Happy Earth Day! and What to do on Earth Day in Boulder…

This is a day to focus on Mother Earth. How can we help our children become great stewards of the Earth? Great lovers of nature? Explorers & people who ask the important questions about how we will leave the Earth for their children and then next 7 generations or more?

One year we went around our neighborhood and picked up trash and put it in our red wagon. We were all amazed at how quickly we filled the wagon in a neighborhood that didn’t appear to have much trash laying around. Another year we went on a long hike with friends. What do you do to celebrate Earth Day with your family?

Listed below: 1) Things to do in Boulder on Earth Day, 2) Some nature blogs to check out, and 3) A link to the Osprey Webcam so you can spy on those amazing birds [2 eggs].

What to do around Boulder on Earth Day:

  • Denver Museum of Nature & Science SCFD FREE DAY. Celebrate Earth Day all day with DMNS.

  • Denver Botanic Gardens’ SCFD FREE DAY.
  • 11th Annual Wild Earth Day sponsored by Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center. All ages. 11:00 to 4:00pm. FREE. Scientific speakers, animal demonstrations, and much more.
  • Nature For Kids and Parents: Celebrate Earth Day!. All ages. 1:00 to 3:00pm. Free. Earth is home to billions of people and also home to millions of species of animals and plants.  We can learn to use less and share resources so that wildlife habitats aren’t decreased or disrupted. Join the OSMP for an easy hike starting at the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage.
  • Earth Day Concert: Nature & Songs. Children and parents can join OSMP’s Jeff Kagan, Mark Wesson and Paige Doughty for an Earth Day concert of children’s music, nature education and fun! Music will be appropriate for children ages 3-8 but all ages are welcome! Meet at the Sunrise Amphitheater on Flagstaff Mountain (map here).
  • Wanted: Nature Detectives. 4:00 to 5:00pm. Ages 5 and up. Can you solve a mystery? Search for clues?  Who are they, and how to they do it – the feathered, furred, 6-legged and green beings who live on Flagstaff Mountain?  Are you an investigator who can help us explore these

    Photo - Flagstaff Nature Center

    questions? Flagstaff Nature Center (map here). The Flagstaff Nature Center will be open 1:00 to 5:00pm on Earth Day.Don’t miss the exhibits, fun activities and animal mounts in the Nature Center! Follow this link to learn more about the Nature Center.

Here are some Nature Blogs you might like.

Boulder County Open Space’s Osprey Nest Webcam. Take a live look at these amazing birds. There are 2 eggs in the nest!

How did you spend your Earth Day?

Boulder Family Events: April 20 to 26, 2012

Listed here are some great family events. Most are free. They are all opportunities to be together as a family and engage your kids of all ages.

don’t forget that earth day is this sunday, april 22nd.

Have a fantastic week!

Friday, April 20

  • Discovery Days at the Longmont Museum & Cultural Center. Ages 2 to 5. Low cost [$3.50 to $4.50/child]. Drop-in sessions: 9:00 to 10:15, 10:15 to 11:30, 12:30 to 2:00.

  • Children’s Storytime at the Main Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.

  • Family Game Night. Meadows Branch Library. 4:00 to 6:00pm. Fun for the whole family!

  • “Give It Up Pajamas” is a rewriting of the Merchant of Venice presented by Imagination Makers. All ages. Free. Main Boulder Library. 7:00 to 7:50pm. Followed by a cookies and milk reception.

Saturday, April 21

  • Children’s Peace Garden Earth Day Celebration. Ages 4 to 10. Free. 10:00 to 3:00pm. Hands on activities for kids as well as music.

  • Children’s Storytime at the Main Library. All ages. Free. 10:15 to 11:00am. Ongoing activity.

  • Meet Mr. Bones at George Reynolds Branch Library. Free. All ages. 11:00am.
  • Meet Mr. Bones at Meadows Branch Library. Free. All ages. 3:00pm
  • Boulder Farmer’s Market. 8:00 to 2:00pm. 13th Street between Arapahoe & Canyon Blvd. Map. Great opportunity for families to purchase locally grown produce, eat delicious food, listen to live music and so much more! A Boulder kids’ favorite.

  • Boulder Museum of Contemporary Arts [BMOCA] provides FREE guided art activities for kids on Saturdays during the Farmer’s Market. 8:00am to 2:00pm. All ages.

  • Dia Del Nino: Celebrating Traditions of Mexico at BMOCA. All Ages. Free. Hands on activities and events. 11:00 to 1:00pm.
  • Family Day at CU Museum of Natural History: April is “Beetlemania” Month. Kids with BeetlesAll ages. Free. 1:00 to 4:00pm. Explore the size, shape, color, habitat, taste and behavior of beetles, the most diverse specie on earth! Learn what links all 400,000 species together and sing some Beatles songs as well!

Sunday, April 22 [Earth Day!]

  • Denver Museum of Nature & Science SCFD FREE DAY. Celebrate Earth Day all day with DMNS.
  • Denver Botanic Gardens’ SCFD FREE DAY.
  • Nature For Kids and Parents: Celebrate Earth Day!. All ages. 1:00 to 3:00pm. Free. Earth is home to billions of people and also home to millions of species of animals and plants. We can learn to use less and share resources so that wildlife habitats aren’t decreased or disrupted. Easy hike starting at the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage.
  • Earth Day Concert: Nature & Songs. Children and parents can join OSMP’s Jeff Kagan, Mark Wesson and Paige Doughty for an Earth Day concert of children’s music, nature education and fun! Music will be appropriate for children ages 3-8 but all ages are welcome! Meet at the Sunrise Amphitheater on Flagstaff Mountain (map here).
  • Wanted: Nature Detectives. 4:00 to 5:00pm. Ages 5 and up. Can you solve a mystery? Search for clues? Who are they, and how to they do it – the feathered, furred, 6-legged and green beings who live on Flagstaff Mountain? Are you an investigator who can help us explore these

    Photo - Flagstaff Nature Center

    questions?Flagstaff Nature Center (map here).

  • The Flagstaff Nature Center will be open 1:00 to 5:00pm on Earth Day.
    Don’t miss the exhibits, fun activities and animal mounts in the Nature Center! Stop by and meet our naturalist volunteers. Follow this link to learn more about the Nature Center.

  • Go Club for Kids & Teens at the Main Boulder Library. 2:00 to 5:30pm. Ages 5 and up. Free. “Learn to play the ancient and mysterious game of Go.”

Monday, April 23

Tuesday, April 24

  • Children’s Storytime @ George Reynolds Branch Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.
  • Lap Babies at the Main Boulder Library. Babies up to 12 months explore books & stories with their caregivers. No older children, please! Free. Ongoing activity.
  • Discovery Days at the Longmont Museum & Cultural Center. Ages 2 to 5. Low cost [$3.50 to $4.50/child]. Drop-in sessions: 9:00 to 10:15, 10:15 to 11:30, 12:30 to 2:00.
  • Open Space Story Hour. 1:00 to 2:00pm. All ages. 1 – 1:30 pm Nature-themed Story Books & 1:30 – 2:00 Five-Senses Discovery Hike! Gather at the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage. Our “Five-Senses Discovery Hike” encourages everyone to look, listen, smell and touch as we experience the outdoors.

Wednesday, April 25

  • Children’s Storytime @ Meadows Branch Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.

  • Cruisers & Crawlers @ Main Boulder Library. 10:15 to 11:30am. 9 to 24 months. Ongoing.

  • Discovery Days at the Longmont Museum & Cultural Center. Ages 2 to 5. Low cost [$3.50 to $4.50/child]. Drop-in sessions: 9:00 to 10:15, 10:15 to 11:30, 12:30 to 2:00.

  • Barnes & Noble Storytime. Ongoing activity. 10:00am.
  • Gymboree Storytime @ Barnes and Noble. Stories, movement and more. Ongoing activity. 1:00pm.

Thursday, April 26

Upcoming Events:

  • Tulip & Elf Parade April 28 @ 3:00pm

  • Boulder Ballet’s Mother’s Day performance of Cinderella. Tickets sell out. More info here.

Boulder Family Events: April 13 to 19, 2012

Listed here are some great family events. Most are free. They are all opportunities to be together as a family and engage your kids of all ages.

Have a fantastic week!

Friday, April 13

  • Discovery Days at the Longmont Museum & Cultural Center. Ages 2 to 5. Low cost [$3.50 to $4.50/child]. Drop-in sessions: 9:00 to 10:15, 10:15 to 11:30, 12:30 to 2:00.

  • Children’s Storytime at the Main Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.

  • Family Game Night. Meadows Branch Library. 4:00 to 6:00pm. Fun for the whole family!

Saturday, April 14

  • Fishin’ Fun! Join OSMP’s Vijay Viswanathan for a two-hour fishing excursion. Equipment provided. 9:00 to 11:00am. Program is wheelchair and kid-friendly. Call 303-441-3440 for the location and to make your reservations.  Ages 6 and up.

  • Children’s Storytime at the Main Library. All ages. Free.

  • Boulder Farmer’s Market. 8:00 to 2:00pm. 13th Street between Arapahoe & Canyon Blvd. Map. Great opportunity for families to purchase locally grown produce, eat delicious food, listen to live music and so much more! A Boulder kids’ favorite.

  • Boulder Museum of Contemporary Arts [BMOCA] provides FREE guided art activities for kids on Saturdays during the Farmer’s Market. 8:00am to 2:00pm. All ages.

  • Cool Moves!, an African dance, hip hop and salsa experience for families. Performances and audience participation led by Malang Diatta’s African Dance Troupe, Streetside Studios, & SalsaKo dancers. Canyon Theater at the Main Boulder Library. 11:00 to 1:00pm.
  • Family Day at CU Museum of Natural History: April is “Beetlemania” Month. Kids with BeetlesAll ages. Free. 1:00 to 4:00pm. Explore the size, shape, color, habitat, taste and behavior of beetles, the most diverse specie on earth! Learn what links all 400,000 species together and sing some Beatles songs as well!

  • FAM. Day at the Movies @ Boulder History Museum. Take part in hands on activities based on their current exhibit: Hollywood, Colorado. All ages. Free with admission to the museum.

  • CU International Festival 2012. Experience cultures, food samples, performances. Free. All ages. Glenn Miller Ballroom. 4:00 to 10:00pm.

Sunday, April 15

Monday, April 16

Tuesday, April 17

  • Children’s Storytime @ George Reynolds Branch Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.
  • Lap Babies at the Main Boulder Library. Babies up to 12 months explore books & stories with their caregivers. No older children, please! Free. Ongoing activity.
  • Discovery Days at the Longmont Museum & Cultural Center. Ages 2 to 5. Low cost [$3.50 to $4.50/child]. Drop-in sessions: 9:00 to 10:15, 10:15 to 11:30, 12:30 to 2:00.
  • WOW Museum Discovery Days. Be a scientist and discover all there is about Our Animal Friends. Free with admission.

Wednesday, April 18

Thursday, April 19

Boulder Family Deals: SCFD Free Museum/Arts/Gardens Days List

Some of the big museums and locations in Denver offer FREE Days throughout the year! Take a look, make a plan, and take advantage of a FREE day for the family. The Scientific and Cultural Facilities District [SCFD] funds FREE Days at the following locations throughout the year:

***Click here for a list of FREE Days***

I will include the FREE Days in the weekly Boulder Family Events as they come up. The upside of these FREE Days is that–well, they are free. On the other hand they are often busy! Either way I would love to hear how it went if you go. I hope you enjoy!

Boulder Family Events: April 6 to 12, 2012

Listed here are some great family events. Most are free. They are all opportunities to be together as a family and engage your kids of all ages. This week is packed, especially april 7, with some great events! Have a fantastic week!

Friday, April 6

  • Discovery Days at the Longmont Museum & Cultural Center. Ages 2 to 5. Low cost [$3.50 to $4.50/child]. Drop-in sessions: 9:00 to 10:15, 10:15 to 11:30, 12:30 to 2:00.
  • Children’s Storytime at the Main Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.

Saturday, April 7

  • French/English Storytime at the Main Library. All ages. Free.

  • Boulder Farmer’s Market. 8:00 to 2:00pm. 13th Street between Arapahoe & Canyon Blvd. Map. Great opportunity for families to purchase locally grown produce, eat delicious food, listen to live music and so much more! A Boulder kids’ favorite.

  • Denver Art Museum. All ages. Free admission all day. Ongoing: free the first Saturday of each month.
  • Family Day at CU Museum of Natural History: April is “Beetlemania” Month. Kids with BeetlesAll ages. Free. 1:00 to 4:00pm. Explore the size, shape, color, habitat, taste and behavior of beetles, the most diverse specie on earth! Learn what links all 400,000 species together and sing some Beatles songs as well!

  • CU Wizards: Hope for a Broken Heart! 9:30 to 10:30am. All ages are welcome, but aimed at grade 5 through 9. The CU Wizards program brings the joy of science to young people. Cristol Chemistry 142 on the CU-Boulder campus
  • Open Space Story Hour! 1:00 to 2:00pm. All ages. Free. City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks. 1 – 1:30 pm Nature-themed Story Books, 1:35 – 1:55  The Hunt for Spring Hike, 2:00 – 2:30  More Nature-themed Story Books.

  • Flagstaff Mountain Bouldering Tour with Open Space and Mountain Parks. All ages. 10:00 to 12:00pm. Free. Learn about the Flagstaff Mountain bouldering formations, where the bouldering problems are, and enjoy a beautiful day out. Meet at the first overhang parking area. See link above for more details.
  • Grand Rabbits 36th Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Free. At Boulder store. 10:00 to 2:00pm.
  • Elks Club Easter Egg Hunt. All ages. 11am. 3975 28th Street, Boulder. Call to get more information 303.442.5003.
  • Boulder Valley Church of Christ Egg Hunt. All ages. 2:00 to 4:00pm. 270 76th Street, Boulder.

Sunday, April 8

  • Go Club for Kids & Teens at the Main Boulder Library. 2:00 to 5:30pm. Ages 5 and up. Free. “Learn to play the ancient and mysterious game of Go.”

  • Red Lion 3rd Annual Egg Hunt. Open to the public and guest. Ages 2 to 12. Free.

    1:30 to 2:30pm. Every child finds eggs and trades them for prizes and treats.  Please call 303-443-5882 or email Tina Mueller at info@redlionrestaurant.com for more information.

Monday, April 9

  • Boulder Folders– Origami Creation Group at the Main Boulder Library. 6:30 to 9:30pm. Ages 10 and up or experienced younger folders. Free. They provide paper & instruction.

  • Children’s Storytime @ Main Boulder Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.

Tuesday, April 10

  • Read to the Dog at Meadows Branch Library. All ages. Free. 3:30 to 5:30pm. To participate please call the library ahead of time at 303-441-4390.

  • Children’s Storytime @ George Reynolds Branch Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.

  • Lap Babies at the Main Boulder Library. Babies up to 12 months explore books & stories with their caregivers. No older children, please! Free. Ongoing activity.

Wednesday, April 11

Thursday, April 12

Boulder Events for Families: March 16 to 22, 2012

Listed here are some great family events. Most are free. They are all opportunities to be together as a family and engage your kids of all ages. Let me know what you liked. Let me know if there is something I should add. Have a great week!

Friday, March 16, 2012

Saturday, March 17, 2012 [Happy St. Patrick’s Day]

  • What’s for Dinner? Colorado Food Past & Present Family Day at the CU Museum of Natural History. Hands on activities for the foodies out there. All Ages. 1–4pm.

  • French/English Storytime at the Boulder Main Library. 10:15 to 11am.
  • St. Patrick’s Day at the WOW Museum. Join them for a special presentation by the McTeggart Irish Dancers. 11 to 2pm.
  • Peter Pan: The British Musical, presented by Rocky Mountain Theater for Kids. All ages. May be sold out.
  • Wings of Spring: Bird Watching. All Ages. 7:30–10am. Boulder Parks and Open Space program. Meet at Sawhill Ponds, 0.6 miles north of Valmont on 75th St. Bring binoculars, dress warmly.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Monday, March 19, 2012

  • Read to the Dog. All Ages. 3:30 to 5:30pm. Bring your child to read to a this well trained and gentle dog. Reservations Required. [Boulder Meadows Branch Library]

  • Grand Rabbits Play Day. Free for kids 2 to 6 with guardian. Flatirons store. 9:30 to 10:15am.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Awesome Boulder Events for Families: March 9 to 15, 2012

Listed here are great family events. Most are free. They are all opportunities to be together as a family and engage your kids of all ages. Let me know what you liked. Let me know if there is something I should add. Have a great week!

Friday, March 9, 2012

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Monday, March 12, 2012

  • Read to the Dog. All Ages. 3:30 to 5:30pm. Bring your child to read to a this well trained and gentle dog. Reservations Required. [Boulder Meadows Branch Library]

  • Open Space Story Hour at Chautauqua. Nature-themed story book [1-1:30pm] & Nature Detective Scavenger Hike [1:35 to 2pm].
  • Grand Rabbits Play Day. Free for kids 2 to 6 with guardian. Flatirons store. 9:30 to 10:15am.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Kids Eat Free in Boulder: Check Out These Great Deals!

In Boulder there is such thing as a free lunch–I mean dinner. Check out these restaurants where our kids get their meals for FREE! Where does your family eat where the kids eat for free, or it’s just a smoking good deal? Comment below so we can all get the scoop…

Monday

  • Larkburger invites kids ages 12 and under to eat FREE every Monday from 4 p.m. to close when an adult spends $9. 2525 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder. 303.444.1487

  • Beau Jo’s Pizza’s Family Night is Mondays. Up to 2 kids eat FREE with each paying adult. Plus there is kids’ entertainment each night. They have gluten-free options. 2690 Baseline Road, Boulder. 303.554.5312

Tuesday

  • Applebee’s offers a close to Kids Eat Free on Tuesdays where kids eat for 99 cents. 1700 28th Street, Boulder. 303.442.8813

Wednesday

  • Up to 2 kids eat FREE with the purchase of an adult meal at the Lazy Dog Sport Bar & Grill on the Pearl Street Mall. 1346 Pearl St., Boulder. 303.440.3355.

Thursday

  • Wahoo’s Fish Tacos serves up to two FREE kids meals for every $10 adult meal purchased after 4pm on Thursdays. Kids must be 12 or younger. 2790 Pearl Street, Boulder. 303.473.9072 [Changing to Weds. nights in the next few weeks, so call ahead]

Friday

  • What restaurant should go here? Write a comment and I will update this list.

Saturday

  • Old Louisville Inn offers kids FREE meals with the purchase of an adult meal Saturday & Sunday. 740 Front Street, Louisville. 303.666.9982.

Sunday

  • Centro Latin Kitchen has Family Night each Sunday where Kids under 10 receive a FREE kid’s entrée (choice of any entrée from the Centro kids’ menu) with the purchase of an adult entrée after 5 p.m. 950 Pearl St., Boulder. 303.442.7771.

  • Old Louisville Inn offers kids FREE meals with the purchase of an adult meal. 740 Front Street, Louisville. 303.666.9982.

Additional Discounts for Kids

  • St. Julien/Jill’s offers free meals for children 3 and under when they eat off the children’s menu. 900 Walnut St., Boulder. 720.406.9696
  • The Taj offers Kids Eat Free under 5. Between 5 and 10 years kids pay 1/2 price for meals. 2630 Baseline Rd., Boulder. 303.494.5216
  • Smiling Moose provides a Free Kids Meal with the purchase of any sandwich, chips, & a drink. Coupon is at the link above. 3223 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder. 303.530.2700.
  • Wild Mountain Brewery offers Kids Eat Free on the first Tuesday of each month. For kids 12 and under with a paying adult. 70 East First Street, Nederland. 303.258.WILD.

Don’t forget to always call ahead to make sure these restaurants are still offering their Kids Eat Free deals as they are subject to change at any time.

If you tried one of the Kids Eat Free! deals, did you like it? Which restaurant[s] are your family’s favorites in the Boulder area? Where are some other great deals for families? Any favorites for the gluten free crowd? Dairy free crowd? I cannot wait to hear the juicy details…

 

Don’t forget to always call ahead to make sure these restaurants are still offering their Kids Eat Free deals as they are subject to change at any time.

Have you tried any of these restaurants and gotten the free kids meal? How did you like it? Which restaurant[s] are your family’s favorites in the Boulder area? Where are some other great deals for families? Any favorites for the gluten free crowd? Dairy free crowd? I cannot wait to hear the juicy details…