Celebrate Earth Day with these fun activities and crafts for kids and adults of all ages.
Children of all ages will love this list of fun Earth Day activities and Earth Day crafts for Kids! Earth Day is traditionally celebrated as a day to raise awareness about the health and preservation of our planet. It’s also a day to celebrate the natural world and think about how we can each do our part to reduce climate change and increase sustainability. You might also enjoy the list of green living tips in Caring for The Earth: 12 Green Living Tips to Share with Children.
This list of fun Earth Day ideas includes many fun project activities and crafts you can try with kids at home or in the classroom. With the Earth Day ideas below, show children how to celebrate nature, make small changes for the planet’s well-being, reduce their carbon footprint, and care for the earth daily! First published in February 2017, this list of Earth Day ideas is regularly updated and republished to improve the content. You might also like these printable Earth Day activities for use at home with the kids or in the classroom with students.
What is Earth Day?
Earth Day is an annual event celebrated worldwide on April 22nd to demonstrate support for environmental protection. Celebrated for the first time in 1970, Earth Day originated in the United States and has since grown into a global movement involving millions of people in various activities to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote sustainable practices.
Earth Day reminds us of the importance of caring for our planet and the natural world around us. It encourages individuals, communities, and governments to take action to address pressing environmental challenges such as climate change, pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity loss. It is a day for people to come together to celebrate the beauty of nature, advocate for environmental conservation, and commit to making positive changes for the health and well-being of the Earth and all its inhabitants. Look at this list of Green Living Tips for ideas and examples of simple ways to help reduce climate change.
What is the Theme of Earth Day in 2024?
“Planet versus Plastics” encapsulates Earth Day 2024’s urgent call to action against one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time: plastic pollution. Plastic pollution knows no bounds, infiltrating every corner of our world, from the depths of our oceans to the peaks of our mountains.
As the world grapples with the far-reaching and devastating impacts of plastic waste on our ecosystems, wildlife, and human health, this theme serves as a global rallying cry for solidarity in the fight for a cleaner, healthier planet.
Earth Day 2024 empowers individuals, communities, and nations to confront this crisis head-on by advocating for sustainable alternatives, supporting policies that reduce plastic production and consumption, and participating in clean-up efforts to rid our environment of plastic waste. Together, we can turn the tide against plastic pollution and safeguard the future of our planet for generations to come.
Earth Day Ideas: Crafts and Activities for Kids
Earth Day provides an excellent opportunity for kids to engage in creative activities and crafts that foster a deeper connection with nature and the planet. By participating in Earth Day activities and crafts, kids will learn lessons about environmental responsibility and develop a lifelong appreciation for the earth and its resources. These skills are essential in today’s modern world of overconsumption, greed, and a general lack of care for the environment’s well-being.
Why we limit our celebration of the Earth to only one day of the year makes no sense. Still, it does help raise awareness and get people to think of what they can do to reduce climate change and make this world greener. However, making sustainable changes to reduce our carbon footprint will not happen in a single day or even overnight. So we each need to do our part 365/24/7. Fortunately, there are several fun ways you can help, try any of the fun Earth Day Ideas below! You might also enjoy this list of nature craft projects and art ideas.
Earth Day Activities for Kids
Engaging in meaningful Earth Day activities is not just a one-time event. It’s a journey that instills a sense of environmental stewardship and teaches valuable lessons about sustainability and conservation. By making Earth Day activities like these a regular part of children’s learning, we are nurturing a generation that will continue to care for and nurture our planet for the benefit of all.
Below you will find fun Earth Day activities, including simple Earth Day science ideas, simple lessons, and fun ways to teach your children about making small changes for the well-being of our planet. Activities such as nature scavenger hunts and other nature activities encourage children to explore the natural world around them. These outdoor activities also help them examine their connection to nature and their relationship with Planet Earth as living beings upon it.
Whether you limit these Earth Day activities to one day or explore these Earth Day ideas for year-round fun is up to you. Celebrate and care for the earth daily with this list of fun Earth Day activity ideas and lesson plans for kids. Scroll down to the next section for fun Earth Day craft ideas to do with kids. You might also enjoy this quick list of outdoor activities for Kids. Several of the ideas on it are perfect for an Earth Day celebration.
What activities is Earth Day Associated with?
Earth Day is associated with various activities that promote environmental awareness and sustainability. These activities can vary depending on the participants’ location and interests, but each aims to protect and preserve the Earth for future generations.
“No job is too big, and no action too small, the care of our Earth is a job for us all.”
~Nell Regan Kartychok (Creator and founder of Rhythms of Play)
Some typical Earth Day activities include:
- Tree planting events for Earth Day or Arbor Day to help reforest areas in need, especially those damaged by wildfire and other environmental disasters.
- Earth Day park, community, river, beach, and ocean clean-ups to remove litter and debris from inland and coastal areas and neighborhoods.
- Educational Earth Day workshops and seminars on topics such as renewable energy and things one can do to prevent climate change.
- Community Earth Day recycling drives to encourage proper waste management reuse over disposal.
- Nature walks and Earth Day hikes to appreciate and learn about local ecosystems and the environment.
- Gardening projects to promote green spaces, environmental awareness, and urban agriculture for Earth Day.
- Advocacy campaigns to raise awareness about environmental issues and encourage policy changes every day of the year.
- You can find Earth Day events in your community, city, or county by doing a Google search or consulting your local resource guide. Or try the Earth Day project ideas below!
Fun Earth Day Activities and Lessons for Kids:
When it comes to Earth Day activities, the possibilities are truly endless. From planting seeds in flower pots to crafting recycled Earth-themed arts and crafts, there’s something for every child’s interest and learning style. Whether beautifying the environment, planting a tree, making a pledge to the Earth, or understanding the importance of plants in maintaining ecological balance by composting at home, these activities offer a rich and diverse learning experience for children from toddlers to teens. To see a list of Earth Day craft ideas, scroll down to the next section.
- Make an Earth Day pledge | Rhythms of Play
- Earth Day Printable Activity Pack | Rhythms of Play Learning Center
- Encouraging Kindness to Nature | Rhythms of Play
- 12 Green Living Tips to Share with Children | Rhythms of Play
- Make Seed Starter Pots out of Recycled Materials to Plant Directly into the Ground | Preparedness Mama
- Kids Guide to Recycling | Reuse This Bag Blog
- Recycling for Kids | Science Kids
- Teaching Kids to Conserve Water | Adventures with Kids
- Fun Ways to Teach Kids About Pollution | Natural Beach Living
- Earth Day Yoga | Pink Oatmeal
- Fly a Kite for Earth Day | Rhythms of Play
- Funny Earth Day Jokes | Confidence Meets Parenting
- Plant Flowers for Earth Day | Rhythms of Play
- How to Grow Sunflowers into a Sunflower Playhouse | Rhythms of Play
- Composting with Kids: Closing the Circle | Rhythms of Play
- How to Plant a Tree for Earth Day or Arbor Day | Rhythms of Play
Related: Homemade Gifts Kids Can Make
Earth Day Crafts
Crafting with recycled materials can spark creativity and highlight the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling to minimize waste and our environmental impact at the personal, local, community, and global levels.
Crafting for Earth Day is also an excellent way for young children with little hands (and elderly adults with aging hands) to strengthen fine motor skills. Making DIY bird feeders, creating seed bombs with wildflower seeds, and Earth Day crafts with recycled materials are just a few of the many Earth Day craft project ideas you can try.
Below are a few lists of Earth Day crafts, including planet Earth crafts and upcycled or recycled crafts, filled with fun ideas you can try for Earth Day. You may also enjoy these birding activities and bird-watching ideas for Kids.
Planet Earth Art and Crafts for Earth Day:
Don’t you love Planet Earth crafts? It’s a shame that the only time of the year we make them is for Earth Day. Celebrate Earth Day every day by making these easy crafts for Earth Day. Or, scroll down to try the recycled Earth Day crafts in the next section.
- Create a giant Earth chalk art painting on a playground, sidewalk, parking lot, or driveway with Recycled Chalk Paint | Rhythms of Play
- Make a Plantable Paper Earth | Modern Parents Messy Kids
- DIY Earth Moss Ball | Mother Natured
- Stained Glass Earth Craft | Mum in the Madhouse
- Earth Day Crown – I Can Help the Earth | ABCs of Literacy
- Yarn Earth Day Craft | Made with Happy
- Earth Day Handprint Craft | ABCs of Literacy
- Planet Earth Clay Craft for Earth Day | Adventure in a Box
- Bleeding Tissue Paper Rain Art | Mum in the Madhouse
- Stained Glass Earth Suncatchers | Crafts on Sea
- Earth Suncatcher Earth Day Craft | No Time for Flashcards
- Planet Earth Necklace | Kitchen Counter Chronicles
- People of the Earth Craft | I Heart Crafty Things
- Layers of the Earth Playdough | Playdough to Plato
- Earth Day Salt Dough Craft | Little Bins for Little Hands
- Handprint Earth Day Art | Non-Toy Gifts
- Earth Day Craft: Mosaic Earth | Crafts by Amanda
Earth Day Crafts made using Recycled Materials
If there is anything that symbolizes Earth Day, it’s a fun upcycled craft or project. Why? One of the main ways to help planet Earth become a more sustainable place is by reducing our carbon footprint. Reduce, reuse, recycle–upcycle!
What can you make with recycled materials for Earth Day?
Make recycled crafts from toilet paper rolls, cardboard boxes, plastic water bottles, tin cans, coffee filters, or anything else that makes a good craft material from the recycling bin. Kids of all ages (preschoolers, kindergartners, elementary-aged children, and teens) enjoy making Earth Day crafts with recycled materials. Try the quick and easy recycled Earth Day craft ideas for kids on the list below.
The first list of Earth Day projects includes recycled Planet Earth crafts, while the second list contains Earth Day crafts you can make with recycled materials. One example of a recycled craft you can make for Earth Day is these cute toilet paper roll birdhouses. You can also make arts and crafts for Earth Day with natural materials with the ideas here–> Nature Arts and Crafts.
Earth Day Recycled Planet Earth Crafts:
Here’s a list of fun Planet Earth crafts made with recycled materials that are fun to make with kids for Earth Day:
- Earth Day Crayon Craft | Today’s Creative Life
- Recycled Newspaper Earth Day Garland | Kitchen Counter Chronicles
- Newspaper Earth Craft | I Heart Crafty Things
Upcycled or Recycled Earth Day Crafts:
Here are a few upcycled and recycled crafts and projects perfect for Earth Day. Below are a few more Earth Day craft ideas made with recycled materials. Many of these quick and easy recycled crafts can be made year-round.
- Recycled Materials Art Wall | Art Bar Blog
- Create Earth Day Art with Recycled Chalk Paint | Rhythms of Play
- Fairy House Night Lights | Crafts by Amanda
- Toilet Paper Roll Birdhouses | Rhythms of Plays
- See-Through Rainstick | Rhythms of Play (photo below)
- Or, try the list of six fun and easy recycled craft ideas for Earth Day on Kix
- We also love and recommend the craft book: Fun and Easy Crafting with Recycled Materials. It has several more excellent recycled ideas perfect for Earth Day crafting.
Earth Day Crafts Made with Natural Materials:
Another fun craft idea for Earth Day is creating something beautiful with nature’s treasures, like the see-through rainstick made with sticks and a recycled plastic water bottle my daughter is playing with in the photo above.
You can also make nature mandalas outdoors as a fun way to connect with the Earth. Here’s a list of nature crafts and art projects made with natural materials and craft supplies you can look through for several more excellent nature craft ideas.
Earth Day Word Art Print:
Earth Word Art PrintBest Earth Day Books for Kids:
Share any of these Earth Day books for kids with the children in your life!
- Thank You, Earth
- I Am Earth
- Earth Day Every Day
- Our Planet, There’s No Place Like Earth
- What if Everybody Did That?
- What a Waste
- The Earth Book
- I Can Save the Earth
Fun Earth Day Crafts and Activities for Kids
Earth Day Activities and Crafts for Kids! Teach your children to celebrate and care for the earth every day with these fun activities, lesson plans, science ideas, recycled crafts, and easy Earth Day crafts for kids. But why limit your Earth Day celebration to only one day of the year?
This fun list of Earth Day activities and craft ideas teaches children of all ages how to celebrate nature, make small changes for the planet’s well-being, reduce their carbon footprint, and care for the earth daily. You can also download these Earth Day Printables for kids and adults.
Please look at our Spring bucket list of fun spring activities for kids for more seasonal arts, crafts, and activities.
Learn more about Rhythms of Play HERE!
Me Con says
Love these earth day crafts! We’ll be making some blue & green slime for earth day too! We just did DIY terrarium necklaces to learn about the water cycle and have a fun spring craft that I think would be fun for Earth Day too!
Nell Regan M.A. says
Sounds like an amazing day! I hope that you had an amazing time creating Earth Day slime and terrarium necklaces!