Earth Day Events for Families in Lake County
This week is Earth Week, while everyday we should be concerned with our impact on the environment, this weeks provides us with lots of opportunities for learning, doing and teaching our kids. We’ve rounded up some of the best Earth Week Events for families below, separated into Education, Celebration and Hands on, click on the titles below to jump right to that section.
Education| Celebration | Hands On
Education
Expand your horizons or learn something new. Meet new animals and learn as a family ways to be greener or how we impact the environment with these educational programs.
Babies in Nature {Highland Park}
Tuesday April 22 10:00 a.m. Heller Nature Center {2821 Ridge Rd}
For children ages 6 months-3 years. Take a stroll with a naturalist and let nature engage the senses of your infants and toddlers. Adult & Child $6 -$3 for each additional family member. Contact the nature center at (847) 433-69011 for more information.
Sow What?! {Kildeer}
Tuesday April 22 11:00 a.m. Whole Foods - Kildeer {20281 North Rand Road}
Teach your little one that Earth Day is fun! We’ll be planting seed to take home and providing exciting snacks fit for this day with recipes! For ages 3-6 years old with parent. Call Whole Foods at (847) 726-4601 to reserve your spot.
Acoustic Bat Monitoring {Riverwoods}
Tuesday April 22 7:30 p.m. Edward L. Reyerson Conservation Area {21950 N. Riverwoods Rd.}
Bats use echolocation to hunt. Learn the benefits of bats, how we can help them and what species live here by detecting their sonar frequency on a night hike. Contact the Lake County Forest Preserve District at (847) 968-3321 for more information.
Snakes Alive! {Grayslake}
Wednesday April 23 7:00 p.m. CLC Grayslake Campus {19351 West Washington St}, Room C005
Dr. Mike Corn, CLC professor emeritus and Rob Carmichael, curator/director of the Wildlife Discovery Center of Lake Forest and adjunct instructor will present this kid friendly program - an up close and personal introduction to snakes and other reptiles! They will cover myths, mysteries and facts surrounding reptiles. Learn about the natural history of reptiles as Mike and Rob introduce you to different animals from lizards to endangered snake species. For more information contact Kelly Cartwright at (847) 543-2792.
Pond Scooping {Lake Villa}
Thursday April 24 4:00 p.m. Hastings Lake
Meet the critters that live in Hastings Lake and discover what they can tell us about the lake’s health. Meet at the car top boat launch parking lot.
Experience Nature at Night {North Chicago}
Friday April 25 7:30 p.m. Greenbelt Cultural center {1215 Green Bay Rd}
Your senses come alive as we explore nature’s mysteries at night. Discover distinctly different experiences while hiking through a variety of habitats. Contact the Lake county Forest Preserve District at (847) 968-3321 for more information.
Astronomy Night {Ingelside}
Friday April 25 8:30 p.m. Volo Bog State Natural Area {28478 West Brandenburg Rd}
Lake County Astronomical Society brings out their telescopes. Meeting starts at 7:30 with presentation 1t 8:30. If skies are clear viewing will begin about 9:30. Contact the bog at (847) 344-1294 for more information.
Earth Day Walk {Glencoe}Saturday April 26 1:00 p.m. Chicago Botanic Garden {1000 Lake Cook Rd}
Meet at the What’s in Bloom cart in front of the visitors enter and take a special guided walk through McDonald Woods to celebrate Earth Day. Learn about a variety of spring wildflowers and the restoration work underway. Contact the Gardens at (847) 835 for more information.
International Migratory Bird Days {Ingelside and McHenry}
12:00 noon Saturday April 26 {McHenry Dam} and Sunday April 27 {Volo Bog State Natural Area}
Join the festival celebrating bird and bird migration. See if you can survive The Great Migration Challenge. Play Brd Bingo or JeopBirdy!! Learn how to use binoculars and enjoy views through our spotting scopes! Contact the bog at (815) 344-1294 for more information on activities.
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Celebration
Celebrate planet Earth with celebrations big and small.
Farmers Market {Grayslake}
Thursday April 24 3:00-5:00 p.m. CLC Grayslake Campus {19351 West Washington St},C Wing Auditorium Lobby.
Come be a part of a very local farmers market! buy fresh fruits, vegetables and other produce from local farmers in our community. In addition to items available for purchase, a number of local organizations will have demonstrations and information tables. For more information contact Gianna Fazioli at (847) 543-2632
Friday Night Campfire {South Barrington}
Friday April 25 7:30 p.m. Stillman Nature Center {33 West Penny Road}
Join the center for roasted marshmallows and stories and visit with the resident owls. Contact the center at (847) 428 OWLS (6957)
Kite Fly & Earth Day Celebration {Lindenhurst}
Saturday April 26 10:00 a.m. Lindenhurst Village Hall {2301 Sand Lake Rd}
Included in the many fun events will be a family kite fly. There will also be booths, tree planting and tons of fun.
Earth Day Celebration {Deerfield}
Saturday April 26 11:00 a.m. Whole Foods - Deerfield {760 Waukegan Rd}
Working Bikes Cooperative will be on hand collecting used bikes for restoration. You can sample from Eco-friendly vendors or bring kids to the cafe to make Earth Day crafts and more. Contact the store for more at (847) 444-1900 and a full schedule.
Hastings Lake Open House {Lake Villa}
Saturday April 26 1:00 p.m. Hastings Lake
Join the LCFPD to celebrate nature at the newly opened Hastings Lake Forest Preserve. Explore the woodlands, waters and open spaces and look forward for what is springing up! Be sure to check out the playground! Contact the forest preserve at (847) 968-3321 for more information.
Live Green Family Festival {Waukegan}
Sunday April 27 1:00 p.m. Bowen Park {1800 North Sheridan Rd}
Join the Waukegan Park District for fun hands on activities including a nature scavenger hunt, nature walk, planting in the children’s garden, nature crafts, SWALCO recycling, reptile show, demonstrations and more. Contact the Park District at (847) 360-4700 for more information.
Hands On
One of the best ways to teach kids about the environment and to get them to really understand and care about is to give them a reason to, let them get dirty and learn to grow and cultivate life from the dirt or beautify a park. These family friendly Green Works are a great way to get started:
Duke’s Community Garden - Ground Breaking {Crystal Lake}
Tuesday April 22 10:00 a.m.
Duke’s is starting a community garden on a plot directly next door to the restaurant that was generously donated by Trident Auto Repair. Help them break ground on Earth day! Then come back all spring and summer long to help with planting, weeding, fencing, and digging. Contact Duke’s at (815) 356-9980 for more information.
Playdate with Nature {Barrington}
Tuesday April 22 4:00 p.m. Fox River Forest Preserve {28500 West Roberts Road}
Get Healthy - Connect with Nature! Move your kids outdoors for unstructured seasonal play activities, proven to be healthy and beneficial to children of all ages. We’ll build a fairy house, create a mud creature or nature art, scoop up pond critters and observe closely. Meet at the large pavilion. Contact the Lake County Forest Preserve District at (847) 367-6640 for more information
Earth Day Craft {Wheeling}
Tuesday April 22 4:30 p.m. Indian Trails Public Library District {355 Schoenbeck Rd}
For children in grades K-5. Come and help the environment by making an earth friendly craft. This is a ticketed event limited to 30 people. Tickets will be distributed 30 minutes prior to the program. Contact the Library at (847) 459-4100 for more information.
Earth Day Extravaganza: Upcycled Shoulder Bags {Lincolinshire}
Tuesday April 22 7:00 p.m. Vernon Area Public Library District {300 Olde Half Day Rd}
Kids in grades 4-8 will learn how to transform old t-shirts into awesome new shoulder bags! Registration is required. Please bring your own t-shirt. Please contact the library at (224) 543-1486 for more information or to register.
Village Park Clean-up {Winthrop Harbor}
Saturday April 26 9:00 a.m. Village Park {2700 9th Street}
Bring yourself and a little energy as the Park District tries to get the park ready for a summer filled with activities. All garbage bags, gloves and refreshments will be provided by the Recreation Department. For more information or to sign a group up call (847) 746-3505.
Instilling a Land Ethic - Come High Water Clean Up {Wadsworth}
Saturday April 26 9:30-11:30 a.m. Sedge Meadow Canoe Launch {Wadsworth Rd.}
Clean up the Des Plaines River (DPR) bank along with the DPR River Stewards. Consider other uses for objects salvaged from the river. Wear clothes and gloves that can get muddy and wet. Closed toe shoes required. Contact the Lake County Forest Preserve District at (847) 367-6640 for more information.
How will you an your family celebrate today? Don’t forget to tell them Little Lake County sent you!
