Celebrate Earth Day After April 22 with These Events

Taking care of our fragile Earth has never been more important, and Earth Day is a good opportunity for families to interest children in protecting our planet. Earth Day and Earth Month events are everywhere, so you can find one near home or look for one as you travel.

This year’s theme is OUR POWER, OUR PLANET, and events are not limited to April 22. Earth Day and Earth Month activities are designed to raise awareness of challenges to the environment and inspire people to take action. An interactive map shows events throughout the world.

Nature centers, science museums, local food co-ops and various community organizations sponsor activities and hold festivals that can include everything from close-up encounters with honey bees to trailside clean-up parties. In Westchester County, New York, for example, Green Ossining’s 15th Annual Earth Day Festival on April 26 is filled with eco-demonstrations, earth-friendly products, hands-on activities and a dedicated Kid’s Activity Zone.

Nature Conservancy encourages families to get close to the natural world this month, and its website shows locations of preserves throughout the country. You may be surprised to find so many within easy travel distance. You can also download the free, kid-friendly Earth Day Activity Guide to spark kids’ interest in the health of the natural world.

You can create your own event any time, such as a clean-up day or campaign. Get ideas and suggestions from Great Global Clean Up on how to find an existing clean-up near you or download a free toolkit so you can create one yourself.