20+ Extraordinary Earth Day Activities for Kids

Here are some extraordinary Earth Day activities for kids that are fun, educational, and perfect for teaching them about caring for the planet:

🌱 1. Plant a Tree or Garden

Let kids dig in the dirt and plant flowers, vegetables, or a tree. It teaches responsibility and the importance of green spaces for the environment.

♻️ 2. DIY Recycled Crafts

Use recycled materials like toilet paper rolls, cereal boxes, and bottle caps to create fun crafts. Try making:

Bird feeders from milk cartons
Planters from old plastic bottles
Robots or animals from cardboard

🧪 3. Nature Science Experiments

Teach eco-friendly science with experiments like:

Water filtration models using sand and charcoal
Making a mini greenhouse with a clear plastic container
Observing decomposition by burying a banana peel vs. plastic

🐛 4. Earth Day Scavenger Hunt

Create a list of nature items for kids to find in the backyard or park (e.g., a pinecone, feather, insect, smooth rock). Add bonus eco-tasks like “pick up 3 pieces of litter.”

📚 5. Read Earth-Themed Books

Choose engaging children’s books like:

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
Compost Stew by Mary McKenna Siddals
One Plastic Bag by Miranda Paul

🎨 6. Sidewalk Chalk Earth Art

Let kids draw Earth-friendly messages or images on the sidewalk with chalk. They can write things like “Love Our Earth” or draw recycling symbols and trees.

🐝 7. Make a Bug Hotel

Use twigs, pinecones, bamboo, and cardboard to build a shelter for helpful insects like bees and ladybugs. It’s a great way to discuss biodiversity.

🧼 8. Eco-Friendly Clean-Up Challenge

Give them gloves and a bag and go on a neighborhood or park clean-up mission. Make it fun by turning it into a timed competition (who can collect the most trash?).

🌍 9. Earth Day Pledge Wall

Have each child write or draw one promise they will keep to help the planet (e.g., “I will turn off the water when brushing my teeth.”). Display the pledges on a wall or board.

🎥 10. Watch a Kid-Friendly Eco Documentary

Watch short nature or environmental films like:

Our Planet (Netflix, suitable episodes)
Octonauts Earth-themed specials
The Magic School Bus episodes on pollution or ecosystems

These activities not only celebrate Earth Day but also help children understand their role in protecting our planet. Would you like printable versions or worksheets to go along with any of these?

Start an Earth Day journal.

Encourage your children to keep a special notebook or journal in which they can document their Earth Day reflections, thoughts, and activities. They can consider what they have done and how they can continue to safeguard the environment all year long by writing down their experiences.

2. Play a game of “Earth Day Trivia

Absolutely! Here’s a fun and educational game of Earth Day Trivia designed especially for kids. You can play it in a classroom, with family, or at a party. Great for ages 6 and up!

🌍 Earth Day Trivia Game

How to Play:

Read each question aloud.
Let kids shout out the answer or raise their hand.
Keep score if you’d like—1 point per correct answer!
Add small prizes or stickers for fun!

Level 1: Easy (Ages 6–9)

1. What date is Earth Day celebrated on?
🟢 Answer: April 22

2. What color is often used to represent nature and the environment?
🟢 Answer: Green

3. What do the 3 R’s stand for?
🟢 Answer: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

4. What type of bin do you put paper and plastic bottles in?
🟢 Answer: Recycling bin

5. What big ball of gas helps plants grow?
🟢 Answer: The Sun

6. What do trees give us that we need to breathe?
🟢 Answer: Oxygen

Level 2: Medium (Ages 8–12)

7. What gas do cars release that pollutes the air?
🟢 Answer: Carbon dioxide (CO₂)

8. What kind of energy comes from the wind or sun?
🟢 Answer: Renewable energy

9. What can you turn old food scraps into to help your garden grow?
🟢 Answer: Compost

10. What animal is black and white and often used to raise awareness about endangered species?
🟢 Answer: Panda

Level 3: Challenge Round!

11. What is it called when the Earth gets hotter because of pollution?
🟢 Answer: Global warming

12. Name one thing you can do to save water.
🟢 Answer: (Examples: Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth, take shorter showers)

13. What do bees help plants do by moving pollen?
🟢 Answer: Pollinate

14. Which planet do we live on?
🟢 Answer: Earth

15. What do you call the melting of ice in the Arctic due to climate change?
🟢 Answer: Ice cap melting / Glacial melting

Would you like me to turn this into a printable quiz or interactive worksheet?

3. Bake Mother Earth cupcakes.

Has someone mentioned chocolate? A craft that they can eat will make the tykes very happy!

Select natural ingredients, like fruit slices for friendly faces or tiny peanuts for the eyes. In addition to teaching kids how to be creative in the kitchen, this activity will provide them with an opportunity to learn more about food waste and the significance of properly composting to prevent unnecessary products from ending up in landfills.

Additionally, if you’re fortunate, you could even find some of the amusing decorations your children create amusing!

4. Start a water conservation challenge.

Sure! Here’s a fun and practical way to Start a Water Conservation Challenge for kids—great for Earth Day or any time you want to raise awareness about saving water.

💧 Water Conservation Challenge for Kids

Goal:
Encourage kids to use less water for one week by making small, daily changes. The challenge builds awareness and healthy habits to protect our planet’s most precious resource—clean water!

📝 Step 1: Make It Official

Create a Water Saver Pledge:

“I promise to save water and protect our Earth by using only what I need.”

Have each child sign it and hang it on a wall or fridge.

📅 Step 2: Daily Challenge Checklist

Each day, kids check off water-saving tasks they complete. Here’s a sample 7-day checklist:

Day	Challenge	Completed ✅
Monday	Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth	⬜
Tuesday	Take a 5-minute shower (or shorter)	⬜
Wednesday	Use a cup to rinse when brushing teeth	⬜
Thursday	Help water plants using a watering can, not a hose	⬜
Friday	Report a leaking faucet to an adult	⬜
Saturday	Collect rainwater to water plants	⬜
Sunday	Teach someone else how to save water	⬜

🎯 Step 3: Set a Goal

Encourage kids to complete at least 5 out of 7 challenges. You can give:

Certificates for completing the challenge
Eco-friendly prizes (e.g., reusable water bottles, stickers, seed packets)
A Water Saver Badge for them to wear or share

🧠 Step 4: Reflect and Share

Ask:

“What was the easiest task?”
“What was hardest?”
“How can we keep saving water all year long?”

Kids can draw or write about what they learned and share it with family or classmates.

Would you like me to create a printable challenge sheet or a certificate template for the Water Saver Challenge?

5. Go on an eco-friendly shopping spree.

Take your children on a quest to find sustainable products, such as wooden toys, rather than plastic or reusable grocery bags to demonstrate to them how simple it is to practise mindfulness when shopping.

They will start making better choices on their own if you explain why it’s crucial to select these over more wasteful options.

6. Create an Earth Day time capsule.

Sure! Here’s an Earth Day Time Capsule idea that blends creativity, environmental awareness, and a message to the future. This can be used for a classroom, community group, or even as a personal project.

🌍 Earth Day Time Capsule – 2025 Edition

To be opened on Earth Day, April 22, [Choose Year: 2035 / 2050 / 2100]

📜 Letter to the Future

Dear Future Earthlings,
Today is Earth Day, April 22, 2025. We are writing from a time of great challenge and great hope. Climate change, pollution, and habitat loss threaten our planet—but many of us are working hard to make a difference. We’re planting trees, reducing waste, using clean energy, and raising our voices. We hope that by the time you read this, our Earth is healthier, greener, and more united in caring for the planet we all share.

With love and hope,
The People of 2025

🧭 Items to Include in the Time Capsule

A Newspaper or Article from Earth Day 2025
Highlighting major environmental news or climate updates.
Letters from Students or Community Members
Describing their hopes for the planet and what they are doing now to help.
A List of Endangered Species (as of 2025)
With hope that future generations will see some of these species thrive again.
A Local Leaf or Pressed Flower
To show the beauty of today’s nature.
Photographs of Natural Places in 2025
Forests, oceans, wildlife, or even city parks.
A USB Drive or QR Code Link
Containing environmental documentaries, podcasts, or songs about the Earth.
Eco-Resolution Cards
Each person writes one promise they made to help the planet this year.
Seeds of Native Plants (if storage-safe)
Representing new life and continuity with nature.
An Item Made from Recycled Materials
To show innovation and environmental responsibility.
A Climate Pledge Certificate
Signed by participants, promising to continue taking action for the Earth.

📅 Time Capsule Instructions

Seal Date: Earth Day 2025 (April 22)
Open Date: Earth Day 20XX (decide based on group goals)
Storage Suggestion: A weather-resistant container stored in a school, library, town hall, or family attic.

💚 Final Note:

“The Earth is what we all have in common.” – Wendell Berry
We leave this capsule in the spirit of connection across time. May the choices we make today ripple forward into a cleaner, kinder, and greener future.

Would you like a printable version of this or suggestions for how to organize a community event around

7. Cook a meal using sustainable ingredients

The ideal method to introduce your children to cooking is to have them prepare a dinner using sustainably sourced ingredients, such as organic fruit and meats that have been humanely farmed. This will demonstrate to them how making intelligent food choices may contribute to environmental protection.

8. Read an Earth Day storybook.

Absolutely! Here’s a short and engaging Earth Day storybook suitable for children, families, or classrooms. It’s written in a storytelling format, easy to read aloud.

🌎 “Milo and the Magic Earth”

An Earth Day Storybook
Written by ChatGPT

Page 1

Once upon a time, in a little green town by the river, lived a curious boy named Milo.
Milo loved to run barefoot in the grass, listen to the birds sing, and climb the tallest trees.
But one day, he noticed something strange.

Page 2

The sky wasn’t as blue.
The river seemed slower.
The trees whispered, “We need help.”

Milo sat by his favorite oak tree and asked,
“What’s wrong, Earth?”

Page 3

The wind blew softly and answered,
“I’m tired, Milo. Too much trash, too much smoke, too many forests lost.”

Milo’s eyes grew wide.
“I want to help! But how?”

Page 4

Just then, a small glowing creature appeared from a flower.
She had wings made of leaves and a smile like sunshine.
“I’m Luma, a Guardian of the Earth,” she said.
“You can help—starting with three magic acts.”

Page 5

“Act One: Pick up litter,” Luma said.
“Even one wrapper off the ground makes the Earth feel better.”

Milo nodded and filled a whole bag with trash from the park.
The flowers seemed to smile back.

Page 6

“Act Two: Plant something,” Luma whispered.
“A tree, a flower, or even herbs in a pot.
Plants give the Earth breath.”

So Milo planted a tiny tree near the school with his friends.
It swayed like it was dancing.

Page 7

“Act Three: Use less, share more,” said Luma.
“Use only what you need, and give when you can.”

Milo began bringing a reusable water bottle and sharing old toys with his neighbors.

Page 8

Each day, the Earth looked a little happier.
The birds sang louder.
The river sparkled again.
Even the sky turned a brighter blue.

Milo grinned. “See, Earth? We’re helping!”

Page 9

Luma flew up to the stars.
“You’ve started something wonderful, Milo.
Keep going—and tell others too.”

And Milo did.

Page 10

Every Earth Day, he told this story:
How one boy, three small acts, and a little magic
helped heal the world.

And so can you. 💚

The End.

Would you like this story in a printable booklet, coloring book format, or with illustrations?

9. Bring Christmas to your backyard with bird ornaments

Creating “ornaments” out of birdseed for an Earth Day project will benefit our feathered companions. You just need a few items from your kitchen, such as cookie cutters, corn syrup, straw, twine and gelatin packets.

Just combine the ingredients and form them into festive decorations that are ideal for outdoor hanging! Children will enjoy watching the birds visit, and the birdseed will provide a snack for the birds.

10. Welcome insets with a bug hotel.

Absolutely! Here’s a warm and inviting welcome message or sign you can use for insects visiting a bug hotel, perfect for classrooms, gardens, parks, or eco-projects. It’s written in a fun, friendly tone that works great with young readers or environmental displays.

🐞 Welcome to the Bug Hotel! 🐛

Insects, you’re invited to check in!

🏨 This cozy bug hotel is built just for you—
a safe place to rest, hide, and stay warm!

🐝 Who’s welcome?

Bees looking for a break
Ladybugs needing shelter
Butterflies on a short holiday
Beetles, spiders, and other helpful crawlers
All pollinators and garden guardians!

🛏 What’s inside?

Sticks and twigs for snuggling
Pinecones for privacy
Bark and leaves for natural decor
Bamboo tubes perfect for tiny guests

🌼 Why it’s here:

To give you a safe home in every season
To help gardens grow by keeping you nearby
Because insects are awesome and important!

🪲 Bug Hotel Rules:

Come as you are.
Stay as long as you like.
Be kind to your bug neighbors.
Enjoy nature—it’s your home, too!

Thank you for visiting, tiny friends!
We’re happy you’re here. 🐜💚

Would you like this as a printable sign, activity sheet, or to include ideas for building your own bug hotel?

11. Print out coloring pages.

Get your children some crayons and download these free printable Earth Day colouring pages! Make sure to recycle their works of art if you aren’t going to hang them up. Numerous free internet resources have colouring pages with Earth Day themes, ranging from endangered animals to trees and rainbows.

Encourage older children to illustrate how they would make the world a healthier place by drawing their own scenes.

12. Make an Earth Day mural.

Creating an Earth Day mural is a fantastic way to celebrate our planet with creativity and community spirit! Below is a detailed Earth Day mural plan — including theme ideas, design sections, and message suggestions. This can be done with paint, chalk, collage materials, or even digitally.

🎨 Earth Day Mural: “We Are Earth’s Keepers”

🖼️ Theme:

Unity, Nature, and Action for the Planet
Show how people, plants, animals, water, and sky are all connected — and how we can protect it together.

🌍 Mural Design (Suggested Sections)

The Earth in the Center
- A big, bright image of planet Earth with smiling continents and oceans.
- Optional: Include children’s handprints around the Earth like a “hug.”
- Text Idea: “Love Your Planet” or “Earth is in Our Hands.”
Nature All Around
- Trees, flowers, bees, butterflies, birds, fish, whales, mushrooms, mountains, and rivers.
- Include diverse ecosystems (forest, ocean, desert, arctic, wetlands).
- Let each student or artist draw one living thing they want to protect.
People Taking Action
- Kids planting trees
- Someone riding a bike instead of driving
- People recycling and picking up trash
- A family using solar panels or a garden
- Text Idea: “Small Steps = Big Change”
Sky of Words
- Fill the sky area with uplifting Earth Day messages like:
  - “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”
  - “Protect What You Love”
  - “There is No Planet B”
  - “Clean Earth, Happy Earth”
  - “We Can Be the Change”

🎨 Materials You Can Use:

Paint (tempura or acrylic) for permanent walls
Chalk for sidewalks
Recycled materials for a 3D mural (bottle caps, cardboard, egg cartons)
Digital design tools for schools or online projects
Fabric paints for a mural banner or quilt-style project

💡 Optional Ideas:

Interactive mural: Leave space for others to add to it over the week.
Mural dedication: Add a quote from someone like Jane Goodall, Greta Thunberg, or Chief Seattle.
Photo spot: Include a “Take a photo and promise to protect the Earth” section.

Would you like a printable version of this plan or help creating a specific sketch or layout for the mural?

13. Hold the world in your hands with salt dough ornaments.

To prepare a batch of salt dough, gather some water, flour, and salt. Ask your children to use their hands to flatten the dough after forming it into a ball. To hang it up, make sure to pierce a little hole through which yarn can pass.

Then, apply the oceans and continents with watercolours or acrylic paint. Allow them to design any planet they choose; let them create islands, rainforests, deserts, or anything else their mind can conjure up! When it’s dry, display it for everyone to see by hanging it from a unique tree outside or in a window.

14. Create a recycled crafta.

Absolutely! Here’s a fun and simple recycled craft you can make for Earth Day (or any day!) using materials you probably already have at home or in a classroom.

♻️ Recycled Craft: DIY Tin Can Planter

Perfect for Earth Day and growing your own little plant friend!

🪴 What You’ll Need:

1 empty tin can (from soup, beans, etc.) — clean and label removed
Paint, markers, or stickers for decorating
Soil or potting mix
Seeds (flowers, herbs, or a small plant)
Hammer and nail (with adult supervision) — for drainage holes
Optional: Twine, fabric scraps, googly eyes, buttons, etc.

🎨 Instructions:

1. Prep Your Can

Wash and dry your can completely.
With an adult’s help, carefully hammer 2–3 small holes in the bottom for drainage.

2. Decorate Your Planter!

Paint it however you like: stripes, flowers, a smiling face, or even make it look like an animal (cat ears out of cardboard, anyone?).
Add googly eyes, buttons, or twine for a textured look.
Let your creativity run wild—make each one unique!

3. Plant Something Green

Add soil to your can, leaving a little space at the top.
Plant your seeds or small plant.
Water gently and place it in a sunny spot.

🌱 Why This Craft Rocks for Earth Day:

You’re reusing something that would’ve gone in the trash.
You’re growing a plant, which helps clean the air and brighten the space.
It’s fun, low-cost, and good for the planet!

💡 Extra Ideas:

Make a whole set of matching planters for a windowsill garden.
Add name tags and give them as gifts for Earth Day.
Use them for herbs like basil, mint, or parsley—and cook with them!

Would you like a printable instruction sheet or more recycled craft ideas like bird feeders, bottle cap art, or cereal box organizers?

15. Make an Earth Day poster.

Assist your children in creating a poster that conveys their thoughts on how to benefit the environment or an uplifting statement about the significance of protecting it.

They can also add sayings and slogans that hold meaning for them, as well as embellish it with images of the things they love in the globe.

16. Decorate your own water bottles.

Sure! Decorating your own reusable water bottle is a fun and creative way to express yourself—and it’s a great way to celebrate Earth Day by reducing single-use plastic. Here’s a simple guide to help you make your bottle uniquely you!

💧 Decorate Your Own Reusable Water Bottle

A creative Earth-friendly project!

🛠️ What You’ll Need:

A reusable water bottle (plastic, metal, or glass)
Waterproof stickers or decals
Paint pens (oil-based for metal/plastic)
Permanent markers
Washi tape or waterproof tape (for borders or designs)
Optional: Mod Podge or sealant spray (to make it last longer)

🎨 Design Ideas:

🌎 Earth Day Themes:

“There is No Planet B”
Earth, trees, oceans, bees, and flowers
“Reduce, Reuse, Refill”
A globe with smiling faces or animals

✨ Personal Touches:

Your name or initials
Favorite colors, patterns, or quotes
Doodles of things you love—sports, stars, animals, etc.

🧃 Fun Add-ons:

Wrap the cap in washi tape for extra style
Add a charm or keychain to the bottle handle or lid ring
Draw a “water tracker” with lines and times to stay hydrated!

🧼 Tips for Success:

Clean your bottle with soap and water, and dry completely before decorating.
Use paint pens or permanent markers designed for surfaces like plastic or metal.
Let your bottle dry for a few hours before using it—especially if you’ve used paint or sealant.
Hand-wash only to keep your artwork fresh!

🌟 Why This Project Matters:

By personalizing your reusable bottle, you’ll want to use it more—and that helps reduce plastic waste. One person switching to refillable bottles can save hundreds of plastic bottles each year!

Would you like printable templates (like sticker shapes or Earth-themed doodles) to help decorate, or a group activity version of this for a class or club?

17. Decorate tissue paper sun catchers together.

Collect a few wooden frames, scissors, transparent contact paper, different coloured tissue paper, and craft tools like sequins or wiggle eyes. After cutting the contact paper into circles, cut out different-sized and shaped pieces of tissue paper and adhere them to the contact paper using adhesive. After it dries, hang it somewhere that receives lots of sunlight and take in the vibrant scenery!

18. Create your own Planet Earth with a coffee filter

Absolutely! Here’s a fun and easy Earth Day craft you can do using a coffee filter to create your very own Planet Earth. Perfect for classrooms, home projects, or group activities!

🌍 Create Your Own Planet Earth with a Coffee Filter

A simple Earth Day craft that teaches and inspires!

🎨 What You’ll Need:

1 round white coffee filter
Washable markers (blue and green)
Spray bottle with water or a small cup and paintbrush
A tray or newspaper (to protect your surface)
Optional: Scissors, string, glue, and cardstock or paper plate (for display)

🪄 Instructions:

1. Color Your Earth

Lay the coffee filter flat on your tray or newspaper.
Use blue markers to color oceans and green markers for land areas—like a simple map of Earth.
(Tip: It doesn’t have to be perfect—just focus on shapes and patterns!)

2. Add the Water Magic

Lightly spray water over the filter (or dab with a damp paintbrush).
Watch the colors blend and spread—this gives it a soft, watercolor look!
Let it dry completely. This may take about 30 minutes.

3. Mount or Hang (Optional)

Once dry, glue your Earth to a paper plate or a piece of cardstock to give it a frame.
Write an Earth Day message below like:
- “Happy Earth Day!”
- “Love Your Planet”
- “I ❤️ Earth”
Punch a hole and add string to hang it in a window or classroom!

🌱 Why This Craft Rocks:

It teaches about the Earth’s shape and colors in a fun, hands-on way.
It uses simple, low-waste materials — and no plastic!
Kids get to explore color blending, geography, and environmental care.

Would you like a printable instruction sheet for this craft or a matching activity (like an Earth facts worksheet or coloring page)?

19. Host a DIY Earth Day party.

Bring the friends of your children over for an exciting Earth Day celebration! Make use of eco-friendly decorations and recycled materials, such as plantable centrepieces or paper streamers created from used newspapers.

Even homemade bird feeders or wildflower seeds can be used to make party favours. While learning how to be environmentally conscious, everyone will have a great time.

20. Create a terrarium together.

Absolutely! Creating a terrarium is a fun, hands-on project that lets you bring a little piece of nature indoors. It’s great for Earth Day, science lessons, or just as a beautiful decoration.

🌿 Create a Terrarium Together

A tiny ecosystem you can build, care for, and enjoy!

🪴 What is a Terrarium?

A terrarium is like a mini greenhouse — a small, enclosed garden that grows inside a clear container. It shows how plants, soil, air, and water all work together. It’s nature in a jar!

🧰 What You’ll Need:

Container:

A clear glass or plastic jar with a lid or open top (like a mason jar, fishbowl, or salad container)

Layers:

Small rocks or pebbles (for drainage)
Activated charcoal (optional, keeps it fresh and mold-free)
Potting soil
Small plants (succulents, moss, ferns, or air plants)
Decorations (optional: tiny figurines, shells, or crystals)

🌱 How to Build Your Terrarium (Step-by-Step):

1. Add Drainage Rocks

Place a layer of small rocks or pebbles at the bottom of your container (about 1 inch). This helps prevent overwatering.

2. Sprinkle in Charcoal (Optional)

A thin layer of activated charcoal keeps water fresh and reduces smells—especially for closed terrariums.

3. Add Potting Soil

Scoop in soil so your plants have something to grow in (about 2–3 inches). Smooth the surface gently.

4. Plant Your Greenery

Dig little holes and place your plants inside. Pat the soil around them to keep them snug.
Use a spoon or fingers to help place them in tight spots.

5. Decorate Your World

Add little stones, moss, figurines, or signs. Make it your own enchanted garden, dinosaur land, or fairy forest!

6. Water Lightly

Use a spray bottle or spoon to give your terrarium a gentle watering. Be careful not to flood it—just a little moisture goes a long way!

☀️ Care Tips:

Place your terrarium in indirect sunlight (not too hot).
Water sparingly—especially for succulents.
Watch how the environment changes. Condensation? Too wet. Dry soil? Time for a mist!

💚 Why This is a Great Earth Day Project:

It teaches kids (and adults!) how ecosystems work.
It’s a living reminder to care for the planet.
It’s beautiful, educational, and makes a great gift or classroom centerpiece.

Would you like printable instructions, plant suggestions based on your climate, or a label design to name your terrarium?