Sometimes the simple things in life really are the most rewarding. For months I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of my new recycling dumpster. When it finally came, I was so excited you would have thought I won the litter lottery. But recycling isn’t the only way to keep the earth healthy and clean. Find out how you can be kind to our planet at an upcoming Earth Day celebration.
• The Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House will be a flutter with planet-friendly children’s activities during Buggin’ Out for Earth Day. Kids will learn how to make a sustainable bird feeder from a pine cone, create a dirt ball butterfly garden and construct a wind sock out of a plastic container. Get the low down on one of nature’s original recyclers, the dung beetle, and find out how to use recycled materials for creative projects at home.
Buggin’ Out for Earth Day is taking place on Saturday, April 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Butterfly House. Activities are included with the admission price of $6 for adults, $4.50 for Seniors (65+) and $4.00 for children 3 to 12. Missouri Botanical Garden members and kids 2 and under are free. For more information, check out the Butterfly House’s website or give them a call at (636) 530-0076.
• On April 23, The Missouri Botanical Garden will be hosting green activities all day long in honor of Earth Day. Pick up some tips on keeping the planet healthy from the Endangered Wolf Center, Greenway Network, St. Louis Audubon Society, the Sierra Club and other exhibitors. Outside on the plaza, The Barn Burners will be providing the entertainment with some toe-tapping bluegrass tunes from 1 to 3 p.m.
Festivities will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come early – the usual $4 admission for St. Louis City and County residents is waived on Saturday if you come before noon. Children ages 12 and under and Garden members are also free.Admission is $8 for everyone else. For more information, please visit the Garden’s website or call them at (314) 577-5100.
• In honor of Mother Earth’s big day, the St. Louis Zoo is hosting a Party for the Planet. The fun starts as soon as you walk through the entrance. Pick up a passport and have it stamped at stations around the Zoo to spell out a secret word. Visitors who get stamps from at least three stations receive a prize upon leaving the Zoo. During this fun day, kids can compete in a Recycle Race, play a pelt matching game in Big Cat Country and make butterfly wings. Or learn how to compost, pack a trash-free lunch and help orangutans by avoiding the purchase of palm oil and more. From 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., families can get up close to the Komodo dragon, alpaca, hyena and other animals during keeper chats and animal enrichment activities.
Earth Day: Party for the Planet is taking place on Sunday, April 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. throughout the St. Louis Zoo. Admission to the Zoo and Earth Day activities are free. The Children's Zoo is $4 a person and children 2 and under are free. For more information, visit the Zoo’s website or contact them at (314) 781-0900.
• If rising fuel prices have you down, burn some calories instead of gas at the Missouri History Museum’s Pedal for the Planet event. Meet on the Museum’s front lawn for a mostly flat six-mile ride around Forest Park. It’s a great way to explore some of the park’s natural ecosystems while discovering its statues and monuments.
Pedal for the Planet is taking place on Sunday, April 17. Registration for this free event is from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and SAG support will be available until 11:30 a.m. If you don’t have your own bike, you can rent one from City Cycling Tours by calling (314) 616-5724. Free helmet fittings will also be offered at the event. After the bike ride, be sure to check out enjoy the Earth Day Festival in Forest Park.
For more information on Pedal for the Planet, please go to the Missouri History Museum’s website or contact them at (314) 746-4599.
• Speaking of Forest Park, this 1,200 plus acre sanctuary is home to the Midwest’s largest and oldest Earth Day Festival. More than 27,000 people will be greeted with two stages of live music, cultural performances, local food, family-friendly hands-on activities, 200 artists, educational exhibitors and food vendors.
Entertain the kids by having them create a one-of-a-kind container that reminds them to reduce, reuse and recycle at the “Think Outside the Box” open art area. They can also make a musical instrument, mask or prop using re-purposed materials to carry in the All Species Parade. Start your spring cleaning early by dropping off your unwanted treasures at the new Recycling Extravaganza event. It’s the perfect chance for you to unload old computers, electronics, appliances, clothes, art supplies, bicycles and other hard to recycle household items. I can’t wait to check out the new Balanced Body: A Relaxation Station section of the festival. This area showcases a variety of holistic health services such as acupuncture, massage therapy (Hint! Hint! Free massages!) and personal trainers.
This is just a sampling of what is available at the 22nd St. Louis Earth Day Festival. This celebration is happening from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 17 on the Muny grounds of Forest Park. For a complete schedule of events, please visit their website.
By Andrea Wilson, Events Blogger for SmartParenting
Fazio’s Rock Academy is the summer destination for the aspiring rock star in your life! Campers attend one-week or two-week sessions (8:50 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. daily) where they form a real band, choose a band name, write their own music, pose for a photo shoot and conclude with a live concert with special guest appearances by professional rock artists! Fazio's Rock Academy is for Guitarists, Vocalists, Bassists and Keyboardists between the ages of 9-17 years.
Two sessions are offered: July 15-19; and July 22-26. Each session is $399, which includes print music and a t-shirt. Ask about a discounted rate for two-week enrollment.
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