Free earth day 2026 events in los angeles
Families in Los Angeles can find numerous free and low-cost community events in April, including nature exploration, beach activities, and arts and crafts, perfect for spring outings with children. These events offer diverse opportunities for entertainment and learning, ranging from Earth Day celebrations to creative workshops and outdoor adventures. The Children's Lifesaving Foundation (CLF) is dedicated to transforming the lives of underserved youth and families by providing access to such enriching experiences. As a non-profit organization, the CLF ensures that all children, regardless of their resources, have the opportunity to engage in fun and educational activities.
Beach and Coastal Activities
Kids Beach Cleanup 2026 at Dockweiler Youth Center provides a chance for families to participate in ocean conservation while enjoying arts and crafts and a traveling tide pool experience. This free event on Sunday, April 12th, also features the "Can the Trash!" booth.
Heal the Bay - Santa Monica Pier hosts a "Nothin' But Sand Beach Cleanup" from 10:00 am to noon on Saturday, April 19th. They provide supplies for the cleanup, and participants can also visit the Heal the Bay Aquarium for an Earth Day Celebration with activities like a scavenger hunt, animal feeding demonstrations, and storytime. Those participating in the cleanup receive discounted aquarium admission.
Surfrider Dockweiler Beach Cleanup on Saturday, April 19th, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, invites volunteers to help with trash collection and the dune restoration project at Dockweiler Beach. Gloves, grabbers, reusable trash bags, sunscreen, and a water refill station are provided, though attendees should bring their own reusable water bottles.
Keep It Green, Keep It Clean - Roundhouse Aquarium at the Manhattan Beach Pier offers family-friendly activities from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday, April 19th. Activities include Plankton Races, a search for dolphins and wildlife (bring binoculars), and the CSULB Shark Lab. Admission is free, but RSVPs are recommended.
Earth Day Take Action Day - Cabrillo Marine Aquarium on Saturday, April 19th, from 9:00 am to noon, features earth care activities, local organization learning, recycled arts and crafts, and food trucks. This event is free and open to all ages.
Park and Nature Preserve Events
Tarzana's annual Earth Day Celebration is a family-friendly event with local vendors, live music, eco-education, and community spirit, featuring the Critter Squad and 1,000 colorful Earth Day posters.
Glendora's Earth Day celebration, themed "Our Power, Our Planet," promotes solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and tidal energy. Activities include hikes through the Big Dalton Wilderness, an easy community walk, a Wild Wonders animal show, rattlesnake safety presentations, an eco-tour, a bounce house, scavenger hunts, and Earth Day arts & crafts.
LA Zoo Family Nature Club partners with the LA Department of Recreation & Parks, offering kids unstructured outdoor play to explore nature through art, building, observation, and imagination.
FOLAR Earth Day Extravaganza on April 21st provides environmental-themed festivities and community engagement along the Los Angeles River.
Grand Park’s Easy Mornings on April 20th and 27th offer relaxing, family-friendly activities focused on strengthening connections with self, community, and the park. These free events run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m..
Pollinator Palooza! TreePeople, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and CAL FIRE are celebrating our region’s beautifully diverse pollinators with a restoration day and education fair! We’ll be planting and giving away narrowleaf milkweed to expand habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators at Castaic Lake. There will be free educational activities, prizes, and fun for the whole family. Get ready to display your best pollinator fit during the fashion show!
Arts and Crafts Activities
Families can engage in various arts and crafts events in April, often with a spring or environmental theme.
Glendora's Earth Day celebration includes Earth Day arts & crafts for kids.
Mar Vista Recreation Center offers games, crafts, and cookie decorating as part of its spring fun activities.
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures hosts Earth Month Mini-Set Designs workshops for families, where participants create miniature sets using discarded materials. These workshops are free with museum admission and are held from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm on April 12th and 19th.
Little Tokyo Earth Day Celebration at Toriumi Plaza on April 20th includes crafting activities and seed bomb-making.
The Los Angeles Public Library offers free craft kits for pickup during the third week of every month, providing all necessary materials for a fun craft project at home.
Kids' Art Club: Spring Craft focuses on hands-on crafts inspired by flowers, sunshine, and spring colors.
Free Spring Events Across LA hosted by LA Recreation & Parks often include arts & crafts, games, and face painting at various recreation centers. Upcycled Crafting allows participants to create art from recycled materials.
Tiny Terrariums: Earth Day Craft for Tweens and Teens teaches how to make mini-greenhouses in a jar using a live plant, moss, soil, and decorations. Supplies are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
DIY Seed Bombs: Guerilla Gardening for Tweens and Teens with Wendy McPherson on Earth Day helps participants learn about green movements and create seed bombs with California native wildflower seeds.
Free and Reduced-Fee Events
Many organizations in Los Angeles provide free or reduced-fee events, making spring activities accessible for families and students.
Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops offer a free scoop of ice cream at participating locations.
OCMA hosts monthly tours for new parents with tots under one year old to connect and explore exhibitions, followed by complimentary tea.
The Huntington's free day program requires advance ticket reservations, which are available on the prior Thursday for the first Thursday of the month.
National parks are open to the public without admission fees on Presidents Day.
The LA Times Festival of Books features free outdoor entertainment, including performances at the Children's Stage and author appearances at the YA Stage.
Los Angeles Ballet (LAB) offers free ballet classes for kids and adults on select Sundays.
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes celebrates Cinco de Mayo with a free family day that includes dance, music, and hands-on art workshops.
The Annual Bob Baker Day at Los Angeles State Historic Park is a free event celebrating the life and legacy of LA's iconic puppeteer, with a theme of recovery through the arts.
Grand Park's Easy Mornings are free, family-friendly events focusing on community engagement and personal well-being.
CicLAvia transforms streets into car-free zones for walking, skating, biking, and exploring, and is free to attend.
Many museums, like the California Science Center, offer free admission. The Los Angeles County Library also provides free museum tickets for families.
Los Angeles County provides community programs that offer free or low-cost entertainment and educational opportunities for children.
Happy Earth Day 2026, everyone!