Arbor Day, celebrated this year on April 27, originated in Nebraska City, NE, on April 10, 1872, when J. Sterling Morton encouraged Nebraskans to plant trees and celebrate an awareness of their contribution to the environment. This April, you can enjoy these tree adventures:
Start where it all began. Just a few hours from Kansas City, treat the family to a weekend trip to Arbor Day Farm (2611 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE, 402.873.8717). The beautiful arboretum is a favorite family adventure. You’ll find tree houses and tree exhibits throughout, with the highlight 50-foot-high tree house offering spectacular views of the nature below. The park features hands-on nature exhibits for children, many tree houses to play in and explore and a discovery ride with a tour of the park.
Locally, you can spend a day at the Overland Park Arboretum (8909 W. 179th St., Overland Park, KS, 913.685.3604.) The 300-acre botanical gardens are home to gardens, trails and forests just begging to be explored. Admission is charged every day except Tuesday, when entrance is free
Young children will enjoy a visit to Brumble's Forest at Meadowmere Park (13610 Byars Rd., Grandview, MO). Brumble’s Forest is one of the area’s newest parks and features a beautiful forest theme with a wooded landscape, beautiful trails through the woods and wide open spaces for play.
To help your children better understand the importance of trees and nature, enjoy these favorite books and films:
- The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (book and film)
- It’s Arbor Day, Charlie Brown by Charles M. Schulz (book and film)
- A Tree Is Nice by Janice May Udry (book)
- The Big Tree by Bruce Hiscock (book)
- The Tree Doctor by Tish Rabe (book)
- The Life Cycle of a Tree by Bobbie Kalman (book)
