Earth Day is April 22, and we love celebrating with our kids—but try to keep it genuinely fun. Depending on the age of your little ones, celebrating Earth Day may be as simple as going for a walk outside in the stroller or as in depth as talking to teens about global warming. We’ve rounded up some great ways to note the occasion at home or out and about around South Orange County. Hope it gives you some inspiration for celebrating Mother Earth all year long!
Go on a Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts have been one of our favorite pandemic activities, because they’re so versatile – you can download ones to do outdoors or indoors, for every type of holiday, and for every age.
This super simple one is perfect for younger kids, since it features both pictures and words.
This one is perfect for older kids who can read and understand a bit more about the meaning of Earth Day (bees spreading pollen, the recycling sign, etc.).
Want to fill some more time? Have your kids make their own scavenger hunt with pictures and words, and then complete it!
Pick Up Your Favorite Playground
Choosing an area to clean up—a playground, beach, or even your street—is a wonderful activity the whole family can do together. Give everyone their own gloves, garbage bag, and see who can pick up the most trash! You can even turn this into an Earth Day play date activity.
Make A Homemade Birdfeeder
Give a gift to your backyard birds and make a birdfeeder craft. You don’t even need birdseed—cereal like cheerios and peanut butter work just fine. We love these ideas from The Spruce Crafts.
Make a Card with Recycled Materials
Turn that junk mail, old school art or magazine pages into homemade Earth Day cards. Grandparents or teachers will love getting a special gift and you’ll be able to talk about where paper comes from—and why we shouldn’t waste it.
Get into the Garden
Gardening with kids is a perfect learning opportunity—they can practice fine motor skills, follow instructions and help in planning. For some ideas for gardening with kids, read our recent article on the topic.
Craft Using Recycled Materials
From Corn Husk Dolls to Tin Can Drums, upcycled crafts are a perfect way to explain the power of recycling. Bonus: You won’t have to buy new materials.
Read a Book
We love adding a book or two about holidays to our collection, and Earth Day is no exception. (Note: If you’re trying to save paper, download them onto your Kindle or check them out from the library.) A few of our faves:
Biscuit’s Earth Day Celebration
Skip the Car
Can you walk to school or bike to a playdate? Take the extra time on Earth Day, and explain why you’re changing your routine. Not only is it great for the planet, it’s healthy for you and your kids, and may just help you start getting a bit more exercise into your daily routine.
Play Earth Day Bingo
We love this adorable Bingo game from Little Bins for Little Hands. Easy enough for a toddler to play, but fun enough to engage older kids, too!
Play it Forward with LEGO
The LEGO brand has started a Replay program where you can ship old pieces back to the company and they rebuild them, give them new life and pass them on to kids in need. They’ve already collected and redistributed 300,000 pounds of LEGO bricks.
LOCAL EARTH DAY EVENTS
Dana Point
Earth Day Beach Clean up with StandUpToTrash
Baby Beach and Ocean Institute in the Dana Point Harbor
April 18th from 8am-11am 2026
Schedule:
8:00 am – 9:00 am Free Yoga (in the grass at Baby Beach)
9:00 am – 10:30 am Beach Cleanup
10:30 am -11:00 am Lunch & Learn
* What’s a Clothing Swap? It’s one of the simplest (and most fun!) ways to give clothes a second life. Bring gently used items you no longer wear and “shop” from what others have brought, completely free.
Beach clean up at 2 locations:
– Baby Beach
– Ocean Institute.
AND
Dana Point Harbor Farmer’s Market Kids Craft
Saturday April 22, 2026
34555 Golden Lander, Dana Point Harbor, Dana Point
9:00AM – 1PM
Join Compass Real Estate for a fun Earth craft activity for the kids, celebrating creativity and our planet in a simple and meaningful way
Laguna Beach
Earth Day Citizens’ Climate Lobby Climate Walk
Saturday April 25, 2026
Main Beach Laguna Beach, Laguna Beach
1:00AM
This 2.5-mile walk through Laguna Beach begins and ends at Main Beach and aims to raise awareness about climate change and solutions for a healthier future. Participants are encouraged to bring an Earth- or climate-themed sign (no sticks or partisan messaging), along with water and sun protection. Bring your friends and family and be part of a community effort focused on environmental stewardship.
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Park at the Los Trancos lot near the trailer then walk through the tunnel to the Education Commons in the Historic District (PCH inland at stoplight Los Trancos).
Saturday April 18th, 2026
10:30 am – 2:00 pm
Pollinators make life possible—and this Earth Day, we celebrate and protect them. Join Crystal Cove Conservancy for a Family Art Day where creativity meets conservation. Explore how insects support our ecosystems, then take action through art: build, paint, and design while adding your Earth Day promise to a growing mural of California poppies. Leave inspired to care for the natural world and the any species that sustain it.
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Meet at Pelican Point #4, (PCH coastward at Newport Coast, left at the kiosk to the last lot)
Saturday April 18th, 2026
8:00 am – 11:00 am
Join Crystal Cove State Park and Crystal Cove Conservancy and spend a few hours giving back to Mother Nature at our Earth Day Beach Cleanup! Volunteers needed to help clean the coastline, bluff trail, and parking lots at Crystal Cove State Park. We will have supplies, but if you can, bring your own recycled bag, buckets, gloves or other cleanup supplies to make this event as ZERO WASTE as possible. Anyone attending under the age of 18 must have a waiver signed by an adult. See the volunteer page at www.crystalcovestatepark.org. Waivers will be available at the check in table.
AND
Earth Day Beach Clean Up at Main Beach
Main Beach, Laguna Beach
Saturday April 22nd, 2026
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Want to make a difference this Earth Day? 🌎Join us for a beach clean-up at Main Beach on 4/22, from 4-5pm! Let’s clean up our beach backyard and come together as a community. Sign up here.
AND
Laguna Beach Library and Fairy Garden
363 Glenneyre, Laguna Beach
Saturday April 25th, 2026
11:00 am – 1:30 pm
Compost class, crafting, face painting and lady bug release. Stop by to celebrate Earth Day.
Laguna Niguel
Earth Day/Arbor Day Celebration
Niguel Botanical Preserve
29751 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel
April 18, 2026
8:30AM – 11:30AM
Visit the Niguel Botanical Preserve to celebrate Earth Day. Niguel Botanical Preserve and the City of Laguna Niguel invite you to volunteer for the annual Earth Day Celebration! Volunteers are needed to plant, weed, and clean in the Niguel Botanical Preserve. Plants and Herbs will also be available for sale in the Amphitheater. All proceeds go to support the Niguel Botanical Preserve. Ages 6 & up | 🔗 Register here: bit.ly/EarthDayCelebration2026
Lake Forest
Earth Day Story Time
El Toro Library
24672 Raymond Way, Lake Forest, CA 92630
April 12, 2026
10:30AM
Enjoy a special story time to celebrate Earth Day! The Environmental Nature Center will share stories and live animals to help us learn to love our planet. Contact the branch to register.
Mission Viejo
Earth Day & Arbor Day Celebration
Upper Oso Creek Trail
24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo
April 25, 2026
8AM – Noon
The City of Mission Viejo is hosting its annual Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebration with a planting and Green Expo from 8 am to noon on Saturday, April 25. Volunteers will have the chance to embrace nature by planting trees and shrubs along the section of Oso Creek Trail that is north of Jeronimo Road. Participants should wear a hat, gloves, boots and sunscreen. Lunch and ice cream will be available for volunteers while supplies last. Along with the planting, the City is hosting a Green Expo in the open space beside Oso Creek Trail, north of Jeronimo Road, that will feature earth-friendly activities and environmental exhibits with tips on pollution prevention, recycling and more. Parking will be available at the Marguerite Aquatics Complex. Complimentary golf cart shuttle service will be provided between parking areas and event location. See this flyer for more information. To pre-register as a volunteer for this event, fill out the Volunteer Application and Waiver and email it to Kristine Rosenbaum at [email protected].
San Clemente
Earth Day Coastal Cleanup and Educational Fair
Saturday, April 18, 2026
622 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, CA 92672
9:00am – 1:00pm
FREE
Join us for a beach cleanup at the San Clemente Pier on April 18 to celebrate Earth Day! Walk-ups are welcome, but Fisherman’s Restaurant will be donating free burritos for lunch to the first 100 participants! Register now at www.sanclemente.gov/events
San Juan Capistrano
Earth Day Shred Day
1 Via Positiva San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
April 18th, 2026
8:00AM – 11:00AM
This is a drive-though event! Please enter through Via Positiva and Alipaz Street and follow directional signage. Goodwill E-Waste Collection: Goodwill will collect old TV sets, computers, printers, phones, and other electronic items (known as E-waste). Document Shredding: Southern California Shredding will provide document shredding services. There is a limit of four (4) standard size file boxes per car. No binders, wet documents, hanging file folders, cardboard, plastic bags or plastic media and no magazines or newspapers. Compost: Receive Free bags of compost and mulch at this event. Enhance your soil, boost plant growth, and enjoy a greener garden. Don’t miss out!
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Earth Day Kids Craft Event
River Street Marketplace, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
April 21th, 2026
10:30AM – 11:30AM
a special morning of hands-on fun at River Street Marketplace!
✨ Insect touch table
🌱 Plant potting craft
🌞 Fresh air + creative play
The perfect way for little ones to celebrate Earth Day with curiosity, creativity, and community!
Santa Margarita
Earth Day Compost Event
22112 El Paseo, Santa Margarita, CA
April 17th – 30th, 2026
First come first serve
FREE compost! Celebrate Earth Day with us! Open to residents, businesses & landscapers. First come, first served—while supplies last!
Near By
The Discovery Cube
2500 North Main Street, Santa Ana, CA
Every weekend in April 2026
This Earth Month, we are challenging YOU to step up as an Eco Hero! 🦸♻️ Head over to Discovery Cube to explore our eco-focused exhibits and pick up simple ways to live more sustainably at home. Plus, every weekend in April, enjoy hands-on activities, live demos, and more, presented by OC Waste & Recycling.
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