Earth Week Presented by LRS

Earth Week Presented by LRS

Monday, April 20–Sunday, April 26

10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Free

Celebrate Earth Week at Lincoln Park Zoo starting on Monday, April 20! The zoo is hosting activities and programs throughout the week, including celebrating Earth Day on April 22 and Arbor Day on April 24.

Throughout the week, you can participate in a variety of free, family-friendly activities. Learn different ways to Take Action With Us!

Free Tree Giveaway!

In celebration of Earth Week, our partners at Neighborhood Forests are giving away a free tree sapling to children whose parents or guardians sign up before March 15.

Registration has closed. Thank you to all who participated! If you ordered a tree, we’ll send a follow-up email with more details on when you can pick it up.

Free Activities With the Zoo

 

Monday, April 20

Tuesday, April 21

Wednesday, April 22: Earth Day

Thursday, April 23

  • 11:30 a.m. Seal Training, Kovler Seal Pool
  • 11:45 a.m. Monkey Cognition, Regenstein Macaque Forest
  • 1 p.m. Ape Cognition and Care, Regenstein Center for African Apes
  • 2 p.m. Penguin Feed, Robert and Mayari Pritzker Penguin Cove
  • 2:30 p.m. Seal Training, Kovler Seal Pool

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

  • 11:30 a.m. Seal Training, Kovler Seal Pool
  • 11:45 a.m. Monkey Cognition, Regenstein Macaque Forest
  • 1 p.m. Ape Cognition and Care, Regenstein Center for African Apes
  • 2 p.m. Penguin Feed, Robert and Mayari Pritzker Penguin Cove
  • 2:30 p.m. Seal Training, Kovler Seal Pool

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

    • 10 a.m.–noon Earth Day Education Activities

Participate in educational activities on grounds.

    • 10 a.m.–noon Membership and Adopt an Animal Table, Main Mall

Join us! And bring home a plush friend in support of the zoo.

    • 10 a.m.–noon Green Initiatives Table, Main Mall

Learn how the zoo works toward sustainability.

    • 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Horticulture Activity, Main Mall

Chat with an expert, take a self-led tour, and get free stuff.

    • 10:30 a.m.–11:15 a.m. Earth Day Story Time, Brauer Gate

Take in a themed tale with Chicago Public Library.

    • 11 a.m.–noon Ask a Scientist: Urban Wildlife Institute, Main Mall

Learn about urban animals and how zoo researchers study them.

  • 11:30 a.m. Seal Training, Kovler Seal Pool
  • 11:45 a.m. Monkey Cognition, Regenstein Macaque Forest
  • 1 p.m. Ape Cognition and Care, Regenstein Center for African Apes
  • 2 p.m. Penguin Feed, Robert and Mayari Pritzker Penguin Cove
  • 2:30 p.m. Seal Training, Kovler Seal Pool

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

Please note: Schedules are subject to change.

  • 10 a.m.–5 p.m. LRS Recycling Systems Scavenger Hunt and Animal Trivia, Pepper Family Wildlife Center
  • 11:30 a.m. Seal Training, Kovler Seal Pool
  • 11:45 a.m. Monkey Cognition, Regenstein Macaque Forest
  • 1 p.m. Ape Cognition and Care, Regenstein Center for African Apes
  • 2 p.m. Penguin Feed, Robert and Mayari Pritzker Penguin Cove
  • 2:30 p.m. Seal Training, Kovler Seal Pool

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

Friday, April 24: Arbor Day

Saturday, April 25

Sunday, April 26

  • 10 a.m.–noon Arbor Day educational Activity, South Lawn
  • Play a game, support healthy forests, and locate trees of interest.

  • 10 a.m.–noon Membership and Adopt an Animal Table, South Lawn
  • Join us! And bring home a plush friend in support of the zoo.

  • 10 a.m.–noon Horticulture Activity, South Lawn
  • Learn about the historic bur oak that once presided at the zoo.

  • 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Neighborhood Forests Tree Pickup, Member Center
  • If you ordered a free tree, you can pick it up here.

  • 10 a.m.–5 p.m. LRS Recycling Systems Activity Table, South Lawn
  • Join the scavenger hunt and play animal trivia!

  • 11:30 a.m. Seal Training, Kovler Seal Pool
  • 11:45 a.m. Monkey Cognition, Regenstein Macaque Forest
  • noon–1 p.m. Horticulture Tour; meet at Activity Table, South Lawn
  • Take a free tour featuring the fascinating trees at Lincoln Park Zoo.

  • 1 p.m. Ape Cognition and Care, Regenstein Center for African Apes
  • 2 p.m. Penguin Feed, Robert and Mayari Pritzker Penguin Cove
  • 2:30 p.m. Seal Training, Kovler Seal Pool

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

Please note: Schedules are subject to change.

  • Chicago City Nature Challenge. More info to come!
  • 9:30–10:30 a.m. LEAP: Learn, Explore, and Play. Register now
  •  10 a.m.–5 p.m. LRS Recycling Systems Scavenger Hunt and Animal Trivia, Pepper Family Wildlife Center
  • 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Neighborhood Forests Tree Pickup, Member Center
  • If you ordered a free tree, you can pick it up here.

  • 11:30 a.m. Seal Training, Kovler Seal Pool
  • 1 p.m. Ape Cognition and Care, Regenstein Center for African Apes
  • 2 p.m. Penguin Feed, Robert and Mayari Pritzker Penguin Cove
  • 2:30 p.m. Seal Training, Kovler Seal Pool

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. More info to come!
  • 8–10 a.m. Sensory-Friendly Morning at Lincoln Park Zoo. Register now.
  • 11:30 a.m. Seal Training, Kovler Seal Pool
  • 1 p.m. Ape Cognition and Care, Regenstein Center for African Apes
  • 2 p.m. Penguin Feed, Robert and Mayari Pritzker Penguin Cove
  • 2:30 p.m. Seal Training, Kovler Seal Pool

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

Not at the Zoo? No Problem!

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

Presented by

Learn More

volunteers at a learning station

12 Fun Ways to Connect With Nature at the Zoo This Spring

Spring is a great time to visit the zoo, thanks to blooming flowers and animals venturing outdoors. Come and enjoy the season!
Learn More

5 Ways to Help Birds During Spring Migration

More than 8 million birds from 250 species travel through Chicago during spring migration. Here’s how you can help them.
Learn More

Living Wildlife Friendly With Lincoln Park Zoo

Learn how to coexist with urban animals. These tips will help you foster positive experiences with local wildlife year-round.
Learn More

Events

City Nature Challenge

Join Lincoln Park Zoo in a weekend of urban nature and wildlife as you compete for Chicago in the 2026 challenge.

LEAP: Learn, Explore, and Play

April 25, Single Saturday Session

Children (ages 2–4) guide the way as they choose whether to dig in the dirt, manipulate loose parts, create a collaborative work of art, or settle in with a story underneath a canopy of colorful fabric.

Sign Up

Sensory-Friendly Morning at Lincoln Park Zoo

Sunday, April 26, 8–10 a.m.

During Sensory-Friendly Morning, people with disabilities or chronic illness or members of the Deaf community can experience the zoo grounds and animal buildings in a comfortable and inclusive environment.

Register

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