Fun Activities and Events to Celebrate Earth Day This Year
Here are some fun activities and events for celebrating Earth Day this year both at-home and in the community.
Get After-School Activities, Family Fun, & More!
Tired of Hearing “I’m Bored”?
FREE. ONLINE Earth Day Nature Craft Plantable Recycled Seed Paper
WHEN: Sunday, April 11, 10-11am
WHERE: Staten Island Greenbelt Conservancy, Online
AGE: Best for ages 5+ with adult supervision.
WHAT: Environmental Educator Angel Ehlers will lead you in a fun and messy craft that will give new life to old paper that will be a plantable love note to the Earth, with a layer of wildflower seeds in the paper. Once planted in the soil, and given some water and sunlight, you can watch your recycled paper and seeds grow into new life! Participants will need a blender or food processor at home for the best results with this craft.
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required.
Earth Day at Ecology Park
WHEN: Sunday, April 18, 12-2pm
WHERE: Ecology Park, Bergen Avenue and Avenue T, Bergen Beach
AGE: All
WHAT: Celebrate Earth Day with the Urban Park Rangers and learn about the 15 different NYC plant communities in this scenic and educational park along Jamaica Bay.
WANT TO GO? Participants are chosen by lottery. Lottery registration begins on Wednesday, April 7.
FREE. ONLINE Kids Explore: Wangari Maathai
WHEN: Monday, April 19, 3:30-4:30pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Zoom
AGE: 1-6
WHAT: Join the library for a special reading of Seeds of Change for Earth Day. This children's program will explore the life and legacy of Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan environmental activist and the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. The program will end with writing poems together about this revolutionary woman.
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required.
Greencycle Swap
WHEN: Saturday, April 24, 12-3pm
WHERE: N. 15th St., Greenpoint
AGE: All
WHAT: Have lots of terrific stuff taking up space but no longer giving you joy? Bring them to the Greencycle Swap! Join Town Square and IS 318 PTA to recycle, reuse and reduce! Drop off your cleaned and useable CLOTHES, SHOES, BOOKS, BABY GEAR, TOYS, HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, SMALL FURNITURE (less than 70 lb), ELECTRONICS, ETC. - and browse the selection.
WANT TO GO? $10 suggested donation per family. Sunday, April 25th rain date.
Earth Day Activities in Queens
Earth Day Celebration
WHEN: Saturday, April 10, 11:15am-12:30pm
WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 224-65 76th Ave., Oakland Gardens
AGE: 4-6
WHAT: Celebrate all the wonders of our beautiful planet! Enjoy a colorful book about Earth, make a craft out of recycled materials, meet live animals, and enjoy a relaxing outdoor nature walk.
WANT TO GO? $22. Masks must be worn by all adults and children for the entire program. Advanced registration required.
Flower Patch
WHEN: Sundays, April 18-May 9, 8am-4:30pm
WHERE: Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing
AGE: All
WHAT: Unique floral and garden creature installations transform the QBG Farm into a fantastic flower spectacle creating an immersive environment and stunning backdrop for photos. Pick your own pot of flowers to take home with you, and a floral themed grab-and-go craft activity kit.
WANT TO GO? $15; $12 seniors 62 and older, students with ID and children 4-12; free for members and children 3 and younger. Purchase timed tickets in advance.
FREE. Earth Day Park Clean Up
WHEN: Thursday, April 22, 3:15-4:30pm
WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 224-65 76th Ave., Oakland Gardens
AGE: 9-12
WHAT: With all the earth gives to us, let’s give back a little TLC. Nine to twelve year olds, honor Earth Day and join Ms. Rosemarie by participating in a park clean up.
WANT TO GO? Registration required.
FREE. Earth Day Volunteer Litter Clean-Up
WHEN: Thursday, April 22, 11am-12pm
WHERE: Bayswater Park, Bay 32nd Street and Beach Channel Drive, Far Rockaway
AGE: All
WHAT: Ready to take the first step in protecting our planet? There’s no better way to contribute to a cleaner and healthier community than by volunteering. Join the Urban Park Rangers and fellow community members to clean and beautify Bayswater Park.
WANT TO GO? Please wear a mask and bring your own hand sanitizer.
ONLINE Virtual STEAM Workshop: Earth Day
WHEN: Thursday, April 22, 3:30-4:30pm
WHERE: Lewis Latimer House Museum, Online
AGE: 7 and older
WHAT: Participants will make assemblage sculptures from materials that would usually be put in the recycling bin. Using simple tools and methods, you will construct unexpected sculptural objects that reflect our culture's relationship to disposable materials. In this workshop, participants will increase their awareness of the impact everyday packaging has on the planet and be encouraged to look for creative solutions to reducing and reusing such materials.
WANT TO GO? See website for complete supply list. Pay as you wish. Advanced registration required.
Earth Day Activities on Long Island
FREE. Spring Volunteer Day
WHEN: Saturday, April 17, 12-2pm
WHERE: Children's Museum of the East End, 376 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton
AGE: All
WHAT: Get ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work prepping the Museum for warmer weather. During the museum's first-ever Volunteer Day, children (and their grownups) are encouraged to join in for an afternoon of outdoor spring cleaning.
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required.
Earth Day Recycled Craft Class
WHEN: Saturday, April 17, 3-4pm
WHERE: The Nesting Place, 2043 Wellwood Ave, Farmingdale
AGE: 2-5
WHAT: Create and take home a festive Earth Day Craft made of recycled materials!
WANT TO GO? $25. Advanced registration required.
CELEBRATE EARTH DAY! TODDLER/PRE-SCHOOL MINI PROJECT AND STORY
WHEN: Monday, April 19, 9:30-10:30am
WHERE: AR Workshop Bellmore, 2930 Merrick Road, Bellmore
AGE: 2-5
WHAT: Bring in your little ones to AR Workshop for story time with Jess and an age appropriate CANVAS BAG DIY!
WANT TO GO? $15. Pre-registration is requested, but not required.
Earth Day
WHEN: Sunday, April 25, 10am-4pm
WHERE: Garvies Point Museum, 50 Barry Drive, Glen Cove
AGE: All; Nature Walk ages 7 and older
WHAT: Celebrate Earth Day with a full day of events including a nature walk, craft, and film about Mother Nature.
WANT TO GO? $5; $3 children 5-12 yrs.
Springtime Exploration Hike!
WHEN: Saturday, April 24, 2-3pm
WHERE: Center for Science Teaching and Learning, 1450 Tanglewood Rd., Rockville Centre
AGE: All
WHAT: The world is an exciting place in Spring filled with inspiring changes! Join the Center for Science Teaching and Learning to hike around the preserve and observe the changes going on, learning why these shifts occur and what that means for the creature around us!
WANT TO GO? $10. Advanced registration required.
FREE. Earth Day Celebration
WHEN: Saturday, April 24, 10:30am-4pm
WHERE: South Fork Natural History Museum, exact location TBA
AGE: All
WHAT: Take part in a beach clean up, a nature walk, or both!
WANT TO GO? Advanced reservations are required.
Earth Day Activities in Westchester
FREE. Tidy Thursdays at Starlight Park (Earth Day 2021)
WHEN: Thursday, April 22, 10am-12pm
WHERE: Starlight Park, 1490 Sheridan Blvd., The Bronx
AGE: All
WHAT: For Earth Day 2021, come help remove litter and support local gardens for spring plantings and maintenance. Tasks can include litter pickup, invasive species removal, green infrastructure maintenance, and plantings. This is part of a larger celebration of Earth Week, with trivia and different celebrations about the Earth and the importance of environmental conservation.
WANT TO GO? Email volunteer@bronxriver.org with any questions.
Earth Day Class - Rain Boot Planter Project
WHEN: Thursday, April 22, 4:30-5:30pm
WHERE: A Maze in Pottery, 76 N State Road, Briarcliff Manor
AGE: 6 and older
WHAT: Paint a fun and creative Rain Boot Planter/Vase that you can take home the same day! Plus, plant a TULIP in your Boot after the planter is painted. This is a great opportunity for children to socialize and get creative while staying safe!
WANT TO GO? $29. Advanced registration required.
FREE. Pitch in for Parks 2021- Cleanup at Cranberry Lake Preserve
WHEN: Friday, April 23, 10am-1pm
WHERE: Westchester Parks Foundation, 1609 Old Orchard Street , North Castle
AGE: All
WHAT: Volunteers will rake, weed, and remove debris and litter at Cranberry Lake Preserve. No experience is necessary!
WANT TO GO? All tools will be provided but please bring your own water. Volunteers must bring their own masks and wear clothes that can get dirty and closed toe shoes.
FREE. Earth Day Hike and Clean-Up
WHEN: Saturday, April 24, 1-2pm
WHERE: Pelham Bay Park, Middletown Road & Stadium Avenue, Bronx
AGE: All
WHAT: In honor of Earth Day, join the Rangers to soak in and maintain the beauty of Pelham Bay Park, hike the shoreline and remove trash along the way.
WANT TO GO? Please wear comfortable shoes or boots, pack a light snack and water.
WCS Run for the Wild
WHEN: Saturday, April 24, 8am-12:30pm
WHERE: Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx
AGE: All
WHAT: Each year the WCS Run for the Wild is dedicated to species in need of conservation support to raise awareness of threats they face. This year the event is dedicated to lemurs and will help WCS raise important funds to further its mission of saving wildlife in New York and around the world. All runners and walkers are encouraged to stay for the day and take part in post-run activities which includes costumed characters, trivia, music, and the zoo will be open only to event participants all day.
WANT TO GO? $55; $45 children and seniors; $15 virtual runners, plus $35 minimum fundraising requirement for all participants age 16 and older; 5K Start Times at Bronx River Entrance, 8-10am; 3K Start Times at Southern Boulevard Entrance, 10:30am-12:30pm. Advanced registration required.
Earth Day Activities in Rockland
Earth Day Celebration
WHEN: Saturday, April 17, 11am-3pm
WHERE: Trailside Museum and Zoo at Bear Mountain State Park, 55 Hessian Drive, Highland Falls
AGE: All
WHAT: Come to Trailside’s Bear Den between 10:30 & 11:00 am. The zookeepers will be putting out treats & decorating the Bear Den. At 11:00 am, the bears will come out of their dens to gobble up treats. Family-friendly fun with an Earth-friendly focus! Nature-related displays & activities! See spring-themed animal enrichment!
WANT TO GO? $1 per person suggested donation. Rain date Sunday, April 18.
FREE. ONLINE Crafternoon Earth Day Salt Dough Ornaments
WHEN: Wednesday, April 21, 4:30-5pm
WHERE: Nanuet Public Library, Facebook Live
AGE: 5-12
WHAT: Celebrate our beautiful Earth while making salt dough ornaments from pantry items! Gather your supplies and join Miss Jen to craft along and create your very own salt dough Earth!
WANT TO GO? See website for supply list. Watch on Facebook Live.
CELEBRATE 60 YEARS OF TNC AND EARTH DAY!
WHEN: Sunday, April 25, 2-4pm
WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ
AGE: All
WHAT: Celebrate 60 years with the Tenafly Nature Center and Earth Day with a sustainable craft! Afterward you are encouraged to help keep TNC sparkling like a diamond by walking one of the trails to pick up litter.
WANT TO GO? $5; free for members. Advanced registration required.
FREE. Earth Day: Signs of Spring Nature Walk!
WHEN: Sunday, April 25, 10-11am
WHERE: The New Weis Center for Education, Arts & Recreation, 150 Snake Den Road, Ringwood, NJ
AGE: All
WHAT: Celebrate Earth Day with a guided "Signs of Spring" nature walk. Take a moderate hike through the trails to learn about what goes on in the forest during spring. From the plants to the birds to the frogs, everything is steeped in excitement and anticipation of the impending warm weather, especially after such a cold and snowy winter. Bring binoculars if you have them as you will certainly be observing bird behavior, but the center also has a few pairs to lend.
WANT TO GO? This is an outdoor program; please dress accordingly. Masks must be worn; social distancing will be maintained to the extent possible. Advanced registration required.
