Earth Day (April 22nd) is a day on which nearly one billion people come together to celebrate the planet we all call home and show support for protecting and conserving it. A “holiday” that started in the United States in 1970 has become a worldwide phenomenon recognized by well over 100 countries.
There are numerous Earth Day activities for kids and adults of all ages, from planting a tree to picking up litter to playing educational games. If you’re looking to create a fun and educational Earth Day for kids, keep reading. Below is a round-up of interesting Earth Day activities for preschool-aged kids and beyond!
Outdoor Earth Day Activities for Kids
If the weather cooperates, what better way to celebrate Earth Day than by going outside and appreciating nature and perhaps even doing something good for the environment?
1. Take a walk – Whether it’s in your own neighborhood or on an awe-inspiring trail, taking a walk is a great way to cultivate a sense of gratitude for nature this Earth Day. Bonus: Walking outside has been shown to improve one’s mood and decrease stress, so consider walks great Earth Day activities for kids and adults.
If you’re in search of Earth Day activities for kindergarten-aged kids (or thereabouts), consider turning that walk into a scavenger hunt with this free nature walk scavenger hunt printable.
2. Clean up – Sadly, litter is all too common. Whether you’re at your local park enjoying some fresh air or joining a more organized effort to clean up the environment, take a moment on April 22nd to pick up litter and dispose of it properly, recycling if and when possible.
3. Plant something – Whether it’s a tree or a garden, getting your hands dirty on April 22nd can feel like a great way to get in touch with nature and give back. Planting something can make for an educational, fun, and messy Earth Day for kids … trust me, they’ll love it.
Even if you live in a small space, you can still plant something this Earth Day. Bonus: You can also reuse something that might otherwise end up in a landfill with this DIY tin can planters craft project!
If the tin can planters aren’t quite the look you’re going for, you can also create DIY rustic succulent pots.
Earth Day Crafts for All Ages
If the planter projects above inspired you to get crafty this Earth Day, you’re in the right place. There are so many different nature-inspired craft projects you can tackle with your kids. Here are some of my favs.
4. Upcycled bumblebee craft project – If you’re looking for creative Earth Day activities for preschool kids, don’t miss out on this bumblebee project. It allows you to reuse a toilet paper roll and is incredibly cute.
Tip: The adorable bee isn’t the only craft project in that post. Nope, it’s filled with fun and easy spring crafts!
5. Homemade bird feeders – These Earth Day crafts bring crafting and nature together in a delightful combination. Choose from the cookie cutter bird feeders or the pine cone bird feeders.
Keep the fun going by placing your finished bird feeder somewhere visible from your home. Seeing birds enjoy the fruits of your labor is sure to brighten your child’s day!
Bonus: To stick with educational Earth Day activities for kids, you can challenge your child to identify, draw, or otherwise document the hungry birdies that visit.
6. Paper flowers – If the weather isn’t cooperating for your Earth Day activities for kids, crafting with paper flowers is an easy way to make it feel like spring inside. After all, does anything say spring quite like pretty colored flowers?
You can use free printable flower templates and these large flower stencils to tackle a whole range of craft projects, including card making, customizing decor, and scrapbooking. I love how flexible these templates are; I can come up with Earth Day activities for kindergarten-aged kids all the way up to adults!
Tip: Since we’re honoring Earth Day, keep your crafting environmentally friendly by using recycled paper and art supplies when possible.
7. Colored salt dough leaf impressions – You’ve heard of a win-win, right? Well, this Earth Day craft is a win-win-win! Yep, three wins in one.
First, your kids get to burn off some pent-up energy by going outside and looking for the plant materials needed. Extend the activity by challenging them to find something really interesting.
Second, you’ll essentially be making and playing with homemade Play-Doh. What kid wouldn’t love that? Oh, and if you enjoy this part of the Earth Day craft, be sure to check out this DIY calming playdough recipe!
Third, once the impressions are completely set, your kids can add their creative touch by coloring them.
Bonus: (As if it needed one!) This is one of the appropriate Earth Day activities for preschool and up, so even your little kids can join in on the fun.
8. Fizzy Earth Day science experiment – Part science experiment, part craft project, this Earth Day activity for kids is a fun way to play with basic ingredients you probably already have in your home. Watch the video above for more!
Earth Day for Kids Coloring Pages
If the last of the Earth Day crafts got you excited to break out the crayons, you’re in the right place! Coloring pages make for fun, easy, and healthy Earth Day activities for kids (and adults).
9. Planet Earth Coloring Pages for Earth Day – Whether you need Earth Day activities for kindergarteners or older kids, these free Planet Earth coloring pages are a great fit! They offer big things to color (such as the Earth) as well as plenty of opportunities to practice fine motor skills on smaller objects like flowers and butterflies.
10. Flower coloring pages – If you want to reach for the brightest crayons in the box this Earth Day, flower color pages are just the excuse you need! And I’ve got a floral shop worth of coloring pages for you to chose from as you curate your Earth Day for kids experience. Check out:
- Tulip coloring pages.
- Iris coloring pages.
- Spring flower coloring pages.
- More intricate flower coloring pages that are perfect for adults and kids!
11. Spring color by number – This Earth Day, bring nature, creativity, and a bit of a challenge together with these adorable color by number printables. The cognitive and mental benefits these Earth Day activities for kids offer are numerous and include:
- Improved fine motor skills.
- Improved hand-eye coordination.
- Improved problem-solving skills.
- Improved ability to concentrate.
12. Spring coloring pages for adults – This post is all about making a memorable Earth Day for kids; however, I want you to enjoy the day as well! Did you know that coloring has been shown to promote relaxation? It’s true; that’s why I made these spring coloring pages for Mom (or Dad).
Bonus: The spring scenes will definitely have you thinking of all the splendor of nature, which is perfect for Earth Day!
More Printable Earth Day Activities for Kids
Rounding out the Earth Day activities for kids are some printables that didn’t quite fit in the other categories but were too good to leave out! I love that these printables offer educational benefits, and I think you will too.
13. Printable Earth Day word search – This printable is full of Earth Day-appropriate vocabulary words. As your child searches for terms like “recycle” and “reuse,” start a conversation about how your family can be better stewards of the planet.
14. Printable flower bubble letters – If you’re looking for versatile Earth Day activities for kids, don’t overlook this printable! You can use these in so many ways. For instance:
- Add tracing paper to help your kid learn to draw bubble letters.
- Turn them into flashcards to build letter recognition.
- Incorporate them into craft projects, such as making Earth Day cards for friends and family.
- Use them as coloring pages. For instance, print out the bubble letters needed to spell your child’s name and let him or her create a colorful masterpiece!
From nature walks to DIY-ing to coloring and beyond, there are so many ways you can celebrate Earth Day with your family this year. Hopefully, this round-up of Earth Day activities for kids has inspired you. If you’re doing something else on Earth Day, I’d love to hear about it. Share your plans in the comments.
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