Earth Day 'playdate' returns

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y. –Little Green Hearts will bring back its Earth Day Playdate event on Sunday, May 4, at Downing Park. The free, family-friendly event starts at 11 a.m. and invites children and caregivers to celebrate Earth Day through nature-based play inspired by the classic story of “Stone Soup.”

Last year’s event brought together dozens of families for a playful and creative outdoor experience. Kate Lanfer, the founder and teacher at Little Green Hearts, knew she had to bring the event back.

“I’m super excited to be hosting it again this year,” she told Yorktown News. “Simply put, kids use rocks, water, and any other natural treasures they can find around them to plop into containers of water to mix up pretend nature soups.”

Lanfer saw tons of engagement from both children and parents last year. It’s a way for parents to connect while their kids learn and play.

“There’s something really special about watching kids of all ages and grown-ups step into playful roles, connect with nature, and connect with each other—all while creating and pretending side by side,” she said.

The first event “was playful, creative, and deeply social—in a way that really stuck with me,” she said. “That sense of togetherness, of creating something from what we each have to offer—it just felt too important not to bring back again this year.”

It’s low-pressure and free, which makes it an event accessible to all.

Togetherness is not just what Lanfer loves about the event, but it’s why she started the organization to begin with.

“My favorite thing about my job and a big reason I started Little Green Hearts is the families I get to work with. There’s something truly special about seeing families come together in nature, whether it’s a child and their treasured adult bonding over a shared discovery, siblings collaborating in play, or a group exploring on a nature walk,” she said. “Watching that connection grow is what really fuels me. It’s about creating moments where families feel present, inspired, and connected to both each other and the world around them. That’s what makes this work so fulfilling.”

Participants are encouraged to bring a pot or container and simply show up ready to play. No special materials or preparation are required. All ages are welcome.

Little Green Hearts offers outdoor nature-play classes for families, where children explore the outdoors, experiment with sensory materials, and connect with one another while caregivers learn how kids grow through play. The program supports children’s language, physical, social, and brain development through guided, hands-on activities in nature.

Registration for the Earth Day Playdate is available through the Parks and Recreation Department at register.capturepoint.com. For more information, visit linktr.ee/lilgreenhearts or email lilgreenhearts@gmail.com.