Earth Day is Thursday, April 22 this year, and there are so many fun opportunities to celebrate while learning about nature and protecting the planet. Here are our top picks for family-friendly ways to get eco-friendly.

Earth Day Weekend Celebration at Academy of Natural Sciences 

April 23-25, 10 am — 5 pm
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

In celebration of Earth Day, families are invited to visit the museum and learn about ways to conserve resources to help animals’ habitats. Plus. take home a craft kit to make a useful item out of recycled materials. Families with children ages 7 to 11 will love this self-guided program, but younger guests will also be able to enjoy the activities with adult support.

Fishtown Neighbors Association Earth Day Celebration

April 24, 9 am –noon

Fishtown Rec, 1202 E. Montgomery Ave.

 

Join a clean-up, Kindness Rocks Art Project, Spring “Seed-Bomb” Scavenger Hunt, and Mindfulness Sessions at the Fishtown Rec Center. Around the neighborhood, Saint Laurentius School will be showing off their Urban Garden with water wheel and planting at Crease Street Garden. Pre-register online for each activity.

Naturepalooza: A Family Earth Day Celebration

April 24, 10 am — 3 pm
Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road

 

Celebrate Earth Day at our 10th annual signature family-friendly festival, with a new COVID-safe twist. Hike along the trails, stopping at various activity tables on the mission to become a Planet Protector. Learn about the importance of planting native, and make a bird feeder and other wildlife-friendly crafts to take home. Registration is required; due to COVID, space is limited.

‘Grow Clean Water’ Earth Day Event

April 24, 10 am — 3:30 pm

500 N. 10th Street

 

This event will include lots of hands-on activities, including planting seedlings with Farmer Jawn to take home, creating art with Amber Art & Design, preparing a snack with chef Erik Oberholtzer, and exploring a vermicomposting worm bin. This event is part of Rodale Institute’s Grow Clean Water initiative, which aims to educate families about the important connection between healthy organic farms and clean water. Space is limited and attendance will be broken up into three timeslots, so be sure to pre-register online for your desired timeslot.

Griot Tale Storytelling

April 24, 1 pm

Franklin Square, 200 N. Sixth St.

 

The African American Museum in Philadelphia is partnering with Franklin Square for a special outdoor Earth Day storytime.  Told by a Griot (an African oral historian), this free and engaging storytime is  perfect for children ages 5-12 and their grownups.

Virtual

(Virtual) Run for Clean Air

April 17-25

 

This is one of the region’s longest-running charity races and its largest Earth Day event. For a second year, the Run for Clean Air will be a virtual race, giving runners the freedom and flexibility to run their race when and where they like. All virtual runners and walkers will receive a race shirt and finisher medal–just register online and join thousands of people putting their best foot forward and supporting the environment!

Earth Day Virtual Zero Waste Upcycling Make-In

April 18, 10– 11:30 am

 

During this free online event, adults and children are welcome to join artist and art teacher Mindy Flexer to create projects with upcycled materials. Free; pre-register online for the Zoom link.

Paleo Playdate: Love the Earth

April 21, 10 am

 

Kids ages 3-6 and their grownups can have some fun with Academy of Natural Sciences experts and other young natural history fans for a very special Earth Day science storytime and activity with room to move and explore. Everyone can chat, play, show off their knowledge, and meet special guests who love the earth! Zoom link and supply list will be emailed prior to the event, so be sure to pre-register by April 19.

Earth Day Story and Songs

April 22, 7 pm

 

Join local author and musician Miss Jolie for a special storytime and songs to celebrate planet Earth. Free on Facebook Live.

Earth Day Live with the Schuylkill Center

April 22, 7 pm

 

Share Earth Day actions, ask questions of Saleem Chapman, the city’s climate resilience coordinator, enjoy the arts with poet Jeff Hoagland, artist Raul Romero, and dancer Christina Catanese, learn our city’s special history with Earth Day, and guess the top five environmental pop songs of all time—while hearing a climate change quartet. Free; pre-register online.

Ask the Scientists: Taking Action for the Earth

April 24, 10 am

 

Join Academy of Natural Sciences scientists to discuss how you can take action for the earth and what impacts you can have. This program is suitable for children ages 8-11 but all are welcome. Free; pre-register online.

Liberty Learning Live: Eco Heroes

April 25, 1 pm

 

To mark Earth Day 2021, learn how you, too, can take action against big social issues, like climate change! Join National Liberty Museum for a do-it-yourself activity making an upcycled seed starter out of paper rolls. After the workshop, you can add potting soil and seeds of your choice to start a window garden! Recommended for ages 6-12. Pay as You Wish; pre-registration is required. You will receive a link to join the activity prior to the starting time.

 

 

Photograph by Laura Swartz.