Earth Day is this Sunday, April 22, and it’s the perfect opportunity to teach our kids (and remind ourselves) about the many ways we can protect and preserve this beautiful planet we call home.
Take the day to learn something new about the flora and fauna that share our backyard. Or gather with friends to spruce up a neighborhood park. Whatever your interests, there’s a celebration on this list that’ll be fun for all of Mother Earth’s children.
Friday, April 19
Story Time with Casey Ailes and the Super Heroes
10:30 to 11 a.m.
Queen Anne Book Company, Seattle
This special Earth Day story time features eco stories, earth-friendly crafts, and discussions about ways we can improve the health of our planet. FREE.
Saturday, April 20
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle
Join the Student Conservation Association in restoring landscapes in Washington Park Arboretum. You’ll remove invasive species, weed and mulch. Wear long pants, closed-toed shoes and bring a water bottle. Afterward, celebrate your family’s hard work with music, food trucks ($) and prizes. Preregister. FREE.
Earth Day Celebration at Shilshole
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Shilshole Bay Marina, Ballard
Meet friends and neighbors at the marina to learn about ways to protect marine life, live sustainably, prevent pollution and use alternative energies. FREE.
10 a.m.
Magnuson Park, Northeast Seattle
Feel good about your health and the planet’s health at this family-friendly fun run. Each finisher will receive a native sapling tree and an additional tree will be planted in their name. Event organizers will also be recycling old running shoes, so bring your worn-out kicks to donate. The 400-meter kids’ dash beings at 9:45 a.m., followed by 5, 10 and 15K races at 10 a.m. Preregister or register day-of for an additional fee.
Earth Day Family Education Event: The Magic of Rainfall
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Volunteer Park Conservatory, Seattle (Capitol Hill)
Gather on the lawns surrounding Volunteer Park Conservatory for a day of family fun. You’ll explore the importance of stormwater by watching demonstrations and learning from local environmental organizations. Make stormwater-related crafts and play lawn games, trivia and win prizes. FREE.
Duwamish Alive! Orca Earth Day
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Various locations in West Seattle
Did you know the Green-Duwamish Watershed is home to five species of salmon? They spawn in its streams and creeks and are the primary food source for the Southern Resident Orca. Help improve the salmon’s natural habitats at various cleanup sites along the Duwamish. You’ll not only be saving whales, but improving the air and water quality in our watershed, too. Check the website for cleanup site locations. Preregister. FREE.
10:30 to 11:15 a.m.
Miller Library, Center for Urban Horticulture, Seattle (UW)
There is something magical about a tree. Enjoy three stories celebrating trees, followed by playtime with wooden blocks. Geared toward ages 3 to 8 and their families. FREE.
11 a.m. to noon
Des Moines Library, Des Moines
Children ages 5 to 12 and their caregivers can come celebrate Earth Day with crafts and garden activities. FREE.
Arbor Day-Earth Day Family Festival
11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Lewis Creek Visitors Center, Bellevue
Bellevue’s Arbor Day-Earth Day celebration marks the city’s 28th year of being recognized as a Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation. Plant a tree with your family, journey through the various eco-stations, and enter a prize drawing. At 11:30 a.m., Bellevue park rangers and elected officials will plant a ceremonial tree and recognize environmental volunteers. FREE.
Noon to 4 p.m.
Tacoma Nature Center
Explore your creative side as you learn about the Earth and things we can do to keep it healthy. Children ages 4 and older can play conservation games, create earth-friendly crafts, build a wooden planter box, and take a naturalist-led hike through the park. FREE.
Ladybug Release and Spring Blooms
1 to 3 p.m. today and Sunday
Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle (Lower Queen Anne)
Ladybugs play a crucial role in the health of gardens. Celebrate these friendly little bugs by releasing them among the 5,000 daffodils and 20,000 total spring blooms in the Chihuly Garden. Receive your own cup of ladybugs and release them anywhere.
Sunday, April 21
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Seattle Children’s Museum, Seattle (Lower Queen Anne)
Explore what it means to use clean energy, read about the planet with a local artist and author, meet recycling superheroes and discover how everyone – especially children – can make a difference in the health and future of our beautiful planet.
11 a.m.
Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI)
Explore town by burning your own energy on this fun, easy-going bike ride that’s perfect for kids of all ages. You’ll ride to Discovery Park via the Ship Canal Trail and protected bike lanes. The last 4 blocks are unprotected door zone lanes. This ride is suitable for children riding on their own bikes (parental discretion is necessary). When you arrive at the park, have some lunch (pack your own) and hang at the playground. Meet at MOHAI. The ride starts promptly at 11 a.m. FREE.
Monday, April 22
Free State and National Parks Day
Visit Washington’s beautiful state and national parks for free today. You could explore the epic beauty of the Columbia Gorge, the seaside of Aberdeen, or the majestic Olympics. So many parks to choose from.
Kids on 45th Earth Day Clothing Drive
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Kids on 45th, Seattle (Wallingford)
How long has that bag of out-grown kid clothes been sitting in your closet? Sign up to bring clothing to this Earth Day clothing drive. You'll have the option to drop off your pre-loved clothes all week and donate money directly to your favorite school or charity in the process. You can also browse the consignment shop for new-to-you goods while enjoying snacks, a prize wheel, face painting, upcycle crafts and more.
Looking for more fun ways to celebrate Earth Day in Seattle? Green Seattle Partnership has a roundup of restoration events at parks all across the city. Register for a work party, put on your boots and gloves, and dig in with the fam!
