic area is at the back of the park. After you enter the park, take the main road down the hill. At the bottom of the hill, take the ROAD on the LEFT. Park in the lot with a playground. Meet near restrooms.
https://facebook.com/events/s/for-families-winter-hike-with-/979917199400664/
🍄Winter Fungi
Sunday, 2 pm
Join the naturalist on a 2-mile hike looking for fungus that love cool wet weather. Meet us at the Bulletin Board in Indian Ridge – 2705 Darby Creek Dr. Galloway, OH 43119
https://facebook.com/events/s/winter-fungi/914047239300050/
💭Meet Dr. King
Performed by Bright Star Children’s Theatre
Monday, January 17
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Orange Branch Library
Orange Programming Room
An introduction to an American hero and will inspire young audiences to use peace, leadership, and conflict resolution in their own schools and communities. Great for Pre-K and higher!
This performance by Bright Star Touring Theatre is best for Grades Pre-K and higher. Teachers may access the performance Study Guide and Curriculum Standards to incorporate the performance into classroom lessons.
Meet Dr. King is a wonderful introduction to the life and work of one of America’s most influential men. This show is perfect for younger audiences, serving to introduce students to major concepts of Black History like freedom, integration, and equality. Meet Dr. King helps young people begin to understand the importance of Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement. Follow along as the play takes us from Dr. King’s life as just a young boy experiencing racism for the first time, to meeting his wife, Coretta, to becoming a pastor and finally a national inspiration.
Masks will be required for all patrons who participate in an indoor library program.
This presentation will also be at the Delaware Library on January 17 at 6:30 pm.
https://delawarelibrary.libnet.info/event/5728891
💭Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr Day
Monday, January 17
All day
Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Visit the library anytime January 10-22 to learn about Martin Luther King, Jr., the Civil Rights Movement, and what it means to be anti-racist. For all ages.
Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Visit the library anytime January 10-22 to learn about Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Civil Rights Movement.
Listen to Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech, take a virtual tour of the National Civil Rights Museum, and check out books about civil rights activists and stories by Black authors and illustrators. Think about what is important to you, and write your own pledge to stand up for equality and against racism.
Drop by anytime Jan. 10-22. All ages.
https://ualibrary.libnet.info/event/5698126
Programs-
📫Winter Letterbox
The Winter Letterbox is back with another fun, cold cold weather adventure. Looking for something to ward off cabin fever, then bundle up the family and get out into the parks. Much like our popular Summer Letterbox Adventure, clues will guide you on a winter exploration of 5 parks. Collect a secret word or words at each of the parks, unscramble them to discover the secret phrase and win a prize. The adventure runs December 20 – March 20.
Visit the official Winter Letterbox page here.
And
🥾Winter 100
The Winter 100 is back for a second year. It is a great way to stay healthy–mentally and physically through the cold Ohio winter. Walk 100 miles or 100 kilometers from January 1 – March 31, 2022. Register, log your miles, and get energized by a supportive community of walkers and runners this winter. Gain access to a private Facebook group, bi-weekly emails, and expert tips from our partners. Registration begins December 27, 2021.
Visit the official Winter 100 page here.
📖Read and Bring Joy @Westerville Library
December 13, 2021 – February 26, 2022 – Challenge yourself to a winter of reading and earn prizes along the way. For all ages.
Sign Up
Starting December 13, register in person or online.
Complete a BINGO Card
Choose from a variety of suggested activities, from reading together with a friend to trying a new recipe.
Earn Prizes
Ages 0-18 – Complete a row of 5 activities to earn a book & a chance at grand prize drawings for a $50 VISA gift card.
Ages 18+ – Complete a row of 5 activities to earn a Bundtlet from Nothing Bundt Cakes and a chance at grand prize drawings, including free Bundtlets for a year or a 10-inch holiday Bundt Cake.
🖌Mini Art Museum(Free activity for Pickup)
Show off those art skills and help decorate the teeny tiny museum in the Teen Room! Create an original one-of-a-kind painting that represents you. Then bring it back to display in the museum for all to admire.
How It Works
– NOW: Register now to claim your kit.
– JANUARY 10-17: Pick up your kit at the desk in the children’s area. Canvas and paints provided.
– JANUARY 31: Deadline to return your art to the library to be placed in the museum
– MARCH: Your artwork will be returned to you with a certificate and thank you bag.
https://www.westervillelibrary.org/events
📮Dublin Riverboxes
Dublin Arts Council has commissioned the creation of Riverboxes™, artist-created vessels that are inspired by the hobbies of letterboxing and geocaching which combine map-reading or GPS skills and artistic pursuit with delightful ‘treasure hunts’ in beautiful, scenic places.
Riverboxes contain a unique artist-made stamp, journal and historical and environmental information for visitors to discover in Dublin parks along the banks of or connected to the Scioto River and its tributaries. Clues to the whereabouts of the discreetly installed Riverboxes can be found on this site. Press here to download a Riverboxes Passport Booklet.
https://dublinarts.org/visual-arts/riverboxes/
📚Annual program returns Dec. 1 through Jan. 31
COLUMBUS—Columbus Metropolitan Library is bringing back for a fourth year its Winter Reading Challenge, in which students can earn prizes just by reading over break. A twist on CML’s Summer Reading Challenge, Winter Reading Challenge aims to keep reading skills strong when students are out of school over the holidays. From Dec. 1 through Jan. 31, K-12 students can register in person at CML’s 23 locations throughout Franklin County. Those interested can learn more at columbuslibrary.org.
The annual program challenges students to track their progress as they read for 20 days and complete five activities on their game boards. Examples of game board activities include “Read a book about a famous person,” “Read a book with a magical creature,” “Tell a staff member about a book you read” and many more. Just for signing up, students will receive a bookmark, mechanical pencil, eraser and sticker. Students who complete the program will earn a book they can keep, as well as a drawstring bag.
Last winter, approximately 7,800 students participated in the program.
Studies show that kids who read during out-of-school time maintain reading skills that are critical to future school success. The Third Grade Reading Guarantee in Ohio means many central Ohio third graders could repeat the grade if they don’t pass state proficiency testing.
yep reading stories and singing songs with the kids. At the end of the show, the kids are invited to “unmute” and say hi to Newton. This program is geared to ages 3-6 years, but all are welcome!Crane Public Library. No Registration Required
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83777878277?pwd=QmwvTVBRbWx6NHJpQUgrRzNkcEMzdz09
📌Please note-Events can be changed by hosts, please check the event before attending. I try my best to provide up to date information. Please stay safe and do what you feel is most comfortable for your family with COVID-19 risks.
📍Metro Parks event details-