Are you ready to go a little green? Earth Day is coming up fast! There are many ways for families to celebrate the holiday on April 22 such as recycled crafts and unexpected ways to recycle as a family.
Here are some local Earth Day events to help make the planet a better place. Looking for more spring activities in Chicagoland? Check out our spring fun family guide!
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
Rotary Earth Day Cleanup at Grant Park
April 16-24, 2022
- Address: 337 E. Randolph St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
For the week of April 16-24, participants can head to Rotary Park to get trash bags and gloves to clean up in honor of Earth Day.
Earth Day Celebration at Gately (James) Park
April 22, 2022
- Address: 10201 S. Cottage Grove, Chicago
- Cost: Free
Get out and do the Earth good with a cleanup followed by a campfire at Monee Reservoir. Participants can earn up to 1.5 volunteer service hours for the cleanup. For ages 10 and older. No registration required.
Earth Day Cleanup at Schiller Woods-East
April 22, 2022
- Address: Irving Park Road, Chicago
- Cost: Free
Celebrate Earth Day by doing your part in helping clean up litter at Schiller Woods-East. There will be supplies for individuals or families to check-out during the afternoon.
Earth Day at Beaubien Woods
April 23, 2022
- Address: Doty Ave. S., southeast of E. 130th St. & S. Ellis Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Celebrate Earth Day by doing your part in helping clean up litter at Beaubien Woods. There will be supplies for individuals or families to check-out during the afternoon.
Earth Day Celebration
April 23, 2022
- Address: Humboldt (Alexander Von) Park, 1440 N. Humboldt Boulevard, Chicago
- Cost: Free
Bring the whole family out for a day of cleaning around the park and play areas. In addition to a cleanup in and around the park, CPAC will sponsor food and drinks for all participants. There will be some resource tables and snacks too.
Earth Day Clean-up at Caldwell Woods
April 23, 2022
- Address: Devon Ave. & N. Nagle Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Celebrate Earth Day by doing your part in helping clean up litter at Caldwell Woods. There will be supplies for individuals or families to check-out during the afternoon.
Earth Day at Commercial Club
April 23, 2022
- Address: 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 food and drinks.
Earth Day Market
April 23, 2022
- Address: McKinley (William) Park, 2210 W. Pershing Road, Chicago
- Cost: Free
Families can enjoy this Earth Day event that has vendors, music, arts and crafts, food and more. For ages 2 and up.
Earth Day Storytime with Author Alyssa Nicole – Protector of the Ocean
April 23, 2022
- Address: 916 W. Fulton Market, Chicago
- Cost: Free
Join Time Out Market Chicago for a special storytime to honor Earth Day. Author Alyssa Nicole will be reading her book Protector of the Ocean.
North/Northwest Suburbs
Earth Day Celebration with the BackYard Nature Center
April 20, 2022
- Address: Erickson Woods, Willow Road, east of I-94/Edens Expy, Winnetka
- Cost: Free
Celebrate Earth Day with a morning of service, learning and exploration. Activities include nature play, nature hikes and restoration. Registration not required.
Earth Day: Restore Our Earth
April 22, 2022
- Address: Century Park, 1400 Indianwood Dr., Vernon Hills
- Cost: Free
Come out to Century Park to celebrate Earth Day with an afternoon of education and activities. Enjoy a walk through the Century Park Arboretum.
Earth Day Nature Play at Crabtree Nature Center
April 23, 2022
- Address: 3 Stover Road, Barrington Hills
- Cost: Free
Families can enjoy playing in the nature center’s three-acre nature play center. There will be Earth Day activities to go along with the holiday.
South Suburbs
Earth Day Appreciation Walk at Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
April 22, 2022
- Address: 9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs
- Cost: Free
Celebrate Earth Day by connecting with nature on a one-mile guided walk on the White Oak Trail. Registration required.
Earth Day Cleanup and Campfire at Monee Reservoir
April 22, 2022
- Address: 27341 S. Ridgeland Ave., Monee
- Cost: Free
Get out and do the Earth good with a cleanup followed by a campfire at Monee Reservoir. Participants can earn up to 1.5 volunteer service hours for the cleanup. For ages 10 and older. No registration required.
Earth Day: Restoration Weekend – Garlic Mustard Pull
April 22-24, 2022
- Address: Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, 12545 W. 111th St., Lemont
- Cost: Free
Celebrate Earth Day at Sagawau Environmental Learning Center by welcoming back native plants and wildlife by pulling invasive garlic mustard.
Earth Day at Sauk Trail Woods-Central
April 22, 2022
- Address: Forest Preserve Drive, south of W. 26th St., South Chicago Heights
- Cost: Free
Celebrate Earth Day at Sauk Trail Woods Central by helping clean up the litter at your local Forest Preserve.
Earth Day Cleanup at Miller Meadow-South
April 22, 2022
- Address: 1st Ave., south of Roosevelt Road, Forest Park
- Cost: Free
Celebrate Earth Day by doing your part in helping clean up litter at Miller Meadow-South. There will be supplies for individuals or families to check-out during the afternoon.
Earth Day Seed Kits – Grab & Go at Homewood Public Library
April 22, 2022
- Address: 17917 Dixie Hwy., Homewood
- Cost: Free
Stop by the Homewood Public Library and pick up your Earth Day Seed Kit. Each kit contains all supplies needed to plant marigolds and info on how to care for them. Available while supplies last. For grades K-6.
Celebrating Earth Day at Founders Community Center
April 23, 2022
- Address: 140 Oak St., Frankfort
- Cost: Free
There will be kid friendly games, crafts, hot dogs, chips, learning activities for children, give-a-ways and more at this Earth Day event! Each family will receive a tree sapling to plant and help make a difference this Earth Day.
Earth Day at Green Lake Woods
April 23, 2022
- Address: Torrence Ave., north of 159th St./River Oaks Dr., Calumet City
- Cost: Free
Celebrate Earth Day with the opening of Green Lake Woods’ new pollinator garden, a self-guided litter cleanup, themed games and more.
Earth Day at Thorn Creek: Wild Water
April 23, 2022
- Address: Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve, 247 Monee Road, Park Forest
- Cost: Free
Families will explore the creek, marshes and the low-lying ponds. There will be a guided hike, crafts, games, exhibits, refreshments and an Earth Day Raffle. Registration is required.
Hidden Oaks Sneak Peak for Earth Day
April 23, 2022
- Address: Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 419 Trout Farm Road, Bolingbrook
- Cost: Free
Get a sneak peek of the forest preserve’s newest nature center, Hidden Oaks Nature Center. At this Earth Day event, there will be a campus tour, which includes the trails outside the building. Meet with staff, ask questions, view the live animals and see current exhibits. There will also be a scavenger hunt and a bonfire. No registration required.
Earth Day Summit at The Forge Lemont Quarries
April 23, 2022
- Address: 1001 Main St., Lemont
- Cost: Free
This Earth Day family-friendly events will feature a wide range of programming and activities, including live animal displays, workshops, trail clearing, nature clean-up and more.
Western Suburbs
Earth Day Play Date at Lincoln Marsh- Prairie Patch Play Area
April 21, 2022
- Address: 1000 W. Lincoln Ave., Wheaton
- Cost: Free
Children can celebrate Earth Day by enjoying open play at the Prairie Patch Play Area. There will be a picnic lunch afterwards. Dress for the weather.
Earth Day Cleanup at Jerome Huppert Woods
April 22, 2022
- Address: Thatcher Ave., south of W., W. Fullerton Ave., River Grove
- Cost: Free
Celebrate Earth Day by doing your part in helping clean up litter at Jerome Huppert Woods. There will be supplies for individuals or families to check-out during the afternoon.
Earth Day River Cleanup at Trailside Museum of Natural History
April 22, 2022
- Address: 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest
- Cost: Free
Join the museum to help clean up litter in Thatcher Woods in honor of Earth Day. Bags and gloves will be provided when you check in at Trailside Museum’s lobby.
Earth Day: After School Earth Day Activities Drop-In at Trailside Museum of Natural History
April 22, 2022
- Address: 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest
- Cost: Free
Help Trailside Museum of Natural History celebrate Earth Day by making a bird feeder, planting a tree and creating “recycled” art.
Earth Day: A Party for the Planet at the Brookfield Zoo
April 23, 2022
- Address: 8400 W. 31st St., Brookfield
- Cost: Free for donation drop-off; tickets or membership is required if you plan on visiting the zoo
Recycle unwanted items the Earth-friendly way at the Brookfield Zoo! The zoo will be collecting electronics, textiles and used books. Check lists on website for what you can and cannot donate.
Earth Care Day at Unity of Oak Park
April 23, 2022
- Address: 405 North Euclid Ave., Oak Park
- Cost: Free
Learn sustainable practices to help themselves and the planet by re-educating/reducing, recycling, reviving, and re-using at this Earth Day event. Enjoy a rummage sale, learn how to reduce single use plastic and about recycling paper, clean up litter and paint rocks and plant seeds in the children’s garden.
Earth Day Fair at the Fort Hill Activity Center
April 24, 2022
- Address: 20 Fort Hill Drive, Naperville
- Cost: Free
This family-friendly event features children’s activities, games, exhibits, giveaways and more. Accepting bike donations.
Earth Day Run at the Brookfield Zoo
April 24, 2022
- Address: 8400 W. 31st St., Brookfield
- Cost: $30
Get outside and celebrate Earth Day with a 2.2 mile “fun run” through the twist and turns of Brookfield Zoo during their pre-park hours. Each registered runner will receive an Earth Day Run commemorative medal and seeds to plant in their own garden.
Follow Chicago Parent on Instagram.
