Earth Day is coming up on Friday, April 22, and there are many different activities you can do to celebrate. Although this is a school day, you can still catch some cool nature moments after school. While climate change and taking care of the Earth has been on the radar a lot more for the past few years, Earth Day is also an opportunity for us to acknowledge and appreciate the beauty and importance of the world we live on. Here are a few beautiful things you can do on the upcoming Earth Day.

Visit nearby beaches: Although we do not live in sunny California, there is still the option to hit the beach. While all beaches are closed for the swimming season, you can still spend the remainder of your Earth Day overlooking the seas, talking with friends, and stocking up on a few more Instagram pictures to post.
Forest Park Beach: Located in Lake Forest, this beach will require a 20-25 minute ride not counting traffic. Their different facilities are only open during the summer season, but they do have sheltered pavilions that you can use. The reviews for this beach are all very good and people have commented on its neatness.
Sunrise Park and Beach: This beach is located in Lake Bluff, and driving there will also take about 20-25 minutes without traffic. There are two beach shelters with picnic tables and fireplaces. Although you are most likely will not be allowed to use the fireplace without supervision, you can still enjoy the picnic tables available to you. Make sure to follow the 10:00 curfew because there will be a patrol enforcing it.
Rosewood Beach: This beach is located in Highland Park, and is about 26 minutes away without traffic. You could stop at a nearby restaurant or at home to prepare a few snacks or a lunch, and then hit the road. As long as the weather is not too bad, there are many different activities you can do once you arrive. There is parking, a lookout area, ravine walk, concession stand, restrooms, and a picnic area. Most of these utilities will not be open until the swimming season, however.

Take a nature walk: There are a few places around this area that public visiting areas to see a different variety of plants and flowers. Wander around these gardens if you have any interest in botany and seeing beautiful plants, or take a few nice nature pictures and walk around experiencing the earth and breathing in fresh air.
Cuneo Museum and Gardens: This is the closest thing we have to our own Chicago Botanic Garden, if you do not want to make the long ride. It is supposed to be lovely in nicer weather and has a collection of gardens, fountains, and lakes on 75 acres of land. There is a $12 admission price for tours, but there is free parking. There are instances where people have found that the grounds were unexpectedly closed, so call ahead if you want to make sure it is open. The normal times recorded on the website is Tuesdays through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are closed on Mondays.
Chicago Botanic Garden: This is a lot farther than the Cuneo Museum and Gardens, but it has larger grounds with more variety. If you truly want to see all that nature offers, you can make the longer ride to Glencoe. The admission is free, but there are fees for parking. It is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., so you have a good amount of time to explore the grounds. The Garden View Café and Garden Shop open later and end at 5 p.m. There is even a special Earth Day walk event on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Hikes/Biking around: Grab a couple of friends, dress up in the right gear, and get ready to walk. This is a fun and active way to get your daily workout in and enjoy the beauty that Mother Nature offers. Be more conscious of the world around you, and take snapshots of your favorite nature moments.
Independence Grove: This is a much closer place, located in Libertyville, with 6.25 miles of trails for hikers and bikers. There is a specific paved trail for bikers that is located around the lake with a few inclines. There is also a gravel trail for hikers. These trails are all centered around the Independence Grove Lake and the North and South Bays. Take cute pictures near the lake and explore the wildlife near you. Look up the trail map on their website and plan the route you want to take. Then dress and pack accordingly for the hike.

Garden with your friends: Although gardening sounds like a dull project, you and your friends can make personalized gifts for each other. You could go to Home Depot and choose the different plants you want, or you could order plants from the Forest Nation website. Discover the green thumb you never knew you had.
Home: Go to your local Home Depot or Lowe’s, and pick up a few plants that you want to grown. They could be flowers, succulents, cacti, herbs, etc., but ask a worker on how to take care of the specific plants. Get the proper things you need and a few pots. You can plan a fun event with friends to decorate the pots, and then pot your plants. You guys can all keep track of your own plants, or give them to each other as gifts.
Forest Nation tree planting: You can also order your Earth Day plants from Forest Nation. Forest Nation is a fundraising company that sticks to the idea of “You plant one, we plant one.” You purchase a plant or tree kit online, and they plant a tree in the world as well. This is a way to pay back to the earth in a way that benefits everyone. They have a different variety of trees, herbs, and flowers to choose from. You can also pledge online to plant a tree, stop eating meat, recycle, start composting, etc.

Have a picnic: There is not a more perfect way to enjoy the outdoors like having a picnic. You get to enjoy the fresh air, food, and friends. Plot your blanket on any grassy spot outside, and have a picnic! You can pack a huge assortment of different foods and drinks. Celebrate this Earth Day with friends and food.
Century Park: Century Park is a great nearby park with lots of different facilities. There are two lakes, Big Bear and Little Bear, that provide a nice view. There are 11 picnic shelters, two restroom buildings, and lots of grass area. You can also walk around or play around on the different paths, courts, and playgrounds.

Camping:
Home: You can prepare for this Earth Day with a nice sized tent, sleeping bags, and a few snacks and necessities. If the weather is really bad, you can camp inside near the windows and experience similar “outdoorsy” vibes. With a few lights and snacks, your friends and you can talk all night long. Experience a bit of the outdoors and bring out the inner kid in you.

Watch the Sunrise/Sunset:
Sunrise (the next morning): There is the option to wake up early on the day, but it would require you waking up earlier than you have to on a school morning. Instead, you could wake up early on the next Saturday and enjoy the sunrise then. Make a hot cup of coffee or tea, or your morning smoothie and breakfast, to appreciate with the gorgeous view. Ditch the extra few hours of sleep to enjoy the quiet calm of the morning. You may even find this becoming a weekly routine for you.
Sunset: You and your friends can watch the sunset together on this Earth Day. Whether it be on your roof, in the backyard, on the beach, etc., you can make it special with cozy blankets, fun Polaroid cameras, and of course, food. Make some nice hot cocoa’s (if the weather gets colder) beforehand. Then, take some cute pictures as the sun sets. You will find yourself enjoying this time with friends as you all talk and appreciate the beautiful sunset.