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Are you looking for a creative and fun way to teach kids about Earth Day? Or, do you just need some fun toddler or preschool Earth Day activities to keep the kids busy — and maybe even learn a bit about reducing, reusing, and recycling, too?
Well, you’ve come to the right place! I’ve gathered up 45 of the best kids activities for Earth Day to get your child learning about and taking better care of our planet and its environment.
Earth Day Activities for Preschool, Kindergarten & Big Kids, Too!
From free educational Earth Day printables to easy at-home Earth Day crafts to educational Earth Day preschool activities for Earth Day, we’ve gathered up tons of fun Earth Day activity ideas for kids of all ages — from toddlers to preschoolers to elementary students, and maybe even you, too!
But, before we dive into the Earth Day fun, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page about this annual Spring holiday…
What is Earth Day Anyway?
Earth Day is a day dedicated to inspiring advocacy and activism around the preservation and protection of our planet and environment. According to the holiday’s global organizer, EARTHDAY.ORG:
[The] theme for Earth Day 2022 will be ‘Invest in Our Planet’ … focused on accelerating solutions to combat our greatest threat, climate change, and to activate everyone — governments, citizens, and businesses — to do their part. Everyone accounted for, and everyone accountable.
When is Earth Day Celebrated?
Earth Day is celebrated on the same day each year: April 22nd.
So this year, Earth Day is observed on Saturday, April 22, 2023.
Now, Some Fun Facts About Earth Day
Here are a few interesting facts on Earth Day. Use them to spark discussion and extended learning during your kids’ Earth Day activities. (Also, you can find more Earth Day facts for kids at Parents.com and Parade.com.)
- When was the first Earth Day? April 22, 1970
- Earth Day was inspired by the energy of student anti-war activists of the 1960s, so they held the first Earth Day on a college campus to get the greatest student participation.
- Over the years, Earth Day has led to the creation of government agencies and laws, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, Clean Air Act, and Endangered Species Act.
- Earth Day went global in 1990 and is now also known as “International Mother Earth Day”.
- Today, over 1 billion people from 193 countries celebrate Earth Day each year!
Now, let’s move on to the Earth Day activity ideas and get the fun started…
45 Super-Fun At-Home Earth Day Activities for Kids
Creative Kids Art Projects for Earth Day
1. Recycled Plastic Bottle Printmaking Art
Kids can learn about recycling while expanding their creativity, too, with this easy art project for Earth Day.
2. Planet Earth Spin Art Project
Or, try this neat planet Earth-themed spin art project on Earth Day. And teach kids about the rotation of the Earth while you’re at it!
3. Fingerprint World Earth Day Craft
Finally, gather the family, your class of students, or your mom friends and their kids to make this cute “fingerprint world” collaborative art project on Earth Day.
Kids Earth Day Recycled Crafts
4. Funky Plastic Bottle Craft Flower Vase
Grab some plastic bottles from the recycling bin for this funky flower vase recycled craft.
5. “Trash Rainbow” Collage Craft
Then, try this colorful rainbow recycled craft on Earth Day with the kids. They can use up the scrap paper stash while they get some color learning in, too.
6. Upcycled Suncatcher Earth Day Craft
Turn clear plastic deli or produce containers into beautiful suncatchers with this upcycled Earth Day kids craft.
7. Eco-Friendly Craft Building Blocks
Or, use plain old washi tape to transform recycled boxes and containers into eco-friendly DIY toy building blocks!
Crafty Earth Day Activities for Kindergarten at Home
8. Flower Hand Print Craft for Earth Day
Now, it doesn’t get much cuter than kids handprint crafts. So, consider trying this flower-themed Earth Day handprint craft with little ones.
9. Kids Bird Feeder Earth Day Craft
Then, help the kids feed their feathered friends with these simple bird feeder Earth Day kids crafts.
10. “World in My Hands” Earth Day Handprint Craft
A free printable makes this meaningful Earth Day handprint craft easy for little hands.
11. Kids Earth Day Necklace Craft
Finally, mix up some salt dough for the kids. Then, craft your own planet Earth necklaces.
Easy Toddler Activities for Earth Day
12. Color Sorting Activity for Earth Day
Try this clever color sorting activity for Earth Day with your toddler for some color learning and fine motor skills practice, too.
13. Recycled Craft Chalkboard Toys for Toddlers
Or, save plastic bottles and containers from the recycling bin. Then, upcycle them into chalkboard-painted DIY toddler toys for Earth Day fun.
14. Eyedropper Art Project for Earth Day
This process-based Earth Day art activity is easy enough for toddlers. Plus, squeezing the droppers provides great fine motor practice for little hands, too!
15. Recycle Bin Playdough Impressions Earth Day Activity
Finally, let your child explore the (kid-safe) contents of the recycling bin during their playdough play for a no-prep toddler Earth Day activity.
At-Home Preschool Activities for Earth Day
16. “Letter E” Earth Day Craft for Preschool
Now, let the kids get their hands dirty with some real Earth with this “E is for Earth” preschool activity for Earth Day.
17. Recycling Earth Day Activity for Preschoolers
Or, teach little learners how to recycle for Earth Day. Then, extend the learning with this recycling-themed Earth Day sorting activity.
18. Photo Nature Book Earth Day Activity for Preschool
Have your preschooler take photos of their natural environment. Then, use them to make a simple photo nature book for some Earth Day early literacy learning.
Fun Sensory Activities for Kids on Earth Day
19. DIY Earth Day Discovery Bottles
Try this simple discovery bottle project for Earth Day for kids to enjoy some sensory-rich science learning.
20. Water Bead Sensory Bin Earth Day Idea for Kids
Then, gather your ocean animal toys and prep the water beads for a fun ocean-themed sensory bin for Earth Day.
21. Easy Play Dough Activity for Earth Day
Or, gather blue and green loose parts (e.g., buttons, wooden beads, small building blocks) and natural objects (e.g., twigs, stones) for one of the easiest sensory Earth Day activities of all.
22. Dried Bean Sensory Bin for Earth Day
Finally, make an easy sensory bin for Earth Day with dried garbanzo beans (i.e., dried chickpeas) that look like tiny planets!
Fun Kids Science Activities for Earth Day
23. Acid Rain Earth Day Science Experiment
Help your kids learn about acid rain and pollution with this hands-on science activity for Earth Day.
24. Desert Biome Earth Day STEM Activity
This creative STEM activity for Earth Day is perfect for kids learning about the Earth’s biomes.
25. Simple Celery Pollution Science Experiment
Finally, use some food coloring and celery to set up this easy science activity for kids on Earth Day.
Fun Outdoor Activities for Earth Day
26. Neighborhood Earth Day Scavenger Hunt
Now, how about an easy scavenger hunt activity for Earth Day to get the kids outside and exploring their environment!
27. Sidewalk Chalk Earth Day Activities for Kindergarten at Home
And, all you need is some sidewalk chalk for these fun and educational Earth Day games.
28. Nature Hunt Shadow Box Earth Day Activity
Or, go on an Earth Day hike with your kids to collect natural objects for a nature shadow box activity.
29. Eco-Friendly Sidewalk Paint Activity for Earth Day
Finally, help kids make some eco-friendly sidewalk chalk paint. Then, send them outside to make their creative mark on all that drab concrete!
Kids Gardening & Plant Science Activities for Earth Day
30. Indoor Grassy Meadow Science Activity
Now, how about growing a mini grass meadow indoors for some imaginative small world play on Earth Day!
31. Kids Backyard Butterfly Garden
Or, help your kids use natural and recycled materials to design and plant a backyard butterfly garden for Earth Day.
32. DIY Seed Bombs & Launchers
And, kids will love making wildflower seed bombs for Earth Day. But, they will surely love launching them to “plant” them even more!
33. Kids Pizza Garden Project for Earth Day
Then, help your kids plant a “pizza garden” full of their favorite pizza toppings, like tomatoes, basil, and bell peppers.
34. Composting Earth Day Activity for Kids
Finally, teach the kids how to compost! Then, use the nutrient-rich soil that results for the gardening and plant projects above.
Earth Day Coloring Pages for Kids
35. Set of 5 Kids Coloring Pages for Earth Day
Now, grab some crayons and print out these free Earth Day coloring pages for a quick Earth Day activity.
36. Earth Day Coloring Page for Preschoolers
And, here’s another free Earth Day coloring page that would be easy peasy for you and fun for the kids on Earth Day.
37. Intricate Coloring Sheet for Earth Day
Finally, this pretty Earth Day coloring page would be perfect for students in elementary or high school.
Kids Printable Earth Day Activities for Kindergarten At Home
38. “Happy Earth, Sad Earth” Printable Craft
A free printable makes this cute Earth Day printable craft easy and fun for kids and moms.
39. Printable Earth Day Scavenger Hunt Activity
And, it doesn’t get much easier than this scavenger hunt printable activity for Earth Day. Just download, print, and head outside!
40. Pre-K Earth Day Activity Worksheets
Or, grab these free printable worksheets for Earth Day for lots of preschool learning fun, from Earth Day math to alphabet learning to scissors skills and more!
41. Worksheet Earth Day Activities for Kindergarten At Home
Finally, download these free Earth Day activity worksheets for Kindergarteners for a last-minute Earth Day learning activity.
Earth Day Cookies & Treats Kids Can Make
42. Simple Swirly Earth Day Cookies
Now, show the kids how to turn store-bought chocolate cookies into the perfect cookies for Earth Day. It only takes a few “swirls” of frosting!
43. “Flower Power” Dandelion Fritters Recipe
Or, celebrate Earth Day with your kids by trying something new, like hand-picked dandelions in this yummy fritter recipe.
44. Earth Day Dirt Cup Treats Recipe
And, let the kids make their own dirt cup treats for Earth Day complete with (cookie-crumb) dirt and (gummy) worms.
45. Easy Earth Day Toasts for Kids
Or, add some fun and learning to your the kids’ Earth Day breakfast. Try this simple kid-friendly recipe for planet Earth-inspired toasts.
Some Earth Day Books & Toys — for Preschool, Kindergarten & Up!
Now, I’ve gathered up some of our favorite goodies to teach the kids about Earth Day, recycling, and the environment — from children’s books about the planet Earth to recycling craft kits to kids gardening tools and more!
But, first, make sure to grab my book, The Outdoor Toddler Activity Book, which is full of fun and educational outdoor activities for toddlers (and preschool, kindergarten, and big kids, too). So many fun ideas to get your little ones exploring outside on Earth Day — or any day!
Hello, World! Planet EarthOrboot Earth Globe for KidsFun Express Learn to Recycle Activity BoxesMoTrent Children Gardening Tools SetWe Are All Connected: Caring for Each Other & The Earth4M Toysmith Weather Science KitRecycle and Remake: Creative Projects for Eco KidsLEGO DUPLO Town Garbage Truck and Recycling Building Toy4M STEAM Powered Kids Green Creativity Recycled Paper Beads KitReduce & Reuse Recycling Center PlaysetMy Friend EarthLearning Resources Puzzle GlobeCute Earth Day T-ShirtOf The Earth Plant Me HeartsEarth Day: Ready-to-Read Level 1Santa Barbara Design Studio Gardening Essentials Gift SetLight-Up Terrarium Kit for KidsExploring Nature Activity Book for Kids: 50 Creative Projects to Spark Curiosity in the OutdoorsA Kid’s Guide to Saving the Planet: It’s Not Hopeless and We’re Not HelplessSalzmann 3M Children’s High Visibility Vest
Find more children’s books, games, and toys for teaching kids about Earth Day in B-Inspired Mama’s Fun Amazon Shop: Earth Day Fun for Kids
Like these Fun Earth Day Activities for Kids? Then, Share ‘Em!
Save this “45 Fun At-Home Kids Activities for Earth Day” resource to come back to each Earth Day. And, share with friends! Simply use the buttons at the top or bottom of this post. Or, click here: Share on Facebook | Tweet It | Pin It | Email to a Friend
More Earth Day Activities for Kids from B-Inspired Mama:
- 6 Simple Ways to Help the Environment — As a Family!
- 9 Easy Preschool Activities for Earth Day
- 15 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day with Kids — From the Mouths of Moms
- Kids Earth Day Recycled Paper Card
maggy, red ted art says
A brilliant Earth Day round up! Love every idea featured. Thanks for compiling!
Thanks for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!
Maggy & Alissa
MaryAnne says
Thank you for linking up to Learning Laboratory – so many fantastic ideas here!!!
Mama Nature says
Thank you for the feature! I love this!
The Monko says
This is a fantastic roundup of all things earth day. Thanks so much for sharing on Kids Co-op
Juggling With Kids says
Thanks for including us! This is such a great round up of ideas! I love it!
Gina says
What a great list! There is something in here for all ages. Thanks for sharing! I've been wanting to begin a sensory garden…hopefully we'll be doing one soon!
Whimsical Kids Canvas says
So many great ideas! We especially like the Earth cake and the play dough planet.
MaryAnne says
Thank you for including our Exploring Geography series in this incredible round-up of ideas!
Carolyn Wilhelm says
What a great round up of ideas! This is such a visually appealing post. Thank you so much. Carolyn