EarthKIDS is a unique part of EarthWorks Expo designed especially for kids and families. Located in Expo Hall 3 just off the main exhibit hall, EarthKIDS features a number of outstanding Colorado organizations presenting fun, fascinating, age-appropriate activities and exhibits on the environment, wildlife, conservation and more, including live birds and animals. EarthKIDS is open all hours of the Expo.

Highlights of EarthKIDS at EarthWorks Expo 2010 include:

The Butterfly Pavilion 
Located in Westminster, the Butterfly Pavilion combines science education with interactive fun to teach visitors about invertebrates of all kinds –– including butterflies, bugs, spiders and more –– and the importance of protecting terrestrial and marine habitats in which invertebrates live.

The Butterfly Pavilion will bring their famous “Rosie” the tarantula to share with EarthKIDS, along with other fun insects and crawly critters.  Are you brave enough to hold Rosie in your hand?

The Cottonwood Institute      
“Changing the world, one adventure at a time.” Based in Denver, the Cottonwood Institute is an award-winning non-profit organization dedicated to providing students with opportunities to explore the outdoors, raising their awareness of environmental issues and empowering them to help solve those issues.

Denver Zoo     
“Our mission is to secure a better world for animals through human understanding.” Denver Zoo serves as a primary regional resource for wildlife conservation through programs that encourage the protection of animals and their ecosystems, promote the advancement of conservation science, and provide enjoyable conservation education for our visitors.

For EarthKIDS, Denver Zoo presenters will display and talk about a variety of cute and interesting animals throughout the weekend.

Fast Food Free with Koa Halpern    
Denver student Koa Halpern was only 10 years old when he founded Fast Food Free two years ago. The mission of Fast Food Free is to reduce the consumption of fast food through education and community awareness resulting in healthier people and a better world. The Fast Food Free Challenge encourages people to eliminate fast food from their diets for two weeks. Koa encourages people of all ages to visit his website to learn more about the effects of their food choices.

Meet Koa Halpern at EarthKIDS and find out more about his inspiring Fast Food Free Challenge!

Rocky Mountain Raptor Program   
“A second chance at freedom!”  Based in Fort Collins, the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program rescues, rehabilitates and releases injured birds of prey, including eagles, owls, hawks and falcons; and through its comprehensive Environmental Education program, teaches the importance of preserving wildlife and wild places for future generations.

For EarthKIDS, RMRP staffers will display and explain a number of beautiful and majestic “educational ambassadors,” and answer questions about birds of prey and their habitats.

The Wildlife Experience    
The Wildlife Experience, located in Parker, is an educational and entertaining museum that connects visitors with wildlife and habitats in a fun learning environment. Their mission is to instill respect for habitats and wildlife, and to inspire conservation for generations to come.

For EarthKIDS, the Wildlife Experience will display and explain various examples of Colorado’s natural wildlife and habitats.

Other EarthKIDS Attractions

• Caricatures with Mark Hall.  An entertaining and talented caricature artist, Mark Hall will do caricatures free of charge

• Paper-Making with Vince Curran.  See recycling in action – watch paper go from used to new in front of your eyes!  Vince Curran will show you how.