Here are creative Earth Day crafts for kids that are fun, eco-friendly, and perfect for celebrating our planet 🌍💚
Great for classrooms, homeschool, and family activities.
🎨 Creative Earth Day Crafts for Kids
1. Paper Plate Earth
Paint a paper plate blue and green. Add cotton balls for clouds or tissue paper for texture.
2. Handprint Earth Art ✋🌍
Use green and blue paint handprints to create the Earth. A wonderful keepsake craft!
3. Recycled Earth Collage
Cut pictures from old magazines or newspapers and glue them into an Earth shape.
4. Egg Carton Seed Starters 🌱
Turn egg cartons into mini planters and grow flowers or vegetables.
5. Plastic Bottle Planters
Reuse plastic bottles to create colorful planters and talk about reducing waste.
6. Nature Collage Craft
Collect leaves, twigs, stones, and flowers to make beautiful Earth-inspired art.
7. Toilet Paper Roll Earth Craft
Paint toilet rolls blue and green to create Earth characters or recycling bins.
8. Bubble Wrap Earth Painting
Use bubble wrap as a stamp to add texture to oceans and continents.
9. Litter Bug Craft 🐞
Create bugs from recycled materials to teach kids about pollution and cleanup.
10. Earth Day Windsock
Decorate a recycled container and add streamers made from scrap paper.
🌿 Helpful Craft Tips
✔ Use recycled or natural materials
✔ Choose non-toxic paints and glue
✔ Discuss Reduce, Reuse, Recycle while crafting
If you’d like, I can share step-by-step instructions, printable templates, or Earth Day crafts by age group (preschool, kindergarten, elementary). Just tell me! 🌎✨
- DIY Tic Tac Toe
When this game is finished, kids will love creating it and playing it with their friends! Use rocks or acorns as the playing pieces for a version tailored to Earth Day.
To create: Lengths of ribbon can be attached to a tiny burlap bag using craft glue or Steam-a-Seam. To use as game pieces, gather buttons.
2. Stitched Paper Cards
Here’s a Stitched Paper Cards craft that kids love—simple, creative, and perfect for Earth Day, birthdays, or thank-you notes 🌍✂️
✂️ Stitched Paper Cards (Kid-Friendly Craft)
🌿 Why Kids Love It
- Combines art + fine motor skills
- Uses recycled paper
- Encourages creativity and patience
🧵 Materials
- Recycled cardstock or cereal boxes
- Colored paper (blue & green work great for Earth Day)
- Yarn, embroidery thread, or wool
- Plastic needle or blunt yarn needle
- Hole punch, push pin, or pencil
- Tape
- Markers or crayons
🪡 How to Make Stitched Paper Cards
- Prepare the Card
Fold cardstock in half to make a card. - Draw a Design
Lightly draw a simple shape on the front:- 🌍 Earth
- 🌿 Leaf
- ❤️ Heart
- ⭐ Star
- ☀️ Sun
- Punch Holes
Make small holes along the outline (adult help recommended). - Thread the Needle
Tape one end of the yarn to make it stiff and easy to thread. - Start Stitching
Use basic stitches:- Running stitch (in–out)
- Backstitch (older kids)
- Secure the Thread
Tape or knot the yarn inside the card. - Decorate & Write a Message
Add drawings or messages like:- “Happy Earth Day!”
- “Love Our Planet”
🌍 Earth Day Theme Ideas
- Stitched Earth with heart
- Leaf stitched with green yarn
- Flower stitched using scrap yarn
- “Reduce • Reuse • Recycle” cards
👶 Age Adaptations
- Preschool: Pre-punched holes, thick yarn
- Ages 5–7: Simple shapes, large holes
- Ages 8+: Words, patterns, or layered designs
♻️ Eco-Friendly Tips
- Use scrap paper or packaging
- Natural or cotton yarn if available
- Avoid plastic decorations
If you’d like, I can also share printable stitching templates, Earth Day card patterns, or step-by-step visuals for classrooms. Just tell me! 🌎🧵
3. Papier-Mâché Vase
These recycled paper papier-mâché vases are perfect for carrying a lovely bouquet or a plant. enjoyable for senior citizens.
To make: Inflate two balloons, one large and one medium. Cover each with white papier-mâché craft paper, leaving the edges rough and the bottom quarter to third uncovered. Allow it to dry. Pop balloons, then take them out. Place a glass vase inside each, then fill it with flowers and water.
4. Seed and Bean Flowers
Seed and Bean Flowers are a beautiful, hands-on Earth Day craft that helps kids learn about plants, nature, and reuse 🌱🌼
Perfect for preschool, kindergarten, and elementary kids.
🌼 Seed and Bean Flowers (Earth Day Craft for Kids)
🌍 What Kids Learn
- Different seeds and beans
- Plant parts (petals, center, stem)
- Appreciation for nature and growth
🧺 Materials
- Dried beans & seeds (lentils, chickpeas, kidney beans, corn, pumpkin seeds)
- Cardboard or thick recycled paper
- Non-toxic glue
- Pencil
- Markers or paint (optional)
- Green paper or leaves (for stems)
✂️ How to Make Seed and Bean Flowers
- Draw the Flower
Lightly draw a flower outline on cardboard. - Add Glue
Spread glue on one section at a time. - Place Seeds & Beans
- Large beans → flower center
- Small seeds → petals
- Long seeds → stems
- Let It Dry
Allow artwork to dry completely (1–2 hours). - Label or Decorate
Write seed names or add an Earth Day message like
“Let Love Grow” 🌱
🌿 Creative Variations
- Sunflower: Black beans (center) + corn kernels (petals)
- Daisy: White beans + lentils
- Tulip: Red kidney beans
- Garden Collage: Multiple flowers on one board
👶 Age Adaptations
- Preschool: Pre-drawn outlines, large beans
- Ages 5–7: Simple patterns, mixed seeds
- Ages 8+: Detailed designs, labeling parts
♻️ Eco-Friendly Tips
- Use leftover kitchen beans
- Recycled cardboard packaging
- Talk about where food comes from
🌱 Learning Extension
Plant the same seeds used in the artwork to connect art + science.
If you want, I can also share printable flower templates, classroom display ideas, or seed planting activities to go with this craft 🌍✨
5. Flower Petal Change Bowl
If walking outside in the mud isn’t an option, kids can still get their hands muddy by making this adorable flower-shaped bowl out of clay that has been cooked in the oven. Enjoyable for all ages (with oven assistance from an adult).
To make: Create a huge flower petal out of Sculpey or another oven-baked clay. Create a smaller petal and insert it into the larger petal’s center. Put the plastic beads in the bowl’s bottom. To melt plastic and solidify clay, bake according to the directions on the package.
6. Painted Wooden Bracelets
Painted Wooden Bracelets are a fun, eco-friendly craft kids love—perfect for Earth Day, school projects, or handmade gifts 🌍🎨
They’re simple to make and great for creativity and fine motor skills.
🎨 Painted Wooden Bracelets (Earth Day Craft for Kids)
🌿 Why This Craft Works
- Uses natural materials (wood)
- Encourages self-expression
- Teaches respect for Earth-friendly choices
🧺 Materials
- Plain wooden bracelets or wooden bangles
- Non-toxic acrylic or tempera paints
- Paintbrushes or sponge brushes
- Water cup & paper towels
- Clear water-based sealer (optional, adult use)
✏️ How to Make Painted Wooden Bracelets
- Prepare the Bracelet
Wipe the wooden bracelet clean and dry. - Paint the Base Color
Paint a solid base (blue, green, brown, or natural tones). - Add Designs
Try:- 🌍 Earth patterns
- 🌿 Leaves & vines
- ☀️ Sun, clouds, flowers
- Dots, stripes, or zigzags
- Let Dry
Allow to dry completely. - Seal (Optional)
Apply a water-based sealer for durability (adult supervision).
🌎 Earth Day Design Ideas
- Blue & green planet Earth bracelet
- Green leaves wrapped around the band
- “LOVE EARTH” written with paint pens
- Nature patterns inspired by forests & oceans
👶 Age Adaptations
- Preschool: Finger painting & simple dots
- Ages 5–7: Patterns and color mixing
- Ages 8+: Detailed designs, words, symbols
♻️ Eco-Friendly Tips
- Choose unfinished wooden bracelets
- Use water-based, non-toxic paints
- Avoid plastic embellishments
💡 Extension Ideas
- Discuss sustainable materials
- Create bracelets to gift or fundraise for environmental causes
- Pair with an Earth Day pledge
If you’d like, I can also provide design templates, classroom instructions, or matching eco-jewelry crafts for kids 🌱✨
7. Ribbon and Button Daisies
These adorable homemade flowers, made from grosgrain ribbon and either new or old buttons, can be looped around a wrist for an Earth Day bracelet or used as napkin rings. enjoyable for all ages.
To make: Cut five 3-inch-long, round-ended strips of 3/8-inch-wide white grosgrain ribbon for each napkin ring. To make the shape of a flower, glue one piece on top of the other, offsetting as you go. Attach a piece of green thread to the back for tying and adhere a yellow button in the middle.
8. Branch Bird Feeder
A Branch Bird Feeder is a wonderful nature-based Earth Day craft that helps kids support local wildlife while learning about caring for the planet 🐦🌿
Perfect for backyards, school gardens, or nature units.
🐦 Branch Bird Feeder (Earth Day Craft for Kids)
🌍 What Kids Learn
- How to help birds and wildlife
- Importance of natural materials
- Observation skills & responsibility
🧺 Materials
- A sturdy fallen tree branch or stick
- Natural twine or jute string
- Pinecones, orange halves, or small wooden scoops
- Peanut butter or vegetable shortening
- Birdseed
- Spoon or butter knife
✂️ How to Make a Branch Bird Feeder
Option 1: Pinecone Feeder
- Tie twine around the top of a pinecone.
- Spread peanut butter over the pinecone.
- Roll it in birdseed.
- Hang it from a branch outdoors.
Option 2: Hanging Branch Feeder
- Tie string securely to each end of a small branch.
- Attach pinecones or orange halves to the branch.
- Fill with birdseed.
- Hang on a tree where birds can reach safely.
Option 3: Seed-Covered Branch
- Lightly coat a thick branch with peanut butter.
- Roll in birdseed.
- Lay or hang it on a tree branch.
🌿 Bird-Friendly Tips
✔ Place feeder away from predators
✔ Refill regularly
✔ Clean feeders often
✔ Avoid salted or flavored foods
👶 Age Adaptations
- Preschool: Adult-prepared branches, rolling in seeds
- Ages 5–7: Full assembly with help
- Ages 8+: Bird observation & journaling
🌱 Learning Extensions
- Keep a bird-watching chart
- Identify bird species
- Discuss habitats and food chains
If you’d like, I can also share printable bird ID sheets, classroom-friendly versions, or more backyard wildlife crafts 🌍🐤
9. Seed Organizer
For the remainder of the year, use a vintage recipe box to arrange your seeds in flair, even if by Earth Day the seeds are already in the ground and your garden is flourishing.
10. Flower Power Painted Pot
A Flower Power Painted Pot is a cheerful, hands-on Earth Day craft that helps kids celebrate plants, creativity, and caring for the planet 🌸🌍
Perfect for classrooms, homeschool, or spring activities.
🌸 Flower Power Painted Pot (Earth Day Craft for Kids)
🌿 What Kids Learn
- Importance of plants and flowers
- Caring for living things
- Creative expression using nature themes
🧺 Materials
- Small terracotta pots (or recycled containers)
- Non-toxic acrylic or tempera paints
- Paintbrushes or sponges
- Water cup & paper towels
- Soil
- Flower or herb seeds/seedlings
- Clear water-based sealer (optional)
🎨 How to Make a Flower Power Painted Pot
- Prep the Pot
Wipe the pot clean and dry completely. - Paint a Base Coat
Apply a bright or pastel base color. Let dry. - Add Flower Designs
Paint:- Daisies, sunflowers, or tulips
- Peace signs & hearts
- “LOVE EARTH” or “GROW HAPPY”
- Dry & Seal (Optional)
Seal with water-based sealer for durability (adult help). - Plant Something!
Add soil and plant seeds or a small plant.
🌼 Flower Power Design Ideas
- 60s-style flower power patterns
- Rainbow flowers
- Earth + flower combo
- Pollinator-friendly messages 🐝
👶 Age Adaptations
- Preschool: Finger painting & stickers
- Ages 5–7: Simple flowers & color mixing
- Ages 8+: Detailed designs & lettering
♻️ Eco-Friendly Tips
- Use natural terracotta or recycled containers
- Choose non-toxic, water-based paints
- Plant native or pollinator-friendly flowers
🌱 Learning Extensions
- Track plant growth in a journal
- Talk about pollinators and ecosystems
- Gift pots to promote green living
If you’d like, I can also provide printable plant labels, classroom display ideas, or matching Earth Day planting activities 🌍✨