Earth Day Events and Activities for Families in Indianapolis

Earth Day is by far one of my favorite holidays. The Earth gives all of us so much — the sunshine, the grass beneath our toes, bubbling brooks, abundant forests, and much more! It is truly a pleasure for me to share my love for the Earth with my children. Luckily there are many ways to celebrate Mother Nature as a family in the greater Indianapolis area this April. Attend one of these fun events with your family, or spend the day at one of our beautiful parks.

A young girl with bangs and overalls grins happily while holding a cardboard box full of clean plastic bottles, ready to be recycled for Earth Day.

Earth Day Events You Don’t Want to Miss

Local festivals, programs, and recycling opportunities provide plenty of fun and education. Chances are, you’ll leave with a new-found or enhanced excitement for sustainability and protecting our beautiful planet!

Power Recycling Day

Indianapolis Zoo South Lot, 201 S Harding Street, Indianapolis, IN
March 15, 8:30 am-12:30 pm

Eliminate your old cell phones and other electronics the environmentally-friendly way. Most electronics will be accepted, including cell phones, wires, cables, all batteries, TVs, microwaves, computers, and peripherals. Basically anything with a plug! Computer hard drive memories will be securely cleared before being destroyed. All screens, monitors, and TVs will have a $20 cash-only fee — any size or type. Laptops will be recycled at no charge. Large appliances are not accepted.

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Art Wanted: Earth Day Art Window Display

The Shops at Perry Crossing Management Office, 2499 Perry Crossing Way, Plainfield
January 13-April 4, All Ages, FREE

Is your child passionate about the planet? Get your creative juices flowing ahead of Earth’s big day and create an artwork worthy of a window display. The Shops at Perry Crossing encourage kids to use recycled materials or make an educational piece to grace the windows of empty storefronts in the mall during the month of April. Drop off your artwork at the Management Office by April 4. Keep in mind that your work will NOT be returned.

Earth Day Pleasant Run Cleanup

Christian Park, 4125 English Ave, Indianapolis
April 15, 1-4 pm, All Ages, FREE

Join Keep Indianapolis Beautiful for a family-friendly cleanup event along Pleasant Run. Work together to pick up litter and leave the park a more beautiful place. Other cleanups are happening on April 17 and 19, but are less appropriate for young children and recommended for those in high school or older. Register ahead of time.

Earth Day at Indiana State University

200 North Seventh Street, Terre Haute
April 16, 11 am-2 pm, All Ages, FREE

What began as a lecture series has expanded to a day-long celebration open to the community, full of abundant activities and hands-on workshops. The event focuses on sustainability and its importance in ensuring a bright and healthy future for all. Learn more on the University website.

Earth Day Program at Broad Ripple Park

Broad Ripple Park, 1426 Broad Ripple Ave, Indianapolis
April 18, 6-7:30 pm

Register to participate in this fun workshop for preschoolers! Children and accompanying adults will learn about recycling at home, get creative with some recycled materials, and plant seeds together. The cost is $20 per adult/child pair. Snacks and water will be provided and additional siblings are welcome to attend for $5 per person.

A group of children sort recyclable materials into blue bins with green recycling arrow symbols for Earth Day.Free Admission to Any National Park

Various Locations
April 19, All Ages, Free

Get free admission to any national park to kick off National Park Week. Indiana is fortunate to be the home of three locations operated by the National Parks Service: Indiana Dunes National Park, George Rogers Clark National Historical Park, and Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. Visit any of these beautiful national parks for free in honor of Earth Month.
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Earth Day Celebration at TCMI

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 N Meridian St, Indianapolis
April 26, 10 am – 3 pm

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis joins organizations around the world in celebrating Earth Day. Guests can participate in special hands-on activities. Hear from local experts to learn ways you can take action. Join the museum and local organizations as they take action locally and globally. Regular admission rates apply.

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Clean and Green Earth Day Celebration

Bundy Lodge 7024 Lucas Drive, Brownsburg
April 26, 9-11 am

Community Trash Clean-up: Roll up your sleeves and join us in cleaning up our local environment. From parks to streets, every effort counts! In celebration of Arbor Day, Brownsburg Parks will also be doing a tree giveaway and hosting tree-planting demonstrations and family-friendly activities.

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Earth Day Open House

Cool Creek Nature Center 2000-1 E 151st Street, Carmel
April 19, 9 am – 2 pm

Visit the nature center for an open-house style celebration of our wonderful planet! Earth Day and Arbor Day crafts will be available, various native trees in bareroot seedling form will be available for FREE, milkweed seed packets will be available, native trees and shrubs will be for sale in the greenhouse, and several fun hikes will be offered.

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Cyanotype Earth Day Prints

Taylor Center of Natural History, 12308 Strawtown Ave.
Noblesville

April 19, 1 pm – 3 pm

Celebrate Earth Day by making Cyanotype prints with Hamilton County Parks. Using plants and sun exposure, you’ll go home with deep blue prints to preserve the treasures you find in nature. This event is for teens and adults ages 16 and up and the cost is $10.

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Earth Day at Pecar Nature Center

5203 E County Rd 150 N Avon
April 22, 2:30-5:30, All Ages, FREE

Don’t miss the festivities at the Pecar Nature Center in celebration of Earth Day! Enjoy make-and-take crafts, themed activities, and educational opportunities so you can go home armed with knowledge to help make the world a better place. Register ahead of time to join a guided nature hike. Hikes leave the Nature Center at 3 and 4 pm.

A child's hands pats the soil around a freshly planted tree sapling for Earth Day.

Greenfest

Zionsville Town Hall, 1100 W Oak Street, Zionsville
April 26, 9 am – 12 pm

In celebration of Earth Day and Arbor Day, this event connects participants with the resources to become good stewards of the environment. Learn about living sustainably while having fun! Don’t forget to visit the Do It Again Art Market to discover unique treasures crafted from recycled materials.

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Earth Day at the JCC Indianapolis

6701 Hoover Road, Indianapolis
May 4, 1-4 pm, All ages, FREE

Earth Day at the JCC returns with dozens of hands-on, environmentally-friendly activities by 50+ exhibitors. Stay for the afternoon with music, entertainment, a farmer’s market, and food trucks. Arts with a Purpose plans to provide children’s activities. Rain or shine; pets on leashes are welcome.

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Earth Day Indiana Festival at Garfield Park

2345 Pagoda Drive, Indianapolis
May 31, 11 am-5 pm, All Ages, FREE

Join over 110 organizations with workshops, live music, food vendors, and a beer garden for a full day of fun. Don’t miss special performances and activities just for kids in the Youth Activities Center.

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A boy tends to sprouting plants in terra cotta pots for Earth Day.

Earth Day Events We Hope to See Return

The following events have occurred in the past but are either not happening in 2025 or have not yet been announced. Check back soon for updates!

Clean and Green Earth Day Celebration

Arbuckle Acres Park, 200 N Green Street, Brownsburg

Work alongside Brownsburg Park’s Natural Resource team to remove harmful invasive species that threaten our native ecosystems. Participants will meet with Brownsburg Park’s Natural Resource staff for an educational orientation. Will focus on eradicating invasive garlic mustard within Arbuckle Acres Park.

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Indy Creation Fest

Grace Church, 5504 E 146th St, Noblesville

Come out for the annual Indy Creation Fest, an open-house-style celebration of love for God and neighbors by joyfully caring for creation! Learn about local sustainable businesses, sample sustainable cooking, enjoy free giveaways, and play games for all ages. No registration is needed.

We hope you are looking forward to celebrating our beautiful Earth this April with your family!

Celebrate spring with a round of disc golf at one of our favorite spots in Indy.

Let your kids learn more about the world around them at these Indiana children’s museums.

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