Sauk County Earth Day Events & Easy Ways to Celebrate with Kids

Earth Day is a great time to pause and think about how we care for the world around us—but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. If you’re looking for ways to connect with nature and encourage some earth-friendly habits, here are some fun, meaningful ideas to try with your kids this spring. Bonus: many of them can turn into sweet family traditions.

Backyard Nature Bingo (or Neighborhood Style!)

Make a simple nature bingo card with things like:
• A leaf with holes
• An ant carrying food
• A fallen stick
• A flower blooming
• A flying insect

Kids can mark off what they spot while out on a walk or playing in the yard. Offer a small prize or treat when they get a “bingo.”

Plant Something

April in Wisconsin is hit-or-miss when it comes to weather, so here are a few garden-themed projects that work without digging in the dirt outside:

Sprout beans: Place beans in a damp paper towel inside a baggie and wait a week or two. Unwrap the towel to see the roots that have grown!
DIY Egg Carton Greenhouse: Use an empty egg carton, fill with dirt or a seed starter mix, and plant herbs like basil or chives.
Regrow kitchen scraps: Try green onions, lettuce, or celery in a shallow dish of water and watch what happens!

A Week of Low-Waste Swaps (With Kids Involved)

Challenge your family to do one small eco-friendly switch each day. Let kids help pick from this list:

Use cloth napkins or washcloths instead of paper towels
Swap single-serve snacks for bulk or homemade versions
Try a “lights out” hour one evening
Use reusable water bottles all week
Write notes or color on the back of scrap paper

Repurpose and Reuse Together

Instead of focusing only on what to get rid of, help kids see how they can give new life to old stuff. Try:

Cardboard boxes = obstacle course or a pretend store
Old clothes = scrap fabric for crafts or doll clothes
Baby food jars = mini paint pots or bead storage
Broken crayons = melt into new fun-shaped crayons
Toilet paper rolls = binoculars, animals, or race cars

Do a “Mini Cleanup” Challenge

It doesn’t have to be a big, official event. Give your kids gloves and a small bag and pick a safe spot to collect litter—maybe their favorite park or trail. Set a timer and see how much they can gather in 15–20 minutes.

📍 Local Events in Sauk County

Cave After Dark: Earth Day Celebration
📅 Saturday, April 19, 2025 | ⏰ 7:00 PM
Celebrate Earth Day with an enchanting evening at Cave of the Mounds! Enjoy live music in the cave, appetizers, a complimentary drink, a souvenir photo, and take home native seeds to plant. A unique way to welcome spring and honor the planet!
Earth Day Volunteer Event at Devil’s Lake
🗓 Saturday, April 20 | ⏰ 9 AM – 12 PM
📍 Meet at North Shore Visitor Center
Join Friends of Devil’s Lake for a hands-on restoration project—clearing trees and removing invasive species. All ages welcome! Remember to pack gloves & water.
Savor the River Valley’s Earth Day Farm & Food Tour
📅 Saturday, April 26, 2025 | ⏰ 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Take a free, self-guided tour through 12 local farms and food businesses from Plain to Ridgeway. This family-friendly event is all about connecting with small-scale farmers and producers who care for the land, animals, and community. Enjoy tastings, tours, and a look at sustainable food practices in action!