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Earth Day Events for Seattle-Area Families in 2026

Celebrate our planet with story walks, volunteer events and more

Headshot of author Julie Dodobara, she is pictured from the torso up, standing on a boat with a waterfuall in the distance
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Girl helping plant during Earth Day event
Photo:
iStock

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. 

A cub scout and leader help beautify a park during an Earth Day event.
Help beautify your community at a volunteer event. Photo: City of Auburn

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.

Kids make octopus crafts for Earth Day.
Make crafts that celebrate nature. Photo: Friends of Saltwater State Park

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.

The Mariners Moose attends an Earth Day event at the Kirkland Urban and poses for photo ops.
Join the Mariner Moose at a baseball-themed Earth Day celebration. Photo: Kirkland Urban

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! 

Families sort through clothing at swap that is part of a sustainability fair.
Participate in sustainable activities such as a clothing swap. Photo: City of Issaquah 

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.

Kids draw colorful salmon chalk art in front of salmon fry tanks at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery for Earth Day.
Celebrate salmon and our planet with fun and educational activities for all ages. Photo: Friends of Issaquah Salmon Hatchery

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. 

Lady bugs will be let loose at Garfield Community Center Garden for Earth Day
Learn about pollinators at the Lady Bug Festival this Earth Day. Photo: iStock

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.

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