Seattle's Child

Your guide to a kid-friendly city

Celebrate nature and parks, or help clean and restore a favorite natural spot. This is the Pollinator Garden at Alling Park in Tacoma. (Tacoma Parks photo by Russ Carmack)

Connect to the planet with Earth Day events

Celebrate the planet with community events

Earth Day 2023 is Saturday, April 22, and there are lots of ways your family can observe it through community events and activities. Several of these events don’t happen on Earth Day itself, so sign up and celebrate all month long!

Go get dirty!

The conservation group Forterra has a cleanup and planting event planned.

WHEN: April 8

WHERE: Richmond Beach Saltwater Park

WEBSITE: Sign up today!

 

Environmental Stewardship starts at home

A week of activities from the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks. Explore volunteer events, show your love for the outdoors, reduce your waste, take public transportation, walk, run, roll, or bike on our regional trails, and more.

WHEN: April 17-22

WHERE: See website for details

WEBSITE: Check out the King County website for ideas and volunteer opportunities to help celebrate Earth Day.

Sammamish Earth Day

Fun activities, craft stations, a petting zoo and more.

WHEN: April 22, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

WHERE: Beaver Lake Park and Lodge

WEBSITE: Go here to see what attractions and activities will be available.

 

Earth Day in Tacoma Parks

Point Defiance planting party: Join volunteers for the first-ever planting party in the herb garden.

WHEN:  April 15, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

WHERE: Point Defiance Park

WEBSITE: Be sure to register here before attendance.

Parks Appreciation Day: Participants are needed in parks throughout Tacoma to spruce up local parks by trimming limbs, grooming grounds and maintaining restoration areas.

WHEN: April 22, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

WHERE: Various parks around Tacoma

WEBSITE: Sign-up via the website.

 

The WA Scuba Alliance: Scuba divers will be in the Sound collecting trash. They need volunteers to help with trash pick-up on the shore, in the water and with debris sorting.

WHEN: April 29

WHERE: Point Defiance Marina

WEBSITE: Sign up today!

 

Leap for green Earth Day Fair Mercer Island

Learn about environmental sustainability and participate in a variety of activities good for kids of all ages.

WHEN: April 22, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

WHERE: Mercer Island Community and Event Center

WEBSITE: For more information visit the Mercer Island Parks and Recs page.

 

21 Acres Earth Day Farm Walk

Ever wondered about the workings of a farm? Join this free walk at 21 Acres and learn about the importance of farmers and their land.

WHEN: April 22, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

WHERE: 21 Acres

WEBSITE: Register for this free event today!

 

Earth Day with the City of Edmonds

Celebrate Earth Day by volunteering to help keep the parks clean and beautiful.

WHEN: April 22, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

WHERE: Various parks and beaches

WEBSITE: Sign up to volunteer

 

Revitalize the Arboretum

Spend the morning removing invasive species, weeding, and mulching at Washington Park Arboretum.

Pre-registration is required: No walk-ups. Volunteers must be 15 or older.

WHEN: Saturday, April 22, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: Washington Park Arboretum, 2300 Arboretum Drive East, Seattle, WA 98112. Arrive at the Graham Visitors Center Parking Lot.

WEBSITE: Arboretum Foundation Earth Day

 

Free park day at Saltwater State Park

Join families at the park and have fun doing Earth Day activities. Forests hikes, beach walks with naturalists, displays on marine life and native plants, and more! There will also be morning scuba diving. Be sure to RSVP for this event.

WHEN: Saturday, April 22, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

WHERE: Saltwater State Park, Des Moines

WEBSITE: Friends of Saltwater State Park

Divers lay out trash pulled from water at Point Defiance Marina.

 

Volunteer at the beach

Clean up our beaches all along the Pacific Coast with Washington Coast Savers.

WHEN: April 22

WHERE: Various beaches along the Washington Coast and Northern Olympic Peninsula

WEBSITE: Register on their website, choose a location to clean up and head that way on Earth Day to begin. Great activity for teens and families.

 

Earth Day Run at Magnuson Park

Embrace your inner tree-hugger and go down to Magnuson Park! Each finisher will have a tree planted in their name plus the option to take a native tree home.

WHEN: April 22, Kids dash: 9:45 a.m.

WHERE: Magnuson Park

WEBSITE: Register here

 

Earth Day South Sound

Earth Day South Sound is focusing on restoration: removing invasive plants with several work parties, planting new trees, meditative walks, and seminars that help connect you to nature. It has events and activities planned all week long.

 

Activities

 

Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR): Art contest

Kids in grades K-12 can submit a piece of art, in any medium, that represents the theme “environmental justice in action”. Prizes will be awarded by age group and winners will have their art displayed on the DNR website.

WHEN: Entries must be turned in by 9 p.m. on April 18

WEBSITE: Check the website for more details and other environmental activities for all ages.

 

PCC Earth Day Coloring Contest

Coloring pages may be picked up from your local market or downloaded from their website. Color then turn them into your local market. Employees and customers will vote and the winner will be given a special prize. Voting will take place by age group.

WHEN: Contest runs all month long.

WHERE: Your local PCC Community Market

WEBSITE: Download your coloring pages here.

 

Read more:

State parks are free on Earth Day!

More ways to protect the earth by starting with these simple habits at home

Earth Day art projects