In March, more than 100 volunteers from the Edwardsville, Ill. community planted 100 trees to get the Edwardsville Children’s Museum Micro Forest off the ground. This educational and environmental initiative led by ECM and sponsored by Phillips 66 has transformed an empty brownfield site into a two-acre urban forest preserve that will help improve air quality, increase the region’s biodiversity and lower ozone levels.
On April 22, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., ECM, along with volunteers from Phillips 66 and Starbucks, will plant a second round of trees in celebration of Earth Day. Thanks to the support of funders, seedlings were purchased from the Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District and include varieties, such as Northern Red Oak, Northern Pecan and American Plum. The community is invited to join the planting effort that day at the Micro Forest, located on Route 143 next to Cedarhurst Senior Living in Edwardsville. Volunteers of all ages are asked to bring along a shovel, and if they have them available, newspaper, spare bricks and wheelbarrows. Visit the ECM Micro Forest webpage for more details.
As part of its mission to serve the needs and interests of children, ECM will also tie the Micro Forest into its new Phillips 66 STEM Forest Exhibit opening Summer 2021. This hands-on exhibit brings the outside indoors, giving kids the change to create their own woodland creatures, explore ECM's Canopy Tree House, and discover steps they can take to protect our natural ecosystem. More information about the exhibit will be available at edwardsvillechildrensmuseum.org in the next few weeks.
The Saint Louis Science Center has expanded its Preschool Science Series to include new offerings for different age groups of young scientists. Storybook STEM is for ages 3 to 5.
Free outdoor concerts are back at the Missouri History Museum. The fall series of concerts features favorite bands, food trucks, and exhibits inside the museum that are open to the public until 8 p.m. on concert nights. Concerts are held from 6-8 p.m.
Visit The Magic House for Toddler Time, a special early-morning program for toddlers. Children age 1-4 can take part in exhibits and exclusive interactive activities designed just for little ones. There are new themes every week!
Join Ms. Amanda in the Makerspace at the Edwardsville Children's Museum for a fun, lively Dance Party. The toddler-friendly tunes will accompany free play time and musical instrument exploration.
Take part in a free yoga session just for kids! Children's yoga, presented by Complete Harmony, is held at the Brentwood Public Library on Thursdays from 9:30 to 10 a.m. Classes include stories, movement and mindfulness and are geared for children up to age 5. Bring a yoga mat or towel.
