TMM Earth Day Guide!

Local Earth Day Events

Step into nature this Earth Day through our Monmouth County Park System. Exploring the outdoors is a great way to learn more about our Earth and the impact we have on it.

Explore the parks system through hiking, going fishing, renting boats and canoes! Here’s a list of must-tries if you’re new to the area, or haven’t been yet!

Deep Cut Gardens in Middletown

Walk through the beautiful Deep Cut Gardens in Middletown. Check out the Garden Programs and classes that are offered through the park system. Visit Programs & Registration page to see Deep Cut Gardens offerings.

Set out on an exploration through their Garden Safari Backpack Program offered at the Horticultural Center.

Formal garden

Huber Woods Environmental Center & Reptile House

Learn about the various roles our native reptiles and amphibians have in our environment. Learn about Natural Corn Snake, Northern Diamondback, Spotted Turtles and many more creatures at the Reptile House.

The Huber Woods Environmental Center is packed with experiences and hands on exhibit areas perfect for an educational and fun Earth Day for the entire family.

Monmouth County Park System Facilities Huber Woods Environmental Center & Reptile House

Visit The Leonardo State Marina!

Located on Sandy Hook Bay the Leonardo State Marina Nature Center features various events throughout the year focused on family fun and environmental education!

Plant a Garden with the Family!

The kids love getting their hands dirty, and planting in the garden. Head out to a local nursery to get some seeds and supplies, and plant vegetables, flowers, and more!

Check your township for any local community gardens you can participate in.

Local Nurseries

Local Nurseries

Earth Day Activities at Home

Scavenger hunts have been one of our favorite pandemic activities, because they’re so versatile – you can download ones to do outdoors or indoors, for every type of holiday, and for every age.

This one is perfect for older kids who can read and understand a bit more about the meaning of Earth Day (bees spreading pollen, the recycling sign, etc.).

Want to fill some more time?

Have your kids make their own scavenger hunt with pictures and words, and then complete it!

Pick Up Your Favorite Playground
Choosing an area to clean up—a playground, beach, or even your street—is a wonderful activity the whole family can do together. Give everyone their own gloves, garbage bag, and see who can pick up the most trash! You can even turn this into an Earth Day play date activity.

Make A Homemade Bird feeder
Give a gift to your backyard birds and make a bird feeder craft. You don’t even need birdseed—cereal like cheerios and peanut butter work just fine. We love these ideas from The Spruce Crafts.

Make a Card with Recycled Materials
Turn that junk mail, old school art or magazine pages into homemade Earth Day cards. Grandparents or teachers will love getting a special gift and you’ll be able to talk about where paper comes from—and why we shouldn’t waste it.

Craft Using Recycled Materials
Upcycled crafts are a perfect way to explain the power of recycling. Bonus: You won’t have to buy new materials.

Check out these 50 Fun Earth Day Crafts and Activities using Upcycled Materials!

Read a Book

We love adding a book or two about holidays to our collection, and Earth Day is no exception. (Note: If you’re trying to save paper, download them onto your Kindle or check them out from the library.) A few of our faves:

Biscuit’s Earth Day Celebration

I am Earth

What If Everyone Did That?

Skip the Car
Can you walk to school or bike to a playdate? Take the extra time on Earth Day, and explain why you’re changing your routine. Not only is it great for the planet, it’s healthy for you and your kids, and may just help you start getting a bit more exercise into your daily routine.

Play Earth Day Bingo
We love this adorable Bingo game from Little Bins for Little Hands. Easy enough for a toddler to play, but fun enough to engage older kids, too!

Play it Forward with LEGO
The LEGO brand has started a Replay program where you can ship old pieces back to the company and they rebuild them, give them new life and pass them on to kids in need. They’ve already collected and redistributed 300,000 pounds of LEGO bricks.

Visit your Local Refill Shop!

Refill stores aim to reduce waste and cut down on packaging by offering customers refillable and reusable products! These unique shops often buy products in bulk to cut down on packaging, encouraging customers to bring in their own containers (jars, bottles, bags) and fill up on how much they need of a product. Refill stores can offer everything from your pantry food essentials, to household cleaners, personal care & beauty, and so much more.

New Jersey is growing with sustainability with many of these stores popping up across our state!