North State Parent magazine

Mt. Shasta Earth Day Festival
2026-04-25 11:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Mount Shasta City Park, 1315 Nixon Rd, Mount Shasta, CA, 96067, United States
Join us for a full day of free activities, presentations, and more. The Earth Day Festival will be held at Mount Shasta City Park next to the headwaters again! As always, this event is free to attend and an excellent opportunity to share our crafts and knowledge with our friends, community, and families. The Earth Day event is a longstanding tradition, with past years bringing 400+ visitors.
Exhibitors, crafts, kid-friendly activities, a water blessing ceremony, food, and more will be held on the grounds of the Mt. Shasta City Park while the presentations, films, and a nature art gallery will be indoors.

Bigfoot Adventure Challenge
2026-04-26 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-27 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-28 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-29 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-30 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-01 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-02 08:00 - 17:00 | Redding, CA, Redding, CA, United States
Gear up for a family adventure! Explore Shasta County’s treasured trails and hunt for Bigfoot on the ultimate outdoor quest! Download a passport to participate and get clues as to where Bigfoot is hiding. Participate in 3 adventures and be eligible for a Bigfoot book and stickers, while they last. Get on a bike or slip on sneakers and head outside on a great adventure with the kids! Passports available April 1 – May 31, 2026.
Sponsors: Redding Trail Alliance, City of Redding, Healthy Shasta

Thomas D. Mangelsen: A Life in the Wild
2026-04-26 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-29 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-30 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-01 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-02 09:00 - 16:00 | Turtle Bay Museum, 844 Sundial Bridge, Redding, 96001, United States
Turtle Bay Museum proudly presents Thomas D. Mangelsen: A Life In The Wild, a breathtaking exhibition featuring 40 of the renowned photographer’s most resonant images, on display from January 24 through May 3, 2026.
Spanning all seven continents, the exhibition immerses visitors in stunning natural landscapes and the intimate lives of animal species from some of the Earth’s last great wild places. Created over decades, the work reflects deep knowledge of animal behavior and the patience to wait for nature’s most powerful moments.
Among the photographs many visitors will recognize are Polar Dance (1989), showing polar bears appearing to dance across the Arctic ice; Mountain Outlaw (2014), a dramatic head-on charge of a grizzly bear through snow; and Catch of the Day (1988), which captures the precise instant a salmon leaps into the open jaws of a brown bear along Alaska’s Brooks River. Notably one of the most widely circulated wildlife photographs in history, Catch of the Day was created before digital cameras and without manipulation. The exhibition showcases a breadth of subjects including mammals, birds, flowers, and iconic landscapes from Alaska’s Denali Range to the African savanna.
These remarkable works by Thomas D. Mangelsen reflect more than 50 years of dedication as an artist and conservationist. His work has earned many top honors, including Conservation Photographer of the Year, placement in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, and recognition as one of the most influential and important photographers of his time.
The exhibition is free for members and included with admission. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday for winter hours.

Aquarium & Pets: Pet Visits!
2026-04-27, 2026-05-01 | Aquarium & Pets, 345 S Main St, Red Bluff, 96080, United States
If you are looking for a free way to spend those extra days over the school holiday breaks, head on down to Aquarium & Pets where you and your children can visit and learn about an array of pets, from reptiles and fish to the furrier kind! No purchase necessary to visit!
Regular business hours: 7 days/week, 9am-6pm

Mindful Mondays: Monthly Evenings of Nature for Families
2026-04-27 17:30 - 19:30 | Regenerative Arts Development & Learning Center, 954 N. Old Stage Rd., Mount Shasta, CA, 96067, United States
Join Regenerative Arts Learning Center & Day Camp (RadCamp), First 5 Siskiyou and Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center (MSBEC) for a series of Mindful Mondays for families of all ages. Join us for an evening of nourishment for body, mind, and spirit. Music, Yoga, and a mindful meal for the whole family – toddlers, teens, parents, and grandparents alike! This all-ages monthly series features family-friendly nature inspired yoga, nervous system regulation through somatic movement, storytime, play, reflection, nature connection, and other mindfulness practices that you can take home with you. Gather and practice with us in movement, music, and mindfulness! Registration is helpful, but not required. Register here: mountshastaecology.charityproud.org/EventRegistration/Index/26708

Sacramento River Discovery Center Field Trips
2026-04-28 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-04-29 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-04-30 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-05-01 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-05-02 09:00 - 13:00 | Sacramento River Discovery Center, 1000 Sale Lane, Red Bluff, 96080, United States
Looking for an unforgettable outdoor experience that’s both fun and educational? Look no further than The Sacramento River Discovery Center Inc in the Red Bluff Recreation area! The entire family will love learning about nature and finding out facts about plants and animals and ways to help take care of the environment.
Our center is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that offers a unique opportunity to learn about sustainable gardening in our native drought-tolerant garden and water conservation, while enjoying the great outdoors. Whether you’re looking to camp, play disc golf, or picnic with family and friends, we have something for everyone. Don’t miss out on the chance to explore the stunning local beauty of nature at the Sacramento River Discovery Center Inc. and learn how to conserve our precious resources.
Call today to book your field trip! 530-527-1196 Mon-Fri 9am-1pm.
Bird Walk – 1st Saturday of the month at 9am. Meet Mr. Ben Hughes & Dr. Danke in the parking lot by the visitor’s center.

RAD Spring Day Camp 2026
2026-04-28 09:30 - 14:30, 2026-04-29 09:30 - 14:30, 2026-04-30 09:30 - 14:30, 2026-05-01 09:30 - 14:30 | Regenerative Arts Development & Learning Center, 954 N. Old Stage Rd., Mount Shasta, CA, 96067, United States
As Spring arrives the kids get to help build this year’s garden, learning every step of the way from seed-planting to harvesting. As sprouts start to pop up and we start shedding our warm layers, kids get to learn about nature waking up from it’s slumber and planting the seeds for our year and our gardens. The Regenerative Arts Development (RAD) and Learning Center Spring Camp offers lots of fun themed crafts and educational support to local students, collaborate with other local organizations, and bring laughter and bright smiles to the rainy spring months.
Recycled & Natural Arts & Crafts, Kids’ Garden & Nature Studies, Solar Cooking, Music & Movement, Weekly Special Guests, Homeschool Support, Tutors, After School Classes
1-4 days a week, Tuesday – Friday

Park Explorers Survival Club (3rd-5th grade)
2026-04-29 17:30 - 19:30 | Chico Creek Nature Center, 1968 E. 8th Street, Chico, CA, 95928, United States
Adventures await in the Park Explorers Survival Club! Curious clubbers will explore the wild spaces of Bidwell Park, including hidden trails and local wildlife. They’ll gain confidence and teamwork while learning essential survival skills like navigation and shelter building.
3rd-5th Grade: 5:30–7:30 PM

Full Moon Paddle on the Forebay
2026-05-01 17:00 - 20:00 | Forebay Aquatic Center, 930 Garden Dr, Oroville, CA, 95965, United States
A unique opportunity to paddle the Forebay at night!
On this 2 hour guided paddle is fun for the whole family, allowing you to paddle for as long or as little as you’d like, a wonderful chance to experience the Forebay in a whole new light. You will see the sun dip below the horizon as the moon rises up into the sky, gaze at the stars, and maybe even see some of the resident wildlife along the shoreline!
This unique experience will leave you feeling more connected with nature! It is a great opportunity to view some of the local wildlife that calls the Forebay home, do some star gazing, or just take a relaxing paddle with friends and/or family. It would even make a fun date idea!
Worried about the dark? The moon provides a surprising amount of light and our staff will be there to help guide you safely back to shore with a well lit dock as a guide point!
You can choose to paddle out on your choice of a singe or tandem kayak or stand up paddleboard.
Visit our Event Website link below for more information, to purchase tickets, and for additional dates.

2nd Annual Kids' Free Fishing Derby
2026-05-02 09:00 - 12:00 | Greenhorn Park
Join us for the 2nd Annual Kids’ Fish Derby, a free event for kids ages 3–15 with age group divisions (3–7, 8–11, 12–15). Limited loaner fishing poles available, first come first served.
Free lunch provided 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM (for registered participants): hot dogs, chips, soda, water and ice cream.
Awards and raffle prizes from 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM including fishing gear, bikes and a guided fishing trip for largest fish in the 12–15 age group.
First 200 registered participants receive a goodie bag with snacks, bait and tackle.
Parent/guardian must sign liability waiver and supervise children at all times.
Time:
Registration: 7:15 AM – 8:45 AMFishing: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (bank fishing only)
Location: Lower Greenhorn Park (next to bathrooms), Yreka, CA
More info: Frank Borg (530) 905-0160 or Yreka Elks Lodge (530) 842-1980

Charlie Rabbit and Friends
2026-05-02 10:00 - 11:00 | Turtle Bay Garden Nursery, 1100 Arboretum Drive, Redding, CA, 96003, United States
Dr. Farnaz Chegini with Chegini Family Dentistry presents Charlie Rabbit & Friends

Get out your wiggles and have a ton of fun at Turtle Bay’s Gardens (or Nursery Building if it rains!) Charlie Rabbit features gardening and nature activities for young children, their siblings, parents and grandparents. Remember to wear your favorite gardening clothes!

Free for Members | Included with park or garden admission
Monthly on the First Saturday.
Meets in the classroom of the Turtle Bay Garden Nursery located at 1100 Arboretum Drive.

Sparking Action!
2026-05-02 10:00 - 18:00 | ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum, 1500 E Main St., Ashland, OR, 97520, United States
Sparking Action! invites all ages to explore the science of fire, wildfire prevention, and how Rogue Valley communities are working together for a healthier, more resilient future.
Presented by the Southern Oregon Forest Restoration Collaborative (SOFRC) and partners, this free event features live fire science demonstrations in the ScienceWorks Dome and hands-on preparedness activities. Learn how slope, fuel density, moisture, and wind impact flame height and severity.
