Photo by Kayla Rankin
Nature is Neat!
Children’s programs are offered from May through October
Stop by anytime between 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
See details below
Location: Appalachian Forest Museum Cost: FREE
Our Nature is Neat! at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary program promotes exploration, learning, and a deeper appreciation of our natural world, with an emphasis on learning, through hands-on immersive nature experiences. The Appalachian Forest Museum is committed to providing our community with science-focused programming, hikes, and fun for the entire family. The Museum will host special themed days that will be free of charge. These exciting programs will include access to our Forest Museum, theme-based activities, and the ability to put your newfound knowledge to use while you meander the nearby trails. Registration is not required.
What’s Bugging You?
Saturday, May 23, 2026
Are you an Entomologist? What the heck is that? It’s a person who studies insects! Join us as we learn all about insects with the United Titanium Bug Zoo from The Ohio State University’s Department of Entomology.
The OSU Bug Zoo’s mission is to turn “eww” into “ooh!”—promoting curiosity, busting myths, and helping everyone see just how amazing insects and other arthropods really are. Discover their hidden superpowers and learn how these tiny creatures help keep our planet healthy!
Get ready to: Meet live bugs up close (if you’re brave enough to say hello!), Snap a family photo with our favorite insect ambassadors, create your own ladybug mask or beaded butterfly, play the Pollinator Game with our flower friends, and hunt for insects on a scavenger adventure through the beautiful trails at the Appalachian Forest Museum.
When you’re finished buzzing around, take home an ODNR field guide and a handheld magnifying glass to keep exploring the bug world back home. Come explore, learn, and play—it’s guaranteed to be an un-bee-lievably fun day!
Artists of the Forest
Saturday, June 20, 2026
Not only is Nature Neat, but it is also Beautiful!
Join us as we meet and learn about some of nature’s animal artists. We will be highlighting the beauty of our natural world as we hike, draw, color, paint, use natural dyes, and create items to take home that will help us remember all of the beauty that nature has to offer. Artists will be at the Appalachian Forest Museum and along the trails. You’ll be able to observe them in action, talk with them about their craft, and maybe even get a few tips about how they create art that reflects the loveliness and wonder of our natural world. There will be art kits available for those who want to take them out on the trails and immortalize what they see. No experience necessary!
Aquatic Life
Saturday, July 11, 2026
Join us as we learn about water through observation, experimentation, and exploration. Every living thing needs water to survive, but we rarely stop to think about what that means. Who lives in and around our water? We’ll talk about the animals that live their entire lives in and around the Rocky Fork Creek. Learn about the water cycle and make your own water cycle experiment you can take home to observe!
Get ready to get your feet wet as naturalists guide you in dipping nets into the water to see what’s living in the Rocky Fork Creek. Learn how to take a water sample and what contributes to the health of the creek. After we observe them, animals will be returned to where they were found.
Marvelous Mammals of Ohio’s Woodlands
Saturday & Sunday, August 1 & 2, 2026
Discover the diverse mammals that inhabit our surroundings and learn to identify their tracks and signs. At the Appalachian Forest Museum, explore exhibits featuring skulls, pelts, and tracks of woodland mammals. Delve into the fascinating world of animal scat and its insights into their diet and habits.
Come meet an Opossum and Elvira the Brown Bat, visiting us courtesy of Nature Nurses Wildlife Rescue. Plus, get hands-on with a clay modeling activity to create your own woodland mammal track souvenir! Take home the "Tracks and Scat" book for more learning and fun activities.
Birds of a Feather
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Would you like to meet some raptors in person? Our friends from the Glen Helen Raptor Center will be joining our birding program with live raptors you can meet up close! Raptors are the majestic predatory birds that hunt and feed on small animals. They include such birds as eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls.
Discover what owls eat by examining their digestive pellets under a microscope. Learn backyard bird identification basics and what tools can help you. Play the migration game and make some “binoculars” from recycled materials to help you spot birds during your hike. And when you decide it’s time to migrate home to your own backyard, take a free Bird Explorer booklet to continue your learning!
Geology ROCKS!
Saturday, September 5, 2026
What’s beneath your feet? Let’s find out! Geology is the science that explores Earth’s physical structure, history, and the natural processes that shape our world. Join us at the Appalachian Forest Museum for a hands-on adventure into the fascinating geology that surrounds us.
Explore a real cave with a naturalist, take part in fun experiments to discover how caves are formed, and create their own layered rock jar and fossil timeline to take home.
Photo by Cassidy Drummond
This summer, we’re launching a fun opportunity for kids between the ages of 10 and 18 to become Junior Naturalists—helping lead games, sharing nature facts, and inspiring other families at our Nature is Neat events.
We’re looking for kids who:
Are excited to meet live animal ambassadors (with a trained naturalist’s guidance!)
Have confidence in taking part in activities and engaging with others on their own.
Love playing, leading, and sharing their curiosity about nature.
Enjoy connecting with other kids, families, and nature enthusiasts.
If this sounds like your child, click the button below to fill out a form.
Space is limited to 15 participants, so spots will fill quickly!
Junior Naturalist Program
Does your child light up when they talk about bugs, trees, or critters? Do they love sharing that passion with others?
They might be a perfect fit for our new Arc of Appalachia Nature is Neat Junior Naturalist Program!