Join us for a week of virtual activities to celebrate Earth Day this year! From a virtual concert to craft ideas, we have something new every day to inspire and entertain families and kids ages 5-10. 

Tuesday, April 20 at 10:30 AM Earth Week Virtual Concert

Enjoy a morning full of music and dancing, courtesy of Elijah T. Grasshopper & Friends, that is the perfect virtual event for school vacation week. This concert is geared for kids ages 0-8, so grab the whole family and get ready to groove! This program will be streamed live on our Facebook page. Generously sponsored by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Tuesday, April 20 Recommended Reading for Kids

Want to learn more about how to take care of the environment? Check out the following titles on our online catalog. You can also ask your favorite librarians for more recommendations using our online request form at brklib.com/getrecd.

Thank You, Earth: A Love Letter to Our Planet by April Pulley Sayre– This picture book includes wonderful photography capturing the Earth’s biggest and smallest details. Talk with the kids in your life about which part of our Earth they are most thankful for!

Yasmin the Recycler by Saadia Faruqui *Also available on Hoopla!- This series is great for emerging readers looking for a new character to love! Yasmin is a Pakistani-American girl who is sometimes scared to try new things, so each title features Yasmin tackling a new topic or hobby.

“Saving Our Planet” Series by Mary Boone *Also available on Hoopla!- This is an informative, nonfiction series for emerging readers looking to learn more about saving our planet. Covering topics like conservation, recycling, and sustainable agriculture, these factual books are a great conversation starter!

You Choose: Eco Expeditions *Also available on Hoopla!- This series is an intermediate-level, choose-your-own-adventure series focused on the environment. Go on rescue missions to save (or survive) different habitats in these fun books!

Elsie Mae Has Something to Say by Nancy J. Cavanaugh *Also available on Hoopla! – This middle-grade novel follows the story of Elsie Mae, a girl living in Georgia in the 1930’s, who turns to President Franklin D. Roosevelt to help protect her favorite swamp. Elsie’s passion and the historical-fiction setting will give you a glimpse into the past (and possibly, the future).

Wednesday, April 21 Nature Scavenger Hunt

Try going on a short walk in your neighborhood and see how many animals and objects you can find. Share a fun picture from your walk with us on social media, or by emailing us at brkyouth@minlib.net for a chance to win a special prize!

Animals and Objects to Find:

Cloud, Flower, Tree, Butterfly, Squirrel, Rock, Bird, Ant

Thursday, April 22 Nature Prints

Happy Earth Day! Try using objects like sticks, leaves, and stones instead of brushes to paint a picture. Share a fun picture of your creation with us on social media, or by emailing us at brkyouth@minlib.net for a chance to win a special prize!

What You Need:

-Paper
-Paint
-Objects from nature (leaves, sticks, rocks, etc.)

What You Do:

1. Gather up all sorts of interesting nature objects – rocks, sticks, leaves, anything!
2. Dip objects in paint
3. Use them to make prints on the paper!

Friday, April 23 Cardboard City

Try using cardboard and paper from your recycling bin to build an elaborate cardboard city. Share a fun picture of your structure with us on social media, or by emailing us at brkyouth@minlib.net for a chance to win a special prize!

What You Need:

-Cardboard boxes (check your recycling bin!)
-Paper and/or paper bags
-Glue/Tape
-Scissors
-Drawing utensils

What You Do:

1. Gather your boxes, or cut up some cardboard to make your own building shapes.
2. If your box has a design on it, you might want to cover it up with some paper, or a paper bag.
3. Draw fun designs right on the box, or on some paper and glue them to the box.

Saturday, April 24 Nature Hopscotch

Try using objects like sticks, leaves, and stones to create a hopscotch course on your driveway or sidewalk. Share a fun picture of your course with us on social media, or by emailing us at brkyouth@minlib.net for a chance to win a special prize!

What You Need:

-Objects from nature (leaves, sticks, rocks, etc.)

–Optional: sidewalk chalk

What You Do:

1. Gather up all sorts of interesting nature objects – rocks, sticks, leaves, anything!
2. Make squares out of the straighter objects, like sticks.
3. Place other objects, like rocks, inside the square to tell which direction you need to hop (or use chalk to draw numbers).
4. Try hopping on one foot through your whole course!