Here are fun, easy, kid-friendly Earth Day crafts and printables you can use at home or in the classroom. All focus on recycling, nature, and celebrating our planet!

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🌍 Earth Day Crafts for Kids (Using Simple or Recycled Materials)

1. Tissue Paper Earth

• Blue + green tissue paper squares
• Glue onto a paper plate or circle cutout
• Great for preschool and kindergarten

2. Recycled Newspaper Earth Craft

• Tear blue/green newspaper or magazine pages
• Glue onto a circular base
• Add “Love Your Earth” message

3. Earth Day Suncatcher

• Contact paper + tissue paper
• Cut into a circle
• Hang in window for a pretty stained-glass Earth

4. Cardboard Tube Binoculars

• 2 toilet paper rolls + yarn + markers
• Perfect for a nature walk

5. Upcycled Plastic Egg Music Shakers

• Fill leftover plastic eggs with beans or rice
• Tape shut
• Decorate with markers or stickers

6. Earth Day Windsock

• Recycled can or paper cup
• Add crepe paper “streams” in blues and greens
• Hang outside to dance in the wind

7. Mosaic Earth Craft

• Cut colored scrap paper into squares
• Glue to form a mosaic world
• Add a peace or heart symbol

8. Milk Carton Birdhouse

• Clean carton + paint
• Add a perch and hang with string
• Great outdoor activity

9. Nature Collage

• Collect leaves, twigs, petals
• Arrange into Earth shapes or patterns
• Eco-friendly and hands-on

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🖨️ Free Printable Ideas

(I can generate any of these for you—just tell me which ones you want!)

Printable Templates

• Earth outline for coloring
• “I pledge to help the Earth by…” writing prompt
• Recycling symbol cut-and-paste activity
• Flower, leaf, and bird shapes for crafting
• Earth Day bookmarks
• “Happy Earth Day” coloring page
• Scavenger hunt list for outdoor nature walk

Printable Worksheets

• Sorting: Trash vs. Recycle vs. Compost
• Match the animal to its habitat
• Plant life cycle
• Simple carbon footprint checklist for kids

Printable Activities

• Earth Day crowns (kids color + cut out)
• Earth Day mini book (kids draw/write inside)
• Handprint Earth poem page
• Eco-bingo for classroom groups

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⭐ Want me to create custom printable PDFs for you?

I can generate:

• Coloring sheets
• Craft templates
• Classroom worksheets
• Step-by-step craft instruction sheets

Just tell me:

1. Which craft or worksheet, and
2. Age group (e.g., 4–6, 7–10, etc.)

I’ll make the printable!

1. Cascarones Activity

Use any leftover cascarones from Easter! If not, use the eggshells to make your own environmentally friendly seed starter pots instead of wasting the pricey eggs you are purchasing!

2. Recycled Earth Day Craft

Here are simple, kid-friendly Recycled Earth Day Crafts using materials you likely already have! Let me know if you want step-by-step printable instructions—I can create a PDF too.

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♻️ 1. Recycled Newspaper Earth

Materials: old newspapers/magazines, paper plate or cardboard circle, glue
How to make:

1. Cut or tear blue and green pages.
2. Glue them onto the circle to form oceans and continents.
3. Add a heart shape on top for a “Love the Earth” theme.

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📦 2. Cardboard Earth Mosaic

Materials: scrap cardboard, leftover colored paper, glue
How to make:

1. Cut a large circle from any cardboard box.
2. Cut scrap paper into small squares.
3. Arrange into a pretty blue/green mosaic Earth.

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🧻 3. Toilet Roll Earth People

Materials: toilet paper rolls, markers/paint, scrap paper
How to make:

1. Paint roll blue.
2. Add green continents with paint or paper scraps.
3. Add googly eyes or draw a happy face.
   Great for preschool!

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🍃 4. Nature Earth Collage

Materials: leaves, petals, twigs, cardboard
How to make:

1. Cut a big circle from cardboard.
2. Glue natural items to form land and ocean patterns.
3. Display as eco-friendly wall art.

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🛍️ 5. Paper Bag Earth Puppet

Materials: old paper bags, markers, scrap paper
How to make:

1. Color or glue blue/green onto the bag.
2. Add eyes, arms, and a mouth.
3. Use as a storytelling puppet for Earth Day.

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🎨 6. Egg Carton Earth Craft

Materials: egg carton cups, paint, scrap paper
How to make:

1. Cut out individual cups.
2. Paint them blue with green spots.
3. Glue onto cardboard to make a 3D Earth cluster.

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♻️ 7. Bottle Cap Earth Art

Materials: blue/green bottle caps, cardboard
How to make:

1. Draw a circle outline.
2. Fill with colored caps to create a textured Earth.
3. Glue in place.

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If you tell me:

• Age group
• Which craft

I can create a step-by-step printable PDF for that project!

3. Earth Day Printable Headband

Simple Everyday Mom’s printable craft is a terrific way to start things off and get youngsters eager for the day’s activities. They will be in the perfect mood if they color and wear this headband.

4. DIY Earthy Rock and Fossil Fridge Magnets

Here’s a fun DIY Earthy Rock & Fossil Fridge Magnet craft—perfect for Earth Day, geology lessons, or just a cool nature-inspired project!

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🪨 DIY Earthy Rock & Fossil Fridge Magnets

A kid-friendly craft using small rocks, clay, and simple supplies to make realistic “fossils” you can stick on the fridge.

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✨ Materials Needed

• Small smooth stones (real rocks or decorative ones)
• Air-dry clay OR homemade salt dough
• Small nature items to imprint: leaves, shells, twigs, toy dinosaur footprints, etc.
• Acrylic paint (optional: earthy tones like brown, grey, tan)
• Paintbrush
• Strong glue (hot glue for adults / tacky glue for kids)
• Small magnets
• Optional: clear sealant

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🧪 Instructions

1. Shape Your Fossil Base

• Roll a small ball of air-dry clay or salt dough.
• Press it onto the flat part of a stone OR shape it into a thin disc to glue later.

2. Make Fossil Imprints

Press your nature items into the clay to leave an imprint:

• Leaf = leaf fossil
• Shell = seashell fossil
• Twigs = primitive “plant fossil”
• Dinosaur toy foot = dino footprint fossil

Lift the item gently to reveal the pattern.

3. Let It Dry

• Allow the clay to fully dry (air-dry clay: 24 hrs; salt dough: bake at low heat or air dry).

4. Paint (Optional)

Give your fossil a “stone-like” look:

• Dry-brush with greys, browns, or sandy beige
• Add a darker wash to make details pop

5. Glue the Magnet

• Flip the rock/fossil piece over.
• Glue a strong magnet to the back.
• Let it dry completely.

6. Seal (Optional)

Spray or brush with a clear sealer for durability.

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🌍 Display

Stick them on your fridge, metal boards, lockers, or give them as Earth Day gifts!
Kids love trading them like miniature geology treasures.

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Want a printable PDF template?

I can make:

• Step-by-step instructions with photos/illustrations
• Printable fossil imprint cards
• Earth Day activity sheet to go with the craft

Just tell me yes and what age group!

5. Bird-Friendly Seed Mosaic Bird Feeders

It’s wonderful to feed birds. However, feeding birds securely is a big challenge. Barley & Birch’s eco-friendly, bird-friendly feeders just require a few inexpensive components and allow for a great deal of creativity. An excellent method of learning about recycling, reuse, and reduction.

6. Fairy Greenhouse Egg Carton Seed Starters

Here’s a magical, eco-friendly craft kids love:
🌿✨ Fairy Greenhouse Egg Carton Seed Starters ✨🌿
A mix of gardening, upcycling, and imaginative fairy play—perfect for Earth Day or spring projects!

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🧚‍♀️ Fairy Greenhouse Egg Carton Seed Starters

🌱 What You’ll Need

• A cardboard egg carton (not plastic)
• Scissors
• Potting soil or seed-starting mix
• Seeds (beans, herbs, marigolds, zinnias, or fast-sprouting seeds)
• Clear plastic cup, plastic bottle half, or cling wrap (for “fairy greenhouse” dome)
• Small sticks, leaves, moss, or tiny craft items (for fairy decorations)
• Optional: paint, markers, glitter glue, stickers

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🧚 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep the Egg Carton

• Cut the egg carton into individual cups or leave it as a 6-cup tray.
• If decorating, lightly paint the outside in pastel colors or greens to make it “fairy garden-like.”
• Let it dry.

2. Add Soil

• Fill each egg cup with a scoop of potting soil.
• Lightly press down.

3. Plant the Seeds

• Make a tiny hole with your fingertip.
• Add 1–2 seeds per cup.
• Cover gently with soil.

4. Create the Fairy Greenhouse

Choose any method:

• Clear plastic cup placed over each egg cup
• Plastic bottle dome (cut bottom off a water bottle and turn it into a mini greenhouse)
• Cling wrap tent stretched over the whole egg carton

This traps moisture and warmth—just like a greenhouse!

5. Decorate the Fairy Garden

Let the kids add:

• Tiny “fairy doors” drawn on cardboard and glued onto the carton
• Small pebbles for a fairy path
• Moss or grass for texture
• Little paper flags or leaves
• A tiny painted rock “fairy friend”

This gives the greenhouse a whimsical, storytelling feel.

6. Water & Watch

• Lightly spray with water.
• Place in a sunny spot.
• Peek inside the “fairy greenhouses” each day!
• Remove the dome once sprouts appear.

7. Plant Outdoors

When seedlings are big enough:

• Tear off each cup and plant the whole thing directly in soil—
  it’s biodegradable!

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🌸 Why Kids Love This Craft

✔ Combines gardening + imagination
✔ Uses recycled materials
✔ Quick sprouting = instant excitement
✔ Beautiful for shelves and windowsills
✔ Teaches sustainability, growth, and creativity

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📄 Want a printable PDF of this craft?

I can make:

• Step-by-step illustrated instructions
• Fairy label tags
• Watering schedule chart
• Plant growth observation sheet

Just tell me yes and the age group

7. Sprout House

The STEM Education Guide’s Sprout House is an amazing concept that will keep children interested long after Earth Day. Line the sponges with sprout seeds and construct a tiny house out of them. Add water to the plate and keep an eye on the sprouts’ growth every day.

8. Recycled Plastic Bottle Planters Craft

Here’s a simple, kid-friendly Recycled Plastic Bottle Planter craft—perfect for Earth Day, gardening units, or upcycling projects!

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🌿♻️ Recycled Plastic Bottle Planters Craft

Turn old plastic bottles into cute, eco-friendly planters for herbs, flowers, or succulents!

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✨ Materials Needed

• Empty plastic bottles (500ml–1L work best)
• Scissors or craft knife (adult use)
• Acrylic paint or permanent markers
• Paintbrushes
• Soil + seeds or small plants
• Optional: googly eyes, twine, stickers, waterproof markers

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🌱 3 Fun Planter Styles You Can Make

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1. Horizontal Animal Planters

Great for kids who love decorating!

How to Make

1. Cut a rectangular window along the side of the bottle.
2. Paint the outside like an animal:
   • Cat, dog, unicorn, bear, frog, etc.
3. Add ears using bottle scraps or cardboard.
4. Fill with soil and plant seeds.

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2. Hanging Garden Bottles

Perfect for balconies or windows!

How to Make

1. Cut the bottle in half horizontally.
2. Use the bottom half as the planter.
3. Punch two holes near the rim.
4. Tie string or twine through the holes to make a hanging loop.
5. Paint or decorate, then add soil + plant.

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3. Self-Watering Bottle Planter

A great little science lesson too!

How to Make

1. Cut the bottle in half.
2. Flip the top half upside down into the bottom half.
3. Thread a piece of cotton string or fabric through the mouth—it becomes a wick.
4. Add soil to the top half.
5. Fill the bottom with water.
6. Watch your plant “drink” by itself!

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🧪 Steps for All Planter Types

1. Clean the Bottle

Rinse well and remove labels.

2. Cut Into the Shape You Want

Adult help needed for the first cut.

3. Decorate

Use acrylic paint for bold colors.
You can also wrap with twine or glue on decorations.

4. Add Drainage

• Poke small drainage holes at the bottom.
• Place a pebble layer before adding soil.

5. Plant

Fill with soil and add seeds, small succulents, herbs, or flowers.

6. Water & Care

Place in sunlight and water regularly.

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🌍 Why This Craft Is Great

✔ Reduces plastic waste
✔ Encourages kids to care for plants
✔ Teaches recycling and sustainability
✔ Easy to adapt to any age group
✔ Works indoors or outdoors

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📄 Would you like a printable step-by-step PDF?

I can include:

• Illustrated instructions
• Label tags for the plants
• Observation chart for plant growth
• Earth Day–themed cover page

Tell me yes and the age group!