Here are fun & easy Earth Day crafts for kids—simple, low-cost, and perfect for home or classroom activities 🌍✨
🌱 Fun Earth Day Crafts for Kids
1. Paper Plate Earth
Paint a paper plate blue and green to create the planet Earth. Add cotton clouds for texture.
2. Recycled Bottle Planters
Cut plastic bottles in half, decorate them, add soil, and plant seeds or small flowers.
3. Handprint Earth Art
Kids dip hands in blue and green paint to form the Earth—great for preschoolers!
4. Toilet Roll Binoculars
Glue two toilet paper rolls together, decorate, and use them for a “nature explorer” walk.
5. Egg Carton Seed Starters
Reuse egg cartons to start seeds—an easy way to teach kids about plant growth.
6. Newspaper Earth Collage
Cut out circles and glue torn newspaper pieces to make a recycled Earth collage.
7. Cardboard Sun Craft
Cut a sun shape from cardboard, paint it yellow, and talk about solar energy.
8. Fingerprint Tree Art
Use fingerprints as leaves on a painted tree trunk to symbolize nature and growth.
9. Paper Bag Earth Puppet
Decorate a paper bag with Earth colors and use it for eco-themed storytelling.
10. Rock Painting
Paint rocks with Earth symbols, flowers, or eco-messages like “Save Our Planet.”
If you’d like, I can also:
- Create printable templates
- Suggest age-specific crafts (preschool, kindergarten, older kids)
- Align crafts with Earth Day lessons or SDGs
Just tell me 😊
- Recycled Paper
Scrap paper, old newspapers, and magazines are ideal for crafting collages, papier-mâché projects, and handmade bookmarks or greeting cards.
2. Cardboard
Here are fun & easy Earth Day crafts using cardboard—perfect for kids and eco-friendly too 🌍♻️
🌱 Cardboard Earth Day Crafts for Kids
1. Cardboard Earth Cutout
Cut a circle from cardboard, paint it blue and green, and hang it as wall or door décor.
2. Cardboard Sun Craft
Cut a sun shape, paint it yellow, and add rays using scrap cardboard strips.
3. Recycled Cardboard Tree
Create a tree trunk from cardboard and glue green paper, buttons, or fingerprints as leaves.
4. Cardboard Flower Garden
Cut flower shapes, color them, and glue onto a cardboard base to make a mini garden.
5. Cardboard Bin Sorting Game
Make small cardboard bins labeled Recycle, Compost, and Trash to teach waste sorting.
6. Cardboard Earth Puzzle
Cut an Earth drawing into simple puzzle pieces—great for preschoolers.
7. Cardboard Animal Masks
Create Earth-loving animals (bee, bird, turtle) and talk about protecting wildlife.
8. Recycled Cardboard Robot
Use boxes and tubes to build a robot made entirely from recycled cardboard.
9. Cardboard Windmill
Cut simple blades from cardboard and attach them to a straw to explain wind energy.
10. Cardboard Nature Collage
Glue leaves, twigs, and seeds onto cardboard for a nature-inspired artwork.
If you want, I can:
- Make this preschool-friendly
- Turn it into a classroom bulletin board idea
- Create step-by-step instructions for one craft
Just tell me 😊
3. Natural Materials
From creating nature mandalas to adorning picture frames, a range of crafts can be made with the leaves, flowers, twigs, and stones gathered from nature walks.
4. Biodegradable Pots
Here’s a fun & easy Earth Day craft: Biodegradable Pots 🌱♻️
Perfect for kids and great for teaching sustainability!
🌿 Biodegradable Pots Craft for Kids
🌍 Why It’s Great
- Eco-friendly & plastic-free
- Teaches kids about plant life cycles
- Pots can be planted directly into the soil
🧺 Materials
- Toilet paper rolls or newspaper
- Scissors
- Soil
- Seeds (beans, herbs, flowers)
- Tray or shallow box
✂️ Method 1: Toilet Paper Roll Pots
- Cut a toilet paper roll in half.
- Make 4 small cuts at one end.
- Fold the flaps inward to form the base.
- Fill with soil and add seeds.
- Water lightly and place in sunlight.
📰 Method 2: Newspaper Pots
- Wrap newspaper around a small cup or bottle.
- Fold the bottom inward to form a base.
- Slide the pot off and place on a tray.
- Fill with soil and plant seeds.
🌼 Learning Tip for Kids
Explain how the pot breaks down naturally in the soil, helping plants grow and reducing waste.
👧👦 Age Group
- Preschool: adult help with cutting
- Ages 5–10: mostly independent
🌎 Earth Day Extension Ideas
- Label pots with plant names
- Track growth in a plant journal
- Transplant pots into a garden after sprouting
If you’d like, I can create:
- A printable instruction sheet
- A classroom activity plan
- A matching Earth Day lesson
Just let me know 😊
5. Reusable Decorations
Buttons, wool, and leftover fabric are excellent materials for crafting details. These materials can be recycled from worn bedding or clothes.
6. Non-toxic Paints and Glue
Here’s a kid-safe guide to non-toxic paints and glue for Earth Day crafts 🎨🌱
Perfect for classrooms, preschools, and eco-friendly projects.
🌍 Non-Toxic Paints for Kids
✅ Best Safe Options
- Water-based washable paints – easy to clean and safe for little hands
- Tempera paints (non-toxic labeled) – bright colors, great for paper & cardboard
- Natural homemade paints – made from kitchen ingredients
- Plant-based paints – eco-friendly and biodegradable
🥕 DIY Natural Paint Ideas
- Turmeric + water → yellow
- Beetroot juice → pink/red
- Spinach + water → green
- Coffee or tea → brown
(Strain and use immediately for best color)
🌿 Non-Toxic Glue for Kids
✅ Safe Glue Choices
- White school glue (non-toxic)
- Glue sticks – mess-free and washable
- Starch-based glue – biodegradable option
- Homemade flour glue
🍚 Easy Homemade Flour Glue
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup water
- Mix until smooth
- Use immediately and discard leftovers
👶 Safety Tips
- Always check for “Non-Toxic” labels
- Avoid solvent-based or industrial glues
- Supervise younger kids
- Wash hands after crafting
🌱 Earth Day Learning Moment
Explain how non-toxic supplies help:
- Protect our health
- Keep water and soil clean
- Care for animals and plants
If you’d like, I can:
- Create a materials checklist for classrooms
- Suggest eco-brands available locally
- Design a safe crafting station setup
Just tell me 😊