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Earth Day is a globally recognized day reminding everyone to pause and appreciate this big beautiful rock we live on and to advocate for its preservation. Whether you curl up with a family-friendly Earth Day movie, or you want to take part in a Seattle-area Earth Day celebration, there are so many ways families can honor the planet we all call home. After all, we only have one!
Earth Day StoryWalk at Lake Wilderness Arboretum, Maple Valley
Date: Through April 30
Cost: Free
Take time to acknowledge our beautiful planet and appreciate the nature around us as you read along to this month’s StoryWalk book selection, “When You Go Into Nature” — all while you marvel at the beauty of nature at Lake Wilderness Arboretum.
Earth Day Scavenger Hunt, Tacoma
Date: Through April 30
Cost: Free
For the entire month of April, take part in an ongoing Earth Day-themed scavenger hunt at all Tacoma Public Library branches. Search for hidden images throughout the libraries, learn interesting facts and earn a prize!
Keep Issaquah Beautiful Day, Issaquah
Date and time: Saturday, April 18, 9 a.m.–noon
Cost: Free
Volunteers of all ages are welcome to lend a hand and help keep Issaquah looking its best at this citywide beautification event and make a difference in the community.
Tacoma Parks Appreciation Day, Tacoma
Date and time: Saturday, April 18, 9 a.m.–noon
Cost: Free
Show appreciation for our beautiful Earth by putting in some work at Point Defiance Marina or Wapato Hills Park in Tacoma. Sign up in advance for a spot to spruce up your local green spaces.
Auburn Earth Day Clean Sweep, Auburn
Date and time: Saturday, April 18, 9 a.m.–noon
Cost: Free
Sign up for a spot at Auburn’s cleanup event to help keep its parks shipshape! Start the morning off with a free welcome breakfast (7:30–8:30 a.m.) at the Auburn Community & Events Center. Projects kick off at 9 a.m. Preregister online by April 15.
Earth Day in the Park, Lynnwood
Date and time: Saturday, April 18, 9:30 a.m.–noon
Cost: Free
Head to Scriber Lake Park for a chance to beautify the park, make sustainable crafts and learn all about how to become a Park Steward. Please RSVP.
Earth Day Run, Kids’ Dash and Tree Giveaway, Seattle
Date and time: Saturday, April 18, 9:45 a.m.–2:15 p.m.
Cost: $32–$56; $6 kids’ dash
Run (or walk) at the Earth Day Run held at Magnuson Park and help the environment! Each finisher will receive a native sapling tree, which can be potted on site or taken home to plant. Preregister online.
PlayGarden Earth Day Celebration, Seattle
Date and time: Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Cost: Free
Head to the PlayGarden for Earth Day festivities including visiting with animals, refilling the worm bin, sprucing up the garden, relay races and more.
Duwamish Alive Earth Day Volunteer Events, various locations
Date and time: Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Cost: Free
All ages are welcome to help improve areas of the Green-Duwamish Watershed, which supports five salmon species and other wildlife, at various volunteer parties. Tools and snacks will be provided. Preregister for individual sites.
Friends’ Earth Day Celebration, Des Moines
Date and time: Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Explore the beach and check out live marine animals, make crafts and join guided nature hikes at Saltwater State Park during the free family-friendly Earth Day event. RSVP online.
Black Earth Day, Seattle
Date and time: Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join this Earth Day celebration that focuses on caring about our communities as well as the planet. Activities will include plant giveaways, interactive workshops, art and music. Turn up at Genesee Park for this uniquely Black environmental justice experience.
Earth Day Fair at Lake Wilderness Arboretum, Maple Valley
Date and time: Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Bring your family to the lovely Lake Wilderness Arboretum for Earth Day activities for everyone. Drop off your hazardous waste for free while the kids go on a themed StoryWalk read-along, enjoy live music and more.
Earth Day Celebration at Cougar Mountain Zoo, Issaquah
Date and time: Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cost: $15–$18; children younger than 3 are free
Visit your favorite critters at Cougar Mountain Zoo and check out the fun Earth Day activities going on at this annual event. Tickets can be purchased in advance online.
Home Run for the Planet, Kirkland
Date and time: Saturday, April 18, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Cost: Free
Step up to the plate and celebrate our home planet at this baseball-themed Earth Day event at the Kirkland Urban that combines sustainability, fun activities and Seattle sports. Meet the Mariner Moose, pick up a tree to plant at home, play themed games and more.
Earth Day Celebration, Puyallup
Date and time: Saturday, April 18, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Explore the great outdoors, participate in nature activities and play fun games at Meridian Habitat Park during a family-friendly day filled with fun and learning.
Earth and Arbor Day Festival, Duvall
Date and time: Saturday, April 18, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Earth and Arbor Days unite at Depot Park during a festival celebrating our environment with information and activities around sustainability. Take part in a scavenger hunt, build a terrarium, and take home trees, shrubs and saplings.
EarthFest at Bellevue Botanical Garden, Bellevue
Date and time: Saturday, April 18, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Bellevue Botanical Garden makes a beautiful backdrop for the annual EarthFest, boasting all-ages sustainable fun. The whole family will enjoy garden tours, interactive activity booths, live music and more.
Earth Day Celebration and Open House at Camp Killoqua, Stanwood
Date and time: Saturday, April 18, noon–4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Bring the whole family for a day of classic camp fun. Camp Killoqua is opening up its campus to the community to experience all of their offerings at a special Earth Day Celebration including boating on Crabapple Lake, climbing the bouldering wall, exploring the trails and more.
Washington State Parks Free Day
Date and time: Wednesday, April 22, all day
Cost: Free
Enjoy the beauty and bounty of our natural spaces at one or more of Washington’s 140 state parks. A Discover Pass is not required to park a vehicle at any state park on Earth Day, April 22.
Earth Day: Celebrate Our Planet Through Play, Everett
Date and time: Wednesday, April 22, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cost: Included with admission, $22; ages 24 months and younger are free
Spend the day playing interactive recycling games, creating art from recycled materials and exploring a “clean the water” sensory bin at Imagine Children’s Museum on Earth Day. It’s a great way to have fun and inspire kids to care for our planet!
Earth Day at SLU, Seattle
Date and time: Wednesday, April 22, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Cost: Free
Learn about sustainable style at South Lake Union’s Nitro Plaza and explore eco-friendly secondhand fashions. Then, paint your own custom reusable tote bag.
Earth Day Crafternoon: Recycle and Create, Lake Forest Park
Date and time: Wednesday, April 22, 3–4:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Make your own artistic creations using recycled materials at an Earth Day crafternoon session at the Lake Forest Park Library. Turn trash into treasure!
Village at Totem Lake Earth Day Celebration, Kirkland
Date and time: Wednesday, April 22, 4–6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Sign an Earth Day pledge card, visit the planting station and bird feeder building bar and check out the Recycle Sorting Station at this family-friendly Earth Day celebration.
Chalk Walk at Si View Park, North Bend
Date and time: Friday, April 24, 1–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Gather a group and muster up some creative juices to create Earth Day art with chalk along the paved trail at Si View Park. Take a photo and enter it for exciting prizes. Preregistration is required.
Issaquah Sustainability Fair
Date and time: Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Cost: Free
The City of Issaquah is holding the annual Sustainability Fair at Pickering Barn in partnership with the Farmers Market. The whole family will have fun checking out an e-bike display and test rides, clothing swap, a variety of live demos and so much more!
Burien Clean Sweep
Date and time: Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m.–noon
Cost: Free
Help beautify Burien! Sign up for a stretch of road or a section of blocks and put your litter-busting skills to work. The day starts at 9 a.m. at the Discover Burien office where each crew will select from the designated areas. Your shift ends with a free to-go lunch.
Energy Block Party, Everett
Date and time: Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Kids will have a blast checking out the “Wanda Flipplefairy” show, parachute drop and tree giveaway, and experiencing “Truckstravaganza,” where they can see utility trucks and first responders up close. The fun is all part of Snohomish Public Utilities’ Earth Day celebration.
Earth Day Celebration at the Salmon Hatchery, Issaquah
Date and time: Saturday–Sunday, April 25–26, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Fish fans can pen a letter to the baby salmon wishing them “good luck” at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery before they are released on their journey to the ocean in May. Then, go on a scavenger hunt, tour the native plant garden and feed rainbow trout.
Earth Day at 21 Acres, Woodinville
Date and time: Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Roll up your sleeves and help out with some volunteer projects at this agroecological farm (ages 13 years and older). Work alongside knowledgeable staff on a variety of seasonal restoration and farm projects, and learn how regenerative farming and strong local food systems are climate solutions. Stick around after the volunteer event for a farm tour and shop at the local Farm Market. Preregister for the work party and farm walk online.
Sammamish Earth Day Celebration
Date and time: Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Head to Beaver Lake Park for Earth Day-inspired family fun and games, including crafts, a petting zoo, live reptiles and nocturnal animals, and a special presentation from the Falconer. Don’t forget to pick up a plant or seed packet to take home.
Earth Day Fair at Saint Edward State Park, Kenmore
Date and time: Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Get interactive with exhibits and hands-on activities from over 30 organizations that focus on environmental awareness and stewardship at Saint Edward State Park for this Earth Day event.
Ladybug Festival: An Earth Day Celebration, Seattle
Date and time: Saturday, April 25, noon–2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Witness the release of ladybugs in the Garfield Community Center Garden while you learn about the importance of these and other pollinators to our environment through fun hands-on activities.
Earth Day at the Arboretum, Seattle
Date and time: Sunday, April 26, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Celebrate Earth Day by attending the Washington Park Arboretum’s annual spring plant sale. Not only can you buy trees, shrubs and plants to beautify your home, there will be live music, horticultural demos and educational environmental activities as well.
Earth Day Celebration at Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Island
Date and time: Sunday, April 26, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cost: Included with admission ($5–$22; ages 4 and younger free) or membership
Enjoy nature-focused activities for kids, food vendors and a birding walk at this fun, family-friendly Earth Day celebration. You can also take part in the City Nature Challenge and observe mosses, birds, amphibians and fungi at the Bloedel Reserve as part of a worldwide collaboration documenting nature findings.
South Sound Sustainability Expo, Tacoma
Date and time: Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Designed for the whole family, South Sound Sustainability Expo is the region’s largest community celebration of all things sustainable. Held at the University of Washington Tacoma, kids (and adults) will love the vendors, activities and displays showcasing regional organizations working to improve the environmental sustainability and resiliency of our region.
More ways to celebrate Earth Day, every day: |
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in April 2021, and was most recently updated on April 11, 2025 by ParentMap’s calendar editor, Julie Dodobara. In addition to verifying event information, she added new Earth Day events and activities for Seattle-area families to the article. Event dates, times and locations were verified by our editor.