Earth Day falls on April 22nd but we love to celebrate so much in Minnesota, we celebrate all month long and into May. I think our love of spring may be the reason the Twin Cities Metro does not skimp on Earth Day activities and events. While this is a chance to teach our children about good stewardship of our planet, it is also the perfect excuse to get out and enjoy the long-awaited spring. Between mid-April blizzards, flooding and Covid, we haven’t had great luck with Earth Day Family Events recently, but we are cautiously optimistic for 2021 and will keep adding events as they are announced. Although, we do expect that many will be finalized later than usual this year.
About Earth Day
Earth Day Network’s first Earth Day was in 1970 and has been celebrated for over half a century. Its continuing mission is “to broaden and diversify the environmental movement worldwide and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle to build a healthy, sustainable environment, address climate change, and protect the Earth for future generations.”
Bachman’s Give Away & Contest
Celebrate Earth Day weekend with some Flowerrific giveaways!
Giveaway
Stop by Bachman’s on Lyndale on Saturday, April 17 between 10am and 1pm to pick up a free Kitty Fairy Planter Kit and other fun Gabby’s Dollhouse goodies (whiles supplies last).
Contest
Enter for a chance to win a Bachman’s gift card courtesy of DreamWorks, Jr show Gabby’s Dollhouse! Enter for your chance to win here: https://forms.gle/EQYrLRLx3b5SjdaJ6.*
Gabby’s Dollhouse is now streaming on Netflix!
*Note that Family Fun Twin Cities is not running this giveaway. We are only helping to promote it. In exchange, we are receiving the free Kitty Fairy Planter Kit (that you can pick up for free on Saturday). If we receive our kit prior to Saturday, we will share a photo.
EARTH DAY & ARBOR DAY FAMILY EVENTS & CELEBRATIONS
We have a sampling of Earth Day family events here as well as some Arbor Day events to get you out with your kids and celebrating our environment this month.
If you prefer to celebrate Earth Day at Home, Gianna has gathered 22 Ways to Create a Meaningful and Easy Earth Day or most of these 65+ Fun Nature Play Ideas for Kids can be done at home or on your own.
Family Earth Week Celebration
April 17-23, 2021 | Wargo Nature Center, Lino Lakes
Both in-person and virtual activities available all week, including an in-person service project, trivia picnic, gardening seminar and online lunch with a naturalist, earth day sing-a-long and bingo challenge. Learn more and register here.
Earth Day Nature Hike for Families
April 22, 2021 | Eastman Nature Center, Maple Grove
Explore Elm Creek Park Reserve on a hike with your family. Reservations required by April 20th. $20/family (maximum eight people) – Activity #2ENC2200.
Earth Day Celebration – Online
April 24, 2021 | Harriet Alexander Nature Center, Roseville
Virtual event will include music by Will Hale & the Tadpole Parade, storytelling by Carol McCormick, crafts and a virtual boardwalk tour.
Earth Day Ec0-Dash
April 24-25, 2021 | Fridley
Teams of up to 8 people, can register to participate in an interactive, ecological-themed scavenger hunt through Fridley. $25/team. Registration begins March 1st.
Earth Day Youth Birding Competition
April 24-25, 2021 | Carpenter Nature Center, Hastings | Pick Your Park
Young birders 18 can submit a list of all birds they see or hear within sightline of your own rooftop or within the boundaries of the park or nature center of your choice. Prizes for all participants.
Arbor Day Walk & Green Fair
May 1, 2021 | Round Lake Park & Staring Lake Park, Eden Prairie
Pick up a map at one or both parks to take a self-guided walk that showcases various tree species around the lakes. Participants will also receive seed packets to take home and plant.
Art Start’s EcoArts Fest
May 22, 2021 | Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge, Bloomington
More details TBA. FREE.
DIY EARTH DAY HIKES, WALKS & HUNTS
For the family who wants to get out and move while enjoying nature, Hikes, Walks & Hunts will get your family exploring Minnesota’s great parks. While the social events have been cancelled, you are not without family options.
- Choose from over 400 Parks for a great family walk or hike.
- State Parks and National Parks are particularly great for hiking.
- Twin Cities Quests and Treasure Hunts for Families
EARTH DAY EVENTS FOR PRESCHOOL KIDS
Age-appropriate Earth Day events for the youngest family members.
My Preschooler & Me: Earth Day
April 22, 2021 | Richardson Nature Center, Bloomington
For preschoolers age 2-5 and their parent to discover nature through an Earth Day hike. Registration required. 10-11:30am, $5/pp. Full.
Preschool Story Time: Earth Day Celebration
April 23, 2021 | Carpenter Nature Center, St. Croix
Listen to stories, spend some time outdoors, make an art or craft project a meet live animals. Pre-Register by calling 651-437-4359. 10-11am, $5/pp.
Lowry Little Explorers
April 24, 2021 | Lowry Nature Center, Victoria
For preschoolers age 2-5 and their parent to discover nature through guided outdoor exploration of seasonal themes. Registration required. 10-11:30am, $5/pp. Full.
Tinkergarten
At Your Own Convenience & In Person Events Beginning
Participate in free online activities from Tinkergarten or join an in-person class!
PARK CLEAN-UP EVENTS
Even if your own park system has cancelled its park clean up event, you can grab your own gear and head out to clean up your own neighborhood or maybe just your backyard!
Anytime in April: Minneapolis Parks
Again in 2021, MPRB is encouraging DIY Earth Day cleanup in your local park or neighborhood. Supplies will be available to pick up on April 24 from 9:30 am to noon at participating sites.
April 10-May 16, 2021: Blaine Earth Day Cleanups
The city of Blaine facilitates community members who want to organize a neighborhood cleanup. You select the date, time, and project. The city provides the supplies.
April 17, 2021: Earth Day Service Project | Wargo Nature Center, Lino Lakes
Please call 763-324-3350 for details and to sign up. 10am-noon.
April 18-24, 2021: St. Anthony Earth Week Challenge
Residents are challenged to pick up trash individually or with your household. Take a photo of what you collect and share online. Maybe even win a prize!
April 24, 2021: St. Paul Citywide Cleanup
Stop into your selected cleanup site to check in with your site hosts and pick up bags and gloves. Then head out and clean up your park or neighborhood of choice. 9-11:30am. Registration required.
April 24, 2021: Eden Prairie Park Clean Up Day
Residents are encouraged to wear work gloves and bring along trash bags to clean up parks and trails. More details to come in spring 2021.
April 24, 2021: Earth Day Cleanup
Clean up the grounds and trails of Tamarack Nature Center. Register online, space is limited. 9:30am-12:30pm.
May 1, 2021: Holz Farm Park Clean Up Day, Eagan
Do some light cleaning of the farmhouse, mulch/weed the gardens and/or general grounds cleanup. Register Online for event #15328004-V6. Or Volunteer for ongoing spring cleanup opportunities at Eagan parks.
May 5, 2021: Arbor Day Celebration and Park Cleanup | Iron Horse Park, Crystal
Help plant trees and clean up the park. 6-7:30pm, FREE.
Doing Good Together has several clean up events on their list of April Volunteer Opportunities in the Twin Cities. They also have a collection of anytime Family Earth Stewardship activities here.
Go to Page 2 to see events from past years that we are watching.
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Do you know what ever happened to the big earth day convention that I think used to be held annually at the MN State Fair Grounds?
Hi Bill:
I believe you are thinking of The Green Expo. I’ve attended that at the fair grounds in the past. It is now held at the National Sports Center in Blaine.
Joy.
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Do you know if any of the recycling centers are offering money for things like aluminum cans on or around Earth Day?
Hi Bjorn:
I think we’ve gone to K&K Metals in NE Mpls, but only if we had other things to recycle at the same time. It’s hard to justify a special trip for 55cents/pound – especially when I know that aluminum recycling funds Minneapolis’s liberal garbage pickup policies.
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