Earth Week at the Zoo

Earth Week at the Zoo

Monday, April 21–Sunday, April 27

10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Free

Celebrate Earth Week at Lincoln Park Zoo starting on Monday, April 21! The zoo is hosting activities and programs throughout the week, both on grounds and around Chicago—and YOU can get involved. Head to the zoo to celebrate Earth Day (April 22) and Arbor Day (April 25).

Coffee for a Cause

Inspired by urban wildlife and the flying squirrels that call Chicagoland home, $2 from every bag of Backlot Coffee’s Flying Squirrel blend coffee sold during Earth Week (both in store and online) will go back to Lincoln Park Zoo! Support your zoo and your local coffee shop in one fell swoop!

Buy Coffee & Make a Difference

Free Activities With the Zoo

 

Tuesday, April 22: Earth Day

10 a.m.–2:45 p.m.
Celebrate Earth Day at the zoo with a variety of free activities for all ages!

Wednesday, April 23

Join story time with the Chicago Public Library, see seal trainings, and more!

Thursday, April 24

Learn how you can take small steps that make a big impact on the health of our planet.

Friday, April 25: Arbor Day

10 a.m.–2:45 p.m.
Celebrate Arbor Day at Lincoln Park Zoo, an accredited arboretum and botanic garden.

  • 10 a.m.—noon Learning Table Activities
  • 10 a.m.—1 p.m. Horticulture Activity Table and Seed Packet Giveaway
  • 10 a.m.—1 p.m. Self-guided Virtual Tours of Rain Gardens, Pollinator Gardens, and More!
  • 11 a.m.—noon Ask a Scientist: Urban Wildlife Institute
  • 11:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. Seal Training
  • 11:30 a.m. Monkey Cognition
  • 1 p.m. Ape Cognition and Care
  • 2 p.m. Penguin Feeding

  • 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Destination Discovery Story Time with Chicago Public Library – Join librarian Megan and her friends at the Lincoln Park Zoo as they celebrate their favorite planet: Earth! They’ll share songs, rhymes, and books, then offer suggestions for at-home activities in honor of Earth Week. Learn More.
  • 11 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. Seal Training
  • 11:30 a.m. Monkey Cognition
  • 1 p.m. Ape Cognition and Care
  • 2 p.m. Penguin Feeding

  • 11 a.m.–noon Choose Sustainable Palm Oil Cart
  • 11 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. Seal Training
  • 11:30 a.m. Monkey Cognition
  • 1 p.m. Ape Cognition and Care
  • 2 p.m. Penguin Feeding

  • 10 a.m.–noon Nature Activities – Learn about trees and their leaves, along with how to support healthy forests, through a leaf memory match game
  • 11 a.m. Jamaican Iguana Care
  • 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Oak Tree Cookie Table Demonstration and Stories with horticulturalist Emily!
  • 11 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. Seal Training
  • 11:30 a.m. Monkey Cognition
  • Noon Free Arboretum Tour with zoo experts
  • 1 p.m. Ape Cognition and Care
  • 2 p.m. Penguin Feeding

Saturday, April 26

12:30–2 p.m.
Join the City Nature Challenge at McKinley Park with the zoo’s Conservation Ambassadors Board.

Sunday, April 27

10 a.m.–1 p.m.
On the Family Nature Boardwalk Safari, you can take part in free activities and join this year’s City Nature Challenge.

Self-guided Tours

While you’re at the zoo, you can take self-guided tours featuring popular trees and more. View the tours.

Chicago City Nature Challenge at McKinley Park

Join teens from Lincoln Park Zoo’s Conservation Ambassadors Board at McKinley Park for an afternoon of urban nature and wildlife as you compete for Chicago in the 2025 City Nature Challenge. Take part in free activities like:

  • Identifying wildlife and nature
  • Playing wildlife and nature bingo
  • Journaling about nature
  • Getting a chance to win fun prizes
  • …and more!

Free Registration

Nature Boardwalk Safari Family Day

Join teens from Lincoln Park Zoo’s Conservation Ambassadors Board at Nature Boardwalk for a day of urban nature and wildlife as you compete for Chicago in the 2025 City Nature Challenge. Take part in free activities like:

  • Identifying wildlife and nature
  • Playing wildlife and nature bingo
  • Engaging with art stations
  • Taking part in a scavenger hunt
  • Getting a chance to win fun prizes
  • …and more!

Free Registration

Not at the Zoo? No Problem!

Celebrate Earth Week where ever you are with these zoo resources:

Learn More

Life and Legacy: Bur Oaks and Other Trees at Lincoln Park Zoo

Learn about bur oaks and the historic trees that have called Lincoln Park Zoo home.
Learn More

Help Birds During Spring Migration

More than 8 million birds from 250 species travel through the city of Chicago during spring migration. Learn how you can help them.
Learn More

Parsing Palm Oil

Learn about how palm oil is produced, the issues with palm oil, and what you can do to make a difference.
Learn More

Events

City Nature Challenge at McKinley Park

Saturday, April 26

Join teens from Lincoln Park Zoo’s Conservation Ambassadors Board at McKinley Park for an afternoon of urban nature and wildlife as you compete for Chicago in the 2025 City Nature Challenge.

Free Registration

Nature Boardwalk Safari Family Day

Sunday, April 27

Join teens from Lincoln Park Zoo’s Conservation Ambassadors Board at Nature Boardwalk for a day of urban nature and wildlife as you compete for Chicago in the 2025 City Nature Challenge.

Free Registration

Sunset Garden Tours

Select Thursdays, May-October

Join a zoo horticulturist for a relaxed evening in the garden at Lincoln Park Zoo—after hours!

Learn More

00:00
00:00
Empty Playlist