On April 22, people around the world celebrate Earth Day by planting trees, picking up litter, or heading outdoors to visit and celebrate natural spaces in our communities. But protecting our planet shouldn’t be something we do just one day a year. Raising environmentally-responsible kids is a way to be a good neighbor! This week, consider getting involved with environmental efforts on the community level. Cities, towns, neighborhoods, churches and schools frequently hold events like beautification days and recycling drives that can show your child how important the environment is to everyone around them.
Questions to Ask Your Child
- What are some items in our home that we can reuse or recycle?
- How can we reduce waste in our home? What about in our community?
- Why is it important to take care of our planet?
- What things could we do for our community parks and natural spaces for Earth Day?
Play and Learn Together With Children 2 to 5
It’s never too early to start talking with your preschool-aged children about why it is a good idea to take care of our planet. For the youngest children, learning about the Earth is grounded in what children can experience with their senses. Talk to them about how humans use Earth’s resources (like soil and water) to meet their needs. For example, water can be used for drinking, washing, watering plants, putting out fires, fishing, etc. Discuss the need of recycling and respecting the environment, and how we can do so with little things, such as turning off the lights and faucets, reusing materials for another activity (like making your own paper!), or separating materials into recycling bins.
Learn Along Bingo for Ages 2-5: Protecting Our Planet
Play and learn with this activity packet all about protecting the planet.
Make a Reusable Bag From a T-shirt
20 min activityEncourage your child to create their own reusable bag for their next shopping or nature trip!
Celebrate Earth Poster Activity
Challenge your child to celebrate and protect our amazing planet.
Nature Cat's Recycling Challenge
Develop early math skills by sorting recyclable materials into the correct bins.
Make Your Own Paper
This hands-on activity is a great example of how we can save the environment, one tree at a time.
Create an Upcycled Fish!
30 min activityWith a little creativity, everyday trash can be reused as a new thing! Introduce your child to the idea of waste reduction with this simple fish craft.
Play and Learn Together With Children 6 to 8
At this age, children can start to consider bigger environmental issues that affect their community. Brainstorm together different ways you can help reduce your impact on the environment: grow a wildlife garden, use reusable water bottles and straws, make a composter, conserve energy and water. Work together to learn more about the waste in your house by sorting a day’s worth of trash and see what could be recycled, composted, or reused in another way. Encourage your children to think beyond just recycling and think of how to avoid waste from the start!
Learn Along Bingo for Ages 6-8: Protecting Our Planet
Play and learn with this activity packet all about protecting the planet.
Make a Composter
Find out what happens to a pile of old leaves outside when you add a dash of time, worms, and a healthy splash of moisture!
Create a Family Water Conservation Plan
40 min activityLearn water-saving tips and create a plan to conserve water by making small changes at home.
Waste Audit
Sort your trash into different categories and graph what percentage can be recycled.
Create Earth Day Place Portraits
20 min activityUse recyclable materials to make a favorite place portrait in honor of Earth Day.
Create Egg Carton Turtles
Upcycle empty egg cartons into this easy and adorable turtle craft while discussing sea turtles’ habitats and the importance of recycling.
Play and Learn By Myself
Earth Day! Coloring Page
Celebrate Earth Day with this Super Why! coloring page.
AJs Recycle Rescue
It's time to recycle and reuse items in this game from Hero Elementary. Your child can help A.J. clean up wood, rope and other items from the park and then reuse them to build new items such as signs and basketball hoops. How many different items can you make?
Neighborhood Clean Up
Daniel, Katerina, and their neighbors work together to clean up their playground. Your child can learn about recycling, community involvement, and reading skills in this story.
Elinor Curious Campout
Encourage your child's curiosity by helping Elinor and her friends go camping.
Go Green
Help Grover protect the earth by using Oscar's Trash Blaster and making planters in Abby's garden.
Read More
Celebrate Earth Day With Nature Cat’s Daisy’s Garden
Learn more about gardening and recycling for Earth Day with these ideas from Daisy's garden on Nature Cat.
Six Ways to Celebrate Earth Day Every Day
When we give our kids time to be curious, we help them build a meaningful relationship with nature. Here are six ways you can make Earth Day a year-long celebration.
How to Raise Environmentally Responsible Kids
Talking with your child about the environment and ways to help take care of our planet can help your child establish eco-friendly habits that make a difference on Earth Day and everyday.
15 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day With Kids
What better way to help children foster a relationship with our planet than by celebrating Earth Day with some fun activities? We’ve rounded up some kid-approved games, crafts, and activities to help your family learn how to take care of the earth.
7 Ways to Go Green at Home With "Cyberchase"
Spring is a great time to try hands-on activities that will help your child appreciate nature and learn to take better care of the planet. Here are some fun, “green” ideas, specifically designed for children ages 6 to 8 from "Cyberchase."
How to Throw a Green Birthday Party
Interested in making your child's birthday party more earth-friendly? Check out these planning tips!