Earth Day is a great reminder that even small changes can make a big impact. And when you’ve got kids, it’s the perfect chance to talk about taking care of the planet in simple, age-appropriate ways. Whether you have 10 minutes or want to spend the whole day celebrating, here are some fun, meaningful ways to get involved.
Find a Madison Area Earth Day Event
- Community Clothing Swap - April 18, 9am-3pm
Overture Center's Sustainability Committee invites the Madison community to celebrate Earth Month with a clothing swap focused on reducing fashion waste and embracing conscious consumption. Give your gently used clothing a second life and find something new to love in the process. Clothing donations will be accepted in Overture's Rotunda lobby starting April 10 during building hours through 12pm on the day of the event.
Learn more here. - Family Nature Program - Love the Earth
This program is a fun, fascinating way for families with children elementary age and younger to explore the natural world. Nature walk and activities. Meet at the Visitor Center. - RoundTrip Spring Roll Challege
Log your sustainable trips all month long for a chance to win prizes! Free and open to everyone 18+ in Dane County. Register with RoundTrip and log trips made by bike, bus, carpool, walking, or rolling throughout April. The goal is to reach 10,000 green trips in Dane County this April, with weekly and grand prize drawings. - Madison Parks Earth Day Challenge
Join neighbors across Madison on Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 10am–12pm for a citywide park clean-up event. With over 60 parks participating, volunteers will help with trash pickup, raking, weeding, and more. Gloves, garbage bags, and rakes are provided—just bring your helping hands! Sign up ahead of time to reserve your spot. - Farmer's Market Food Scrap Drop-Off Program
The City of Madison and Sustain Dane's free composting program returns for its fifth season, with a goal of diverting 48,000 pounds of food scraps this year!- Westside Community Market: Saturdays, 7am–12:30pm @ Research Park (505 S Rosa Rd), April 11–Oct 31
- East Madison Market: Tuesdays, 4–7pm @ McPike Park (202 S. Ingersoll St.), April 28–Oct 27
- South Madison Market: Tuesdays, 2–6pm @ Madison Labor Temple (1602 S Park St.), May 19–Oct 27
- Capitol View Market: Wednesdays, 3–7pm @ City View Park (5901 Sharpsburg Dr), May 27–Oct 14
Earth Day Family Challenges
A fun way to get kids thinking about sustainability is by setting a challenge! Here are some age-appropriate ideas:
Toddlers & Preschoolers
- Sorting game: Set up three bins (or just sections on the floor) labeled Paper, Plastic, and Cardboard. Hand them safe, clean items and let them figure out where each one goes. This introduces recycling in a hands-on way!
- Turn off the lights challenge: Teach them to flip the switch when they leave a room.
- Recycled art project: Give them old magazines, scrap paper, and cardboard to create a masterpiece.
Elementary-Aged Kids
- Screen-free afternoon: Swap electronics for outdoor play or board games.
- Zero-waste lunch: Pack lunch using only reusable containers (no plastic bags or wrappers).
- Walk or bike instead of driving: Even if it’s just a short trip, make it a fun adventure!
Tweens & Teens
- No food waste week: Plan meals together and use up leftovers creatively.
- Trash cleanup challenge: Grab some gloves and a trash bag and head to a local park or trail.
- Repurpose instead of replace: Instead of buying new, challenge them to upcycle an old item (turn an old t-shirt into a tote bag, decorate an old jar into a pencil holder, etc.).
Mini Garden Projects
In Wisconsin, Earth Day doesn’t exactly scream gardening season. But that doesn’t mean you can’t start a little green project indoors!
🌱 Sprout some beans or lentils – Lay dried beans on a damp paper towel, fold it over, and seal it inside a plastic bag. Keep it somewhere warm and check on it daily. Kids (and let's be real, adults!) will love seeing the roots pop out! Once the sprouts have roots, you can plant them in a cup of dirt indoors.
🌱 Grow microgreens – These little greens (like radish or broccoli sprouts) grow super fast and can be snipped for salads in 7-10 days.
🌱 Start a potato in water – Stick toothpicks in a potato and rest it in a jar of water so half is submerged. After a couple of weeks, it will sprout vines!
🌱 Plant an herb indoors – Basil or parsley can thrive in a small sunny window and be snipped for cooking.
Repurpose Instead of Replace
Before tossing something in the trash, think: Can this be used again? Here are a few easy swaps:
- Old T-shirts → Cleaning rags or DIY tote bags
- Glass jars → Storage for snacks, craft supplies, or a DIY candle
- Egg cartons → Seed starters or sorting trays for little toys
- Toilet paper rolls → Craft projects (so many ideas on Instagram) or bird feeders
- Mismatched socks → Dusting mitts
Donate Instead of Dump
If your spring cleaning pile is growing, donate instead of throwing away! Some ideas:
- Books & toys – Local libraries, daycare centers, or family shelters often accept gently used items.
- Clothing – Pass down outgrown clothes to friends or donate to a community closet.
- Household items – Many thrift stores and donation centers will take small kitchen appliances, décor, and furniture.
Resale & Consignment Events
Another great option? Sell your gently used items (and shop for great deals) at local consignment and resale events! Events like Just Between Friends, Lil' Badger, and Half Pint in the Madison area give families the chance to declutter, earn a little cash, and find new-to-you items for less. These sales are a fantastic way to support sustainability while keeping kids' clothes, gear, and toys in rotation within the community
Earth Day doesn’t have to be about big, complicated changes. Even the smallest actions can make a difference.
