Earth Day Family Fun in Marin and the Bay Area
Marin & Bay Area Earth Day Family Happenings!
Earth Day 2024 takes place on Monday, April 22. Families will find plenty of ways to observe the occasion here in Marin and the Bay Area (and online of course), and we've created a list of local Earth Day events, crafts, hands-on fun or ways to celebrate nature and the planet.
- Point Reyes Birding & Nature Festival
Point Reyes National Seashore and other locations
Friday, April 19–Sunday, April 21
The annual Point Reyes Birding & Nature Festival takes place over Earth Day weekend at locations in West Marin and elsewhere in the Bay Area with programs for birders and nature lovers of all ages. Registration required. Event details - Free Entry to Muir Woods
Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley
Saturday, April 20, 8 am–7 pm
What better way to observe Earth Day than to visit the amazing Muir Woods? In honor of National Parks Week, which just happens to coincide with Earth Day weekend, admission to Muir Woods will be free on Saturday, April 20. Note that reservations are still required for parking or the shuttle. Event details - Earth Day Festival 2024
Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco
Saturday, April 20, 10 am–3 pm
SPUR and the Yerba Buena Gardens Conservancy invite you to celebrate Earth Day at the Yerba Buena Gardens for a fun-filled, family-friendly day of live music, food, and interactive activities in partnership the Children’s Creativity Museum, Yerba Buena Ice Skating and Bowling Center, Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, and SOMACC. Enjoy free rides on the carousel all day, make some art on the ice at the Yerba Buena Ice Skating & Bowling Center, plant trees with us across the neighborhood, enjoy giveaways, a live performance from Grammy-nominated artist SaulPaul, incredible speakers, and learn more about climate, sustainability, and resilience efforts across the Bay. Event details - Earth Fest
San Francisco Zoo
Saturday & Sunday, April 20 & 21, 10 am–4 pm
Celebrate Earth Day weekend by diving deep into the zoo's conservation projects and meeting their network of partners who make the world a more sustainable place. Find out what you can do at home, at work, and in your community to make a difference. There will be live entertainment, crafts for the kids, and learning opportunities for all ages! Event details - Butter & Egg Days Parade and Festival
Downtown Petaluma
Saturday, April 20, 10 am–5 pm
Petaluma's annual celebration of local agriculture features an Earth Day-related theme: "Greener Pastures: Sustaining Petaluma's Future". The parade takes place at noon and the Festival offers a wide variety of festival foods, crafts, arts, two large “kid areas,” and much more all spread over four city blocks. Event details - Earth Day at Safari West
Santa Rosa, on the lawn
Saturday, April 20, 10 am–3 pm
Have an Earth Day adventure at Safari West! Once a year, the whole world comes together to celebrate the wildlife and wild places that make our planet wonderful. This Earth Day, we’ve invited a bunch of friends to help make the Sonoma Serengeti that much more special. Discover amazing organizations fighting to conserve species the world over! And of course, enjoy a safari adventure all your own. Reserve your spot here. - WhaleFest: Earth Day Celebration in Pacifica
Linda Mar State Beach, Pacifica
Saturday, 10:30 am–1:30 pm
WhaleFest is a captivating Earth Day celebration in Pacifica, where the wonders of the ocean come to life! After a rewarding day of volunteering, immerse yourself in a world where ocean conservation meets exhilaration. This family-friendly event promises a few hours filled with discovery and fun, with activities designed for both adults and kids. Event details - Earth Day at McInnis Park
McInnis Park, San Rafael
Sunday, April 21, 9 am–noon
Celebrate Earth Day at a park beautification workday at McInnis Park! Work will include a planting project in a central area of the park, and trash pickup throughout the park and along Las Gallinas Creek. Appropriate for all ages. Snacks and water provided. Registration required. Event details - Earth Day in the Bay
Chabot Space & Science Center, Oakland
Saturday, April 21, 10 am–4 pm
Discover more about local organizations helping to fight climate change here in the Bay Area through hands-on activities, guest speakers and more. Spend the day learning about the different ways local organizations are helping conserve our home planet, Earth. Event details - Earth Day Mill Valley
Mill Valley Recreation
Sunday, April 21, 11 am–2 pm
Earth Day Mill Valley is a family-friendly event featuring fun activities and green exhibits for all ages, in a beautiful outdoor setting. Dozens of booths hosted by environmental and community groups will help participants build a more just and sustainable world. Learn about living sustainably, using clean energy and transportation, greening up your home and garden, eating healthy food, protecting nature, and building resilient communities. Free. Register here. - Earth Day San Francisco
The New Farm, 10 Cargo Way, San Francisco
Saturday, April 21, 11 am–7 pm
Hands on activities for everyone are always a big part of Earth Day San Francisco, with an earth friendly product showcase, dynamic speakers, an interactive art area, green vehicles, family-friendly activities, and more. Event details - Downtown Clean & Green Day
San Rafael
Monday, April 22, 10 am–noon
Join other awesome volunteers and business members in sprucing up Downtown for Earth Day! We’ll be removing graffiti, polishing up parking meters and sidewalk fixtures, pulling spring weeds, beautifying the intersections, and removing every little scrap of litter to help make Downtown match the beautiful merchants and other business owners who make San Rafael such a wonderful place to live.Meet at the City Plaza, 1000 4th Street, to check in and pick up supplies in a safe, outdoor manner. Look for the Business Improvement District canopy! Register here.
Earth Day Family Scavenger Hunt
- Go on an Earth Day scavenger hunt with the kiddos this week. Get our fun scavenger hunt printable here.
- Kids can become a Junior Explorer with the National Park Service. Find out how here.
Family Spring Hike
- Get outdoors and appreciate the amazing surroundings and views on one of our 6 spectacular spring wildflower hikes.
Crafts
- Earth Day experiments with the Exploratorium. Explore the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans this Earth Day with free, hands-on, teacher-tested activities that use everyday materials and real data sets.
- Paint Kindness Rocks. Go on a hike and collect some interesting rocks. Paint the rocks and add some special words of inspiration. You can also paint rocks as garden markers (i.e. tomatoes, lettuce…).
- Recycled egg carton ladybugs. Get a jump on the spring season with this ladybug craft made from a recycled egg carton. These ladybugs are adorable, easy to make, and of course environmentally friendly. Use colorful paints to brighten and make these cool ladybugs stand out.
- Make a Mini Terrarium. It's fun and easy to create your own world in a recycled glass container and decorate it with found materials. This project is great for all ages!
