2018 Twin Cities Earth Day Family Events
Earth Day Network’s first Earth Day was in 1970. It’s continuing mission — “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.” For us, it’s a chance to teach our children about good stewardship of our planet, while getting out and enjoying the long-awaited spring. I think the spring thing may be why the Twin Cities Metro does not skimp on Earth Day activities and events. We have a sampling of Earth Day family events to get out with your kids and celebrate our environment this month.
Note: We’ve seen the first of the weather-related postponements with the Minneapolis Parks moving their cleanup date to May 12th. Because of our crazy 2018 weather, we recommend calling ahead for outdoor events.
2018 TWIN CITIES EARTH DAY FAMILY EVENTS
4/17/18: Toddler Tuesday – Celebrate Earth Day | Mall of America | 10am to 12pm | FREE | Meet Elmer the Elm Tree and celebrate Earth Day MOA style.
4/21/18: Earth Day Birding Festival | Carpenter Nature Center, Hastings | 8am to 4pm | $5/pp or $15/with lunch | Celebrate the many birds of Minnesota. RSVPs are required.
4/21/18: Earth Day Celebration | Harriet Alexander Nature Center, Roseville | 10am-2pm | Enjoy free entertainment, beat a drum in the parade, and help with planting at this annual celebration.Top off the day with a slice of cake to celebrate the nature center’s birthday! FREE.
4/21/18: Family Earth Day Celebration | Wargo Nature Center, Lino Lakes | 12:30-3pm | All kinds of family fun at this Earth Day celebration: climbing wall, light refreshments, and a make-and-take earth art project. FREE.
4/21/18: Earth Day: Story Stroll, Service Projects and Native Plant Sale | Richardson Nature Center, Bloomington | 10am-12pm | Hike on a Story Stroll, join volunteers removing invasive plants, and get tips to attract pollinators and wildlife to your yard. FREE.
4/21/18: Earth Day Cleanup & Garden Work Day | Tamarack Nature Center, White Bear Township | 9am-noon | Volunteer for a morning at Tamarack by cleaning up the grounds and trails, as well as working in the Garden to get it ready for planting. RSVP at the above link. FREE.
4/21/18-4/22/18: Party for the Planet | Como Zoo & Conservatory, St Paul | 10am-4pm | Tons of free activities will take place throughout the weekend, focusing on creative ways to conserve energy. FREE.
4/22/18: Earth Day Trail Hike | Eastman Nature Center, Dayton | 1pm-2:30pm | Search for natural treasures on a casual trail hike. FREE.
4/22/18: Earth Day River Clean Up | Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, Brooklyn Park | 1pm-3pm | Clean up the Mississippi and learn green tips for home. FREE.
4/22/18: Earth Day Clean Up | Fort Snelling State Park, Saint Paul | 10am –12pm | Learn more about your state park and trail system; grab you gloves, your pickers, and head out to the park. FREE, but a $7 vehicle permit is required.
4/22/18: Family Funday – Earth Day Celebration | Kroening Interpretive Center, Minneapolis | 1-3pm | Naturalist-led and self-guided activities. Community cleanup around the park. Meet animals and create art. FREE for all ages.
4/22/18: Earth Day/Arbor Day Celebration | Wood Lake Nature Center, Richfield | 1-4pm | Enjoy the day at Wood Lake by planting trees, going on an Earth Day-inspired scavenger hunt, and dedicating the Marlene Glaus Overlook. FREE.
04/22/18: Earth Day Birthday Party | The Wedge Table, Minneapolis | 11am-1pm | Earth-friendly crafts, birthday treats, and musical activities. Blooma will lead family-friendly yoga at noon. Kids can bring home tree-seedling party favors. FREE.
4/23/18: My Preschooler & Me: Puppet Escapades – Earth Day | Lowry Nature Center, Victoria | 10am to 11am | $4/pp | For preschoolers age 2-4 and their parent – watch a puppet show and explore activity stations. Registration required.
4/23/18: Unci Maka: Our Relationship with Mother Earth | Silverwood Park, St. Anthony | 6-8pm | FREE | Cante Suta-Francis Bettelyoun, coordinator of Native American Medicine Gardens discusses how indigenous cultural practices help create healthy soils, which lead to a healthy environment. Discover how each of us can heal our environments with microbes, water, soil and plants.
4/24/18: Earth Day Event – Give Back To Nature | Dodge Nature Center, West St Paul | 5:30-8pm | Bring the family to help take on a variety of projects including litter pick-up, invasive species removal, garden clean up, and more. Volunteers can enjoy a cookout before getting to work. Pre-registration. Sign up here. FREE.
4/28/18: Earth & Arbor Day Celebration | Meadowview Elementary, Farmington | 10:30am-noon | Free family friendly event | FREE.
EARTH DAY FAMILY EVENTS – PARK CLEAN-UP SITES
The 2016 Earth Day Clean Up at Minneapolis parks collected 1,640 pounds of metal, 640 pounds of recycling and a whopping 8,100 pounds of garbage!
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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?
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