Earth Day falls on April 22nd but we love to celebrate so much in Minnesota, we celebrate all month long and into May. I think our love of spring may be the reason the Twin Cities Metro does not skimp on Earth Day activities and events. While this is a chance to teach our children about good stewardship of our planet, it is also the perfect excuse to get out and enjoy the long-awaited spring and fresh air. Peruse our big list of Twin Cities Earth Day Family Events and pick your favorites.
About Earth Day
Earth Day Network’s first Earth Day was in 1970 and has been celebrated for over half a century. Its continuing mission is “to broaden and diversify the environmental movement worldwide and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle to build a healthy, sustainable environment, address climate change, and protect the Earth for future generations.”
Earth Day family events around the Twin Cities
Minneapolis & St Paul Earth Day events
Earth and Arbor Day Storytime
891 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105
Local author, Colleen Musks shares her book, Linden, a story of a Tree and the community that loves it. FREE. Saturday, April 20, 2024; 10:30am. Learn more about the wonderful, independent Red Balloon Bookshop
Family Fundays: Earth Day Celebration
4900 Mississippi Ct, Minneapolis, MN 55430
Go on a naturalist-guided hike. Help pick up trash along the Mississippi, make recycled art and plant a seed to take home. Saturday, April 20, 2024; 11am-3pm. Register here. FREE.
Como Zoo Party for the Planet
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Drive, St Paul MN 55103
Visit for family fun, educational programs, story times and more. April 20-21, 2024; 10am-4pm. Free will donations appreciated.
Earth Day with Raptors
Gabbert Raptor Center, 1920 Fitch Ave, St Paul, MN 55108, USA2
Learn about the planet and raptors with a 45 minute program, 15 minute tour and a take-home kit. Saturday, April 20, 2024; 1-2pm. $5 for kids, $8 for adults. Pre-register here.
Earth Day: All About Earth & Its Worth
Science Museum of Minnesota, 120 W. Kellogg Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55102
Learn about climate through interactive presentations, and hands-on activities and get inspired by scientists and activists. Open Earth Day, April 20, 2024; 9am-8pm. Museum admission $19.95 – $29.95. (Income-based Great Tix $3-$5/pp).
Twin Cities Northeast Metro Earth Day events
April 20, 2024: Free Seed Ball Event at Fleet Farm
8400 Lakeland Ave N., Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
320 Chelsea Road, Monticello, MN 55362
Make your own Wildflower seed balls in celebration of Earth Day! Fleet Farm will supply all the ingredients and a recipe card to take home. All Ages. 9am-1pm
April 20, 2024: Harriet Alexander Nature Center Earth Day Celebration
2520 Dale St N, Roseville, MN 55113
This annual event traditionally includes live music, storytelling, earth-friendly activities, crafts and tours. 10am-2pm.
April 20, 2024: Planet v. Plastic Earth Day Event
Sally Manzara Interpretive Center, Sunfish Lake Park, 3554 Kelvin Ave N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042
Learn how plastic affects us. Donate used clothing to keep them out of the waste pool. 10am-3pm. FREE.
April 20, 2024: Wargo Nature Center Family Earth Day Celebration
7701 Main St, Lino Lakes, MN 55038
Make an earthy art project, explore the trails and visit the booths of the Eco-Fair. Plus a bounce house for the little ones and refreshments for all. 12-4pm. Vehicle fee: $7.
April 21, 2024: Shoreview’s Springfest
Shoreview Commons Destination Playground, 4580 Victoria Street, Shoreview, Minnesota 55126
Celebrate Earth Day with a vendor fair, activities for kids and live entertainment. 2-5pm, FREE.
Make a Day of It and Explore The Best Parks in Shoreview, Minnesota.
April 22, 2024: Free Entry Day at Washington County Parks
Big Marine Park Reserve, 17495 Manning Trail N, Marine on St Croix, MN 55047,
Square Lake Park, 15450 Square Lake Trail Court North, Stillwater, MN 55082
Pine Point Park, 11900 Norell Ave N, Stillwater, MN 55028
Lake Elmo Park, 1515 Keats Ave N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042
Washington County will waive its usual Vehicle Fees on Earth Day. Take advantage of free entry to explore any of these parks. Learn more here. April 22, 2024. All day.
April 27, 2024: Valley Eco Fair
Pioneer Park, 515 2nd St N, Stillwater, MN 55082
Family-friendly vendors, entertainment, food trucks and activities encouraging sustainable living. 11am-3pm.
Twin Cities Southeast Metro Earth Day events
April 20, 2024: Earth Day Birding Festival
Carpenter Nature Center, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN 55033
Carpenter Nature Center traditionally celebrates its annual Birding Festival on Earth Day Weekend. Last year, they also opened late for self-guided exploration. 7am-5pm. ($5/pp or $15/includes a box lunch). Advanced registration is encouraged. Call 651-437-4359 to register.
April 20, 2024: Free Seed Ball Event at Fleet Farm
1935 Levi Griffin Road, Carver, MN 55315
17070 Kenrick Avenue, Lakeville, MN 55044
1001 Industrial Street, Hudson, WI 54016
Make your own Wildflower seed balls in celebration of Earth Day! Fleet Farm will supply all the ingredients and a recipe card to take home. All Ages. 9am-1pm
April 20, 2024: South St Paul Environmental Expo
Central Square, 100 7th Avenue N, South St Paul, MN 55075
Something for everyone in the family here on Earth Day weekend: see an electric vehicle display, pot and plant pretty spring flowers, take home local products and stop at vendors scavenger-hunt style to be entered in a prize drawing. 10am-1pm. FREE.
April 22, 2024: Free Entry Day at Washington County Parks
St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, 10191 St Croix Trail S, Hastings, MN 55033
Cottage Grove Park, 9653 Keats Ave. S. Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Point Douglas Park, 14593-14741 Point Douglas Drive S., Hastings, MN 55033
Washington County will waive its usual Vehicle Fees on Earth Day. Take advantage of free entry to explore any of these parks. Learn more here. April 22, 2024. All day.
Earth Week: Find the Frog in Mendota Heights Parks
This Monday through Friday, Lily the Frog will hop over to a trail in a Mendota Heights park with a riddle next to her. Solve and submit your answer to the City of Mendota Heights to be entered in to win a free Earth Day Basket. April 22-26, 2024.
Twin Cities Northwest Metro Earth Day Events
April 20, 2024: Free Seed Ball Event at Fleet Farm
10250 Lexington Ave NE, Blaine, MN 55014
5635 Hadley Avenue North, Oakdale, MN 55128
1001 Industrial Street, Hudson, WI 54016
Make your own Wildflower seed balls in celebration of Earth Day! Fleet Farm will supply all the ingredients and a recipe card to take home. All Ages. 9am-1pm
April 20, 2024: Celebrate Earth Day at Eastman Nature Center
First, make a stop at the indoor nature center to “adopt” a portion of an outdoor trail to clean up. Plus, meet a live animal and participate in an eco-friendly self-guided activity. 1-3pm. FREE.
May 18, 2024: Springbrook Nature Center Environmental Fun Fair & Migration Celebration
100 85th Ave. N.W., Fridley, MN 55432
Peruse outdoor and environmental exhibits, participate in an interactive nature hike and other family-friendly activities. Food trucks onsite. Find more details here. 11am-2pm.
Twin Cities Southwest Metro Earth Day Events
April 20, 2024: Free Seed Ball Event at Fleet Farm
875 General Sieben Dr, Hastings, MN 55033
Make your own Wildflower seed balls in celebration of Earth Day! Fleet Farm will supply all the ingredients and a recipe card to take home. All Ages. 9am-1pm
April 20, 2024: Eden Prairie Eco Expo
The Eden Prairie Eco Expo’s Family Fun Zone features baby goats, pollinator information games and coloring. 10am-6pm. FREE.
April 20, 2024: Lowry’s Earth Day Celebration
Lowry Nature Center, 7025 Victoria Drive, Victoria, MN 55386
Participants will go on a hunt for clues in the form of Earth Day riddles to learn ways to help the Earth. 10am-2pm. FREE.
April 20-21, 2024: Decorate a Plant Pot
IKEA Minneapolis, 8000 IKEA Way, Bloomington, MN 55425
Decorate a pot for a plant. 10am-12pm Both Days. FREE, but requires a FREE IKEA Family membership.
April 21, 2024: Free Family Fun Day at Richardson: Earth Day Seed Balls
Richardson Nature Center, 8737 E Bush Lake Road, Bloomington MN
Make a seed ball to take home and plant. Explore the outdoors around the nature center, help collect trash and take a self-guided hike. Learn more about all the kid-friendly details at RICHARDSON NATURE CENTER. April 21, 2024, 1-3pm. FREE.
April 21, 2024: Wood Lake Nature Center Earth Day Celebration
Wood Lake Nature Center, 6710 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield 55423
Visitors are invited to help clean up litter, participate in a prairie restoration project and visit the booths of an Earth Day fair. Food trucks onsite. 1pm-4pm. FREE.
April 26, 2024: Hoċokata Ṫi Earth Day Event
Hoċokata Ṫi, 2300 Tiwahe Cir, Shakopee, MN 55379
Go on a guided nature walk, learn about the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s earth-friendly initiatives and explore the Mdewakanton: Dwellers of the Spirit Lake exhibit. 9am-4pm. (Learn more and pre-register here.) FREE.
Community Swaps and Re-Use Events
April 20, 2024: Community Craft Supply Swap
Park Grove Library, 7900 Hemingway Ave S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Drop off craft donations beginning April 10th. Then drop in to find a new project during the two-hour swap. No registration required. 10am-Noon.
May 18, 2024: Pop-Up Community Toy Store
100 85th Ave. N.W., Fridley, MN 55432
Drop off lightly-loved children’s toys, puzzles, games and art supplies between to Fridley City Hall or Springbrook Nature Center from April 16, 2024 to May 16, 2024. Then shop the Pop-Up Community Toy Store during the Environmental Fun Fair. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Learn more here.
2024 TWIN CITIES PARK CLEAN-UP EVENTS
Earth Day Family Events can be about giving back. At park clean up events, families can pick up trash, recyclables and some organic materials. In our experience with Minneapolis, the park provides bins for garbage and litter, a separate recycling bin and a separate place for twigs and branches to be turned to mulch.
April & May: Blaine Earth Day Cleanups
Parks throughout Blaine
The city of Blaine facilitates community members who want to organize a neighborhood cleanup. You select the date, time, and project. The city provides the supplies. Register your team for a convenient time in April or May.
April 18, 2024: Champlin Earth Day Cleanup
Andrews Park, 7200 117th Avenue North, Champlin, MN 55316
Bring some gloves and dress in long pants and closed shoes. The city will provide trash bags and collection tongs. Call or email to register. Thursday, April 18, 2024 @ 5pm. More details here.
April 20, 2024: Minneapolis Parks
Parks throughout Minneapolis
Earth Day cleanup in your local park or neighborhood. Supplies handed out at participating sites or use your own supplies anywhere in the city. Saturday, April 20, 2024; 9:30 am to noon.
April 20, 2024: Spring Litter Outta Lyndale
SNAC, 3537 Nicollet Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Lyndale neighbors are invited to help clean up the neighborhood. Bring some gloves and trash bags. April 20, 2024; 10 am.
April 20, 2024: St. Paul Citywide Cleanup
Parks throughout Saint Paul
Stop into your selected cleanup site to check in with your site hosts and pick up bags and gloves. Then head out and clean up your park or neighborhood of choice. Updates on Facebook. Find clean-up locations here. April 20, 2024; 9am-11:30am.
April 21, 2024: Earth Day Kick-Off of “Pick Up The Park”
Lamplighter Park, 1800 Pennsylvania Ave. S., St Louis Park, MN 55426
Ainsworth Park, 7700 W. 28th St., St Louis Park, MN 55426
Louisiana Oaks Park, 3520 Louisiana Ave. S., St Louis Park, MN 55426
Oak Hill Park, 3201 Rhode Island Ave., S. St Louis Park, MN 55426
Volunteers will help clean up various city parks. April 21, 2024, 9am-noon.
April 21-27, 2024: St. Anthony Village Earth Week Neighborhood Clean Up Week
St. Anthony Village, MN 55418
Residents are encouraged to pick up throughout the week of April 21-27, 2024. Learn more here.
Did we miss any of your favorite Earth Day Family Events? Leave us a comment, so we can share with the community.
More Earth Day events near the Twin Cities
April 27, 2024: Free Entry Day at Minnesota State Parks
All 75 Minnesota State Parks and Recreation Areas
The Minnesota State Parks has selected April 27, 2024, as one of its four Free Entry days this year. According the Minnesota DNR website, the goal of offering this free entry day is to “encourage families to spend time together with a walk outdoors. Research shows that walking offers multiple benefits, from increased creativity and better brain function to more flexibility and stamina. So you won’t just burn calories, you’ll also improve your well-being”. Learn more here. April 27, 2024; 8am-10pm.
April 20, 2024: Free Entry Day at National Parks & Public Lands
We have 6 National Park Spaces in Minnesota – some are in the Twin Cities metro
Earth Day also happens to be the first day of National Park Week and it is one of five free entrance days for National Parks, Forests and other National Public Lands in 2024. April 20, 2024; All day.
DIY Earth Day Hikes, Rides, Walks & Hunts
For the family who wants to get out and move while enjoying nature, hikes, walks & hunts will get your family exploring Minnesota’s great parks and natural spaces. Pack your sports water bottle, dress weather appropriate with a sturdy pair of shoes and get out to have fun!
- Choose from over 400 Parks for a great family nature walk and maybe a picnic.
- Choose a Nature Scavenger Hunt from our Twin Cities Quests and Treasure Hunts for Families.
- Take a nature ride on your bikes along the Mississippi. Anne has mapped her favorite routes on both Minneapolis bike trails and Saint Paul bicycle routes.
- Kid-Friendly Hikes: 10 Twin Cities Hiking Trails That Are One Mile or Less
Fun Earth Day Activities To Try On Your Own
We have a sampling of Earth Day family events here to get you out with your kids and celebrating our environment this month.
Related Articles:
- If you prefer to celebrate Earth Day at Home, Gianna has gathered 22 Ways to Create a Meaningful and Easy Earth Day, including earth day crafts, artwork, books and songs.
- Most of these 65+ Fun Nature Play Ideas for Kids can be done at home or on your own.
- Use our Birding Checklist to learn what to pack for a birdwatching adventure and ideas for making your own bird feeder art projects from recycled materials.
Action for Earth Activities
Science Museum of Minnesota, 120 W Kellogg Blvd, St Paul, MN 55102
The Science Museum has gathered these climate change resources available all month on your own schedule:
- Try some at-home projects and sustainable practices.
- Interactive lessons for the classroom or home school.
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Shoreview’s Springfest is April 21st and has Earth Day activities for kids and families.
Thank you, Gina. We’ll check it out and share with the community.
Just sharing along some upcoming family forward events at Forgotten Star Brewing. Thanks, and let me know if you have any questions!
March 25-29 – Coloring Contest (multiple age groups, weeklong, perfect for those staying home during Spring Break)
March 31 – Easter Egg Hunt
April 14 – Story Time (with local author, Laura Larson)
As always, appreciate all your help sharing!
Thanks, Lauren. I’ll add this Easter Egg Hunt to the list and add both the hunt and story time to the calendar.
What a surprise : nothing for senior citizens, just families & children. Ageism. No wonder a lot of seniors don’t care about the next generations.
While we created this site specifically for families with children because that is what we know, most of these events would have been perfect for intergenerational families. In fact, my 80-year-old mother took my son to our local park clean up.
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Do you know if any of the recycling centers are offering money for things like aluminum cans on or around Earth Day?
Hi Bjorn:
I think we’ve gone to K&K Metals in NE Mpls, but only if we had other things to recycle at the same time. It’s hard to justify a special trip for 55cents/pound – especially when I know that aluminum recycling funds Minneapolis’s liberal garbage pickup policies.
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Do you know what ever happened to the big earth day convention that I think used to be held annually at the MN State Fair Grounds?
Hi Bill:
I believe you are thinking of The Green Expo. I’ve attended that at the fair grounds in the past. It is now held at the National Sports Center in Blaine.
Joy.