“Get Back to Nature” Earth Day Celebration (Roseland)
Essex County’s version of Earth Day is labeled as a “Happy Birthday Earth!” celebration, and who doesn’t love a good birthday party? With music, Whole Foods snacks, nature crafts, a rock climbing wall, a 4-H fair, Turtleback Zoo Live Animal show, and free compact fluorescent light bulbs being handed out at the “Go Green” Merchandise Tent, this sounds like a great place to sing Happy Birthday to our kind planet. Saturday, April 17, from 11am-4pm. FREE. For more information, call 973-228-8776 or email David Alexander at dalexander@parks.essexcountynj.org

Earth Day Celebration (Morris Township)
Morris County Park’s version of Earth Day includes nature walks, “Trash-to-treasure” activities, Water World on the Beach (complete with paddle boat rides), a Sustainability Showcase, and a little doozy called “The Great Reptiles with Snakes-n-Scales and Turtle Tales”. Lots of live music, ‘green’ cooking demos and tasty eco-friendly snacks from Whole Foods, Apple Ridge Farms and Burden Free Foods round out the day. There’s also a GoodWill donation site—just drive your car up and unload–voila! Saturday, April 17 from 11am-4pm. $10./carload or $5./ person. For more info, call 973-635-6629.

18th Annual Cel-Earth-Bration “Give Green a Chance” (Hawthorne)
Sure, “Cel-Earth-Bration” might be a little hard to wrap your tongue around, but Passaic County’s Earth Day will be worth the trouble. A Tree Seedling workshop, Environmental workshop, entertainment for all ages, raffles, prizes, face painting, and tattooing, and the highlights of the day, Bill Ponder’s Hawks and Rizzo’s Reptiles Discover Green programs. Students of all grade levels are encouraged to participate by using their imaginations to make projects emphasizing the Give Green A Chance theme. Projects must arrive by 9:30 AM and be picked up at 2:00 PM on the day of the event, and registration is required through the child’s school. Awards for the best projects will be given at the conclusion of the program, and special consideration will be given to projects that educate the importance of going green. Saturday, April 17 from 10am-2pm, Hawthorne High School. FREE.  For more info, contact Rayna Laiosa at 201-410-1796.

Washington Township Earth Day Celebration (Sewell)
An Earth Day celebration that comes with live animals, pony rides, tree seedlings, and organic basil plant give-aways? Throw in live music and you’ve got a deal!  Over 130 exhibitors and vendors, face painting, jewelry, sustainable items and live music make this a fun-packed day worth your weekend time. Saturday, April 17 (Rain date Sunday April 18) from 10am-3pm. FREE. For more info, contact Anne Hastings at 856-589-0520 ex. 232.

Spring Cleaning for Earth Day at Flat Rock Brook (Englewood)
If the idea of sitting on your bum and listening to music seems, well, eco-unfriendly and you’d rather get your hands dirty for Earth Day, you and your family can help Flat Rock Brook tidy up the grounds for the upcoming year. Your kids’ll enjoy getting the Children’s Garden into tip-top shape for the flower and vegetable plantings and then heading over for a spring clean-up of the brook.  Bring waterproof boots or borrow theirs. No need to register. FREE.Saturday, April 17, 10am-1pm. For more info, call 201-567-1265.

“Sky Creatures: Stories in the Sky” Tenafly Nature Center (Tenafly)
If you feel like having a little twilight fun no matter what the weather, head out to the Nature Center for a tour of the night sky. Crawl into a groovy inflatable “StarLab Planetarium” to hear stories and myths of the creatures and characters of the constellations.  Then assemble your own take-home star chart and practice using it outside after dark to navigate the night sky.  For kids 8-12 years old, accompanied by an adult. Friday, April 16, 7 pm-9pm. $4./participant, pre-registration required. For more info, call (201) 568-6093

Revolutionary Times Weekend, Morris Museum (Morristown)
The Morris Museum is being “revolutionary” this weekend with a workshop on Colonial Games and Crafts. Make a candle out of beeswax or a doll out of a cornhusk. Drop in anytime on Saturday, April 17, from11am-4pm. The activities are FREE with museum admission of $10/adults, $7/Children, and Seniors and Children under three admitted FREE. For more info, call 973-971-3700.

“Tots on Tour!” and “Day at the Fair”, Grounds for Sculpture (Hamilton)
Grounds for Sculpture celebrates the weekend with two great events. Bring your “tot” (ages 3 to 5) to listen to stories, become park explorers and learn about sculpture through interactive activities. Saturday, April 17 at 11am and 1pm.  Rain or Shine! FREE with Park admission of $12/Adults, $10/Student (13+) and Seniors (65+), $8/Children (6 to 12) and members/children under 5 FREE. One adult must accompany each child. Space is limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis. Meets in the Visitor’s Center.

“Day at the Fair” commemorates Grounds For Sculpture’s roots as the New Jersey State Fairgrounds. Visit the Museum Building (formerly used to house the rabbits, goats, etc. during the golden age of the State Fair) and the Domestic Arts Building (formerly the site of quilting, canning, pie making, and other homemaking arts). Tour the park, visit the balloon man, relax to music in the courtyard, participate in workshops, and view a pie-making demo.  Purchase popcorn, cotton-candy, hot dogs, and other treats at the concession stands. Sunday, April 18 from 11am-4pm. FREE with Park admission (see above). For more info, call (609) 586-0616.