Are you ready to go a little green? Earth Day is a little different this year, but there are other ways for families to celebrate the holiday on April 22 such as recycled crafts and ways for older kids to go green. Here are some local Earth Day events to help make the planet a better place.
Read more:Â Things to Do with Kids This Spring in Chicagoland
Note: We’re updating our website as quickly as we can, but changes may occur due to COVID-19. Please double check before heading out for the most updated information on safety precautions and any last-minute cancellations. Stay safe!
City
CKPC Earth Day at Beverly
April 17, 2021
- Address:Â Beverly Park, 2460 W. 102nd St., Chicago
- Cost:Â Free, registration required
Celebrate Earth Day at Beverly Park. This event is for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Chicago Kids and Parents Club members, including hearing siblings and hearing youth of deaf parents. Spend the afternoon learning about seeds, plants and identifying trees. Families will leave with a fun take-home project.
Welcome Back-Earth Day at Commercial Club
April 17, 2021
- Address:Â Commercial Club Playground of Chicago, 1845 W. Rice St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Families with kids ages 6 and older can help clean up the park and adjacent 3 playlots. After cleaning there will be games, arts & crafts, music and catered food for all who volunteered in accordance with CDC guidelines on social distancing and recommended number of participants. Activities take place outdoors at Commercial, Snowberry, Superior and Honore Parks.
Earth Day Celebration & Hikes
April 22, 2021
- Address: LaBagh Woods Picnic Grove #1,N. Cicero Ave., North of W. Foster Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free, registration for hikes
Commemorate Earth Day with the Cook County Forest Preserves with staff-led hikes on non-paved trails. Participants can also support the county-wide litter cleanup as well as create a project using recycled materials.
North/Northwest Suburbs
Earth Day: Nature’s Heroes (Virtual)
April 22, 2021
- Hosted by:Â Crabtree Nature Center
- Cost: Free
Join Crabtree Nature Center to learn a little about some the female pioneers in the environmental movement. The Earth Day event will be held on Crabtree’s Facebook page.
Earth Day: Nature Triva Night! (Virtual)
April 22, 2021
- Hosted by:Â Crabtree Nature Center
- Cost: Free, call to register
Teens ages 16 and older are invited to join the Nature Trivia Challenge. Registration is required for the event hosted by Crabtree Nature Center.
Earth Day Celebration with the BackYard Nature Center
April 24, 2021
- Address:Â Tower Road Boat Launch, Tower Road, West of Forestway Drive, Northfield
- Cost:Â Free, register for one of two sessions
Celebrate Earth Day with a morning of service, learning and exploration. Activities include nature play, fishing clinic, guided hike, litter cleanup, monitoring and stewardship exhibits, and a demonstration of how to repurpose buckthorn.
Earth Day Expo + Island Princess Meet n’ Greet
April 24, 2021
- Address: 122 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills
- Cost:Â Free, registration required
Start with a meet-and-greet with everyone’s favorite Polynesian island princess. Then children will receive an earth-friendly jute tote bag, a healthy GoGo squeeZ snack, and a take-home ocean-themed craft (while supplies last).
Education and Action Day in Celebration of Earth Day
April 24, 2021
- Address: Adler Arts Center, 1700 North Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville
- Cost: Free, registration required
Education and Action Day will include learning about birds, helping to clean litter and education about helping the environment. The outdoor event also requires masks and social distancing. Gloves and a water bottle are recommended.
Earth Day at Emily Oaks
April 25, 2021
- Address: Emily Oaks Nature Center, 4650 Brummel St., Skokie
- Cost:Â Free; timed entry, call to make reservations
Join the Block Party and meet the plant and animal neighbors of Emily Oaks. Families will discover fascinating facts about the critters that live on the Nature Center block and might even be introduced to some of the neighbors in person.
Celebrating Earth Day at Crabtree Nature Center
April 25, 2021
- Address:Â Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington Hills
- Cost:Â Free
Create a cute native animal out of recycled materials, learn how to go greener in cleaning, pick up supplies to clean-up a preserve or neighborhood park and/or start a native plant to take home for the family garden. All participants are required to wear masks and practice physical distancing.
South Suburbs
Earth Day Celebration Drop-In
April 22, 2021
- Address:Â Maple Lake Boating Center, Wolf Road, South of 95th St, Willow Springs
- Cost:Â Free
Stop by Maple Lake Boating Center to participate in litter cleanup, self-guided activities and grab a take-home DIY kit to celebrate Earth Day. All participants are required to wear masks and practice physical distancing.
Earth Day at Sand Ridge Nature Center
April 24, 2021
- Address: Sand Ridge Nature Center, 15891 Paxton Ave., South Holland
- Cost: Free
Celebrate Earth Day with a self-guided litter cleanup along the Burnham Greenway, take home a craft project, enjoy nature play and Earth Day-themed games. All participants are required to wear masks and practice physical distancing.
Earth Day at Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center
April 24, 2021
- Address:Â Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center, 20000 Western Ave., Olympia Fields
- Cost: Free, timed registration required; fees for additional events
Celebrate Earth Day at Irons Oaks for fun and interactive nature and environmental activities, naturalist-led hikes and opportunities to give back. Bring a picnic and make a day of it.
Western Suburbs
Party for the Planet
April 24, 2021
- Address:Â Brookfield Zoo – North Lot, 8400 31st St., Brookfield
- Cost: Free
Families that have been storing items in basements and garages waiting for the perfect time and most Earth-friendly way to dispose of them, they can be recycled at Brookfield Zoo. The zoo will be collecting electronics, textiles, and used books (list of acceptable and unacceptable items listed on the zoo’s website).
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