Create Craft
PureWow offers a delightful collection of Earth Day crafts and activities that are both fun and educational for kids. Here are some standout ideas to celebrate the planet creatively:
🌍 1. Handprint Earth Craft
Transform your child’s handprints into a colorful Earth by painting their hands green and blue, then pressing them onto paper. Once dry, add a smiling face and stars to complete the globe. This craft is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, combining art with a lesson on environmental care.Twinkl
🌿 2. Terrarium Craft Project
Engage your child in creating a mini ecosystem by assembling a terrarium. This hands-on activity teaches about plant growth and the importance of ecosystems, offering a lasting reminder of Earth Day.PureWow
♻️ 3. Upcycled Crafts
Use everyday items like toilet paper rolls, tin cans, and egg cartons to create imaginative crafts such as planters, critters, or jewelry. These projects not only foster creativity but also instill the value of reusing materials. Country Living+4PÜR Evergreen+4The Everymom+4
🎨 4. Torn Paper Earth Collage
Introduce children to the concept of recycling by creating a collage of the Earth using torn pieces of colored paper. This simple yet effective craft helps develop fine motor skills and an appreciation for our planet.
🌱 5. Paper Egg Carton Flowers
Repurpose egg cartons into beautiful flowers by painting and decorating them. These can be used to create bouquets, teaching kids about the beauty of nature and the importance of reusing materials. The Everymom
For more detailed instructions and additional craft ideas, visit PureWow’s full guide on Earth Day crafts for kids. PureWow
Would you like suggestions for Earth Day activities tailored to a specific age group or materials you have on hand?
- Make Your Own Paper
Another easy do-it-yourself recycling project that kids may participate in is creating new handmade paper from paper shreds from old magazines and newspapers (or scrap paper from your child’s expanding collection of incomplete artwork). You will be rewarded with a rustic and incredibly beautiful blank canvas for future art projects if you simply follow this easy instruction from The Craftaholic Witch.
2. Create a Hanging Bottle Garden
Creating a Hanging Bottle Garden is a fantastic Earth Day activity for kids that combines creativity, sustainability, and a love for nature. Here’s a step-by-step guide you can follow:
🌿 DIY Hanging Bottle Garden for Kids
🧰 Materials Needed:
- Empty plastic bottles (2-liter soda bottles or water bottles work well)
- Scissors or craft knife (adult supervision required)
- String, twine, or wire
- Soil or potting mix
- Small plants or seeds (herbs like basil or mint are great)
- Nail or hole punch
- Marker (optional, for decoration)
- Paint or stickers (optional for decorating)
🪴 Instructions:
1. Clean the Bottles
Rinse the plastic bottles thoroughly and remove labels.
2. Cut an Opening
Using scissors or a craft knife (have an adult help), cut a rectangular hole on the side of the bottle. This will serve as the planting area. Leave at least an inch of space from the edges.
3. Add Drainage Holes
Poke a few small holes in the bottom of the bottle to allow water to drain.
4. Decorate the Bottle (Optional)
Kids can paint the bottles or decorate them with stickers or markers to personalize their planters.
5. Add String or Wire
Punch two holes near the top of the bottle (on opposite sides). Thread string or twine through the holes to create a loop for hanging. Tie securely.
6. Fill with Soil and Plants
Add soil to the bottle, then plant your chosen seeds or seedlings. Water gently.
7. Hang and Enjoy!
Hang the bottle garden in a sunny window, on a balcony, or from a tree branch outdoors.
🌎 Educational Tip:
Talk to kids about the benefits of reusing plastic, reducing waste, and growing their own food or flowers. This activity introduces key sustainability concepts in a fun, hands-on way!
Would you like a printable version of this project or ideas for other recycled garden crafts?
3. Make a Paper Mâché Globe
This creative project is very appropriate for the event. If you don’t mind a little mess and a considerable amount of time commitment (a considerable amount of drying time is needed between each paper mache layer and before painting), creating a paper mâché globe is surprisingly simple. On the positive side, your child will be entertained for a long time and learn a little bit about geography from this labour of love. You can get a comprehensive instruction at The Purposeful Nest if you’re prepared to take on the challenge.
4. Plant a Terrarium
Creating a terrarium is a wonderful Earth Day project for kids — it’s fun, easy, and a great way to learn about ecosystems and plant care. Here’s how to plant a terrarium together:
🌱 How to Plant a Terrarium (Kid-Friendly Guide)
🧰 Materials You’ll Need:
- A clear glass or plastic container (a mason jar, fishbowl, or even a recycled plastic container)
- Small rocks or pebbles
- Activated charcoal (helps keep the soil fresh)
- Potting soil
- Small plants (like moss, succulents, or ferns)
- Decorative items (optional: small figurines, shells, colorful stones)
- Spoon or small shovel
- Spray bottle for watering
🪴 Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Add Pebbles
Pour a layer of small rocks or pebbles (1–2 inches deep) into the bottom of the container. This helps with drainage so water doesn’t collect around the plant roots.
2. Sprinkle Activated Charcoal
Add a thin layer of activated charcoal over the rocks. This keeps the terrarium from smelling musty and helps prevent mold.
3. Add Soil
Spoon potting soil on top of the charcoal, deep enough for your plants to take root — usually about 2–3 inches. Smooth the surface gently.
4. Plant Your Greens
Make small holes in the soil and gently place each plant in. Press the soil around the roots to keep them stable. Kids can arrange plants however they like!
5. Decorate! (Optional)
Let kids get creative by adding mini figurines, colored stones, or even tiny fairies to make their terrarium magical.
6. Water Lightly
Use a spray bottle to mist the plants lightly. Terrariums don’t need much water — just enough to keep the soil moist.
7. Place in Indirect Sunlight
Put the terrarium where it will get indirect sunlight. Too much direct light can overheat the plants, especially in a closed container.
🌍 Learning Moment:
Talk with your kids about how terrariums are like mini ecosystems — they recycle water and air just like our Earth does. It’s a great way to show how everything in nature works together!
Would you like a printable version or a matching activity sheet to go with this project?
5. Make Art out of Recycled Goods
All you need are the materials from your recycling bin and a little imagination to complete a variety of kid-friendly art projects. There is a lot of craft potential in cans, wine bottles, milk jugs, egg cartons, cardboard boxes, and even old T-shirts. Start by looking over the internet for inspiration, and then begin transforming someone else’s trash into—well, that person’s treasure.
6. Make a Bird Feeder
Making a bird feeder is a perfect Earth Day activity for kids! It’s easy, fun, and helps local birds find food — while teaching kids about wildlife and caring for nature.
🐦 How to Make a Simple Bird Feeder (Kid-Friendly Guide)
🧰 Materials Needed:
- Empty toilet paper roll or pinecone
- Peanut butter (or sunflower seed butter for allergies)
- Birdseed
- String or yarn
- Plate or shallow dish
- Butter knife or spoon (for spreading)
🪴 Instructions:
1. Spread the Peanut Butter
Use the knife or spoon to cover the outside of the toilet paper roll (or pinecone) with peanut butter. Kids can help with this messy, fun step!
2. Roll in Birdseed
Pour birdseed onto a plate. Roll the sticky peanut butter-covered tube or pinecone in the birdseed until it’s fully coated.
3. Add String
If you’re using a toilet paper roll, thread string through the hole to make a hanger. For pinecones, tie the string around the top.
4. Hang Outside
Find a tree branch, balcony railing, or porch hook to hang your bird feeder. Make sure it’s in a quiet spot where birds feel safe.
5. Watch and Learn!
Grab a pair of binoculars and watch the birds come to visit. Try identifying the types of birds that stop by!
🌍 Why It’s Great for Earth Day:
This project helps support local bird populations and gets kids involved in wildlife observation. It’s also a great way to reuse common household items.
Would you like variations using recycled bottles or milk cartons too?
7. Adopt a Tree
This idea enables children to better understand trees as living beings and fosters an appreciation for their environment. Ask your child to select a tree to examine when you take them for a walk in their favourite park. After encouraging them to describe the tree using all of their senses, ask them to search for seasonal indicators, such as blossoms that are just beginning to open. Lastly, kids can visit the tree repeatedly in the future and write a diary entry on the tree they decided to adopt.
8. Volunteer at a Community Garden
Volunteering at a community garden is a meaningful and hands-on Earth Day activity for kids and families. It’s a great way to connect with others, learn about gardening, and help the planet at the same time.
🌻 How to Volunteer at a Community Garden (Kid-Friendly Guide)
Why It’s a Great Activity:
- Helps kids learn how fruits, vegetables, and flowers grow
- Teaches teamwork, responsibility, and environmental care
- Supports your local community and provides fresh food for others
🌱 Steps to Get Started:
1. Find a Local Community Garden
Search online or ask your local library, school, or city hall about nearby community gardens. You can also check websites like:
- https://www.communitygarden.org
- Local Facebook or neighborhood groups
2. Reach Out to Volunteer
Call or email the garden coordinator to ask if they accept volunteers and if kids can help. Some gardens have special family-friendly days!
3. Dress for the Dirt
Wear old clothes, closed-toe shoes, a hat, and bring sunscreen. Gardening can get messy — in the best way!
4. Bring Tools (If Needed)
Some gardens provide tools, but it’s helpful to bring gloves, a trowel, and a water bottle. You can also bring snacks to share with other volunteers.
5. Help with Simple Tasks
Kids can do age-appropriate jobs like:
- Watering plants
- Pulling weeds
- Planting seeds
- Harvesting veggies
- Picking up trash
6. Talk About What You Learn
Use the experience to discuss how gardens help reduce food waste, support pollinators, and build stronger communities.
🌎 Earth Day Bonus:
You could bring a homemade compost bin or seed bombs to share with other volunteers. It’s a great way to spread eco-friendly ideas!
Would you like a printable checklist or journal page for kids to track what they learned in the garden?
9. Pick Up Litter at the Park
Littering is a well-known environmental hazard, and it is unfortunate to see nice public areas littered with trash. Why not invite your child to spend an afternoon performing community service with a group of friends at a beloved park? The fresh air, excellent company, and satisfying sense that comes from doing the right thing for the environment more than make up for the fact that it may not be the most glamorous pastime.
10. Donate Old Books to a Local Library
Donating old books to a local library is a simple, meaningful Earth Day activity that encourages sharing, reduces waste, and supports literacy in your community.
📚 How to Donate Old Books to a Local Library (Kid-Friendly Guide)
Why It’s Great for Earth Day:
- Gives books a second life instead of sending them to the landfill
- Encourages reading and learning for other kids and families
- Teaches children the joy of giving and the importance of sharing resources
✅ Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Go Through Your Books
With your child, look through bookshelves at home and choose books they’ve outgrown or no longer read.
Tip: Let them help decide — it makes them feel proud of giving!
2. Check Book Condition
Only donate books that are:
- Clean
- Gently used (no torn pages, heavy writing, or water damage)
- Age-appropriate for your local library’s needs
3. Contact the Library First
Before dropping off books, call or check the library’s website to:
- See if they’re accepting donations
- Ask about any guidelines (some libraries prefer certain genres or age groups)
4. Pack the Books Neatly
Place the books in a sturdy box or reusable bag for easy transport. You can even make a cute label that says “Book Donation – Happy Earth Day!”
5. Drop Off the Books
Bring your child along to donate the books. It’s a great opportunity to show them how their gift will help others.
6. Celebrate with a Storytime
After donating, spend some time in the library reading a new book together — a nice way to end the day!
🌎 Bonus Idea:
Create a mini “Free Book Box” in your neighborhood or school where kids can take and leave books anytime.
Would you like a printable donation tag or thank-you card your child can fill out to include with their books?
11. Clean a Nearby Creek
At your local creek or nearby park, you can participate in a community clean-up event, organise a small team, or go it alone. Just remember to wear gloves and check the stream before throwing away any pollutants or floating debris you come across. While you’re there, don’t forget to enjoy yourself while you explore the local aquatic inhabitants.
12. Recycle the Crayons That Aren’t the Sharpest in the Box
Recycling old or broken crayons is a fun and colorful Earth Day activity that teaches kids how to reuse materials creatively — instead of throwing them away!
🖍️ Recycle the Crayons That Aren’t the Sharpest in the Box
Why It’s Great for Earth Day:
- Keeps wax out of landfills
- Teaches kids about recycling and creativity
- Gives old crayons a bright new life!
✅ What You’ll Need:
- Old or broken crayons (any brand or color)
- Silicone mold (shapes like hearts, stars, or Earth are fun!)
- Oven and baking tray
- Adult supervision
- Paper towels (optional for cleanup)
🪄 Instructions:
1. Sort and Peel
Remove all paper wrappers from the crayons. Kids can help sort by color — or mix them up for rainbow crayons!
2. Break Into Pieces
Snap crayons into smaller chunks. This helps them melt evenly.
3. Fill the Molds
Place the crayon pieces into each section of the silicone mold. Fill them almost to the top. Let kids experiment with color combos!
4. Melt in the Oven
Have an adult preheat the oven to 250°F (120°C). Place the mold on a baking tray and bake for about 10–15 minutes, or until the crayons are fully melted.
5. Cool and Pop Out
Carefully remove the tray from the oven and let the molds cool completely (about 30–60 minutes). Once cool, pop out your new crayons!
6. Use or Gift Them
Use the new crayons at home — or wrap them up in recycled paper and give them as Earth Day gifts to friends, classmates, or teachers.
🌍 Bonus Tip:
Talk with your kids about how recycling saves energy and reduces waste — even small steps like this can make a big difference!
Would you like printable crayon wrapper designs or Earth Day tags to go with your recycled crayon gifts?
13. Adopt an Endangered Animal
Speaking of animals, Earth Day is a great opportunity to learn more about the world’s endangered animal species. Adopting an animal for yourself, your children, a friend, niece, nephew, etc. is a charming way to give back while also learning and developing as a global citizen, even though it’s not really a holiday that calls for presents. By adopting an animal (from a sea turtle hatchling to a three-toed sloth) and making a donation through WWFGifts, you contribute to the protection of animals, the preservation of breathtaking locations, and the development of a sustainable future in which humans coexist peacefully with the environment.
14. Put Some Parameters on Their Endless Scrolls
Putting Some Parameters on Their Endless Scrolls is a smart and meaningful Earth Day activity focused on digital sustainability and mindful tech use. It encourages kids to balance screen time with real-world, nature-based experiences — which helps their well-being and the planet, too.
📵 How to Set Healthy Screen Time Limits (Kid-Friendly and Earth-Friendly)
Why It’s Great for Earth Day:
- Reduces energy use from devices and streaming
- Promotes outdoor play and appreciation for nature
- Encourages mindfulness and real-world connections
✅ Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Have a Family Tech Talk
Sit down with your kids and talk about how much time they’re spending online — and how it affects their energy, mood, and creativity. Explain that reducing screen time is good for their brains and the Earth.
2. Create a “Screen-Free for Earth” Schedule
Make an Earth Day challenge where everyone:
- Puts phones/tablets away for a set time each day
- Replaces 1 hour of screen time with an outdoor activity (walk, garden, draw nature, etc.)
- Has a “no scroll” zone (like during meals or before bed)
3. Use Timers or Apps
Set timers for apps or use screen time tools on devices (like Apple’s Screen Time or Android’s Digital Wellbeing). Let kids help choose limits to give them ownership.
4. Replace Scrolling with Green Fun
Offer fun, Earth-friendly alternatives:
- Build a bug hotel 🐞
- Go on a nature scavenger hunt 🌿
- Read a book about the environment 📚
- Do a hands-on craft or science experiment 🔬
5. Celebrate Their Success
Give simple rewards like stickers, “extra play outside” coupons, or a screen-free Earth Day certificate for meeting screen goals.
🌍 Bonus Challenge:
Try a full “Digital Detox Day” on Earth Day — no streaming, no games, no scrolling. Just you, your family, and nature!
Would you like a printable Earth Day Screen-Free Tracker or nature-themed activity list to go along with this idea?
15. Go on an Adventure with the Earth Rangers
Earth Rangers, a children’s conservation organisation, partnered with Lunii, a French business that is well-known for its emission-free and completely screen-free “Fabulous Storyteller” technology that allows youngsters to create their own audio stories. Based on their well-liked “Earth Rangers” podcast, viewers may tune into Earth Rangers Animal Discovery, get to know ER Emma, and discover all about the many different, cute, and intriguing animals on our planet—from those we see almost every day to those we hardly ever see.
16. Start Composting
Starting a compost bin is a fantastic Earth Day activity for kids that turns food scraps and yard waste into healthy soil. It’s a hands-on way to teach children about reducing waste and caring for the Earth — right in your own backyard or kitchen!
🌱 How to Start Composting (Kid-Friendly Guide)
Why It’s Great for Earth Day:
- Reduces food waste and garbage
- Creates rich soil for plants and gardens
- Teaches kids how nature recycles
✅ What You’ll Need:
- A compost bin or container (can be store-bought or homemade)
- A mix of “greens” (fruit/veggie scraps, grass clippings)
- A mix of “browns” (dry leaves, shredded paper, cardboard)
- Small shovel or garden trowel
- Water (as needed to keep it moist)
🪴 Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Pick a Compost Spot
Choose a place outside (like the backyard) for your compost bin — or use a small indoor compost bucket if you live in an apartment.
2. Start Collecting Food Scraps
Keep a small bin in the kitchen to collect:
- 🍎 Fruit and veggie peels
- 🥬 Coffee grounds and filters
- 🍞 Bread scraps
- 🍌 Banana peels
(Do not include meat, dairy, or oily foods — they attract pests!)
3. Add “Browns”
For every handful of food scraps, add a handful of “browns” like:
- Shredded newspaper
- Dry leaves
- Egg cartons
- Paper towel rolls
This helps keep the compost from getting smelly and adds important carbon.
4. Mix It Up
Use a small shovel or stick to stir your compost every few days. Kids can take turns being the “compost stirrer”!
5. Keep It Moist (But Not Wet)
If the compost looks dry, lightly spray it with water. If it’s too soggy, add more dry leaves or paper.
6. Watch It Turn to Soil!
In a few weeks to months, your scraps will break down into dark, crumbly compost that smells like fresh soil. You can use it to feed plants in your garden or flower pots.
🌍 Learning Moment:
Explain to your child how composting mimics what happens in nature — where nothing goes to waste, and everything becomes something new!
Would you like a printable composting guide for kids or a “What Can I Compost?” poster for the kitchen?
17. Visit a Local Zoo and Learn About the Animals
An event like Earth Day serves as a wonderful reminder that we are not alone on this planet and that we should get to know our siblings from other mothers, not only the mammals! Therefore, find out if the zoo in your area is open on weekdays.
18. Start Collecting Rainwater
Starting a rainwater collection project is a fun and educational Earth Day activity for kids! It helps conserve water, teaches about sustainability, and connects kids with natural weather cycles.
💧 How to Start Collecting Rainwater (Kid-Friendly Guide)
Why It’s Great for Earth Day:
- Saves water for gardens, plants, and cleaning
- Teaches kids how to care for the environment
- Encourages observation of weather and water cycles
✅ What You’ll Need:
- A large container (bucket, barrel, or plastic bin)
- Mesh screen (to keep out bugs and leaves)
- Bricks or a stand (to raise the container for easy access)
- Small watering can or scoop
- Marker or stickers (optional for decorating)
- Rain! ☔
🪴 Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Pick a Collection Spot
Choose a spot under a roof edge, gutter, or open space where rain naturally runs off. Make sure it’s safe and stable.
2. Place Your Container
Put the container on a raised platform (like a few bricks or wood blocks) so you can easily scoop out water. Make sure it’s steady and won’t tip over.
3. Cover with Mesh
Place a mesh screen or piece of fabric over the top to keep out leaves, dirt, and bugs — and let water flow through.
4. Wait for Rain!
On the next rainy day, watch the container start to fill up. Kids can track how much rain falls and how fast it collects.
5. Use the Water
Use the collected rainwater to:
- Water plants or garden
- Clean outdoor toys
- Fill a birdbath
Important: Don’t drink the rainwater unless it’s filtered and purified — it’s for outdoor use only.
🌍 Bonus Learning Activity:
Create a Rain Journal where kids can record:
- Dates it rained
- How full the container got
- How they used the water afterward
Would you like a printable Rain Journal page or a decorative label for your rain barrel?
19. Make Solar Oven S’mores
Everyone enjoys the popular snack made over a campfire, but how much more fun would it be to prepare them in a homemade solar oven? This is a useful tutorial. Make it green instead of gooey, golden-brown bliss.
20. Take a Virtual National Park Tour
Taking a virtual national park tour is a fun, educational Earth Day activity for kids that brings the beauty of nature right to your screen — no hiking boots needed! It’s a great way to explore the wonders of the natural world and learn about conservation from home.
🏞️ How to Take a Virtual National Park Tour (Kid-Friendly Guide)
Why It’s Great for Earth Day:
- Encourages appreciation of nature and wildlife
- Teaches geography, science, and environmental care
- Inspires future real-life adventures
✅ What You’ll Need:
- A computer, tablet, or smart TV
- Internet connection
- Notebook or journal (optional for drawing or writing what they see)
- Curiosity and imagination! 🌍
🌟 Where to Go: Virtual Park Tour Options
1. Yellowstone National Park
Explore geysers, hot springs, and wildlife with interactive videos and 3D views.
🔗 Visit Yellowstone Virtually
2. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
See real lava flows and volcanic craters with Google Earth VR.
🔗 Explore Volcanoes
3. Bryce Canyon National Park
Take a 360° journey through the red rock formations and stargaze from the canyon floor.
🔗 Bryce Canyon Tour
4. Grand Canyon National Park
Walk the rim trails and look into one of the world’s largest canyons.
🔗 Explore the Grand Canyon
5. Google Earth’s “Hidden Worlds of the National Parks”
A free, immersive experience that lets you explore parks with a virtual ranger guide.
🔗 Start Here
✍️ Bonus Activities:
- Draw your favorite part of the park
- Write a short story or postcard “from” the park
- Create a mini fact sheet about one of the animals or landscapes you saw
Would you like a printable Virtual Park Passport or a journal page to go along with your tour?