Top picks this month include two Earth Day events, an evening egg hunt and a funny first grader. If you’re into making this world a better place, the Kalamazoo Nature Center has loads in this direction. Just want to gather eggs? An egg hunt under the lights switches things up a bit. If your final choice is the first grader, there are no worries—she’s a firecracker.
Earth Day Celebration
Kalamazoo Nature Center
7000 N. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo
April 26, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Free
naturecenter.org, (269) 381-1574
When the Kalamazoo Nature Center says they are putting on an Earth Day Celebration, they aren’t messing around. With a list that won’t stop, parents and children can praise Mother Earth in a variety of ways including visiting community information tables, dabbling in some Earth Day crafts, playing inside the new nature’s playground (where you can climb on rocks and go through tunnels) and naturalist-led hikes. Enjoy creature feature exhibits, a parent/child yoga session (how cool), a story corner session and live animal program. “We like to say every day is Earth Day at the Nature Center. Kids love any time they can be around a live animal and love being outside,” said Lisa Panich, director of communications. Also offered is an Earth Day 5k at 10 a.m. featuring beautiful trails. The 1k Kids’ Raccoon Run at 9 a.m. for ages 8 and under is a stroller-friendly run/walk perfect for little ones. Oh, and runs aside, all activities are free!
17th Annual Egg Hunt on the River Walk
Mayor’s Riverfront Park
251 Mills St., Kalamazoo
April 19, 6 p.m.
Free
kalamazoocity.org/special-events, (269) 337-8191
Switch things up a bit and try this evening egg hunt under the lights for a little excitement. Area youth and their families are invited to come and participate in this community event offering various activities including face painting, a jellybean guess jar, arts and crafts and ultimately, the egg hunt at Mayor’s Riverfront Park. This Kalamazoo tradition features age-appropriate egg hunts and even more low-cost activities planned so kids stay busy. Ding! Ding! Ding! There will be candy and prizes for everyone who participates but make sure to BYOB: bring your own baskets. “It’s like Thanksgiving dinner,” said Recreation Manager Denise Siegel. “You take hours and hours to prepare and in minutes, it’s over. It’s a fun, great way to welcome spring.” The Easter Bunny is also on hand (as he should be) for photo opportunities and memories.
Junie B. Jones: Jingle Bells & Batman Smells
Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
30 N. Division Ave., Grand Rapids
April 18-27, show times at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
$10-$16
grct.org, (616) 222-6650
A super funny first grader is coming to the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. Junie B. Jones is having a tough Christmas when she draws a name for Secret Santa and it ends up being her enemy. Ugh! This laugh-out-loud production is based on the popular, chapter book series by Barbara Park and is adapted by Allison Gregory. “She’s a regular kid with regular problems,” says Penelope Notter, associate director and education director. “It doesn’t matter which Junie B. Jones book you choose. When I was reading them, the book and script are hilarious, even for grown-ups.” While Junie brightens your spirits, there are other great characters that come to life including classmates. “I couldn’t imagine how the author knew to get inside kids’ heads and know what they’d say.” If you’ve read the book or saw the movie, it’s time to get in front of the laughter live.
Book and Media Swap
Grand Rapids Public Library
West Leonard and Yankee Clipper Branches
Apr. 21-26, Mon. & Tue., noon-8 p.m.; Wed. & Thu. & Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Free
grpl.org, (616) 988-5416
Free, free, free! And with Mother Nature in mind, the Grand Rapids Public Library hosts two locations where you can stop by and swap your old books, audiobooks, CDs, DVDs and video games. Part of the library’s Earth Week programming, visitors bring what they don’t want or need and take something new-to-them to keep. “That’s what libraries are all about—borrow and return. Libraries are inherit about sharing—a green institution,” says Kristen Krueger-Corrado, communications manager. Now families can go through their collections at home and pass those pleasures on and pick up some new favorites all in the spirit of trading, swapping and not buying new, which can be so harmful on our planet. “We’re building on that for kids to understand how a library works.” Kermit might have been wrong—it’s actually pretty easy to be green.
