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4 Easy Earth Day Activities for Kids

4 Easy Earth Day Activities for Kids

Earth Day aims to increase awareness and appreciation of our planet and its environment. Children must learn the importance of caring for the earth and recognize how their actions impact our environment. There are several Earth Day activities for kids to participate in to help foster their understanding.

Nature Scavenger Hunt

A nature scavenger hunt is an engaging and fun way to spark outdoor curiosity. Depending on the children’s ages, you can create a list of things they need to find in their backyard or neighborhood.

These items include the following:

Leaves of different shapes and sizes

  • Rocks of various colors and textures
  • Flowers of different kinds and colors
  • Feathers from birds
  • Bugs, like beetles or butterflies
  • Bird nests
  • Animal tracks

If you are more ambitious, you can also include items that require some detective work, like a specific type of plant or evidence of wildlife activity.

When creating a nature scavenger hunt, it’s vital to prioritize safety. For young children, ensure the items on your list are safe and within their reach. Also, be aware of potential hazards in the area, such as poison ivy or other dangerous plants they may encounter while searching.

You should also plan ahead and provide sunblock, hats, and bug spray items to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Older kids may want to explore further away from home, so they must let you know where they are going and when they will be back.

Plant a Garden

Gardening requires only a few resources. Depending on the size of your backyard, you can put together a small vegetable garden with raised beds or containers. If space is an issue, herbs are a great option. Pollinator gardens are an excellent way to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

You can involve kids in gardening by allowing them to choose the plants or helping them dig holes. Along the way, teach the kids what plants to use and why. You can also explain how the plants will help the environment, such as how certain species may attract beneficial insects like ladybugs or bees for pollination.

Once you finish planting the garden, discuss how to care for it and ensure that the kids understand the importance of regular watering, weeding, and harvesting.

Upcycling Crafts

Upcycling is a great way to show children how to create something from everyday items that they would otherwise throw away.

Some practical upcycling project ideas include the following:

  • Making paper beads out of old magazines and newspapers
  • Creating a bird feeder or planter out of plastic bottles and cans
  • Crafting art with used packaging materials like cereal boxes or egg cartons
  • Assembling a terrarium with leftover jars and containers

These projects allow you to explain to kids the importance of reducing waste and reusing resources. With upcycling, they can make something new out of something old while having fun!

Park Clean-Up

Parks are essential to any community, providing a space for families to spend time outdoors, children to play, and for people to connect with nature.

Explain to the children why picking up garbage is crucial and how it can harm animals if left behind. Give them trash bags and gloves to safely collect the litter. You can even create teams and compete to see who can collect the most garbage.

Once they finish the clean-up, talk to the kids about what they learned and how their efforts make a difference. This activity helps teach children that even small acts of kindness can have a significant impact!

Contact NA Montessori for More Earth Day Activities

Earth Day is an excellent way for kids to learn about the environment and how to care for it. Activities like the ones we’ve listed above are just a few ways to help kids become more aware of their surroundings and the importance of caring for nature.

To help guide kids in their Earth Day journey, parents and teachers can contact NA Montessori for more fun and engaging activities to do with children. With a wide range of resources available, NA Montessori strives to help educators and caregivers introduce young minds to the wonders of nature!