A lesson I have always imagined instilling in my children is appreciation for the outdoors – playing, exploring, creating. But I don’t want my lessons on loving nature to stop at recreation, I also want to teach my kids that their environment is what they make of it and to be good stewards of the Earth they have been given. Sunday, April 22nd is Earth Day and we are lucky to live in a city that has so many fantastic family-friendly events scattered throughout the week leading up to Earth Day. Whether this is a day you observe with your family regularly or you are just looking for a fun day out of the house – attending one of these events would be the perfect way to kick off spring, spend some quality time together, and show your appreciation for this big beautiful Earth we live on!
1. EARTHx at Fair Park
Link: https://earthx.org/
Dates: April 20-22
Hours: 10:00am-6:00pm
Admission: Free (with online registration)
This is a weekend hosts a multitude of events, vendors, and interactive experiences. There will be a Tiny House Village, tree climbing exhibit, family friendly screenings of the EarthxFilm and so much more! While browsing their website I noticed that this event is free as long as you register online, without registration admission is $5 at the door. The event guide detailing the daily events of the weekend has yet to be updated so make sure to check back on their website as the weekend draws closer to keep up to date on specific times!
2. Earth Day Weekend at the Arboretum: Special Visit from UT Dallas
Link: http://www.dallasarboretum.org/cag
Date: April 21-22
Times: Saturday events: 10:00am-2:00pm, Sunday events: 9:00am-12:00pm
Admission: General garden admission for adults: $15, General children’s garden admission (2-12 years): $10
Celebrate Earth Day by venturing out to one of the greenest spots in Dallas! The Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden has events planned for both days with The UT Dallas School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics will be on location providing hands-on activities. Saturday there will be Brain Games, the Physics Circus and Cool Chemistry. Sunday there will be the opportunity to look inside a bee colony! Educational and fun learning adventures for all ages and stages.
3. Trinity River Audubon Center
Link: http://trinityriver.audubon.org/events/early-morning-birding-7
Date: April 28
Times: 7:00am-9:00am
Admission: Cost is $15/person if registered in advance
Did you know that the Trinity Forest is the largest urban hardwood forest in the United States? And its just 10 miles south of Dallas. You can explore this forest at the Trinity River Audubon Center and learn about the local plant and animal species that live in the forest and grasslands. Celebrate Earth Day by taking your little explorers on their own local safari in the Trinity Forest this year!
4. Keep Grapevine Beautiful: Earth Day Celebration
Link: http://www.kgvb.org/index.php?option=com_zcalendar&view=event&id=63&calid=1&Itemid=4&tmpl=component
Date: April 21
Times: 8:00am-11:30am
Admission: Free
Keep Grapevine Beautiful is a local initiative to not only maintain their city’s natural environment but also encourage citizens to learn and care for their local surroundings. Keep Grapevine Beautiful will be hosting an Earth Day Celebration at the Town Square Gazeebo (325 S. Main Street). There will be presentations on composting, beekeeping, and container gardening as well as many local vendors to shop from and activities to participate in!
Can’t make it to one of these events? Not a problem! There are changes you can make as a family at home to commemorate Earth day and start teaching conservation habits to your kids. Try giving up meat for the week leading up to Earth day and research different plant based recipes or snacks. Talk about conserving energy in your home, turning off lights and appliances when rooms are not in use. Go for a walk – give every member of your family a bag and see who can collect the most trash! You could even celebrate Earth Day by starting a family garden. In March, Jessica Foy wrote a wonderful piece for DMB on how to get your kids involved in creating and maintaining a family garden. Celebrating Earth Day once a year is great, but instilling lifelong habits of conservation and environmental protection in your littles is really what the day is all about. Let this year’s Earth Day serve as a springboard for your family’s awareness and continuing education on how to become more environmentally friendly people!
We’re going to EarthX on Friday! We went last year and it was awesome- especially on Friday when no one was there 😉
I hope y’all had a great time! 🙂