20+ Smart Earth Day Crafts And Activities For Kids

Here’s a list of smart Earth Day crafts and activities for kids—fun, simple, and eco-friendly projects that also teach the value of caring for our planet:

🌍 Smart Earth Day Crafts

  1. Recycled Bottle Bird Feeder – Turn a plastic bottle into a bird feeder using sticks and string.
  2. Egg Carton Seed Starters – Plant seeds in egg cartons, then transfer them to the garden when they sprout.
  3. Earth Collage – Cut scraps of old magazines and newspapers to make a round Earth picture.
  4. Tin Can Planters – Paint empty cans and use them as planters for herbs or flowers.
  5. Recycled Crayon Earths – Melt old crayon pieces in muffin tins to create Earth-shaped crayons.
  6. Handprint Earth Craft – Paint hands blue and green, stamp them on paper to form a world.
  7. Nature Suncatchers – Press leaves and petals between paper or clear plastic to make hanging art.
  8. DIY Upcycled Tote Bag – Decorate an old t-shirt into a reusable shopping bag (no sewing needed).
  9. Earth Day Bracelets – Make jewelry from paper beads rolled out of old magazines.
  10. Cardboard Recycling Robots – Build fun robots from boxes, tubes, and other clean recyclables.

🌱 Smart Earth Day Activities

  1. Nature Scavenger Hunt – Look for different leaves, rocks, or bugs in your backyard or park.
  2. Plant a Tree or Flower – A classic and meaningful Earth Day tradition.
  3. Litter Cleanup Walk – Take bags and gloves to clean up your neighborhood or park.
  4. Recycling Relay Game – Sort recyclables into the correct bins as a race.
  5. Composting Lesson – Teach kids how food scraps can turn into soil for plants.
  6. Water Conservation Challenge – See who can brush teeth or wash hands with the least water.
  7. DIY Bird Watching Journal – Track birds seen in the backyard with sketches or notes.
  8. Earth-Themed Story Time – Read eco-friendly children’s books like The Lorax or Earth Day Every Day.
  9. Build a Worm Farm – Learn how worms recycle food scraps into healthy soil.
  10. Eco-Promise Pledge – Kids write or draw one Earth-friendly habit they’ll keep (like turning off lights or recycling).

✨ These activities are hands-on, fun, and also help children learn how small actions can make a big difference for the planet.

Would you like me to create a step-by-step guide for a few of these crafts (with materials and instructions) so they’re easy to follow?

  1. Homemade Suet For Birds

Making your own handmade suet is a great way to get a variety of bird species into your yard. With this easy yet efficient do-it-yourself project, you can give birds a tasty, nourishing, and energy-rich gift. As ardent bird lovers, we recognise the value of providing these feathered companions with food, drink, and shelter. You may experience the beauty and melody of birds up close by setting up a comfortable habitat in your backyard.

2. How to Celebrate Earth Day With Your Child

Here are some meaningful, fun, and kid-friendly ways to celebrate Earth Day with your child:

🌍 Simple & Fun Earth Day Activities

  1. Plant Something Together – Start a flower, herb, or vegetable garden. Even a small potted plant teaches care for nature.
  2. Go on a Nature Walk – Collect leaves, rocks, or flowers, and talk about the beauty and importance of protecting them.
  3. Do a Family Cleanup – Pick up litter in your yard, street, or local park with gloves and bags.
  4. Create Earth Day Crafts – Use recycled items (bottles, boxes, cans) to make bird feeders, planters, or art.
  5. Switch Off Electronics – Have an “Earth Hour” by turning off lights and devices, then play board games or tell stories.

🌱 Teach Eco-Friendly Habits

  1. Practice Recycling – Show your child how to separate paper, plastic, and cans.
  2. Start a Compost Bin – Use food scraps to create soil, and explain how it helps plants grow.
  3. Conserve Water – Play a “shortest shower challenge” or turn brushing teeth into a water-saving game.
  4. Use Reusables – Decorate reusable shopping bags, water bottles, or lunch containers.
  5. Make an Eco-Promise – Write down one Earth-friendly habit your child will keep (like turning off lights or reusing paper).

🌎 Celebrate with Stories & Play

  1. Read Earth Day Books – Choose eco-themed children’s books like The Lorax or I Can Save the Earth!
  2. Do an Earth Day Puzzle or Coloring Page – Creative play while learning about the planet.
  3. Earth Day Picnic – Pack a waste-free picnic with reusable containers and enjoy it outdoors.
  4. Bird Watching – Use binoculars to spot birds, then record them in a journal.
  5. Eco-Themed Games – Play a “Recycling Sorting Race” or scavenger hunt for nature treasures.

👉 The goal is to make Earth Day fun, memorable, and meaningful—so your child not only enjoys it but also learns ways to protect the planet every day.

Would you like me to create a one-day Earth Day schedule (morning-to-evening plan) you can follow with your child?

3. Recycled Earth Day Projects With Toilet Paper Rolls

Finding last-minute art supplies or depending only on same-day delivery seems like a thing of the past in today’s fast-paced world where instant gratification is the norm. However, as the 50th anniversary of Earth Day draws near, I was motivated to come up with inventive ideas for easy, environmentally friendly crafts that can be made with readily available materials.

4. Paper Plate Earth Crafta Kids Will Love

Here’s a simple Paper Plate Earth Craft that kids will love making on Earth Day (or any day you want to teach about caring for the planet):

🌍 Paper Plate Earth Craft for Kids

Materials Needed:

  • White paper plate
  • Blue and green paint (or markers/crayons)
  • Paintbrushes or sponges
  • Scissors (optional, for older kids)
  • Glue stick
  • Googly eyes (optional)
  • Black marker

Instructions:

  1. Paint the Plate
    • Give your child a paper plate.
    • Have them paint blue all over the plate to represent oceans.
  2. Add Continents
    • Use green paint or torn green construction paper to create the continents.
    • Let them place the pieces randomly—no need for perfection.
  3. Add a Face (Optional)
    • Glue on googly eyes and draw a big smile with a black marker to make a “Happy Earth.”
    • You can even add arms and legs using strips of paper if you like.
  4. Let It Dry
    • Place the plate aside until the paint dries.
  5. Display Proudly
    • Hang it on a wall, fridge, or window to celebrate Earth Day.

🌱 Learning Twist:

While crafting, talk about:

  • Why Earth is blue and green.
  • The importance of protecting water, land, and animals.
  • One small way your child can help keep Earth “smiling” (like recycling, saving water, or planting trees).

Would you like me to also create a short Earth Day rhyme or chant you can teach kids to go along with this crafta?

5. Yarn Earth Kids Activity

We are reminded of the importance of Earth Day, which falls on April 22nd, as spring draws near. By talking to our kids about how our everyday actions affect the environment, we as parents hope to inculcate in them a feeling of environmental responsibility. Our family places a high priority on environmentally friendly behaviours, stressing the importance of composting, recycling, and shutting off lights when not in use.

For our children to grasp the value of protecting our world for future generations, we must set an example of these behaviours.

6. Earth Day Paper Plate Crafta for Kids

Here’s a fun and easy Earth Day Paper Plate Craft for Kids that makes learning about our planet both creative and meaningful:

🌍 Earth Day Paper Plate Craft

Materials Needed

  • White paper plate
  • Blue and green paint (or crayons/markers)
  • Paintbrush or sponge
  • Scissors (optional, for cutting shapes)
  • Glue stick
  • Googly eyes (optional)
  • Black marker
  • Recycled paper scraps (optional, for extra decorations)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Paint the Earth
    • Cover the paper plate with blue paint for the oceans.
    • Use green paint or torn green paper scraps to make land shapes (continents).
  2. Add a Face (Optional)
    • Glue on googly eyes and draw a smiling mouth to make a “Happy Earth.”
    • Kids can also add little arms, legs, or hearts made from scrap paper.
  3. Write an Earth Day Message
    • Around the edge of the plate, help your child write:
      “Love Our Earth” or “Happy Earth Day!”
  4. Let It Dry & Display
    • Once dry, hang it up or display it as part of an Earth Day wall or classroom project.

🌱 Learning Moment

As you craft, talk about why Earth is blue and green, and how kids can help keep it clean and healthy (planting trees, recycling, saving water).

Would you like me to give you a printable Earth design template (with continents) that kids can glue on the plate if they’re too young to paint neatly?

7. DIY Milk Carton Bird Feeders

Time is frequently regarded as the most valuable gift you can give someone. I make it a point to treasure this resource because it is limited and ephemeral. For my part, I’m constantly balancing a lot of responsibilities, including everyday work, important deliverables, and long-term goals that need to be attended to.

When my list gets too long, I find it difficult to relax fully because I keep thinking that there’s always something else I should be doing before I can relax—anything that isn’t on my list, that is.

8. Disney Inspired Earth Day Crafta

Here’s a fun idea for a Disney-Inspired Earth Day Craft that combines kids’ love for Disney with caring for our planet:

✨ Disney-Inspired Earth Day Craft

1. Mickey Mouse Earth Plate

  • Use a large paper plate for Earth’s face.
  • Paint it blue (oceans) and green (land).
  • Cut out two smaller circles (paper or cardboard) and paint them the same to make Mickey ears.
  • Glue the ears to the top of the plate.
  • Add a smile and googly eyes if you’d like a “Happy Earth Mickey.”

2. Frozen “Love the Earth” Snow Globe

  • Draw or print Elsa, Anna, or Olaf.
  • Place them inside a homemade paper snow globe with trees, flowers, or recycling symbols.
  • Write “Protect Our Earth – It’s Magical!” around the border.

3. Lion King Nature Collage

  • Cut out Simba or Nala from an old magazine, coloring book, or printed image.
  • Create a savanna background using leaves, twigs, or recycled paper.
  • Add the words: “Respect the Circle of Life – Care for Earth.”

4. Toy Story Recycling Rocket

  • Use an empty toilet paper roll or bottle to make Buzz Lightyear’s rocket.
  • Decorate with recycled scraps.
  • Add a message: “To Recycling… and Beyond!”

🌱 Teaching Tip

As kids craft, connect the Disney theme to Earth Day:

  • Mickey = Earth’s happiness.
  • Frozen = Caring for nature’s beauty.
  • Lion King = The circle of life.
  • Toy Story = Giving “trash” a second life through recycling.

Would you like me to create a step-by-step guide just for the Mickey Mouse Earth Plate craft (since that’s the easiest and most popular with kids)?

9. Earth Day Black Glue Crafta

Why not take advantage of Earth Day to spend quality time with your children through an entertaining and instructive activity as August 22nd draws near? Together with the children, make a beautiful black glue project to help them understand the value of protecting the environment. Young children may develop a sense of responsibility as a result of this practical experience, which may motivate them to take proactive steps to preserve the environment for coming generations.

10. Earth Day Hat [Free Printable Template]

Here’s a simple and fun Earth Day Hat Craft idea with a free printable-style template description you can easily recreate:

🌍 Earth Day Hat Craft (Free Printable Template)

Materials Needed

  • Printable Earth Day hat template (or draw your own)
  • White cardstock or thick paper
  • Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick or tape
  • Stapler (optional, for fastening)

Instructions

  1. Print or Draw the Template
    • The hat template usually includes a large Earth circle for the front and two long strips for the headband.
    • If you don’t have a printer, simply draw a big Earth (circle) and two strips of paper.
  2. Color and Decorate
    • Let kids color the Earth blue and green.
    • They can add hearts, trees, animals, or the words “Love Our Planet” or “Happy Earth Day!”
  3. Cut Out the Pieces
    • Carefully cut out the Earth circle and the two strips.
  4. Make the Headband
    • Attach the two strips together to form a band that fits around the child’s head.
    • Tape, glue, or staple the strips securely.
  5. Attach the Earth
    • Glue or tape the decorated Earth to the front of the headband.
  6. Wear & Celebrate
    • Once complete, kids can wear their Earth Day hats during activities, story time, or an Earth Day parade.

🌱 Learning Moment

As they wear the hat, ask kids:

  • “What do you love most about Earth?”
  • “What can we do to keep Earth clean and happy?”

Would you like me to design a ready-to-print Earth Day Hat template (PDF) for you that kids can just color, cut, and assemble?

11. Free Earth Day Printable Headband For Kids

Are you trying to think of an original way to commemorate Earth Day with your children? Think about this enjoyable and simple activity that may be done by kids in primary school as well as toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners. The finest aspect? Kids can wear these vibrant headbands on April 22nd or every day they wish to be green!

12. Handprint Earth Craft For Earth Day [Free Template]

Here’s a fun Handprint Earth Craft for Earth Day with a free-style template idea you can easily recreate for kids:

🌍 Handprint Earth Craft for Earth Day

Materials Needed

  • White cardstock or construction paper
  • Blue and green paint (or crayons/markers)
  • Paintbrushes or sponges
  • Pencil
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick
  • Free Earth template (a simple circle outline – can be drawn or printed)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Earth Template
    • Print or draw a large circle outline to represent Earth.
    • This will be the base of the craft.
  2. Add the Oceans and Continents
    • Paint or color the circle blue for water.
    • Add green shapes for land (kids can paint, color, or glue torn green paper).
  3. Make the Handprints
    • Have kids dip their hands in paint (any color, but green and blue look best).
    • Press two handprints on either side of the Earth circle, as if “holding the planet.”
    • Let it dry.
  4. Cut and Assemble
    • Cut out the Earth circle.
    • Glue it onto a background sheet of paper (white or colored).
    • Position the handprints around it to look like the Earth is being hugged.
  5. Add a Message
    • Write a phrase like:
      • “I Can Help the Earth!”
      • “Love Our Planet”
      • “Happy Earth Day!”

🌱 Learning Moment

As kids create their craft, talk about how small hands can make a big difference in caring for the planet—through recycling, planting, or saving water.

Would you like me to make a printable Earth outline template (PDF) that kids can color and add their handprints to?

13. Earth Day Flower Crafta

Are you looking for an entertaining and instructive project to do with your pupils in honour of Earth Day? Take a look at this creative floral project that inspires children to think about the value of environmental preservation while also encouraging their creativity. This project is not only entertaining and simple to complete, but it’s also a great method to emphasise how important it is to protect our world.

14. How To Make A Puffy Paint Earth Craft

Here’s a fun and creative Puffy Paint Earth Craft for kids to make on Earth Day:

🌍 How to Make a Puffy Paint Earth Craft

Materials Needed

  • White cardstock or thick paper
  • Shaving cream (foam type, not gel)
  • White school glue
  • Blue and green food coloring or paint
  • Bowls and spoons for mixing
  • Paintbrushes or craft sticks
  • Scissors (optional)
  • Black marker (for writing a message)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Make the Puffy Paint
    • In two bowls, mix equal parts shaving cream and white glue.
    • Add blue coloring to one bowl and green coloring to the other.
    • Stir gently until the colors are blended.
  2. Prepare the Earth Template
    • Draw or print a big circle on cardstock (to represent Earth).
    • Cut it out if you’d like a round shape, or just decorate directly on the paper.
  3. Paint the Oceans and Land
    • Use the blue puffy paint for oceans.
    • Add the green puffy paint for continents.
    • Let kids swirl and spread the paint for a textured, 3D look.
  4. Let It Dry
    • Leave the craft to dry overnight.
    • The paint will stay slightly raised and squishy for a fun sensory effect.
  5. Add a Message
    • Once dry, kids can write an Earth Day message around it, like:
      “Love Our Planet” or “Happy Earth Day!”

🌱 Learning Moment

While crafting, talk about how our Earth has land and water, and why it’s important to take care of both.

Would you like me to also create a simple Earth circle template (printable PDF) that kids can fill in with their puffy paint?

15. Earth Day Tree Craft for Kids

Why not take advantage of the occasion by spending time outside with your children as the world prepares to celebrate Earth Day on April 22? The ideal chance to express your creativity and establish a connection with nature! It can be quite refreshing for you and your children to plant trees, establish a garden, or just enjoy the fresh air. And what better way to begin this environmentally responsible journey than with a fun Earth Day Tree Craft project that will please your young children?

16. Upcycled Fun Face Planters

Here’s a playful and eco-friendly idea for Upcycled Fun Face Planters that kids and adults will both enjoy:

🌱 Upcycled Fun Face Planters

Materials Needed

  • Empty containers (tin cans, plastic bottles, jars, or yogurt cups)
  • Acrylic paint or spray paint (non-toxic)
  • Paintbrushes or markers
  • Googly eyes, buttons, yarn, or paper scraps (optional)
  • Potting soil
  • Small plants or seeds (herbs, succulents, or flowers)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Container
    • Wash and dry your chosen container.
    • If using a plastic bottle, cut it to size (with adult help).
    • Make drainage holes in the bottom if needed.
  2. Decorate the Face
    • Paint the outside with bright colors.
    • Add eyes, a nose, and a mouth using paint, markers, or glued-on items like buttons or googly eyes.
    • Use yarn, twine, or shredded paper as “hair.”
  3. Plant Inside
    • Fill the container with soil.
    • Plant seeds or small plants—grass seeds are fun because they sprout quickly and look like “hair.”
  4. Care and Watch It Grow
    • Water lightly and place in a sunny spot.
    • Watch the “hair” grow, and give your Fun Face Planter regular trims with scissors.

🌎 Learning Moment

This craft teaches kids how to reuse everyday items while learning about plant growth and caring for the Earth.

Would you like me to also suggest a classroom version of this craft (so each child can make one and they’re displayed together like a “planter family”)?

17. Happy and Sad Earth Day Art Activities

For young children, this DIY happy and sad earth printable is an excellent teaching and learning resource. It’s an enjoyable method to educate toddlers important life lessons, like how to preserve and take care of the environment. Another fantastic Earth Day activity is this printable. Supplies like cardstock, scissors, crayons, gluestick, and velcro dots are all you need. Allow your youngster to assemble therapeutic and sad earth after printing the printable and cutting out the parts. Learning about how to care for our world will be enjoyable for them! inspirationedit

18. Creative Butterfly Nature Crafts for Kids

Here are some fun and Creative Butterfly Nature Crafts for Kids—easy projects that use natural and recycled materials to celebrate both butterflies and the outdoors:

🦋 Creative Butterfly Nature Crafts

1. Leaf Wing Butterflies

  • Collect fallen leaves of different shapes and sizes.
  • Glue two large leaves (wings) to a craft stick or twig (body).
  • Add smaller leaves or petals for decoration.
  • Draw or glue on eyes to finish your butterfly.

2. Flower Petal Butterflies

  • Use real or dried flower petals for the wings.
  • Glue petals to paper or cardboard in a butterfly shape.
  • Draw the body and antennae with markers.

3. Pinecone Butterflies

  • Use a pinecone as the body.
  • Cut out cardboard or paper wings, then decorate with paint or natural items like seeds and grass.
  • Glue the wings to the pinecone and add pipe cleaner antennae.

4. Twig & Paper Butterflies

  • Collect small twigs to use as bodies.
  • Cut out wings from recycled paper or old magazines.
  • Decorate with natural items such as pressed flowers, sand, or tiny leaves.

5. Nature Collage Butterfly

  • Draw or print a large butterfly outline.
  • Collect small natural items (seeds, leaves, pebbles, bark, petals).
  • Fill in the wings by gluing the items inside the outline like a mosaic.

🌱 Learning Twist

As kids make their butterflies, talk about:

  • How butterflies help pollinate flowers.
  • Why protecting nature (plants, trees, clean air) helps butterflies survive.

Would you like me to create a printable butterfly wing template so kids can easily decorate it with natural items they collect outside?

19. DIY Inside the Earth Day

Here’s a kid-friendly idea for a DIY “Inside the Earth” Day Craft that makes learning about our planet fun and hands-on:

🌍 DIY Inside the Earth Day Craft

Materials Needed

  • Paper plates or circles cut from cardstock
  • Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
  • Scissors
  • Glue or tape
  • Brass fastener (split pin) or string (for making layers spin/flip)
  • Printable Earth layers template (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Draw or Print the Layers of Earth
    • Outer Layer (Crust) – blue and green for land and water
    • Mantle – orange/red
    • Outer Core – dark red
    • Inner Core – yellow
  2. Make a Flap Earth
    • On the top paper plate, draw and color the outside of Earth (oceans and land).
    • Cut a wedge (like a slice of pie) so you can “peek” inside.
  3. Add the Inner Layers
    • On a second circle or plate, draw the Earth’s inner layers in order.
    • Place this behind the first plate so the wedge shows the inside.
    • Attach the two circles with a brass fastener or glue.
  4. Label the Layers
    • Write the names of each part: Crust, Mantle, Outer Core, Inner Core.
  5. Decorate & Learn
    • Add fun extras like volcanoes, mountains, or trees on the crust.
    • Kids can spin or lift the flap to explore what’s “inside” Earth.

🌱 Learning Moment

While crafting, explain how:

  • The crust is where we live.
  • The mantle is hot rock under the crust.
  • The outer core is liquid metal.
  • The inner core is solid and very hot.

This activity turns Earth Day into a chance to learn about both protecting the surface and understanding the inside of our planet.

Would you like me to design a ready-to-print template of Earth’s layers that kids can color and assemble into this craft?

20. DIY Earthy Rock and Fossil Fridge Magnets

Make your own personalised refrigerator magnets with this simple do-it-yourself project! Rocks, fossils, ceramic magnets from your neighbourhood craft store, super glue, and rubber gloves are required. Beautiful earthy rock and fossil fridge magnets are ready to be displayed once you use glue to adhere the flat sides of the rocks or fossils to a flat side of the magnet. It’s easy, looks fantastic, and will undoubtedly give your home’s design a unique touch. Use your imagination to create a unique magnet display that will be noticed! maintaincrafthabit

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