Earth Day in Kansas City
Celebrate Earth Day in Kansas City with the family. Discover opportunities to go green, celebrate at local shows, festivals, parties, classes and workshops. And, participate in hands-on experiences at local nature centers and sites.
If you have an event to add to our guide, please email kristina@kcparent.com and we will consider it for inclusion.
Earth Day Events Around KC:
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, Paradise Park’s Discovery Play center offers 20+ unique areas, including Pretend Village, Water Table, KCPTLearning Room, Miniature Play, Block Play, Art Studio, Cooking Studio, and a 2-acre Children’s Garden with a dinosaur dig, pretend fishing pond and 18-hole jr. mini golf course and age-appropriate climbing structures. It also includes Adventure Time, when a play facilitator leads children through themed activities at scheduled times throughout every day. 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!
Earth Day Bike Tour Happy Hour April 20 from 5:30-7:30pm at Kansas City Community Gardens, 6917 Kensington Ave, Kansas City, MO. $5/ea. Kansas City Community Gardens is partnering with BikeWalk KC to host a Happy Hour in the Gardens that will feature a Garden Tour Bike Ride. Proceeds from Happy Hour in the Garden events will go towards KCCG’s mission to empower low-income families to grow their own nutritious food.
Earth Day at Lakeside Nature Center Apr. 21 from 10am-2pm at Lakeside Nature Center in Swope Park, 4701 E. Gregory Blvd., Kansas City, MO. Come to the center to learn, watch a puppet show from StoneLion Puppets, make something to take home, get a tattoo and see our wildlife stars. Call 816-513-8960 for more information.
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.
Earth Day Parkville Apr. 21 from 10am-3pm at Parkville Nature Sanctuary, 12th Street off Highway 9, Parkville, MO. A BioBlitz is a science-based event that records as many living organisms as possible in a given time period. The program will include plant and wildlife experts who will assist with the many identifications. Opportunities for Sanctuary visitors to join in with an expert-led small group are available. Recommended ages are teens to adults. Too young for the BioBlitz but still want to support the Sanctuary on this Earth Day weekend? Come out and join PNS volunteers to take part in our annual “Garlic Mustard Pull Extravaganza” to remove this woodland invasive. Individuals, groups, and families with young children can pull and bag this exotic plant, no experience necessary. It’s easy, it’s fun!
Earth Day / Arbor Day Celebration: Gardner Apr. 21 from 11am-1pm at Gardner Greenway Corridor - Madison Street, Gardner, KS. This Earth Day event is not only about renewing your commitment to saving our living planet, but observing the beauty and vitality of nature. Families, organizations, church groups and individuals of all ages are invited to be a part of this important event. After a group cleanup of the Gardner Greenway Corridor, join the Parks and Recreation Department for a free hot dog lunch in the park. Take part in a drawing for free trees, t-shirts and other prizes! RSVP today by calling (913) 856-0936.
Learn to Go Green at One of These Local Attractions
Burr Oak Woods Nature Center
1401 NW Park Rd., Blue Springs, MO. FREE Admission. 816.228.3766
Hiking trails at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area are open seven days a week. The nature center is always free and is open Tuesday-Saturday.
Burr Oak Woods is one our family’s favorite places to learn about plants and animals that are native to our state. We appreciate their programming from Babes in the Woods for little ones to great classes for children and programs for teens and adults. The team at the nature center reminds visitors nature is all around us. You don’t have to make a special trip to go “find nature.” At the nature center, hands-on exhibits teach about the importance of conservation and nature appreciation. Exhibits include plants, animals and conservation topics.
Volunteer at Burr Oak
Teens ages 14 and up can volunteer at Burr Oak Woods. Call 816.228.3766 for more information about how to apply.
Ernie Miller Nature Center
909 KS-7, Olathe, KS. FREE Admission. 913.764.7759
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.
Lakeside Nature Center
4701 E. Gregory Blvd., Kansas City, MO. FREE Admission. 816.513.8960
Located in Swope Park, Lakeside Nature Center is home to native wildlife, including birds of prey, snakes, amphibians, turtles, fish and invertebrates. The center helps care for injured animals and abandoned native animals. With interactive exhibits teaching the importance of conservation and the role we play in protecting nature, the center is dedicated to education.
Volunteer at Lakeside Nature Center
FOLNC members help with many areas, from cage construction to fund raising, from education outreach to animal care and from exhibit maintenance to habitat conservation. Call 816.513.8960 for information.
Powell Gardens
1609 NW US Hwy. 50, Kingsville, MO. Admission charged. 816.697.2600
Powell Gardens is dedicated to education through programming. As a habitat that attracts many different bird species, Powell Gardens is a member of the Great Missouri Birding Trail. The gardens provide year-round protection and sustenance to native and migratory birds through cultivating and protecting native plant species. Our family’s favorite summer tradition—and the garden’s signature event—is the Festival of Butterflies on the first and second weekends of August. The event allows visitors to experience the wonder of butterflies and other pollinators up close to better understand their important role in our natural world—such as helping us to grow food!
One of the best ways to learn more about the environment and the role of native plants in benefitting the planet is on one of the nature hikes, hosted year-round by Alan Branhagen, director of horticulture. The 3- to 4-mile hikes highlight different aspects of Midwestern landscapes, such as native bird species, native plants and important insects.
Volunteer at Powell Gardens
Families (kids ages 12 and up) may volunteer at Powell Gardens. On Earth Day (April 22), families may dig into varying garden projects throughout the campus. Shifts are two to three hours, and then folks are free to explore the gardens on their own. Other volunteer opportunities include the Festival of Butterflies and the Glow Festival. All of these initiatives not only support and raise awareness of the gardens, they are all tied into Powell Gardens’ mission and have an educational component. Call 816.697.2600 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.
"Green Dining": Farm-to-table Restaurants in Kansas City
These area restaurants support 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In addition to these great restaurants, enjoy locally grown produce purchased at local farmers markets. We have your guide to KC's Farmers Markets here.