Following are Columbus and Franklin County Metropolitan Park District programs for Oct. 24-31.
Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway
Preschool: Leafin' Around!, 11 a.m. to noon and 1 to 2 p.m. Oct. 25 at White Oak. Guests of all ages can explore how leaves change throughout the seasons.
Graveyard Hike, 4 to 5 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Ranger Station. Guests of all ages can take a 4-mile, off-trail hike to prehistoric Native American and pioneer burial grounds.
Feed the Stream, 1 to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Nature Center. Guests of all ages can help feed worms, crickets and other foods to fish.
Blacklick Woods Metro Park
6975 E. Livingston Ave., Reynoldsburg
Halloween Crafts, noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Nature Center. Children ages 4-12 can make Halloween-themed crafts.
Stranger Things Display, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 26 and 27 at the Nature Center. Attendees of all ages can discover weird nature with a display.
Halloween Howl, 2 to 3 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Nature Center. Guests can bring a canine companion for a 2-mile walk. Costumes are encouraged.
Blendon Woods Metro Park
4265 E. Dublin Granville Road, Westerville
Preschool: Fall Tram, 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Oct. 24 at the Nature Center. Children ages 3-5 can take a tram tour of the park.
Adults Only: Evening Tram, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Nature Center. Guests ages 18 and older can take a tram tour of the park.
Fall Fun Tram Rides, 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 26. Guests of all ages can take a tram ride.
Homeschoolers: Bird Beak Buffet, 10 to 11 a.m. Oct. 29 and 1 to 2 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Nature Center. Children ages 6-12 can discover the shapes and uses of bird beaks with a hands-on activity.
Halloween Lantern Hike, 7 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Nature Center. VIsitors of all ages can take a lantern-lit stroll through the woods.
Toddlers in Nature: The Ugly Pumpkin, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. to noon Oct. 31 at the Nature Center. Toddlers ages 1-3 are invited for a story, activity and walk.
Glacier Ridge Metro Park
9801 Hyland Croy Road, Plain City
Spooky Lantern Hike, 7 to 8 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Shelter House. Visitors ages 8 and older can take a stroll through the forest and learn about critters who lurk in the darkness.
Preschoolers: Helping Wildlife, 11 a.m. Oct. 30 at the Shelter House. Guests can learn about ways to help wildlife through a story, activities and a craft.
Highbanks Metro Park
9466 U.S. Route 23 N, Lewis Center
Preschool: Silly Spiders, 9:30 and 11 a.m. Oct. 24 at the Nature Center. Children ages 3-5 can learn about spiders through stories, crafts and a hike.
For Kids: Harvest Crafts, noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Nature Center. Children ages 3-12 can make crafts to celebrate fall.
Storytime: I'm Not Scared, 10 to 10:30 a.m. Oct. 28 at the Nature Center. Children ages 2-5 can listen to stories and learn about misunderstood animals.
Homestead
4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard
Young Explorers: Trick-Or-Treat Hike, 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Barn Shelter. Children ages 2-13 can wear a costume and eat goodies on a 1-mile hike.
Inniswood Metro Gardens
940 S. Hempstead Road, Westerville
Sunny Sundays, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Herb Garden. The Herb Society of America, Central Ohio Unit, will be in the Herb Garden to answer visitors' questions.
Halloween Party, 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Education Pavilion. The party will feature activities, animals and crafts.
Rocky Fork Metro Park
7180 Walnut St., Westerville
Barktoberfest, 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Rocky Fork Dog Park. Guests can have beer and food and participate in a dog costume contest.
Scioto Audubon Metro Park
400 W. Whittier St., Columbus
Preschool Storytime, 10 a.m. Thursdays and Saturdays at the Grange Insurance Audubon. Guests can bring little ones for a nature-inspired story or two.
Weekly Bird Hike, 10 a.m. Saturdays at the Grange Insurance Audubon Center. Guests can search for birds in the park.
Sharon Woods Metro Park
6911 Cleveland Ave., Westerville
Stormwater Problems and Solutions, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Spring Hollow Lodge. Jerry Holloway, of the Friends of Alum Creek and Tributaries, will discuss where water goes when it rains. Participants ages 12 and older will learn methods to reduce runoff and flooding while making houses, business or environment a healthier place.
Campfire Singalong and S'mores, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Apple Ridge Picnic Shelter. Guests of all ages can join local singer and guitarist Joanie Calem for singing/dancing around the campfire and an autumn marshmallow roast. Attendees are encouraged to bring seating.
Go Wild Kids Club: I-Spy Nature Challenge, 2 to 3 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Schrock Lake Picnic Shelter. Children ages 5-12 can pick up a scavenger hunt and complete it for a prize.
Preschoolers: Halloween Open House Party, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Spring Hollow. Children ages 3-5 can wear a costume and participate in games, crafts and other activities.
Slate Run Living Historical Farm
1375 state Route 674 N., Canal Winchester
Family Storytime: Pumpkins, 10:30 to 11 a.m. Oct. 26 at the Farmhouse. Guests can hear a story about pumpkins and try an activity.
Pumpkins and Corn, 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 26 and 27 at the Farmhouse. Guests can see a display featuring varieties of corn, pumpkins, squash and gourds that were available in the 1880s and learn about their uses.
Three Creeks Park
3860 Bixby Road, Groveport
Last Leaves Tree ID Walk, 2 to 3 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Confluence Area. Guests of all ages can learn to identify trees from leaves, bark and seeds on an easy 1-mile walk.
Interpreters and assistive listening devices for persons with hearing impairments are available for any program. Call 614-891-0700 (TDD 895-6240) to schedule these services.
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