8 Earth Day Events for Kids

Photo By Vitolda Klein On Unsplash

Earth Day is on April 22, but the local festivities and service projects start tomorrow and last through next weekend. The Philadelphia area has a wide array of educational, creative and interactive activities to offer kids who want to help the environment.

Earth Day-Service and Fun! at the Haverford Reserve Community Recreation and Environmental Center
April 17, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
9000 Parkview Dr., Haverford, PA 19041

Plant trees, help restore stream banks and learn about live birds of prey at the Haverford Reserve’s Earth Day celebration that combines service projects with fun.

Celebrate Earth Day at Little Crum Creek Park
April 22, 12:30–1:15 p.m.
Cresson Ave., corner of Swarthmore Ave., Swarthmore, PA 19081

This outdoor family program will include songs, stories, yoga, art, a scavenger hunt and interactive games that introduce kids to reducing, reusing, recycling and taking care of the earth. Geared toward ages 2-7, it is free and open to the public.

Earth Day Drive-In Movie: The Lorax
April 23, dusk (approximately 7 p.m.)
Plymouth Elementary School, 542 Plymouth Rd., Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462

Bring the whole family to this outdoor screening of the Lorax, an animated movie that explores the beauty of nature and importance of environmental protection. Pre-registration is required and spots are limited.

Fishtown Neighbors Association Earth Day
April 24, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
Fishtown Recreation Center, 1202 E Montgomery Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19125

The Fishtown area of Philadelphia has a variety of Earth Day activities planned, including a neighborhood clean-up, a kindness rock craft activity, a mindfulness session geared specifically toward families with children and a spring seed bomb hunt for kids.

Naturepalooza Earth Day Festival
April 24, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, 8480 Hagy’s Mill Rd., Philadelphia, PA 19128

Philadelphia’s Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education is hosting their 10th annual Earth Day celebration, which will include hikes and activity tables for kids. Registration is required and space is limited due to COVID precautions.

Philadelphia Earth Day Event: Grow Clean Water
April 24, 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
The Viaduct, 500 N 10th St., Philadelphia, PA 19123

Hosted by the Rodale Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to growing the organic farming movement, this Grow Clean Water event is part of an initiative to educate families about the connection between organic farms and clean water. Participants will have the chance to learn about food and planting and will explore a worm composting bin through hands-on activities led by local farmers, artists and a chef. Donations will support Farmer Jawn Community Greenhouses, a regenerative farming business that increases access of organic food to local marginalized communities.

Party for the Planet
April 24, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown, PA 19401

Elmwood Park Zoo is hosting a celebration full of family-friendly Earth Day activities, including demonstrations and educational sessions about animals, recycling and sustainability.

Griot Tale Saturdays: Celebrating Earth Day Week
April 24, 1–2 p.m.
Franklin Square, 200 N 6th St., Philadelphia, PA 19106

The African American Museum in Philadelphia and Keepers of the Culture, Philadelphia’s Afrocentric Storytelling Group, are co-hosting an Earth Day-themed storytelling event at Franklin Square aimed toward ages 5-12. A Griot is an African oral historian, and this event will include stories about environmental protection.