Give the planet a great big hug this year (virtually and/or social distanced, of course) by checking out these activities for the whole fam around the area to celebrate Earth Day.
Farm Fun
Every day is Earth Day on the farm, so bring the family for some special activities to celebrate. Fresh and Fancy Farms is hosting an Earth Day Book Reading & Planting, with a FREE book reading and seed planting activities for all ages (April 22, 1-1:30 pm). Visit Ort Farms for Earth Day Saturday, which is all about learning environmentally-friendly farming practices. Take a tour of the farm, and enjoy a planting activity (April 24, 9:30-10:30 am, 11 am-12 pm).
Do Your Part
Nothing says I love Earth more than helping to beautify and clean it up. Check your town to see if they are hosting a local clean up. Closter Nature Center is holding an Environmental Clean Up Day (April 24), while the Teaneck Creek Conservancy is hosting a volunteer clean up. environmental cleanup day on April 24, Teaneck Creek Conservancy volunteer Earth Day clean-up. Show the kids how to show the Earth some love by removing trash from trails, woods and around the creek (April 25, 10-11 am). The Tenafly Nature Center is holding a two-for-one celebration honoring 60 years of the Nature Center and Earth day. Families can make a sustainable craft and help pick up trash along the trails (April 25, 2-4 pm).
A Love of Nature
Bonding with nature through green activities is a great way to celebrate Earth Day. The Thielke Arboretum’s Green Week: Earth Day to Arbor Day brings a week’s worth of in-person nature events. Nature walks, rock painting, recycling scavenger hunts, composting workshops and more are happening, with plenty of options for you and the kids (April 22-30). The New Weis Center for Education, Arts & Recreation’s Earth Day Celebration bring nature walks, sustainable crafts, scavenger hunts and more to families of all ages (April 25, 10 am-2:30 pm). For more crafting, check out Tutor’s Link 123 Seed Bombs for the LOVE of EARTH class, where kids make their own Seed Bombs for planting (April 22, 3-5 pm). Or, go back to the basics and go for a self-guided hike on one of the trails in and round Bergen County. Not sure where to go? Check out The Nature Place’s Guided Family Hike at Jackie Jones Mountain, which brings beautiful views of Lake Welsh and the city (April 24, 10 am-2 pm).
Virtual Celebrations
Want to partake in the festivities from the safety of your couch? Flat Rock Brook’s Annual Earth Day Gala is a party for the planet with entertainment, environmental tips, special guests, an auction and Earth Day-inspired cocktail (April 22, 6:30-7:30 pm). The American Museum of Natural History is honoring Earth Day with a full day of fun on the screen. Hop online for an animal puppet show performance, take a virtual trip around the world and put on your dancing shoes for an Earth Day dance party with games and music (April 22, 11 am-7 pm).
