The first Earth Day was on April 22, 1970, and it was a monumental event. Twenty million people in cities and towns across the United States took to the streets in a massive protest. The House and Senate adjourned for the day.

Members of Congress made speeches about protecting the environment. New York's 5th Avenue was closed to automobile traffic. Students went to school wearing gas masks, and crowds broke into song to protest the destruction of the environment.

In the wake of this massive outpouring, the Clean Air, the Clean Water, and the Endangered Species Acts were passed. Oh, and the Environmental Protection Agency was formed. Power to the people!

It's been 53 years since that first Earth Day, and we're still finding ways to celebrate our planet every April - and every day. So make Earth Day (Week) fun this year and give kids the power to think differently about how they use stuff with these activities:

Think differently about recyclables:  Americans use about 25 million plastic bottles annually. It takes each one nearly 700 years to decompose in a landfill. Of course, the best alternative is to pack a reusable water bottle when you head out for the day or the game. But, as we all know, plastic bottles are sometimes more convenient. So instead of just throwing those bottles into the blue bin, why not give them a second life first?

Make hanging vases - perfect for surprising your neighbors with springtime blooms on May Day or hanging on your teacher's door before school. Simply remove the label and cut the bottom off a soda or water bottle. Keep the cap screwed tightly on. Use an awl, nail, or hole punch to poke a hole about 1 1/2 inches down on either side of the cut end of the bottle. (It will hang with the cap down.) To make a handle, thread a piece of twine, string, or ribbon through one end and tie it. Then, thread the other end through the other hole and secure it. Fill your vase with water and flowers from the garden.

Use small, medium, and large soda or water bottles to make self-watering planters. Rinse bottles and remove the label. Cut the bottle evenly in half. Place a length of cotton string through the bottle's neck so it dangles out about 3 inches. Leaving the string on one side of the bottle (temporarily tape it in place if needed), lay a small circle of cotton fabric over the opening on the inside to keep the soil in. Place the whole thing, spout end down, into the bottom half of your soda bottle. For decoration and stability, you can put some marbles or rocks in the base. Gently fill your planter with soil. Plant flowers, houseplants, or herbs in your new pot and water them well. To do so, lift the top half out and fill the bottom with water when the soil gets dry to the touch. You can leave your planter as-is or place it in a cute cachepot (covered with decoupage recycled magazines, of course!).

If you have a group gathering and end up with a bunch of water bottles, use the lids to make games. Simply color the tops to make checkers, or put x's and o's for tic tac toe. A board can be made from sidewalk chalk, an old file folder, or in the case of tick-tac-toe, even some sticks from the backyard.

Think Differently About Wildlife: Your backyard is its own little ecosystem, and keeping our Earth healthy means protecting all its creatures. Make your yard friendly for birds and other critters by providing food, water, and places to raise young. For more information about backyard wildlife and some fun, nature-related games, visit the National Wildlife Federation. You'll find lots of ideas, and you can even get your backyard certified as an official Backyard Wildlife Habitat!

Now, for some activities:

Make milk carton bird feeders. Cut a rectangular hole big enough for birds to perch on in the middle and sides of a milk carton. Punch a hole in the top and loop a piece of twine through. Decoupage the outside with leftover birthday tissue and/or wrapping paper. To do that, make a mixture of white glue and water, paint it on the carton in sections, and attach squares of brightly colored paper. Let it dry before filling the bottom of the carton with bird seed. Hang it in a tree by your window and watch the feasting begin!   

Got some old gardening supplies lying around? Make a birdbath! All you need is a large pot, a tomato cage, and a plastic saucer the same size as the largest ring on the tomato cage. The pot will be your base. Fill it with soil and place the tomato cage so the largest ring faces up. Place the saucer on top. Fill it with water. Plant sweet pea seeds or any other twining plant in the pot. You'll soon be treated to bathing birds and beautiful blooms!

Make a nesting station. Nesting birds will flock to your backyard if you provide them with soft materials to make nests. Next time you buy onions, save the mesh bag they come in. Fill it with bits of actual cotton balls (not synthetic), pieces of cotton string no longer than 3 inches, feathers, and any other downy, natural material. Hang the bag in a nearby tree. For a delightful twist on this idea, check out this blog. And for more information about what's good to put in your nesting station and what to avoid, please visit Wild Birds Unlimited.

Happy Earth Day!

From Waste to Wonder: Recycled Art Masterpieces

Your tween or teen (ages 10-16) can join the Jefferson Branch librarians to learn how to become a recyclable art maker over four creative sessions on April 15, 22, 29, and May 6 from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM. Attendance at all sessions is encouraged but optional. Registration is required, and spots are limited. See the event listing for details.

Around the World Crafts - Japan

Your kids (grades PreK-5) can join the Bob Lucas Branch librarians on an exploration of Japan through crafts on May 3 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Registration is required.

Butterfly Season!

Kidspace Children's Museum's most anticipated season is here! Celebrate all things butterfly with crafts, stories, and raising a caterpillar until it turns into a butterfly, releasing it with a hundred more in about a month! So book your tickets for Kidspace and enjoy the magic of spring with its most wonderful ambassador - the butterfly!
 

Wild for the Planet

Your family can join the LA Zoo in celebrating all the rich diversity of life that Earth offers us for five weekends from April 1 - 30. Every day will be Earth Day in April with special conservation programming. And special feeding and enrichment programs help you and your kids learn about the many animals in the zoo's care. Visit the site for more information.

 

IMAX: Asteroid Hunters 3D

Your family can take a 3D trip into space on the California Science Center IMAX Theater's 7-story screen to hunt asteroids. See the event listing for tickets and showtimes.

Garden Critter Pot

Your kid (ages 9+) can join the Santa Catalina Branch librarians in making a critter pot for nation garden month on April 22 from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM. See the event listing for more details.

Elephant and Piggie Book Party

Your kid (ages 3-12) can join the Linda Vista Branch librarians in celebrating friendship with Elephant and Piggie stories and crafts on April 22 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. See the event listing for more details.

All Ages Lego Day

Your family can join the Bob Lucas branch librarians for some Lego and Duplo building blocks fun on March 24 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. See the event listing for more details.

Teen Writers Meetup

Your teen writer (ages 13-19) can join the Hastings Branch librarians for an hour of writing and group writing support on April 22 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Registration is required, and spots are limited.

Mighty Chondria: Slime & Oobleck

Your kid (ages 7-12) can join the Hastings Branch librarians on Zoom for some science fun as they make slime using household products on April 24 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Registration is required.

Virtual Reality @PPL

Your Teens (ages 13+) and adults can take VR for a spin at the Hastings Branch Library on March 28 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The Oculus Quest setup provides the full VR experience. Registration required. A parent or guardian must sign a waiver either online beforehand or on-site.
 

Take & Make: Picture Frame

Your family (ages 5+) can join the Jefferson Branch librarians in making two unique picture frames for Earth Month from April 4 - 25 or while supplies last. Register for craft kits online. See the event listing for more details.

Take & Make: Colorful Owl Lacing Craft

Your family can join the Santa Catalina Branch librarians in making a colorful owl craft from cardboard and yarn. Craft kit registration is open from April 11 through 29 or while supplies last.

Take & Make: Spring Chick

Your kid (ages 3-12) can join the Hastings Branch librarians to make an adorable spring chick. Craft kit registration is open from April 17 - 30 or while supplies last.

LEGO Free Play

Your kids (ages 2-12) can join the Monrovia librarians for two hours of free play with the library's bricks on April 29 and May 27 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. No registration is required. See the event listing for more details.

Día del Niño Celebration

Your family can join the La Pintoresca Branch librarians celebrating Día del Niño Celebration with stories, music, crafts, and games on April 26 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. See the event listing for more details.

These events are regularly scheduled, and many do not require registrations. That said, please check with the event host in case of holidays, weather, COVID, or other reasons to cancel or reschedule.
 

Board Game Night

Your family can join others and the Altadena librarians in an evening of board game fun on Mondays through December 19, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. No registration is required.

Chess Night

Your family can join other chess lovers and the Altadena librarians in an evening of chess-inspired fun on Tuesdays through November 22, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. No registration is required.
 

Afternoon Games

The whole family is invited to the Villa Parke Community Center Branch Library to play games, from board games to giant dominos. The fun happens on Tuesdays, from 2:00 PM till 4:00 PM.

Infant & Toddler Storytimes

Your little ones (ages 0-2) and their caregiver can join the Pasadena librarians weekly at 10:30 AM for 20 minutes of reading, rhyming, and singing fun! 

Lamanda Park Branch - Tuesdays

Allendale Branch - Wednesdays

Preschool Storytime - Pasadena Public Libraries

Your kids (ages 3-5) can join the Pasadena librarians weekly for a selection of stories, songs, crafts, or a short movie. Activities vary by branch.

Villa Parke Community Center Branch - Tuesdays, 10:30 AM till 11:30 AM

Santa Catalina Branch - Wednesday, 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM

San Rafael Branch - Wednesdays, 11:00 AM till 11:30 AM

Lamanda Park Branch - Thursdays, 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM

Linda Vista Branch - Thursday, 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM

Hill Avenue Branch - Saturdays, 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM

Family Films

Villa Parke Community Center Branch hosts a family movie for you on Thursdays, from 3:30 PM till 5:30 PM. Please contact the branch at 626-744-6510 for the movie title. And this is a BYOS (bring your own snacks) event.

Video Game Club

Your Teen (age 14-19) can stop into the Hastings Branch Library Meeting Room on Thursdays, from 4:00 PM till 6:00 PM, for some gaming fun on the Nintendo Switch. They can make new friends and learn fair play every week. No registration is required. Must play well with others.

Crafting with Tish & Tosh

Join the Pasadena Library online for some all-ages crafting fun. You'll learn new crafts all year round. The crafting fun happens on every-other Monday on Instagram Live from 3:00 PM till 3:30 PM.

 

Teen Switch Hour

Your Tweens (ages 8-12) can join the Altadena librarians for some Nintendo Switch fun playing Mario Kart, Mario Party, and Smash Brothers every Thursday from 4:00 PM till 5:00 PM in the Main Library's Community Room. The library has a limited number of systems available. You are welcome to bring your own Switch. .

 

STEAM Team

Your Tweens (ages 9-12) can join the Hastings Branch librarians on the third Tuesday of most months (Thanksgiving week being a usual exception) from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM to learn about science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. Registration is required, and spots are limited. 

Crafternoons for Kids!

Your kids (grades K-5) can join the Altadena librarians on the third Tuesday of the month for their arts and crafts program. There's a different craft every month, and parents are encouraged to participate. See the library calendar for details.

Read! Build! Play!

Your little ones (ages 0-5) can join the San Rafael Branch librarians for storytime, followed by self-guided play on Wednesdays through April from 11:40 AM to 1:00 PM. See the event listing for details.

Abacus Workshop

Your kids (ages 5-12) can join the La Pintoresca Branch librarians in learning arithmetic with the Soroban abacus. Registration is required. See the event listing for more information.

'Dena Dishes

Your teen (grades 8-12) can join the Altadena librarians on Instagram every other Friday at 5:00 PM for reviews of the coolest, tastiest, and best-value spots for teens in Altadena.