Earth Day in Des Moines 2023
There are a lot of opportunities for kids and families to get involved in Earth Day in Des Moines in the month of April. You can do something as simple as grabbing trash bags and adventuring on a walk in your neighborhood or local park to pick up trash or plant a tree. There are also some great opportunities to help support the community you live in too! Check out this great list for some fun events that celebrate Earth Day in and around Des Moines, Iowa in celebration of Earth Day.
Joppa Outreach Community Cleanup
Saturday, April 1
8:30 a.m. to Noon & 12:30 to 4 p.m.
Register to join the Joppa Community Cleanups to help make a difference in Des Moines! Over the past 11 annual events, they have removed more than 525,000 pounds of trash from Des Moines parks, homeless camps, and other locations—that’s more than 260 tons! Learn more and register.
Knee-High Naturalist – Earth’s Superheroes
Wednesday, April 12
10 to 11 a.m.
Jester Park Nature Center
Are you ready to get outside and explore? Come and hear a story followed by some outdoor fun! As naturalists, we will hike, investigate, and navigate through the trails and grounds of Jester Park as we learn what makes the outdoors such an amazing place. Please come dressed to be outside.
REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3xWP4to
DEADLINE: April 11
COST: Free
AGES: Recommended ages 3-6 years
Earth Day Trash Bash
Thursday, April 20
Noon to 3 p.m.
Clive, Iowa
12:00 − 1:00 p.m. Volunteer Luncheon at Campbell Park
1:00 − 3:00 p.m. Cleanup throughout the City
This community clean-up event is held throughout Clive and focuses on making Clive parks and trail areas “Distinct By Nature.” They ask that each individual volunteer register themselves due to a waiver that is included and required at the end of the online registration process, and to get an accurate count of volunteers. An informational email will be sent to each volunteer with more specific logistical information one week prior to the Trash Bash. For more information, contact Jeff atjlucas@cityofclive.com or call (515) 867-5172.
Homeschool – Celebration Earth
Friday, April 21
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. OR 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Jester Park Nature Center
Join Jester Park Nature Center and Polk County Conservation each month for a season of learning at the Jester Park Nature Center. This program series will be delivered in a flexible format that is specially designed for homeschooled students. Each month they will explore a new theme related to the natural world. Programs will engage students with a story, craft, or activity, and an outdoor fun component. You must register by April 20th. The cost is free.
Morning Session – https://bit.ly/3J10xhQ
Afternoon Session – https://bit.ly/3EKrrbq
Try Day: Celebrate Earth Day
Friday, April 21
5:30 to 8 p.m.
Des Moines Children’s Museum
Join the Des Moines Children’s Museum for their monthly Try Day series. This month they are celebrating our great Earth! They will have special programming from Brenton Arboretum, Muddy Boots Forest Camp, Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa, and more, as well as a recycling game and Maker’s Space.
Regular admission applies; free for members.
Earth Day + Extraordinary Eggs
Saturday, April 22
8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Water Works Park
On Saturday, April 22, there will be hundreds of extraordinary eggs waiting to be found in Water Works Park. This egg hunt is your invitation to explore one of America’s largest urban parks. Come help clean up the park, hunt some extraordinary eggs, do some Egg Yoga, and celebrate Earth Day weekend. More details to come!
Earth Day Family 5k Run/Walk
Saturday, April 22
10 a.m. to Noon
Polk City, Iowa
Join Polk City Friends of the Parks for the second annual Earth Day Family 5K Run/Walk! Join them Earth Day weekend in enhancing, growing, and supporting the Polk City parks, trails, and green spaces. Participate in a fun run, and kids’ activities on the square. 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝟓𝐤 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚n𝐭𝐬 will receive a native flowering plant, slap koozie & a raffle ticket for prizes. Register and learn more.
Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, April 22
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Colby Park in Windsor Heights
Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 22 to head to Colby Park. They are planning something amazing for the full family to learn about and appreciate nature! Stream Cleanup and trail cleanup at Colby Park, Speak with a Beekeeper, Make Seed balls, Paint a birdhouse, And More!
Earth Day at the Arboretum
Saturday, April 22
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Brenton Arboretum
Celebrate Earth Day together at the Arboretum! Drop in whenever you’d like and take advantage of fun programming and activities.
Free Admission – Greater Botanical Garden
Saturday, April 22
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Enjoy free admission to the Botanical Garden on Saturday, April 22 to participate in family-friendly activities, and engage with community partners. The Botanical Garden is unveiling a new mural in the garden commons as part of the Earth Day festivities! Including Story Sprouts at 10:30 a.m.
Earth Day Family Fun
Saturday, April 22
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
West Des Moines City Hall
Save the date for this fun Earth Day event! It is the perfect opportunity for your family to come to enjoy some family-friendly outdoor activities. You can go kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and creating a themed craft. This is a free annual event!
Sit down with your children and fill out this fun worksheet. Click on the image to download + print your own!
