Fun at Grange Insurance Audubon Center

The Grange Insurance Audubon Center offers fun events and activities for all ages to connect with nature. The Audubon Center is located in downtown Columbus, but you’ll feel like you are away from the city and immersed in nature along the Scioto River. 

Grange Audubon Center offers STEAM-based programming for youth, birding and conservation experiences, as well as indoor and outdoor fun.

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Upcoming Fun at Grange Insurance Audubon Center

Abstract Art Perspectives of North American Birds

This interactive abstract painting workshop with artist Mah Leah Cochran combines a conservation message with hands-on artistic expression.

An informative slide show presentation features stunning Audubon avian imagery, practical abstract painting tips and instruction, followed by a group discussion.

Workshop fee is $30/person and includes artist kit and supplies.

Saturday, March 25 (1:30pm-3:30pm)
Saturday, June 17 (1:30pm-3:30pm)
Saturday, September 16 (1:30pm-3:30pm)
Saturday, December 9 (1:30pm-3:30pm)

Preschool Story Time

Each Thursday morning at 10:00 am for nature-themed, read-alouds and maybe sing a song or two. Stay after to enjoy outdoor play time in our play space located near the native plant gardens or visit the turtles inside. Registration is currently required, program is free. Register here.

Beginner Bird Hike

Most Saturday mornings from 10 – 11:30 am
Take a guided hike with our Grange Insurance Audubon Center Educators or Columbus Audubon Volunteers to see what birds you can find in your Scioto Audubon Metro Park each Saturday at 10 am.

Guided hikes will give you the basics of birding and help you learn about areas in our park that are great for birdwatching! You can enjoy self-guided hikes in the park anytime during open hours.

Register at the link here.

First Friday’s Let’s Do Yoga Together

Start the evening with a yoga class intentionally welcoming of the LGBTQIA+ community and the people who support them. After yoga, join us for an optional bird walk around the center grounds and Scioto Audubon Metro Park.

The program will include 1 hour of yoga, led by Andy King, with the beautiful city skyline as a backdrop and a 45 minute bird walk by a Grange Insurance Audubon Center staff member or Columbus Audubon member, Sheila Fagan. Participants are asked to bring a mat or towel to use during the yoga class. 

Use this registration for the following dates:

Friday, May 5th, 6:15 pm
Friday, June 2nd, 6:15 pm
Friday, July 7th, 6:15 pm
Friday, August 4th, 6:15 pm

Registration is $5 per person. Email Allison Clark at allison.clark@audubon.org with registration questions. Check in at the front desk of the Grange Insurance Audubon Center starting at 6 pm the day of the event. 

Birds and Brews

Friday, July 14, 2023 from 6pm-8pm

View the Birds and Sample Some Nocterra Brews!

General Admission to the Reception is FREE and open to the public but registration is required. If you plan to participate in the Nocterra Brewing Company beer tasting, tickets must be purchased in advance.

The Nocterra Beer Tasting experience is $20 which includes 5 tickets. One ticket can be used for a 5oz tasting or 2 tickets can be combined for a full 12oz glass. A selection of five Nocterra brews will be featured. 

Reserve a private playtime!

Small indoor play room with books, bird watching, costumes, climbing structure and cave.
Reserve your playtime! Have an adventure while engaging in imaginative play in the Grange Insurance Audubon Center Forest Room Playroom and Climbing Area with your family and/or playgroup. No more than 20 in the group (infants included).

Reservations are $25-$40. See website for details and cancellation policies. Reserve your playtime here.

Grange Insurance Audubon Center
505 W Whittier St. Columbus OH 43215
614-545-5475
website | Facebook
Hours change seasonally; see details here.

Past events at Grange; tba for 2022

12 Days of Audubon: Yuletide Holiday Celebration Series

Details tba for 2022. Enjoy 12 days of seasonal activities including night hikes, wine tasting events, holiday music, programs, movie night, gingerbread house decorating, painting, a last-minute pop-up art shop and much more!

Many events are free, while others have a small fee to cover the supply costs. Registration is required; find details and links to register on the website. 

Winter Lantern Walks

Join us on select Saturday evenings and every Wednesday evening from 6:30-8pm this winter for lantern walks around the Grange Insurance Audubon Center grounds and surrounding Scioto Audubon Metro Park. After a 45 minute walk with lanterns in hand, we’ll gather by the fire inside the center and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate to warm up.

Tickets are $5. Participants over the age of 2 must have a ticket. Be sure to dress for winter walking (we’ll be following paved paths but those paths may be slick). Click on the links below to purchase tickets.

Saturday Winter Lantern Walks

January 8
January 22
February 12
February 26

Wednesday Winter Lantern Walks

Wednesdays, January 5 – February 23

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Juneteenth/Summer Celebration at The Grange Insurance Audubon Center

Sunday, June 19, 2023 from 1 pm -7:30 pm 

An entire day of nature, art, community, family, music & more! 

Red, White & Boom Fundraiser Celebration 2022

Friday, July 1, 2022 at 5:30 pm 

General Admission: Provides access to Nocterra Brewing Company Beer Garden 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Beer tickets available at $8/beer. No preferred parking access.

General Admission ticket holders are encouraged to find a spot in the park and reserve it for viewing the fireworks after access to the Nocterra beer garden closes at 8pm. General Admission ticket holders will not be permitted to stay in the roped off area to view the fireworks.

VIP ticket options (5:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.) includes access to Nocterra Brewing Company Beer Garden, appetizers, food stations (grilled chicken, pulled pork,  petite vegan Impossible Burgers, a selection of sides & salads and dessert station), beer/wine Tickets, live music by the Village Brass quintet, preferred parking (full table only)and a prime spot on the lawn to view the fireworks display.

VIP and sponsor ticket holders can remain in the beer garden area to view the fireworks.

Sip and Paint with Wine and Canvas

Sip & Paint afternoons with Wine and Canvas! Enjoy an indoor fire with wine and hot beverages to sip while creating your masterpiece! Register HERE

Dates tba 2023 

Fall Family Fest with Simba Jordan Band

Saturday, October 29, 2022 from 5-9pm
Come in your Halloween costumes or wear your cowboy hat and boots for the FREE Fall Family Fest with the Simba Jordan Band.

This family-friendly event features activities all evening and requires advance registration.

Trick or Tweet

Saturday, October 29, 2022  

Spook up some fun with this not-so-scary nature themed, family fun, fall celebration for preschoolers and children grades K-2. Costumes are fun and encouraged, especially for our costume parades throughout each event!

Enjoy games, scavengers hunts, short hikes, crafts, read-alouds and even a snack to take home!

Registration will open in late Summer.