Each year on April 22, people worldwide come together to celebrate Earth Day, a day dedicated to environmental awareness and action. It’s a perfect opportunity to teach kids the importance of caring for our planet through fun, hands-on activities that make a lasting impact.
Why Did Earth Day Start?
Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970 as a response to growing concerns about pollution, deforestation, and the overall health of our environment. The idea came from U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, who wanted to inspire people to take action. Since then, it has grown into a global movement, with over 1 billion people participating each year!
What’s the Plan for Earth Day This Year?
Every Earth Day has a theme, focusing on different aspects of protecting our planet. This year’s theme, "Our Power, Our Planet," emphasizes the collective responsibility to transition to renewable energy and create a sustainable future. Encourage children to explore energy sources by creating a homemade anemometer to study wind speed, making a solar oven with a pizza box, or observing how solar panels work in their community.
How Families Can Celebrate Earth Day with Kids
Engaging children in Earth Day activities helps them develop a lifelong love for nature and an understanding of their role in protecting it. Here are some great ways to celebrate:
Plant Something Together
Whether it’s a tree, flowers, or a vegetable garden, planting helps kids connect with nature and learn about responsibility. Check local hardware stores and nurseries, which may have activities or giveaways to encourage planting.
Do a Neighborhood or Park Cleanup
Grab some gloves and a trash bag and spend time picking up litter in a local park, playground, or street. Kids will see firsthand how small actions help keep their community clean.
Create Something Special
Upcycling teaches kids the value of repurposing materials instead of throwing them away. Turn old T-shirts into tote bags, toilet paper rolls into bird feeders, or glass jars into lanterns.
Encourage artistic creativity by using natural materials to create something new. Make leaf or bark rubbings to reveal textures, make stamp art using leaves, flowers, or pinecones and colorful paint, or create a mosaic scene using shells, pebbles, or seeds.
Go on a Nature Walk or Hike
Explore a nearby trail, nature center, or botanical garden. Encourage kids to observe birds, plants, and insects, and discuss why protecting their habitats is important. You can also look for a local fun run or Earth Day 5K to participate in as a family for an active way to support the environment.
Have an “Electricity-Free” Hour
Turn off screens and lights for an hour to conserve energy. Use this time to read books about nature, tell stories, or play board games by candlelight.
Make a Sustainable Snack
Teach kids about eco-friendly eating by preparing snacks using locally sourced, seasonal, or plant-based ingredients. Try making fruit kabobs, veggie wraps, or homemade granola bars. Plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes can be more sustainable than animal products since they require less land, water, and energy to produce. Opting for local and seasonal foods helps reduce transportation emissions while supporting local farmers, and selecting organic options minimizes the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, benefiting both the environment and human health.
Make Every Day Earth Day
The lessons of Earth Day don’t have to end when April 22 is over. Encourage ongoing habits like using reusable water bottles, recycling at home, and being mindful of waste. By teaching kids simple yet impactful ways to care for the planet, we help create a generation of environmentally conscious citizens.
