Earth Day and Easter Weekend Activities For The Family

Enjoy Spring Break Activities at the New York Botanical Garden
Where/When: Tues., Apr. 19 through Mon. Apr. 25; The New York Botanical Garden is located at 200th Street and Kazimiroff Blvd, off the Bronx River Parkway (Exit 7W) and Fordham Road in the Bronx.
Why Go?: Broadway Day on Apr. 19 features appearances from cast members of The Lion King, Mary Poppins, and more as well as kids’ karaoke. Earth Day on Apr. 22 includes an outdoor biodiversity scavenger hunt, guided tours of the Native Forest and earthworm-focused composting activities. Kids can help get the garden ready for Spring all week by planting seeds, spreading compost and digging in Wake Up, Garden!  Plus, families can enjoy an indoor theatrical presentation of Peter and The Wolf by the Bronx Arts Ensemble on Apr. 24.
Pricing: For more pricing and information on all family events, visit www.nybg.org. All-Garden Pass Admission Prices: Adults: $20; Students/Seniors: $18; Children ages 2-12 years old: $8; Children under 2 admitted for free.

School Break Art Workshop at Hopper House
Where/When: Hopper House, 82 N. Broadway in Nyack; Wed., Apr. 20 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Why Go? Students, ages 7 and 11, who are off from school enjoying Spring recess, are invited to gain inspiration from painter Edward Hopper and create their own unique piece of art. Instructor Laura Doner, who was the scenic painter for such blockbuster films as Spider-Man and Men In Black, leads this two-day workshop. Space is limited. Pre-registration required.
Pricing: $15 per day, plus $5 materials fee; $13 for Hopper House members. Scholarships are available. Call 845.351.4737.

Earth Day Story Time at Barnes & Noble
Where/When: Barnes & Noble at The Palisades Center, 4416 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack; Fri., Apr. 22 at 7 p.m.
Why Go? At this special story time in honor of Earth Day, kids will enjoy informative stories about the environment, as well as a special planting activity.
Pricing: Free

Bunnies at Hudson Highlands Nature Museum’s Outdoor Discovery Center
Where/When: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum Outdoor Discovery Center, Muser Drive across from 174 Angola Rd. in Cornwall; Sat., Apr. 23 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Call 845.534.5506 for additional information.
Why Go? Children can meet the Center’s resident rabbits, learn about the native Eastern Cottontail and make a bunny craft that they can take home.
Pricing: $7 for adults; $5 for children; $5/adult and $3/child for museum members.

Healthy Kids Day at the Rockland County YMCA
Where/When: , 35 S. Broadway in Nyack; Sat., Apr. 23 from noon to 3 p.m.
Why Go?: Rockland County YMCA is hosting “Healthy Kids Day,” a day full of family fitness and fun, active play. Scheduled activities will include: family fitness activities, parachute games, swimming, karate, face painting, games at Memorial Park, a walk around Rockland Lake, and more. “Healthy Kids Day” will kick-off with a “Family Fun” walk at 10 a.m. at Rockland Lake State Park, located at 299 Rockland Lake Rd. in Valley Cottage. Walk participants will receive a free T-shirt. Pre-registration is required. To learn more, call Stephanie Salter, Member Services Director, at 845-358-0245, ext. 304 or Maria Giannattasio, Fitness Director, at ext. 315. To register for the walk, please email mgiannattasio@rocklandymca.org with all participants’ names, ages and T-shirt size(s).
Pricing: Free

Easter Egg Hunt in Tappan
Where/When: Sponsored by the Tappan Ladies Auxiliary, an Easter Egg Hunt will take place on Sat., Apr. 23 at the Tappan Firehouse located on Western Highway. Children 4 and younger will begin their hunt for colorful, candy-filled eggs at approximately 1 p.m.; Children 5 -7 years old will hunt at 1:20 p.m. and children 8 and older will hunt at 1:40 p.m.
Why Go?: The Easter Bunny will be stopping by and making an appearance. Plus, there will games, beverages and snacks to enjoy from noon to 2 p.m.
Pricing: Free

11th Annual Easter Egg Hunt in Chestnut Ridge
Where/When: Registration at 1o a.m., the hunt begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday April 3 at the Children's Park off Grotke Road in Chestnut Ridge.
Why go?: Sponsored by the Chestnut Ridge Rotary Club, there will be prizes and raffles as well as eggs for the kids to find. For children up to nine years old.
Pricing: Free with donations of non-perishable food.

How Does Your Garden Grow?
Where/When: Community Room at the Pearl River Library, Thurs., Apr. 28 from 4 – 5 p.m.
Why Go?: Program is for children in K through 3rd grade.
Pricing: Free. Registration required. Call library at 845.735.4084, ext. 115 to check availability.

Tween Lego Master Builders
Where/When: Story Time Room at the Pearl River Library; Mon., Apr. 25 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Why Go?: This program is for children, ages 8 - 12 years old, who love building their own imaginative Lego masterpieces.
Pricing: Free. No registration required. Bring a friend!

Useful Threads Clothing Drive
Where/When: Pearl River High School, Pirate Cove; Drop off dates: Fri., Apr. 29 from noon to 6 p.m. and Sat., Apr. 30 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Why Participate?: Pearl River School District PTAs are partnering with Useful Threads to collect used clothing, shoes, belts, handbags, linens, sheets, blankets, hard toys and stuffed animals. Items donated are resold to countries in need, primarily Ireland. For every pound of items donated, the Pearl River PTAs will receive 15 cents plus a $50 bonus for every 5,000 pounds. Proceeds will be used to support PTA and school programs.
Note: Items should be clean and in good reusable condition. Please place donated items into tied plastic bags. Heavy items are welcome, but furniture, appliances, mattresses and carpeting will not be accepted.