Earth Day is Sunday, April 22nd and there’s plenty of events that will help us get our kids outside and involved with fun activities that give thanks to Mother Earth and all that she has to offer.
EARTH DAY PAINTING PARTY
FRIDAY, APRIL 13
FRIENDSHIP FACTORY, ROCHESTER @ 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Cost: $25
Celebrate Earth Day early and design your very own Earth painting. With the help of a local artist, you will learn the techniques step by step and customize a unique piece of art. Use your favorite mix of colors to personalize and create an exciting masterpiece! All materials are included for guided instruction and plenty of fun!
EARTH DAY @ WAYNE COUNTY PARKS
SATURDAY, APRIL 14
NANKIN MILLS INTERPRETIVE CENTER, WESTLAND @ 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Cost: FREE
Live animal shows, music, crafts, speakers and educational demonstrations will all be a part of the FREE family fun! All ages welcome.
GREENFEST
SATURDAY, APRIL 14
DETROIT ZOO, ROYAL OAK @ 10:00am – 3:00pm
Cost: FREE with admission
This pre-Earth Day celebration will feature a sustainability tour to learn more about our anaerobic digester, educational rain gardens, farm-to-table food options, composting program and other initiatives as part of our Green Journey. Activities will include chemistry demonstrations, zookeeper talks and more. Additionally, a 16-foot ground-mounted solar system called the smartflower™ will be featured blooming in the garden just east of the Carousel. The system is expected to generate more than 4,000 kilowatts of electricity annually, which will power the 36-foot ride as well as other areas of the Zoo.
EARTH DAY FAMILY NIGHT OUT
FRIDAY, APRIL 20
GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOL, BIRMINGHAM @ 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Cost: $5 per swimmer or $15 per family (3 or more swimmers)
In addition to water fun, there’s a drawing at the end of the night for Goldfish merchandise! Pizza arrives at 7:30 PM and the drawing winners will be announced at 7:45 PM. To be able to win, you must stay until the drawing winner has been announced.
EARTH DAY CELEBRATION
FRIDAY, APRIL 20
WEST BLOOMFIELD RECREATION ACTIVITIES CENTER, WEST BLOOMFIELD @ 3:00pm – 6:00pm
Cost: FREE
Celebrate Earth Day and explore the Nature Room and Outdoor Natural Play Area. Take part in the many activities available, including:
- Guided nature hike at 4 pm
- Recycled craft by Arts and Scraps
- A FREE tree seedling to the first 50 pre-registered children.
- MSU-extention 4-H garden activity
- Plarn Making (yarn made from recycled plastic bags)
- Explore in Nature Room (with native live animals) and Outdoor Natural Play Area
- A visit from our friend Rocky from Paw Patrol
GREEN DAY
SATURDAY, APRIL 21
BELLE ISLE NATURE CENTER, DETROIT @ 11:00am – 3:00pm
Cost: FREE
In observance of the global holiday celebrating life on our planet, this annual celebration includes earth-friendly crafts, games, storytelling, keeper talks and exhibits by local conservation groups.
EARTH CELEBRATION
SATURDAY, APRIL 21
ROYAL OAK FARMERS MARKET, ROYAL OAK @ 9:00am – 1:00pm
Cost: FREE
Earth Day in Royal Oak is presented by the Royal Oak Environmental Advisory Board at the Royal Oak Farmers Market on Saturday, April 21, 2018. Pick up a rain barrel for $60 each as well as other earth-friendly products. There will be a limited amount of rain barrels on hand, so pre-ordering is strongly recommended. There also will be lots of other fun Earth Day activities.
FAMILY NATURE EXPLORERS – EARTH DAY OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
SUNDAY, APRIL 22
STAGE NATURE CENTER, TROY @ 1:30pm – 3:00pm
Cost: $2-18
Enjoy some screen-free quality time for the whole family while exploring the natural world. Families will participate in hands-on, outdoor experiences that will inspire curiosity and a connection to nature. Join us in April to get outside and celebrate Earth Day as we discover different ways everyone can help the environment. Each family will get to take home a potted native wildflower! Recommended for Ages 5 & up; All ages welcome
ANN ARBOR EARTH DAY FESTIVAL
SUNDAY, APRIL 22
LESLIE SCIENCE & NATURE CENTER, ANN ARBOR @ 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Cost: FREE
This free, family-friendly event features displays from 40 local environmental, nonprofit, and governmental organizations; live animal demonstrations; hands-on activities; live entertainment; green building & commuting technologies; energy topics; water awareness; sustainable agriculture; and more.
EARTH DAY CELEBRATION
SUNDAY, APRIL 22
HERITAGE PARK, FARMINGTON @ 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Cost: FREE
Celebrate the Earth with FREE family-fun activities, live music, face painting, earth friendly crafts, informational booths, giveaways and more! Local food trucks will have food for purchase and the tractor will provide low-cost hayrides during the event!
EARTH DAY 5k & KIDS RUN
SUNDAY, APRIL 22
ROCHESTER AVON RECREATION AUTHORITY, ROCHESTER @ 8:30am – 11:00am
Cost: $0-30
Participate in a 5K along a scenic loop route through municipal park and the neighboring subdivision. All ages are welcome and the route is friendly for pets and strollers. The race will be chip timed and have awards for each age division along with raffle give-a-ways from our sponsors. Participation awards include, race tech shirts, medallions, and a plant for you to take home from the race.
EARTH DAY CELEBRATION @ THE NATURE CENTER
SUNDAY, APRIL 22
DRAYTON PLAINS NATURE CENTER, WATERFORD @ 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Cost: FREE
Kick off the start of the season at the Drayton Plains Nature Center by celebrating Earth Day! Take a guided nature walk and pick up litter along the way. A recycled craft will be made in addition to learning about ways to keep the Earth clean. Children ages 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Photo credit: Facebook
