Children have the most sincere and honest attitude when it comes to saving our planet and taking care of animals and fellow human beings. What a significant period in their lives to reach out and sow these seeds of mindfulness, empathy, compassion, and responsibility for our environment and all living creatures. I would love to share with you a couple of ideas that could make this Earth Day and every day a bit more special.
1. Turn all the lights and electronic gadgets off and use candles or torches for one night.
Earth Day is a wonderful opportunity to not only teach children about the importance of taking care of our planet, but also to spend quality time together as a family. One fun and unique way to celebrate Earth Day with children is by turning off all the lights and electronic gadgets in your home for one night and using candles or torches instead. Not only does this help to reduce electricity usage and lower your carbon footprint, but it also creates a cozy and intimate atmosphere that the whole family can enjoy.
To make the evening even more special, why not try playing some flashlight games with your children? Not only are these games a lot of fun, but they also encourage creativity, physical activity, and teamwork. Here are a few ideas for flashlight games that you can play with your children on Earth Day:
Flashlight Tag: This classic game is a surefire hit with kids of all ages. One person is “it” and tries to tag the other players by shining their flashlight on them. The tagged player then becomes the new “it” and the game continues.
Shadow Puppets: Use your flashlight to create different shadow puppets on the wall. Encourage your children to come up with their own characters and stories to act out with their shadows.
Flashlight Scavenger Hunt: Hide a few small objects around your home or backyard and give each child a flashlight to help them find the hidden items. You can also add clues or riddles to make the hunt more challenging.
2. Set up a recycling station. Earth Day is a great opportunity to educate students about taking care of the environment. Setting up a recycling station in the classroom can be a fun and interactive way to celebrate. Here are some tips for creating a recycling station: designate an accessible area, label bins for different recyclables, educate students on what can be recycled, encourage them to bring in items, make it fun with games, and track progress to discuss the positive impact on the environment. This activity can instill lifelong habits in students and help them become environmental stewards. Consider setting up a recycling station in your classroom for Earth Day.
3. Get yourself a reusable water bottle and take it with you everywhere you go.
One simple way to get them involved in the festivities is by encouraging them to use a reusable water bottle. By doing this, students can reduce their plastic waste and help protect the environment.
Here are some ways to celebrate Earth Day with students by incorporating reusable water bottles into the classroom:
- Make a pledge: Start the day by having students make a pledge to use a reusable water bottle instead of single-use plastic ones. Encourage them to think about the impact their choices have on the environment and how they can make a difference by making this small change.
- Educate about plastic waste: Take some time to educate students about the harmful effects of plastic waste on the environment. Show them statistics and images of plastic pollution in our oceans and wildlife. Help them understand how using a reusable water bottle can help reduce this pollution and protect our planet.
4. Decorate an environmentally friendly reusable shopping bag (with paint, for example) and give it to your favorite person. Not only is this a fun craft activity, but it also promotes the use of reusable bags instead of single-use plastic bags, which are harmful to the environment.
To start this activity, gather some plain reusable shopping bags made from eco-friendly materials such as cotton or jute. You can purchase these bags online or at your local craft store. Make sure to have some non-toxic paint, paint brushes, and other decorating supplies on hand.
First, have a discussion with your students about the importance of reducing single-use plastic and the benefits of using reusable bags. You can talk about how plastic bags contribute to pollution and harm wildlife, and how using reusable bags can help reduce waste and protect the environment.
Next, let the students get creative by decorating their reusable bags with paint and other supplies. They can paint Earth Day-themed designs such as trees, flowers, animals, and recycling symbols. Encourage them to use bright colors and different patterns to make their bags unique and eye-catching.
Once the bags are decorated and the paint is dry, students can fill their bags with fresh goodies such as fruits, vegetables, and other healthy snacks. You can also include small items such as seeds, reusable straws, or eco-friendly products to promote sustainable living.
Finally, have the students gift their decorated reusable bags to their favorite person, such as a family member, friend, or teacher. This not only spreads awareness about the importance of Earth Day and making eco-friendly choices but also allows students to share their creativity and love for the planet with others.
5. Make Earth Day cards using recycled materials. This activity not only encourages students to be environmentally conscious, but also allows them to express their creativity and artistic skills.
To start the activity, gather a variety of recycled materials such as old magazines, newspapers, cardboard, fabric scraps, and bottle caps. Encourage students to think creatively and repurpose these materials to create beautiful Earth Day cards. You can also provide them with templates or stencils of Earth, trees, flowers, and other nature-themed shapes to help spark their imagination.
Once students have gathered their materials and templates, they can begin designing their cards. Encourage them to think about what Earth Day means to them and how they can convey this message through their artwork. They can draw, cut, glue, and decorate their cards however they like, incorporating as many recycled materials as possible.
After the cards are completed, students can write messages of love and gratitude for the Earth on the inside. They can also include eco-friendly tips and facts about the environment to educate and inspire the recipients of their cards. Consider having students exchange cards with each other or deliver them to friends, family members, or community members to spread awareness and appreciation for our planet.
6. Build your own worm farm and make sure to feed your food scraps to worms every day instead of chucking them in a bin.
Building a worm farm is not only a fun project, but it also provides a hands-on way for students to learn about the important role that worms play in breaking down organic matter and enriching the soil. Plus, it’s a great way to reduce the amount of food waste that ends up in landfills.
To build your worm farm, you’ll need a large plastic container with a lid, some shredded newspaper or cardboard, some soil, and of course, some worms. You can purchase composting worms online or at a local garden center.
Start by filling the bottom of the container with a thin layer of soil. Next, add a layer of shredded newspaper or cardboard. Then, introduce the worms to their new home. Make sure to feed your worms a balanced diet of fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells. Avoid feeding them citrus fruits, onions, garlic, and spicy foods.
Place the lid on the container and store it in a cool, dark place. Make sure to check on your worm farm regularly and add food scraps as needed. In a few weeks, you should start to see the worms breaking down the food scraps and producing nutrient-rich worm castings.
7. Demonstrate water pollution with this educational activity:
Earth Day is coming up soon, and it’s a great opportunity to teach students about the importance of protecting our planet. One powerful way to do this is by demonstrating water pollution in a classroom setting.
To start, gather some clear containers of water and a variety of materials that can represent pollutants, such as oil, plastic, and food coloring. Fill one container with clean water to represent a healthy ecosystem, and then add the pollutants to another container to demonstrate how pollution can affect water quality.
You can use oil to represent an oil spill, plastic to represent litter, and food coloring to represent chemicals and other harmful substances. Mix these materials into the water and ask students to observe the changes that occur, such as the water becoming cloudy or discolored.
Discuss with students the impact of water pollution on aquatic life, ecosystems, and human health. Talk about how pollution can harm marine animals, contaminate drinking water sources, and disrupt the balance of our environment.
After the demonstration, encourage students to brainstorm ways that they can help prevent water pollution in their daily lives. This could include recycling, reducing single-use plastics, participating in beach cleanups, and supporting environmental organizations.
By demonstrating water pollution in a classroom setting, students can see firsthand the negative effects that pollution can have on our planet. This hands-on activity can inspire students to become more mindful of their environmental impact and take action to protect our precious water resources.
8. Planting activity: Have the children participate in planting seeds or seedlings in the school garden. Teach them about the importance of plants in the environment and how they help clean the air.
9. Recycle all cardboard food packaging to make fun construction crafts using sticky tape and scissors, and make robots or cars. It might take a few days to collect a good amount of cardboard packages enough for a craft project.
10. Go on a litter scavenger hunt. It can be a lot of fun, see for yourself here.
11. Pack your lunch packaging-free using reusable containers. You can find yummy inspiration for package-free lunches here.
12. Think of someone who is very special to you, and plant a tree in their honor.
“Studies show that after people hug trees they report feeling calmer and more relaxed than those who do not. It has been reported that hugging trees has been shown to increase the levels of the hormone oxytocin, which is the hormone responsible for emotional bonding and feelings of well-being, calmness, and trust. One of the primary ways that oxytocin production increased is through touch.
Dr. Stone Kraushaar, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist known as The Hug Doctor suggests that we hug (each other or trees) for a minimum of 21 seconds in order to benefit from the increased release of oxytocin”. (Source silvotherapy.co.uk)
13. Take a walk outdoors and hug a tree or two on the way.
Earth Day is a great opportunity to engage students in learning about and appreciating the environment around them. One simple and impactful way to celebrate Earth Day with students is to take them for a walk outdoors and encourage them to hug a tree.
Taking a walk outside not only allows students to get some fresh air and exercise, but it also gives them the chance to connect with nature. Encourage students to observe the trees, notice their size, shape, and leaves, and maybe even try to identify the different types of trees they see. This can be a fun and educational experience for students of all ages.
Once students find a tree that speaks to them, encourage them to give it a hug. Hugging a tree may seem silly at first, but it can actually be a very meaningful and grounding experience. Trees provide us with so much – clean air, shade, beauty, and resources – and hugging a tree is a way to show our gratitude and appreciation for all that they do for us and the planet.
14. Create your own veggie patch. Start with these 10 easy plants for kids to grow.
15. Regrow your food from kitchen scraps.
Regrowing food from kitchen scraps is a simple and budget-friendly way to reduce food waste and teach students about the magic of nature. Not only is it a fun hands-on activity, but it also encourages students to think about where their food comes from and the importance of reducing our carbon footprint.
To get started, gather some kitchen scraps such as the bottoms of celery, lettuce, spring onions, or tomatoes, and place them in containers with water or soil. Encourage students to observe and document the growth progress over time, noting any changes or improvements in the plants.
You can turn this activity into a classroom project by creating a mini garden in the classroom and assigning tasks to students to care for the plants. This will not only teach students valuable gardening skills but also instill a sense of responsibility and pride in caring for living things.
To make the most of this activity, take the opportunity to discuss with students the importance of regrowing food and reducing food waste. Talk about the environmental impact of food production and consumption, and the benefits of regrowing food at home.
16. Learn more about bees and how important they are for the environment and humans.
17. Find out more about animals that help humans survive and how to protect them.
18. Spread peace everywhere you go – give someone a gentle hug and a smile. Let peace be with you!
19. Make a poster to remind yourself to turn off the water while brushing your teeth and take shorter showers. You can conserve up to five gallons per day.
20. Throw a clothing exchange party for friends and swap some clothes. Make sure to ditch plastic cups and plates.
To throw a successful clothing exchange party, start by inviting friends and classmates to bring gently used clothing items that they no longer wear. Set up a designated area in your classroom where participants can display their items for others to browse and choose from. Encourage everyone to bring a variety of sizes and styles to ensure that there is something for everyone.
During the clothing exchange party, students can take turns browsing through the selection of clothing items and choosing pieces that they like. This is a great way to get rid of some old clothes that no longer fit or suit your style, while also gaining some new-to-you items that you love. Plus, it’s a fun and social way to spend time with friends and classmates while making sustainable choices.
Instead of using disposable plastic items for snacks or drinks, encourage students to bring their own reusable cups and containers. Not only does this reduce waste and help protect the environment, but it also fosters a sense of responsibility and mindfulness about the impact of our daily choices on the planet.
Celebrating Earth Day and caring for our environment is crucial for our planet’s future. By introducing children to the importance of protecting the Earth through these fun activities, we can instill a sense of responsibility and appreciation for nature at an early age. By incorporating these ideas into our everyday classroom practices, we can inspire the next generation to be stewards of the Earth and make a positive impact on the world around them. Let’s continue to educate, inspire, and take action to create a more sustainable and thriving planet for future generations.
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Earth Preschool Pack – Continents, Land & Water Forms, 3 Part Cards
All about the Earth learning activity pack for preschool children aged 3-6. The earth-themed activity pack contains printables to create a wide range of hands-on experiences for young children.
Students will practice phonics, building and recognizing teen numbers, cutting, push pinning, identifying continents, lands, and water forms, widen their vocabulary, learn about characteristics of the earth, practice developing logical thinking, learn about moon phases and layers of the earth, and so much more.
The printable features realistic clipart and photographs.
Here is what’s included:
- Instructions and activity variations
- Phonics – initial sound sorting cards (five cards for each letter, feature photographs)
- Land and water mats – fine motor activity with building blocks
- Seasons – sorting cards (six cards for each category, feature photographs)
- Land, water, air – sorting cards (seven cards for each category, feature photographs)
- Land and Water Forms – playdough mats and sorting cards (feature clipart and photographs)
- Land and Water Forms – 3 part cards, definition cards, and student booklet (feature clipart and photographs, backline clipart)
- Land and water forms included in the printable: lake, island, cape, bay, peninsula, gulf, strait, isthmus, system of lakes, archipelago.
- Teen number cards and backline booklet – counting, identifying, and matching quantity and symbols
- Continents of the world (Montessori color-code) – different styles included – eastern and western hemispheres, different world map styles, outlines and color versions of continent outlines, world maps with labels (including oceans) and without labels
- Continents of the world 3 part cards and backline booklet
- Continents of the world – cards for
- push pinning
- Continent cutting strips
- Layers of the Earth chart and playdough mat
- Storytelling with visual prompt
- Phases of the Moon – (southern and northern hemispheres) charts, 3 part cards, student backline booklet
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