It’s hard to choose which park or river to beautify this Earth Day with so many cleanup events around Route One this weekend.
It’s time to show your mother some love this weekend. No, it’s not Mother’s Day yet (but that one is right around the corner, too). It’s Earth Day, and what better opportunity to pull on your boots and get to work cleaning up one of the lovely rivers or parks that surround the Route One corridor with the kids. Once you’ve made the Earth a bit more beautiful, treat yourself to some food and wine at Savor Bowie or get some lunch at Greenfest at Brookside Gardens.
FRIDAY
Puppet Friends in Storyland at Watkins Nature Center (ages 2-3)
Enjoy a nature story and craft with Randy Raccoon, Tammy Turtle and a park naturalist. Be sure to check out the Wizard of Oz themed playground or Old Maryland Farm while you’re there.
When: 10-10:45 am
Where: Watkins Nature Center, Upper Marlboro
Cost: $10
Potomac River Cleanup (all ages)
Take a stand against the trash piling up along the shoreline of the Potomac River’s Pumpkin Ash trail, fishing and kayak piers, and around inlets along the coast. Volunteers will collect trash to make the shoreline sparkle, record data, and sort recyclables from trash to reduce waste. Volunteers must be able to walk moderate distances and travel along uneven terrain. All ages are welcome, but youth must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Be sure to register in advance.
When: 3-6 pm
Where: Piscataway Park, Accokeek
Cost: FREE! (register in advance)
Earth Day Celebration at RollingCrest-Chillum (ages 10-17)
Teens will design or create a simple intrinsic mechanism, either by a blueprint drawing or by hand, that would help purify or preserve the environment around them. Whether it involves air purifying, solar energy, or animal and plant protection, they will put their brains together to think of innovative ways to make their future more environmentally friendly.
When: 7-10 pm
Where: RollingCrest-Chillum Community Center
Cost: FREE!
The Other Side at Kennedy Center (ages 5+)
Adapted from the book by Jacqueline Woodson, this play explores issues of race and friendship. Lewis Clover’s mom says it isn’t safe to cross the fence that segregates their African-American side of town from the white side where Anna lives. But when the two girls strike up a friendship, they’ll find a clever way to get around the grown-up rules together. Use the promo code “465001” to get $10 tickets (regularly $20). There are several show times to choose from, including a sensory-friendly performance at 1 pm on Saturday.
When: Friday at 7 pm, Saturday at 1:30 and 4 pm, and Sunday at 1:30 and 4 pm
Where: Kennedy Center, DC
Cost: $10 with promo code
SATURDAY
Story & Craft – Chickens (ages 2-8)
Little ones can learn all about chickens with this story and craft event followed by an animal meet-and-greet (spoiler alert: there will be chickens). My kids have always loved meeting the animals and learning about them at this family-friendly farm.
When: 10-11 am
Where: Old Maryland Farm at Watkins Regional Park, Upper Marlboro
Cost: $4
Earth Day Celebration in Brookland (all ages)
Check out DIY crafting stations, swaps, shopping from local sustainable artists and makers, and local organizations dedicated to sustainability in nearby Brookland in Northeast DC. The celebration will showcase local creatives and organizations focused on earth-friendly practices and sustainability.
When: 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Brookland Arts Walk
Cost: FREE!
Afternoon Aviators (all ages)
Join our educators as we investigate a range of STEAM topics and explore the field of aviation. After a quick lesson about aviation, participants will be able to put their newfound knowledge to the test with a hands-on activity.
When: 1-2 pm
Where: College Park Aviation Museum
Cost: Free with museum admission
Where: College Park Aviation Museum
Savor Bowie Spring Fest (all ages)
Take a drive over to Bowie for two days of complimentary wine tastings from the area’s best wineries, plus vendors, food, artisans, music and other entertainment. The best part is that you can do good while enjoying yourself because this event benefits Concerts for Causes, which is raising funds to give musical instruments to students in underserved communities.
When: Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Bowie Town Center
Cost: FREE!
Earth Day River Clean up at Oxon Cove (all ages)
Join the Potomac Riverkeeper Network and Friends of Oxon Run to help clean up the shoreline of Oxon Cove and Oxon Run. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little wet and muddy. Don’t forget your reusable water bottle and snacks. There will be access points on both the DC and the Maryland sides of the Cove. Be sure to fill out the participant waiver in advance.
When: 9 am to 2:30 pm
Where: Oxon Cove
Cost: FREE!
Montgomery County Greenfest at Brookside Gardens (all ages)
Brookside Gardens is always a fun place to spend a day, but it’s going to be especially great during Greenfest. There will be face painting, a petting zoo, games, plant and tree giveaways, a green arts and crafts fair, and children’s yoga. You can check out the world’s first electric truck at the electric car show or grab some lunch from food trucks. Instead of driving, consider taking Metro to Glenmont, where there will be free parking and shuttle service to Brookside Gardens.
When: 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Brookside Gardens, Wheaton
Cost: FREE!
Earth Day Springhouse Run Volunteer Day (ages 16+)
Help keep the restored Springhouse Run stream healthy by pulling invasive vines and weeds. No experience is necessary, but this event is only for those 16 or older. Be sure to register in advance and to wear comfortable outdoor clothes that can get dirty. Bring a hat, sunscreen, water, and work gloves if you have them.
When: 10 am to 1 pm
Where: National Arboretum, Northeast D.C.
Cost: FREE! (register in advance)
The Other Side at Kennedy Center (ages 5+)
Adapted from the book by Jacqueline Woodson, this play explores issues of race and friendship. Lewis Clover’s mom says it isn’t safe to cross the fence that segregates their African-American side of town from the white side where Anna lives. But when the two girls strike up a friendship, they’ll find a clever way to get around the grown-up rules together. Use the promo code “465001” to get $10 tickets (regularly $20). There are several show times to choose from, including a sensory-friendly performance at 1 pm on Saturday.
When: Friday at 7 pm, Saturday at 1:30 and 4 pm, and Sunday at 1:30 and 4 pm
Where: Kennedy Center, DC
Cost: $10 with promo code
SUNDAY
Get Dirty at University Park Wells Run Playground (all ages)
For those too small to be helpful at an organized clean-up event, some unstructured outdoor exploration can be a great way to celebrate Earth Day. My family has spent countless hours at the University Park Wells Run Playground and its adjoining creek. It’s a great place for young kids to climb on the rocks, dig in the sand, build with sticks, and even pick up the occasional piece of trash to “save the animals,” as my kids say. There are plenty of pretty creekside spots in the Route One area, but this is one of my favorites. Be sure to wear clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting muddy.
When: Any time!
Where: University Park Wells Run Playground
Cost: FREE!
Savor Bowie Spring Fest (all ages)
Take a drive over to Bowie for two days of complimentary wine tastings from the area’s best wineries, plus vendors, food, artisans, music and other entertainment. The best part is that you can do good while enjoying yourself because this event benefits Concerts for Causes, which is raising funds to give musical instruments to students in underserved communities.
When: Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Bowie Town Center
Cost: FREE!
Where: College Park Aviation Museum
Family Game Night at SweetFrog
Board games, dominoes and cards will be available to sit and play with the kids. Spend some time together on a Sunday evening, before the hustle of the next week. For an extra special treat, get four kids cups for $20!
When: 5 to 9 pm
Where: SweetFrog, Laurel
Cost: FREE! (with purchase of some yummy fro-yo)
The Other Side at Kennedy Center (ages 5+)
Adapted from the book by Jacqueline Woodson, this play explores issues of race and friendship. Lewis Clover’s mom says it isn’t safe to cross the fence that segregates their African-American side of town from the white side where Anna lives. But when the two girls strike up a friendship, they’ll find a clever way to get around the grown-up rules together. Use the promo code “465001” to get $10 tickets (regularly $20). There are several show times to choose from, including a sensory-friendly performance at 1 pm on Saturday.
When: Friday at 7 pm, Saturday at 1:30 and 4 pm, and Sunday at 1:30 and 4 pm
Where: Kennedy Center, DC
Cost: $10 with promo code
As always, please call ahead to confirm the event’s status before heading out, especially when inclement weather is in the forecast!
What are your family’s favorite places around the Route One area to learn about taking care of the Earth? Post your ideas in the comments. They might be featured in a future post!
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