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Earth day is observed on April 22 every year and involves joint efforts of adults and children alike towards making a better future for us. Earth day activities for kids include power and water conservation, discussion on recycling, and ways to help them reduce carbon footprintsiAmount of carbon emissions generated by a person or organization. . On this day, we all take some time out from our busy schedules to make our planet a better place. You can encourage your children to care for Earth by enlightening them about our planet and engaging them in recycled crafts and arts, games, and other unique activities for the planet. Read on for different activities for children on Earth Day that can be carried out as fun sessions both in the classroom and at home.
Trivia30+ Earth Day Activities For Kids
Earth Day Crafts For Kids
1. A bird feeder
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Bird feeders can be made in several ways using recycled materials. Pinecones can be used for making bird feeders DIY style with your children.
You will need:
- Pinecones of any shape or size
- String
- Two or three cups of birdseed
- One cup of peanut butter
How to make:
- Melt the peanut butter till the texture becomes runny but not too hot for little fingers.
- Cut the string into eight-inch strips and tie them to the pine cones.
- Dip the pine cones into the peanut butter.
- Now roll them in the birdseed for a thorough coating.
Your bird feeders are ready to be hung on a tree or bush. You can enjoy bird watching as they relish the bird seeds the next morning.
2. A bug hotel
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Make a comfy home for creepy crawlies and pollinators to lounge.
You will need:
- A large two-liter plastic bottle
- A pair of scissors
How to make:
- Take a large two-liter plastic bottle and cut it into two cylinders.
- Go on a walk with your little ones to gather natural materials such as twigs, sticks, bark, and pine cones.
- Once you have enough for the bug hotel, stuff the bottles with the organic material tightly.
- Then twist a piece of twine around the cylinders.
- Hang your bug hotel on a fence or tree branch.
3. Recycled cardboard marble maze
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Making a recycled craft out of old cardboard boxes promotes eco-friendly habits and sustainable living. Recycling and stem work in this activity challenges children to make a DIY maze.
You will need:
- Cardboard box
- Paint
- Straws
- Wooden bits like beads or mini blocks
- Hot glue gun
- Pair of scissors
- Pencil
- Small marble
How to do:
- Take a box and start by painting all sides of your box. Then let your child go wild by drawing a maze on the bottom.
- Help your child to cut the straws to fit the maze and then stick them with the glue gun.
- Place the wooden bits along the paths as obstacles.
- Finally, drive the marble through the maze avoiding the stoppers from one side to the other.
The project boosts creative thinking and tinkering as they can come up with ideas to make the maze easier or more challenging.
4. Earth Day necklace
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Use a simple salt dough recipe to make a cute necklace and celebrate Earth Day with your children.
You will need:
- One cup flour
- Half a cup iodized salt
- Half cup water
- Paint
- Twine
- Beads
How to make:
- Make the salt dough by combining flour, salt, and water.
- Roll the dough to about a quarter-inch thickness.
- Cut out small circles with a cookie cutter.
- Make a small hole near the top for the twine to go through later.
- Bake the dough pieces for one to two hours at a low temperature.
- Once they are cool, paint them blue and green to represent the Earth.
- String the twine through the hole with some extra beads.
Enjoy wearing your matching necklaces.
5. Recycled planter
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It is a simple way to start a garden and get inspired to plant more trees.
You will need:
- Old can, jar, or even a carton
- Soil
- Sapling
- Pair of scissors
How to make:
- Wash the container thoroughly.
- Let the children decorate the exterior of the container (if they want to).
- Give them gravel to line the bottom for water drainage.
- Next, help them put in small saplings of flowers or even herbs to give them the satisfaction they are eating something grown themselves.
- Finally, let them pack the potting soiliAn mixture of various materials, including compost and bark, needed for growing plants in container. around the plant.
- Ask them to water the plant daily and take care of it.
6. Crowns
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Use old paper grocery bags for crafting Earth Day grass crowns and make your little one feel like a garden princess.
You will need:
- Paper bags
- Grass and flowers (if possible)
- Green crayons
- Scissors
- A glue stick
- Flower stickers.
How to make:
- Cut the bags into five-inch strips and color the blank side in different shades of green to make it look like blades of grass.
- Snip the edge of the strips into a fringe, and to add depth to the grass, you can vary the height of the fringe as well.
- Add flower stickers if available (You can use grass and flowers to make a crown as well).
- Fit the crowns and cut to size if required.
It is a great activity for children who are learning art and craft. Don’t worry if the fringe is not precise.
7. Coffee filter craft
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Use large size coffee filter papers to make this simple and fun craft.
You will need:
- Coffee filters
- Green and blue markers
- White paint
- Black card stock paper
How to make:
- Give your child a green marker to color the land areas and a blue marker for the oceans around the land.
- Spritz the filter with water and watch how the colors blend to fill up the coffee filter.
- Stick the filter paper earth on the black paper once it’s dry.
- To make the stars in space, dilute white paint and lightly spray around your Earth sketch.
8. Wildflower seed bombs
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Follow this easy-peasy recipe to make these seed bombs from scrap material.
You will need:
- Scraps of construction paper
- Wildflower seeds
- Water
How to make:
- Blend all your ingredients in a food processor.
- Scrunch them together to form tiny balls.
- Once they are dry, toss them around in your garden or the park.
As these seed bombs get rain and sun, the paper will compost, allowing the seeds to germinate. Give back these power-packed bombs to nature this Earth Day.
Earth Day Art Ideas For Kids
9. Newspaper leaf prints
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Make sheets of recycled wrapping paper with pretty leaf prints.
You will need:
- Newspaper
- Assorted leaves
- Acrylic paints
- An empty plastic bottle.
How to make:
- Spread a sheet of newspaper on the floor so that it is flat.
- Dip the leaves in the paint.
- Place the leaves on the newspaper with the paint-side facing down.
- Use a second sheet of newspaper to cover the leaves.
- Roll the bottle over it to make sure the leaves make an impression on the bottom sheet.
- Carefully remove the top layer of newspaper.
Peel off the leaves to reveal your pretty leaf wrapping paper.
10. A giant upcycled art wall
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Children will enjoy making a nature collage or a collaborative giant art wall as they can add anything and everything they can find. You can collect things from toilet rolls, kitchen rolls, milk cartons, egg cartons, craft sticks, and packaging materials.
You also need:
- A giant piece of cardboard
- Tempera paintsiWater-based paint that is allergen-free and non-toxic.
- Glue guns
How to make:
- Clear a large space on the floor for children to work on their design.
- Give them the freedom to stick all the recycled items anywhere they want.
- Once you stick them, use the paint to brighten the structure.
If you are a teacher, make it an ongoing classroom project for your students as they can keep adding items. Once the masterpiece is ready, hang it on the wall with clear non-marking tape.
11. Earth Day stamps
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Use the old corks from your kitchen drawer to make these cute stampers that your children can enjoy using for the entire year.
You will need:
- Wine corks
- A Carving knife
- A pen
- Acrylic paints
How to make:
- Draw any design you like at the end of the cork—alphabets, stars, and hearts make good stamps.
- Carefully carve out the design (you can do a couple of test stamps while carving to make sure your design comes along as you want it)
- To make the homemade stamp pad, soak a little bit of paint in an old washcloth.
- The washcloth soaks the paint in the right amount to give you a stamp pad that will not over-saturate your craft.
Your children can use these stamps to decorate cards and notepads. You can also use vegetables, like potatoes, to make ecologically friendly stamps.
12. Painted nature pictures
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Your child’s handmade nature picture can get you many compliments once it is up on your wall. Collect all the things that you can include in your artwork on a nature walk. Pick up twigs, leaves, feathers, and flowers.
You will need:
- Powdered tempera paints
- Sand
- Craft glue
- Mixing bowls
- Construction paperiAlso known as sugar paper, it has a rough and unfinished feel to it.
How to make:
- Mix sand with the powdered paint in separate bowls.
- Coat all the natural materials you have with glue.
- Roll them in the colored sand.
- Now place your objects on the construction paper to make a scenic landscape.
Once you are happy with your arrangement, stick each object with glue.
13. Simple trash rainbow
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The simple trash rainbow is a great way to help your toddlers learn about Earth Day.
You will need:
- A large piece of paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Seven small containers
- Color pencils
- Small squares of paper in rainbow colors
How to make:
- Collect trash in rainbow colors. It can be anything from scrap paper, buttons, small toys, beads, or ribbon.
- Get your little one to sort the trash by colors and put them into the containers while you make the rainbow with colored pencils.
- Spread the glue on the rainbow and paste the sorted stuff one color at a time.
Hang your colorful trash rainbow up once it is dry.
14. Eggshell mosaics
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Save your eggshells to create delightful spring-inspired mosaics.
You will need:
- Eggshells
- Food coloring or tempera paint
- Water
- Glue
- Pencils
- Hairspray
How to make:
- Dye the eggshells with color after thoroughly washing the insides.
- Once they are dry, crush them with a rolling pin. Make sure they are small enough to lay flat but not too small to be picked up.
- Ask your child to draw a picture, and then fill it in with the eggshell for the colors.
- Eggshells can be slippery, so you may need to help your children fill in the small spaces.
- Spritz with hairspray for a glossy finish.
15. Earth Day button tree
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The button tree made could be an artistic addition on your wall and can inspire your guests too.
You will need:
- Corrugated cardboard
- Old buttons
- Scraps of cloth
- Buttons
How to make:
- Outline a tree on the cardboard, and then let your children glue the buttons down along the line.
- You can mix and match the colors and sizes randomly.
- Cut out little birds from the scrap cloth.
- Fit the birds on the tree as you go along.
- Paste a picture hanger at the back for easy hanging.
16. Recycled robots
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Help your children to make these funky robots from bits and bobs lying around your house.
You will need:
- Cereal boxes
- Glue
- Paint,
- A piece of sturdy cardboard
How to make:
- Paint the card with some bright colors.
- Once the paint dries, you can create the robot.
- Use the boxes for the arms and legs, and fill in the body with odds and ends.
Your little ones may require parental supervision as they might not be able to use the hot glue gun. Apart from that, you can leave this creation to their imaginations.
Quick tipEarth Day Games For Kids
17. Nature scavenger hunt
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A scavenger hunt is a group activity that children of all ages enjoy. Plan an outdoor nature hunt this Earth Day so your little ones can play in your school grounds or a nearby park.
How to play:
- Before heading outside, let your children make a list of all the natural elements they are likely to find, such as stones, grass, leaves, twigs, and flowers.
- Divide the players into two teams and give each group a copy of the list and a basket for their collections.
- You could use an erasable chalkboard for the list to save paper.
- The first team to return with all the objects on the list after exploring the surroundings wins.
18. Sort the garbage-recycling game
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Teach your children some recycling etiquettes with this sorting game. You will need two containers, old magazines, recycled card stock, scissors, and double-sided tape.
How to play:
- Cut out recyclable and non-recyclable items from the magazines and tape them to the card stock.
- Create recycle and garbage labels to put on your containers.
- Now you can ask the children to start sorting the items into the correct bins.
The fun activity helps them learn to separate everyday objects into the right bins in real life too.
19. Wheelbarrow races
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Let your children enjoy outdoor fun with the wheelbarrow races.
How to play:
- For the classic race, divide them into pairs.
- Have one child from each pair sit inside the barrow while the other pushes to the finish line.
Don’t have wheelbarrows? You can fashion a human wheelbarrow.
- One child gets down on their hands and knees while the other holds them up by the feet.
- They work as a team to get to the finish line as fast as possible.
In another variation, you can conduct a relay race by having the participants take turns transferring something like a set of gardening tools from one end to the other. Do supervise if your children are too young.
20. Nature’s hopscotch
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Hopscotch is a well-loved outdoor game that usually requires chalk and concrete pavement to draw the playing board. On Earth Day, play this version of the game and let your children get inspired by nature.
How to play:
- To begin, ask your children to gather a bunch of rocks, pebbles, twigs, and leaves.
- Help them arrange the natural elements to make the pattern of the board.
Once the pattern is made, they can use a pebble to toss and play as usual.
21. Earth Day tic-tac-toe
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You need at least ten players to play the Earth Day tic-tac-toe game.
How to play:
- Using the hopscotch method, make an extra-large grid using natural elements.
- Once your board is ready, divide the players into two teams.
- Each player becomes a marker, representing either an “X” or an “O.”
You could also join the game and make it entertaining. Play a few rounds and give the winning team a nature-themed prize.
22. Play in the dark
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Children of all ages like mystery and playing in a dark room can add suspense to the game. The all-time favorite group games of Marco Polo or hide and seek played in a dark room can help explain the concept of power conservation. You could also tell them a spooky (not too spooky) story with the lights off to show them they can save power while having a fun time. Make sure there are no sharp objects around before you switch off the lights.
23. Crazy bowling
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Create your bowling alley with items from your recycling bin.
How to play:
- Arrange empty detergent gallons, soda cans, and milk cartons to make your homemade “pins.”
- Use a tennis ball to see how many “pins” you can knock down in one go.
- Make teams or play individually and remember to keep scores to see who wins the unique bowling game.
Point to consider24. Cup and ball game
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Make your cup and ball game with paper cups, ping-pong balls, and string.
How to make:
- Decorate the cups with stickers or markers.
- Then pierce a small hole at the bottom with a sharp pencil.
- Cut about 50cm of the string, and thread it through the cup after tying a knot on one end.
- Next, make a tiny hole in the ping-pong ball and do the same with the other end of the string.
Your cup and ball game is ready. To play, toss the ball in the air and see how many times you can catch it in the cup. You can even make more than one so that your children can have a cup and ball race.
Earth Day Activities For Kids
25. Make A DIY T-Shirt Bag
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These DIY t-shirt bags clearly announce that you say NO to plastic bags.
You will need:
- An old knit shirt
- A pair of scissors
- Marking chalk
How to make:
- Cut off the sleeves and the neck.
- Make a line along the bottom till the length you need your bag plus three inches, and cut off the extra length.
- Line up the front and back of the t-shirt and ask your child to cut a one inch wide and two-inch tall fringe.
- Turn the t-shirt inside out and start tying the front and back fringe pieces together tightly.
Flip the bag over, and you have your recycled tote!
26. Make organic compost
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Don’t throw your kitchen waste into the garbage every day. Instead, collect the stale bread and vegetable peels in a bin that can be taken to the cowshed or for building a compost bin. Composting will produce useful organic fertilizer that can be used to condition and fertilize the soil in your plant beds. Remember to add some worms and aerate your compost bin regularly to expose the material to oxygen and help aerobic bacteria grow.
27. Donate old things to charity
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The activity will bring joy not only to the receiver but also to the giver. Knowing someone else can use stuff that is just lying around your house can be satisfying. Your children can also conduct an old clothes collection drive in the neighborhood or school to get everyone involved.
28. Plant a tree
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The Earth Day Network’s goal is to plant one tree for every person alive, thus planting 7.8 billion trees. Planting trees on Earth Day means you are making a concrete contribution towards the end goal. Bring your students together to join hands in this important activity and encourage them to plant more trees.
29. Make a Pledge
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If you want your Earth Day teach-ins to have long-lasting effects, get your students to write down their plans and commitments for saving Earth. It is more likely they will execute their plans if they have them written down and put up on a board in their rooms. Gather your students, asking them to do a reading of their pledge in front of the entire classroom. Combine this activity with an art project, so they can decorate their lists. Additionally, reading books about the environment and making a nature journal, can also be educational activities for celebrating Earth Day. Not only will they get to explore the natural world around them, but they can also use their journal to jot down ideas and commitments for protecting the Earth.
30. Try the acid rain experiment
You will need:
- Water
- Vinegar
- Two large jars
- Two small glasses or vials
- Plastic wrap
- Two elastics
- Six marbles
- Flowers
How to make:
- Ensure glasses fit inside jars with flowers and trim stems as needed.
- Fill one glass with water and another with vinegar.
- Place a flower in each glass.
- Carefully position each glass inside a jar, ensuring flowers sit just below the top.
- Pour 1/2 cup water into one jar, and 1/2 cup vinegar into the other.
- Cover jars with plastic wrap, add marbles (use blue for water, green for vinegar), and secure with elastics.
- Keep both jars in the sun for at least 24 hours.
- Observe changes in the flowers after the experiment as it changes color or wilt.
30. Start a Neighborhood clean-up drive
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Ask your children to grab some garbage bags and wear a pair of gloves to go on a neighborhood clean-up. Pick up the trash thrown out in all the wrong places. You’ll be surprised by the treasures you may find that can be recycled to create beautiful pieces of art. Recycling and cleaning-up together can make a change. After the neighborhood clean-up, you can also plan a biking trip to explore your local parks and nature reserves and discuss with your children how important it is to preserve the environment for future generations.
Evita, a student and blogger, shares the experience of organizing an Earth Day celebration that included a clean-up drive at the river Rhine with younger students from her school. She shares, “One of the most significant things I learned that splendid day at the river was that cleaning is fun! Much to my surprise, the younger students found joy in collecting as much litter as they could in the time slot they were allocated.
“All 18 classes who participated in this activity, from the youngest primary students to the 7th Graders in middle school, had experienced a great clean-up along the Rhine. Engaging with the local community had never been more enjoyable! The splendid day came to a rest after six full hours and with a grand total of 200 bags collected (i)!”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is it important to teach kids about Earth Day?
It is important that parents teach their kids about the importance of Earth Day so that they can grow up to be conscious citizens and contribute to making the world a better and healthier place for future generations.
2. What can we do for Earth Day at home?
A few Earth Day activities that you can do at home are:
- Plant saplings
- Go for a nature walk
- Encourage recycling and reusing
- Shopping for sustainable objects
- Reuse food scraps
- Make the best out of waste
3. What are the benefits of Earth Day activities for kids?
Earth Day activities help children become aware of the need to protect and conserve the environment. You can teach them about the 3Rs – Reducing, Recycling, and Reusing through these activities.
4. What are some common mistakes to avoid when planning Earth Day activities for kids?
Using harmful or toxic materials that can affect the environment, overlooking age-appropriate activities, ignoring environmental concerns, and neglecting safety precautions are some avoidable mistakes when planning Earth Day activities for children.
5. What are some tips for running successful Earth Day activities for kids?
Some effective ways to ensure Earth Day activities for children are successful include:
- A hands-on approach.
- Educating while having fun.
- Being creative and innovative with activities.
- Encouraging teamwork.
- Celebrating achievements.
6. Are there any risks associated with Earth Day activities for kids?
Generally, Earth Day activities for kids do not pose any dangerous risks; however, some precautions must be taken. These include being aware of potential outdoor hazards, avoiding the usage of toxic materials, taking note of allergies, and keeping a check on sun exposure.
7. What age group is best suited for Earth Day activities?
The Earth Day activities are generally suited for children of all age groups. However, if you include activities such as planting a tree or hiking as part of Earth Day celebrations, ensure they are conducted under adult supervision, especially if young children are involved.
Earth day activities for kids are a way to keep them connected with the planet and let them understand its importance. On this particular day, you may encourage the little ones to share their experiences or anything they wish to. Take a plunge to save the planet in every possible way and remind them that we are supposed to keep our environment clean. Lastly, indulging in age-appropriate garden activities for kids can help children get a more hands-on sensorial experience.
Infographic: Interesting Earth Day Activities For Children
Earth Day is a wonderful opportunity to instill a love for nature and create environmental awareness in children. How about involving your children in some engaging Earth Day activities? The infographic below includes fun and educational Earth Day activities you can try with your children.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- Teach your children the importance of nature and encourage them to care for the planet through some fun earth-day activities such as making a bird feeder.
- Make a planter out of a jar or can, or make leaf-patterned wraps out of newspapers to instill the habit of recycling and minimizing trash.
- Try organic composting, DIY T-shirts, and many more fun activities.
Illustration: Creative & Fun Earth Day Activities For Kids To Celebrate
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Earth Day is here! Let’s celebrate this day by discovering some facts about our planet and implementing eight unique ways to protect our environment. Find out how you can make this Earth Day memorable.
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. Clean up! Clean up! Everybody everywhere!https://evitasibcasblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/earth-day-2015.html
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