Earth Day
Published on: April 18, 2010
Earth Day
Make Earth Day a fun and easy activity for school and home. It’s important not to burden children about the problems we face with our environment, but instead to inspire them with the beauty of our planet and simple ways they can help.
Activities
- Nature walk — go outside and observe plants, insects, and birds in your neighborhood
- Plant a seed — start a small garden or plant a tree together
- Recycle art — create art projects using recycled materials
- Clean up — pick up litter in your yard or a local park
- Water conservation — talk about ways to save water at home
Materials
- Melissa & Doug Plant & Grow Garden Kit — everything kids need to start their own garden
- National Geographic Earth Science Kit — rocks, fossils, and earth exploration
A Brief History of Earth Day
Earth Day was first celebrated on April 22, 1970, thanks to the vision of Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin. He witnessed the damage caused by oil spills and pollution and believed children and adults alike deserved a cleaner, healthier planet. That first Earth Day inspired 20 million Americans to take action, and today it is celebrated in over 190 countries. Sharing this history with your child plants a seed of understanding — that one person’s care for the Earth can spark a worldwide movement.
Books to Read Together
Curl up with your little one and explore these beautiful Earth Day books:
- The Earth Book by Todd Parr
- The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
- Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth by Mary McKenna Siddals
- One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia by Miranda Paul
More Ways to Recycle and Compost
Invite your child to explore these hands-on activities at their own pace:
- Sorting Station: Set up labeled bins with pictures and let your child practice sorting paper, plastic, and compostable items independently.
- Egg Carton Seed Starters: Reuse cardboard egg cartons as tiny planters. Your child can fill each cup with soil, plant a seed, and observe growth daily.
- Banana Peel Experiment: Bury a banana peel in your compost bin and place another on a shelf. Observe together over several weeks to discover how composting works in nature.
Related Lessons
Related Articles
- Earth Day and Folk Art
- Maps of Earth Surface
- Lesson of the Day 34: Earth Day and Folk Art — Celebrating Culture Through Nature
- Lesson of the Day 28: Earth Science — Plate Tectonics, Volcanoes, and Earthquakes
- Layers of the Earth