Earth Day is more than just a date on the calendar. It is a great chance for the entire family to learn to care for the planet and protect the world they live in. Teaching children how to care for the environment can be fun, hands-on and a great way to bond as a family.
Here is a list of simple and meaningful activities you can do together to celebrate Earth Day on April 22 and all year long.
Plant Together
Pick what you want to plant together. It can be a tree, a backyard garden or a beautiful potted flower. Kids love getting their hands dirty! Planting is a fun way for them to learn about how things grow, practice responsibility and discover what plants do to keep our planet healthy.
Plan a Mini Cleanup Adventure
Grab some gloves and a trash bag and pick up trash on your street or at a local park or trail. This is a great time to chat with your kids about how trash can affect animals and the places where they live. Talk about how even small actions can help protect nature.
Make a Trash-to-Treasure Craft
Turn everyday items you’d normally throw away into a fun craft project your kids will love. Research how you can make a bird feeder out of a milk carton, binoculars out of toilet paper rolls, soup can planters or bottle cap flowers. The possibilities are endless when you look at trash as newfound treasures.
Start Recycling in at Home
Create a small area in your kitchen, garage or laundry room with labeled bins for paper, plastic and cans so kids can easily help sort items. Have the little ones help by decorating and labeling the bins.
Complete Small Earth-Friendly Challenges
The small choices you make can add up when put together. Challenge your family to use less water by turning off the faucet while brushing teeth and taking shorter showers. Turn off lights in the house when you leave a room and turn off the television when you are not watching it. Use your bikes for short trips or put on your walking shoes and take a short hike to the store or friend’s house.
Celebrate the Earth every day, not just Earth Day! By choosing one small habit to start as a family can help kids learn that even little actions can make a big difference.