Earth Day is always held on April 22—yet I somehow have to look up the date every single year. But if you’ve arrived at this page, chances are you never remember when Earth Day is either, which means you also probably haven’t given any thought to how you’ll celebrate the environmentally-focused holiday this year. Or, maybe you’re just looking for ideas for how to celebrate Earth Day that don’t involve eating by candlelight or picking up trash from the side of the road. Lucky for you, I’m here with some helpful Earth Day tips and suggestions for how to celebrate Earth Day that you may not have thought about yet. And, as a bonus, most of them are pretty fun!
A zoo outing isn’t just a great way to keep kids from getting bored, it can also be a terrific way for the whole family to learn about conservation efforts and endangered specials around the globe. Plus, many zoos will have special sustainability programs for the holiday and will send you home with Earth Day tips you can use every day.
It’s fitting that Earth Day is celebrated in the Spring, since it’s the perfect time of year to get your own home garden started. To really make a difference, plant bee-friendly flowers and plants to help support the dwindling populations of these important pollinators.
In case you hadn’t heard, some major food and drink chains are ditching their plastic and paper straws in favor of more eco-friendly options. Why not do the same at home by investing in some long-lasting stainless steel straws?
Nothing gets you in tune with nature quite like spending a night or weekend in the great outdoors. P.S. the national parks are free to enter from April 20–28, in case you need some extra incentive to plan your Earth Day outing!
Yes, Earth Day falls on a regular old weekday this year. But just because you’re stuck in your usual 9–5 grind doesn’t mean you can’t find a way to honor the holiday. Why not rent a bike and commute to work or school that way? You’ll help cut your carbon footprint and get some exercise to boot.
As much as we all hate wasting food, it’s hard to love storing it in plastic, which can leach harmful chemicals into otherwise-delicious leftovers. Earth Day is the perfect excuse to invest in some better-for-you-and-the-environment options, such as containers made of glass.
Did you know red meat production is responsible for an estimated 20% of all greenhouse gas emissions? Cutting down on your overall meat consumption is a great way to help—and, who knows? You might just like it enough to continue with the Meatless Monday tradition after Earth Day.
Not into biking? Get out and explore your town or city by foot! No matter what you’re into, there’s a walking tour that caters to your interests, whether you want to sample the finest local cuisine or prefer to learn more about your city’s history or architecture.
Botanic Gardens and conservatories aren’t just beautiful places to visit—they also showcase plants that are grown for scientific and research purposes. Many also help to provide a snapshot of what an area’s ecosystem looked like before urban development, while others provide the public access to exotic plants they might not otherwise get a chance to see.
Let’s face it—not all kids appreciate the tranquility of a nice walk in the woods. For an outdoor activity with a little more structure, try a game of mini golf. Unlike regular golf courses, which come with a large environmental footprint, mini golf courses require little by way of upkeep (especially vintage ones). Plus, you’ll be supporting a local business, and what’s not to love about that?