Make Earth Day Every Day

Keep Your Kid's Engaged

Keep your kid’s engaged year round by making it fun and educational at home, at parks, trails and out at restaurants. 

Conservation might seem like a big concept for young children, but we can help them learn by showing them age-appropriate ways to care for our planet. Here's how you can engage your children in fun and educational ideas at home, like turning recycling into crafting, 

1. Make it Relatable. For a good example, when your child or someone else litters, explain why it’s important to dispose of trash properly.
2. Use everyday opportunities. For a good example, talk about where paper comes from, how it's made, and why trees are so important to us. “Paper comes from trees, so we don’t want to use too much. Trees help us breathe and give animals a place to live.”
3. Model good habits. Environmentally friendly habits practiced at home help foster the same good habits in little ones. Here are a few ways to go green:

• Turn off the lights every time you leave a room.
• Always turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth.
• Use reusable shopping bags and food containers.
• Unplug your cellphone charger and hair dryer when not in use.

Earth Day Projects to try with your kid

Sustainable projects are not only fun, but it’s a good way to incorporate math, science, reading and other lessons into environmental education without too much effort. Try these fun craft ideas:

Tissue Box Monsters by Giggles Galore

Egg Carton Tree by Glued to My Crafts Blog

12 Seed Starting Ideas using Recycled Materials by Lovely Greens

Seed Bombs by Kitchen Counter Chronicles

Count and sort recycling. Have your child help you sort bottles, cans, paper and other items for recycling. Before putting them into the appropriate bins, encourage your child to practice their counting skills, group objects together by color, and compare the different sizes or feel of the various objects.
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Incorporate conservation into story time. Read books or poems about the importance of conservation and then talk about how your child’s actions impact their neighborhood, community and the world. Here are a few recommendations to get you started:

• “Recycle! A Handbook for Kids” by Gail Gibbons
• “Recycle Every Day!” by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
• “The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rainforest” by Lynne Cherry
• “The Great Trash Bash” by Loreen Leedy
• “Where Does the Garbage Go?” by Paul Showers

Take Your Kids to Earth Day Events

We also engage with our kids through activities and play. Some of the best learning is through great community activities. Check out these great local activities happening today: 

1. Celebrate Our Earth Week at Paradise Park Apr. 15- 22 at Paradise Park, 1021 NE Colbern Road, Lee's Summit, MO. Paradise Park’s Discovery Play center theme of the week: Celebrate Our Earth! Specially designed for safe, clean, interactive, fun, imaginative and educational play, Every week brings new stories, interactive performances or games, art projects and tasty treats in children’s cooking during Adventure Time. It makes each of your weekly visits a NEW adventure! The theme changes every week, usually on Sunday. This week’s theme engages children in celebrating the treasures of our planet during the week of Earth Day!
   
2. Party for the Planet Apr. 21 & 22 at Kansas City Zoo, 6800 Zoo Dr., Kansas City, mo. We are celebrating Mother Earth with a Party for the Planet. Join us for Earth Day activities.
   

Engage Kids in Conservation at Our Local Parks

Overland Park also has a number of great parks that offer not just great play and hiking for kids, but also learning centers and more ways to get involved. Here are the two closest to us: 

Ernie Miller Nature Center

Ernie Miller Park and Nature Center in the heart of Johnson County is a place where people of all ages connect to nature, with trails, forest, creek, prairie and pond to explore.  At the nature center, children enjoy the opportunity to look at native wildlife and learn about their natural habitats. The exhibits teach visitors about native plants and animals and the effect we have on the environment.

Volunteer at Ernie Miller
Volunteer opportunities for adults and teens (with parental permission) on an individual basis.  The nature center works with youth or adult groups wanting to schedule a service project.  Call 913.764.7759 for information.

Overland Park Arboretum

8909 W 179th St, Overland Park, KS. Admission charged. 913.685.3604
This 300-acre attraction is home to thirteen gardens including their whimsical train garden and beautiful Monet garden. The arboretum offers trails to explore, 180 acres of prairie home to native plants, and special events throughout the year. "Approximately 85 percent of the property is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of natural ecosystems. The remaining portion includes traditional botanical gardens and the Environmental Education Visitors Center (EEVC).

Volunteer at Overland Park Arboretum
Short-term opportunities to volunteer are available throughout the year. Please send an email to volunteercoordinator@opkansas.org if you are interested in a short-term or single-event volunteer opportunity. Long-term volunteers must be 18 or older.

Farm-to-table Restaurants Teach Sustainability

With so many great restaurants in Kansas City, these have become staples in the community for supporting local farmers and growers, serving up the tastiest, healthiest and best-for-the-environment meals you’ll find in Kansas City! Visit KCFoodCircle.org for more restaurants.
 

1. Blue Bird Bistro 1700 Summit, Kansas City, MO, 816.221.7559, BlueBirdBistro.com. The upscale organic restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m., and Sunday 10:00-2:00.
   
2. Cafe Gratitude 333 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, MO, 816.474.5683, CafeGratitudeKC.com. This casual restaurant serves a 100 percent organic and plant-based menu. They are open Monday through Friday 11:00-10:00, Saturday 10:00-10:00 and Sunday 10:00-9:00.
   
3. Eden Alley Vegetarian Café 707 W. 47th St., Kansas City, MO, 816.561.5415, EdenAlley.com. Located on the Country Club Plaza, this vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free restaurant dishes up delicious salads, soups, burritos, sandwiches and cakes with organic, local ingredients.
   
4. FÜD 813 W. 17th St., Kansas City, MO, 816.785.3454, EatFud.com. FÜD (pronounced fōōd) is a restaurant in the Westside focusing on organic, local, all-vegan food.
   
5. Story 3931 W. 69th Ter., Prairie Village, KS, 913.236.9955, StoryKC.com. Story is an upscale neighborhood restaurant featuring a fresh, local and seasonal menu.
   
6. The Farmhouse 300 Delaware St., Kansas City, MO, 816.569.6032, EatAtTheFarmhouse.com. City Market is the perfect setting for fresh-from-the-farm comfort food in a casual and hip urban atmosphere.
   
7. Urban Table 8232 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, KS, 913.948.6900, UrbanTableKC.com. Known for chic décor creating a hip and relaxed atmosphere, Urban Table offers a fast-casual dining experience with unique seasonal creations on the menu.
   

We hope you’ll find new adventures and make earth day every day through teaching your children about conservation and sustainability.