Fun Earth Day Activities for Kids
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Earth Day is a great opportunity to teach our children about taking care of our Earth. Hopefully we are teaching our children to use our natural resources wisely every day, but sometimes we need a little reminder. These Earth Day activities for kids will encourage them to actively think about taking care of our planet.
Earth Day is always observed on April 22nd. It began in 1970 as a way to raise awareness about environmental issues.
I’m a big fan of natural learning opportunities because it organically forms deep connections. Deep connections = lasting results.
These Earth Day activities for kids are great on their own or as part of an Earth Day unit study.
Earth Day Activities for Kids
Earth Day Snack Time
Dirt and Worm Cups – Dirt cups have been a favorite Earth Day snack for years. They are one of the easiest Earth Day activities for kids! Just top a dish of chocolate pudding with crushed cookies and add in a few gummy worms. It is so simple, but kids seem to love it.
Earth Cookies – To make earth cookies decorate a round cookie with blue and green frosting. Don’t have the time to bake? Just pick up sugar cookies from your grocery store bakery and colored frosting tubes from the baking aisle.
These Earth Day snacks would be the perfect treat for a Earth Day tea and poetry!
Earth Day Crafts
Earth Day Collage – Let your kiddos re-use old magazines to create this torn paper Earth Day collage.
DIY Seed Balls – Use old paper from the recycling bin and a few flower seeds to create these DIY seed balls. We did this at our local library this past summer and both of my kids enjoyed it. It was the perfect combination of messy and educational to hold their interest.
Earth Day Activities for Kids
Nature Scavenger Hunt – This printable nature scavenger hunt is the perfect way to get your kids outside exploring the neighborhood. You can even laminate the scavenger hunt to use it over and over again.
Pick Up Trash – This activity might not elicit shouts of joy from your kids, but it is still important. Picking up trash is a necessary part of keeping our environment clean. Just be sure to match the location with the age and maturity level of your kids and discuss a few ground rules first:
- Wear gloves
- Actively look at what you are picking up
- Don’t pick up broken glass or anything sharp
- Tell a grown up right away if you see something dangerous
Make Recycled Paper – This tutorial will help you turn old cardboard egg cartons into paper. This Earth Day activity lets your kids experience recycling first hand.
Plant a Garden – Planting a garden is a great way for kids to celebrate Earth Day. Container gardens are a great way to go if you don’t have the land available for a big garden plot.
Watch a Video – Many of the Magic School Bus episodes work well as Earth Day activities for kids. A few choices include:
Many of the Magic School Bus episodes work well as Earth Day activities for kids. A few choices include:
- Habitats (Season 1, episode 5)
- Goes to Seed (Season 1, episode 11)
- Blows Its Top (Season 2, episode 1)
- Rocks and Rolls (Season 3, episode 12)
- Brand New in box. The product ships with all relevant accessories
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Books for Earth Day
The Adventures of a Plastic Bottle – Follow the journey of a plastic bottle as it goes from the manufacturing plant to the store, home, recycling bin, and recycling plant. It eventually ends up with a totally new purpose.
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe Book for the Earth – This book is a great kid-friendly introduction to composting as a way to reuse food scraps.
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Earth Day – Hooray! – This Earth Day book for kids is unique because it ties in math lessons.
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What a Waste: Trash, Recycling, and Protecting Our Planet – DK always has great educational books for kids and this is no exception. Kids will learn all about the importance of reducing waste and recycling.
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Earth Day Field Trips
Recycling Center or Dump – A field trip to a dump or recycling center is a great way for kids to see what happens to something after they throw it away.
It really helps cement the idea that trash sticks around for a LONG time. Many centers have field trip curriculums and are happy to offer tours if scheduled in advance.
Garden center or nursery – You can walk around a garden center examining the variety of plants as an informal field trip, but many nurseries are happy to teach children about planting if they have enough notice and are not busy. Just give them a call and see when they can fit you in.
What are your favorite Earth Day activities for kids?
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