12+ Easy and Sustainable Earth Day Craft Ideas for Kids and Parents

Here are some easy and sustainable Earth Day craft ideas that kids and parents can enjoy together while also teaching valuable lessons about the environment:

1. Recycled Paper Seed Paper

• Materials: Scraps of paper, water, seeds (wildflowers or herbs), blender, a mold (such as a frame or screen), and a towel.
• How-to:
  1. Tear up the paper scraps into small pieces.
  2. Soak them in water for a few hours, then blend into a pulp.
  3. Add seeds to the pulp and mix gently.
  4. Pour the mixture into the mold and spread evenly.
  5. Let it dry completely, then cut into shapes if desired.
• Fun twist: Plant the paper in soil to see the flowers or herbs grow!

2. Nature Collage

• Materials: Leaves, flowers, twigs, stones, glue, and paper.
• How-to:
  1. Go on a nature walk with your kids and collect leaves, flowers, and other natural items.
  2. On a piece of sturdy paper, arrange the items in a design or collage.
  3. Glue the items down and let it dry.
• Fun twist: Try to create an animal or a landscape using the natural materials!

3. Upcycled Bottle Planters

• Materials: Empty plastic bottles, scissors, soil, seeds, and paint or markers.
• How-to:
  1. Cut a plastic bottle in half or create holes in it for drainage.
  2. Paint or decorate the outside of the bottle to make it look fun.
  3. Fill it with soil and plant seeds.
  4. Place the planter in a sunny spot and care for the plants as they grow.
• Fun twist: Try planting herbs like basil or mint that kids can use in the kitchen.

4. Egg Carton Bird Feeder

• Materials: Egg carton, peanut butter (or Crisco for nut-free), birdseed, string, and scissors.
• How-to:
  1. Cut the egg carton into individual cups.
  2. Spread peanut butter or Crisco in each cup.
  3. Roll the peanut butter-covered cups in birdseed.
  4. Attach string to hang the feeder from a tree branch.
• Fun twist: Watch birds visit your feeder, and take note of the different species you spot!

5. Cardboard Tube Animals

• Materials: Toilet paper rolls, paint, markers, scissors, glue, googly eyes, and craft paper.
• How-to:
  1. Flatten the cardboard tube slightly and shape it to create different animal forms (bears, owls, etc.).
  2. Paint or decorate with craft paper, markers, and googly eyes.
  3. Use glue to assemble the features and let it dry.
• Fun twist: Create a whole zoo of cardboard tube animals and make up stories about them!

6. DIY Terrarium with Recycled Containers

• Materials: Clear plastic or glass containers (old jars, fish bowls, etc.), small rocks, soil, plants (succulents or small ferns), and decorative items like pebbles or shells.
• How-to:
  1. Layer the rocks at the bottom of the container for drainage.
  2. Add a layer of soil on top.
  3. Plant small succulents or ferns.
  4. Decorate the top with pebbles or shells.
• Fun twist: Label the plants with their names and care instructions!

7. DIY Recycled Crayon Sculptures

• Materials: Broken crayons, muffin tin, oven, and paper.
• How-to:
  1. Gather your broken or old crayons and peel off the wrappers.
  2. Place pieces of crayon in a muffin tin, sorting by color.
  3. Bake at 250°F (120°C) for 10-15 minutes until the crayons melt.
  4. Let them cool and harden, then create fun shapes or sculptures using the melted crayons.
• Fun twist: Create crayon sculptures that resemble animals, flowers, or abstract shapes!

8. Plastic Bottle Flower Garden

• Materials: Empty plastic bottles, scissors, paint, string or pipe cleaners, and glue.
• How-to:
  1. Cut the bottom of the plastic bottle to create flower shapes.
  2. Paint the “flowers” in bright colors.
  3. Attach a pipe cleaner or string to the bottom for the stem.
  4. Place the flowers in a pot or use them to decorate your garden.
• Fun twist: Use these flowers to create a “flower garden” display or give them as gifts!

9. Natural Dye Art with Fruits and Vegetables

• Materials: Various fruits and vegetables (e.g., beets, blueberries, spinach), paper, and paintbrushes.
• How-to:
  1. Boil or crush fruits and vegetables to extract natural dyes.
  2. Use the dye as paint to create colorful artwork on paper.
  3. Let the artwork dry.
• Fun twist: Experiment with different fruits and veggies to see what colors they make!

10. Water Bottle Wind Spinner

• Materials: Empty plastic water bottles, scissors, string, and a marker.
• How-to:
  1. Cut the bottom of a plastic water bottle into petal shapes.
  2. Color or paint the petals for a fun effect.
  3. Attach a string to the top, then hang the spinner outdoors where it will catch the wind.
• Fun twist: Experiment with different bottle sizes to see which one spins best in the wind!

These Earth Day crafts not only promote sustainability but also offer a fun bonding experience for kids and parents. They encourage creativity while reusing and repurposing everyday items, making it a wonderful learning opportunity.

1. DIY Desktop Organizer

And this craft wins the title of coolest desk organiser. You can create this useful artwork out of used cardboard tubes from toilet paper, paper towels, and gift wrap. To be on-theme for Earth Day, you can find the remaining items around your house, but you may need to purchase a piece of wood tree trunk. Utilise what you already have: Paint and fragments of colourful and patterned paper.

2. DIY Safari Binoculars

DIY Safari Binoculars

Creating your own safari binoculars is a fun and easy craft for kids and parents, and it’s a great way to spark imagination for outdoor adventures like bird watching or a pretend safari!

Materials:

• 2 empty toilet paper rolls
• Paint (any colors you like)
• Markers, stickers, or washi tape (for decoration)
• String or yarn (optional, for a strap)
• Scissors
• Glue or tape

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Toilet Paper Rolls:
   • Take two empty toilet paper rolls and lay them side by side.
   • Use glue or tape to attach them together side by side, ensuring they’re aligned well. You can also use a strip of paper or tape to secure the two rolls.
2. Decorate the Binoculars:
   • Once the rolls are attached, paint the whole structure. You can paint it in a safari or jungle theme, like green, brown, or camouflage, or make it colorful for a fun twist!
   • After the paint dries, use markers, stickers, or washi tape to add more fun designs, like animal prints, stripes, or spots.
3. Add the Strap:
   • To make your binoculars wearable, cut a piece of string or yarn long enough to fit over your child’s head.
   • Punch small holes at the top of each toilet paper roll using scissors or a hole puncher.
   • Thread the string through the holes and tie knots to secure it in place. This step makes the binoculars easy to carry around.
4. Final Touches:
   • If desired, you can add additional decorations, like fake jewels or feathers, to make the binoculars even more unique.
5. Playtime:
   • Your DIY safari binoculars are now ready for a fun outdoor adventure! Take them on a nature walk, go birdwatching, or embark on a pretend safari in your backyard!

Tip:

• You can also add a small piece of clear plastic or a magnifying lens inside the toilet paper roll to give a more realistic feel (though it won’t really magnify anything, just a fun touch for imagination!).

This is a simple, eco-friendly craft that’s great for kids and helps them explore nature while having fun.

3. Printable Trash Can Labels

Setting up your garbage station is one of the simplest Earth Day activities you can do, whether you have children or not. Include a mechanism of sorting to help the environment. Your whole family will be reminded of the value of sustainability by these fashionable printable trash can labels.

4. Nest and Baby Bird Craft

A nest and baby bird craft is a fun and creative project, perfect for kids or anyone who enjoys crafting. Here’s how to make a simple and adorable nest with a baby bird!

Materials:

1. For the Nest:
   • Brown construction paper or cardstock
   • Twigs or shredded paper
   • Glue or a hot glue gun
   • Scissors
2. For the Baby Bird:
   • Small foam or felt (yellow or any bird-like color)
   • Googly eyes or black marker (for eyes)
   • Orange construction paper (for beak)
   • Glue
   • Scissors

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Step-by-Step Instructions:

Creating the Nest:

1. Prepare the Base:
   • Cut a circular shape from the brown construction paper or cardstock, about 6-8 inches in diameter. This will be the base of your nest.
2. Add the Nest Texture:
   • Use twigs, shredded paper, or even yarn to create the texture of the nest. If you have real twigs, arrange them in a circular pattern around the base. You can also crumple some brown paper or twist yarn to create a more organic look.
   • Glue the twigs or paper onto the base to form a natural nest-like appearance. You can glue them along the edges or crisscross them to fill the center.
3. Finish the Nest:
   • Once your nest has a cozy appearance, leave it to dry completely if using glue.

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Making the Baby Bird:

1. Create the Bird’s Body:
   • Cut a small oval shape from yellow foam or felt (around 2-3 inches long) for the baby bird’s body.
2. Add the Beak:
   • Cut a small triangle from orange construction paper for the beak and glue it to the front of the oval.
3. Add the Eyes:
   • Glue googly eyes or draw eyes with a black marker onto the bird’s head.
4. Make the Bird’s Feet (Optional):
   • If you want to add little feet, cut small “V” shaped pieces from orange paper and glue them onto the bottom of the bird.

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Assemble the Nest with the Baby Bird:

1. Once your bird is assembled and the nest is dry, place the baby bird inside the nest.
2. For an extra touch, you can add additional baby birds or even make some eggs with small white beads or cotton balls.

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Final Touches:

• You can decorate the background with flowers, grass, or a tree to make it more natural and fun.
• If you’re making this craft with young kids, it can also be a fun opportunity to teach them about how birds build nests and care for their babies.

Enjoy your adorable nest and baby bird craft!

5. DIY Water Bottle Vase and Coffee Filter Flowers

Have coffee filters and an empty plastic water bottle on hand? Children of all ages will love this DIY flower and vase project. Once the filters are a little damp, the children can use markers to create a watercolour look. Draw a sign that reads “we heart Earth” (or any other slogan!) on a poster board to emphasise the event.

6. Sea Glass Suncatcher

A Sea Glass Suncatcher is a beautiful, decorative craft that captures the vibrant colors of sea glass and creates a stunning effect when light shines through it. Here’s how to make your own sea glass suncatcher!

Materials:

• Sea Glass or Colored Glass Pieces (if you don’t have sea glass, you can use glass beads, faux sea glass, or colored glass pieces)
• Wire or Metal Frame (you can use a wire hanger, floral wire, or a metal suncatcher frame)
• Strong Glue or Wire (to attach the glass pieces)
• Beads, Crystals, or Charms (optional, for extra decoration)
• Scissors (if using wire)
• Pliers (if using wire)

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Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare the Frame:

• If you are using a wire hanger, carefully bend it into a circular shape to create the frame of your suncatcher. You can also create any shape you like, such as a heart, star, or flower.
• For a more structured frame, you can buy a metal suncatcher frame from a craft store or use floral wire to create your desired shape.

2. Arrange the Sea Glass:

• Lay out your sea glass or colored glass pieces on a flat surface to get an idea of how you want them to be arranged.
• Try mixing different colors of sea glass, such as shades of blue, green, amber, and clear, to mimic the colors of the ocean.

3. Attach the Sea Glass:

• Use strong glue (such as E6000) to attach the sea glass pieces to your frame. Start from the outside and work your way in, filling the spaces with glass pieces. Leave gaps if you want to create a more open or airy design.
• If you’re using wire, you can use small pieces of wire to attach the sea glass to the frame by twisting it tightly around the glass and the frame.

4. Add Decorative Elements (Optional):

• If you want to add extra sparkle, you can attach beads, crystals, or small charms between the sea glass pieces using wire or glue. These can catch the light and add extra beauty to your suncatcher.

5. Secure the Glass Pieces:

• Make sure each piece of glass is securely attached to the frame. If you’re using glue, let it dry completely before handling the suncatcher.
• If you’re using wire, ensure that all the pieces are tightly wrapped and that the wire doesn’t interfere with the overall look.

6. Add a Hanging Loop:

• Once the sea glass pieces are securely in place, create a loop at the top of the frame with some extra wire. This will allow you to hang your suncatcher in a window or outdoors to catch the sunlight.
• Use pliers to twist the wire into a loop, or attach a small chain or ribbon to the loop for hanging.

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Final Touches:

• Hang your suncatcher in a sunny window, where the light can shine through the sea glass, casting beautiful colors and patterns onto the walls or surrounding surfaces.
• Experiment with different color combinations or shapes to match your décor or to create your own unique design.

Enjoy your beautiful Sea Glass Suncatcher! It’s a great craft project that can add a touch of coastal charm to any space.

7. Upcycled Fun Face Planters

Repurpose those empty cans as planters before discarding them in the recycling bin. To begin recycling your recyclables, tear off the labels. After that, just apply paint (spray paint is ideal), tape, and plants. You can create amusing shapes and patterns or try making cute faces like the do-it-yourselfer in the picture.

8. Cardboard Earth Collage

A craft knife, bowl to trace (to make your circle), adhesive paper for your border, cardboard, blue and green paper (cut into little pieces), markers, and tape are all you’ll need. To create a beautiful Earth, you could also wish to sketch the continents’ outline for your child to fill in with paper in the appropriate shades of blue and green.

9. Egg Carton School Bus

An Egg Carton School Bus is a fun and easy craft project, perfect for kids or anyone who enjoys crafting. It’s a great way to recycle old egg cartons while creating a colorful school bus. Here’s how to make your own!

Materials:

• Empty Egg Carton (preferably the paper or cardboard kind)
• Yellow Paint (or yellow construction paper)
• Black Paint (for wheels)
• Colored Markers, Crayons, or Paint (for details)
• Scissors
• Glue
• Googly Eyes (optional, for fun character)
• Small Paper or Cardboard Pieces (for windows and other details)
• Black Construction Paper (for the wheels, optional)
• Pipe Cleaners or Small Wooden Dowels (for bus handles or extra decoration, optional)

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Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare the Egg Carton:

• Take an empty egg carton and cut off a section of the carton that has a row of three or more cups (these will form the body of the bus). If you want a longer bus, you can cut additional sections and glue them together.

2. Paint the Carton:

• Paint the entire egg carton yellow to resemble the body of the school bus. You can use acrylic or tempera paint. Be sure to let the paint dry completely before moving on to the next step.

3. Add Wheels:

• While the yellow paint is drying, cut out circles from black construction paper or use black paint to create the wheels. You will need four wheels for the bus.
• Attach the wheels to the bottom of the egg carton using glue. Place them under the sections that represent the “bus body.” You can glue them directly onto the carton or use small pieces of cardboard to attach them slightly off the surface for a 3D effect.

4. Add Windows and Details:

• Cut out small rectangles from paper to make the windows of the bus. You can use blue or white paper, or color them in with a blue or black marker.
• Glue the windows onto the sides of the egg carton. Arrange them in a row to represent the windows of the bus.
• You can also draw or glue on additional details such as door handles, a driver’s seat, or a sign that says “School Bus.”

5. Create a Face (Optional):

• If you want to give your bus a fun character, glue on googly eyes to the front of the bus (on the front “egg cup” of the carton). You can also draw a smiling face or other facial features with markers.

6. Add Extra Decorations (Optional):

• Use pipe cleaners to make little bus handles on the top of the bus or to create a handle for the door. You could also add small figures or toys inside the bus to simulate students.

7. Final Touches:

• Once everything is glued and dry, you can make additional details like drawing or gluing on headlights, bumpers, and a grille. You could also use crayons or markers to add some detail to the wheels or windows.

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Final Touch:

• Your egg carton school bus is now ready to be displayed! You can place it on a shelf, use it as a toy for pretend play, or even use it as a decoration for a back-to-school theme.

This fun and easy craft is a great way to recycle materials and get creative. Enjoy making your egg carton school bus!

10. Cardboard Toy Car

You can get this automobile craft! Popsicle sticks, low-temperature adhesive, paintbrushes, craft paint, an empty cracker box, an empty egg carton and paint pens are required. Pre-cut the cardboard if your children are younger so you only need to paint it. The best part is that you will be using things that you already own.

11. Wine Cork Foam Stamps

Creating Wine Cork Foam Stamps is a simple and fun craft project that allows you to make custom stamps for all sorts of creative activities like card-making, scrapbooking, or just for fun prints. Here’s how to make your own wine cork foam stamps!

Materials:

• Wine Corks (or any corks you have)
• Craft Foam Sheets (available at craft stores, or you can use foam from old packaging)
• Glue (such as hot glue or craft glue)
• Scissors
• Ink Pads or Paint (for stamping)
• Pencil (for tracing designs)
• Marker or Pen (for adding details)

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Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare the Cork:

• Take a wine cork (or any cork you have) and cut it in half if you want a flatter, easier-to-hold surface. You can also leave the cork whole for larger stamps.

2. Cut the Foam Shapes:

• Cut the craft foam into shapes that you’d like to use for stamping. For example, you can cut hearts, stars, circles, flowers, or any fun design.
• You can use a pencil to lightly draw your design on the foam first and then cut it out with scissors. You could also use a cookie cutter or stencil to trace specific shapes.

3. Attach the Foam to the Cork:

• Apply glue to the flat side of the cork, then carefully place your foam shape onto it. Press down firmly and let it dry completely.
• If you prefer, you can stack different foam layers to create a multi-dimensional design.

4. Add Details (Optional):

• Once the foam shape is glued on, you can add additional details like lines, dots, or smaller shapes with a fine-tip marker or pen to enhance the design.

5. Prepare the Stamp for Use:

• Once the foam is dry and secured, your stamp is ready to use. To use it, simply press the foam side into an ink pad or dip it in paint. You can experiment with different colors and patterns.

6. Stamp and Create:

• Press the stamp onto paper, fabric, or any surface you want to decorate. Apply pressure evenly across the entire foam surface for a clean print.
• Repeat the process for multiple stamps or experiment with different colors and designs to create patterns.

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Tips for Using Your Wine Cork Foam Stamps:

• Ink Pads or Paint: If using ink pads, press the stamp gently onto the pad. For paint, use a brush to apply it evenly onto the foam before stamping.
• Cleaning: After each use, clean the foam stamp gently by wiping it with a damp cloth to avoid ink or paint buildup.
• Experiment: Try mixing different designs, layering stamps, or using different surfaces (such as fabric, canvas, or card stock) for your stamping projects.

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Final Touch:

Now you have a set of custom stamps that you can use for a variety of craft projects, such as homemade greeting cards, art prints, or even custom gift wrap! This is a fun and simple way to recycle wine corks while creating something beautiful. Enjoy your stamping!

12. Upcycled Candy Jar with Bird and Tree Design

Have a family member who is an artist? This easy project involves painting and drawing a lovely landscape on a jar that you can use to store chocolates or small trinkets. A clear, empty jar, some special paint, and artistic abilities are required. Additionally, you can repeat this activity for whatever holiday or theme you like.