Earth Day is everyday for many people, especially for kids. Children seem especially interested in the environment, and the topic is a great start in developing civic involvement and empathy for others.
Fun Earth Day activities abound in Madison. Here’s a list to get you (and the children in your life) started.
Visit the Madison Children's Museum and learn about earth science. 2009 is "The Year of Science," a national celebration of science by museums across the country. Check out free hands-on activities on first and third Wednesdays at MCM, including "Energy Resources" (April) and "Sustainability and the Environment" (May).
Join Governor Doyle for a Wisconsin Earth Day Celebration. The Gov's got a host of activities planned for April 25 at the Governor's mansion. Activities for children include a nature walk, pop-can fishing, stamping and button making, and the kids will receive a seedling to take home. It's free but you must register for this event.
Take the Earth Day Challenge at city of Madison parks. Mayor Dave has challenged Madison residents to help clean up Madison parks for earth day. If your kids have a lot of energy, this is a great way to use it! Pull weeds and do general clean up at various parks around town on April 18, April 25 and beyond.
Join the Isthmus Green Day celebration on April 25 at the Monona Terrace. Activities happen from 9 am to 6 pm and include a Children's Area sponsored by the Madison Children's Museum and the Aldo Leopold Center. Try hands-on recycling with a plastic-bag weaving project.
Enjoy Breakfast on the Farm on April 26 to learn about agriculture in Wisconsin. Sponsored by the Association of Women in Agriculture (AWA), this event at the UW Stock Pavilion from 8 am to noon. In addition to a good farm breakfast, check out the “education corral” with an interactive petting zoo and agriculture awareness activities.
Learn about early earth at the UW Geology Museum at 1215 West Dayton St. Tours run Monday-Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm. Little ones will love the Museum story time at 10:30 am on the first and third Thursdays each month. Aimed at preschoolers, story time includes a story, museum specimens and a take-home craft.
Listen and discover the Songbirds of Spring on April 26 at the UW Arboretum. The event, part of the Earth Partnerships for Families program, runs from 1 to 3 pm. Learn to identify common songbirds, attract them to your yard and how to appreciate these birds' role in our environment.
Explore the Family Interpretive Trail at the Aldo Leopold Center in Monona. The award-winning nature trail is only one of many activities at the Center geared toward offering families opportunities to learn about our natural world. This month the Center is showing "Aldo Leopold as a Boy: Exploring the Mysteries of the Land" about the scientist and nature enthusiast as a child.
Circle a date on the Madison Public Libraries' calendar of Earth Day events. The libraries are featuring free showings of the environmental fable, "Wall-E," special Earth Day events including history talks, recycling demonstrations and musical activities (check out the Junk Band!).
Illustrations are free shareware available from About.com.
Earth Day is everyday for many people, especially for kids. Children seem especially interested in the environment, and the topic is a great start in developing civic involvement and empathy for others.
