Throughout 11 years of publishing Green Child’s digital magazine, we’ve covered plenty of inspiring ideas for celebrating Earth Day with kids. But here’s the one thing we know is true: We protect what we love. And the best way to encourage kids to protect the environment is to get them outside so they can fall in love with nature.
So we thought we’d compile the best resources and projects for celebrating Earth Day with kids… all in one place for you!
The Importance of Observing Earth Day with Kids
These articles explain the importance of getting children involved in Earth Day… plus some practical and fun ways to do it.
10 Kid-Friendly Ways to Celebrate Earth Day
Raising Tomorrow’s Sustainable Leaders
Connecting with Nature on Earth Day (and every day)
Forget the Apps… Get Outside! 10 ideas for celebrating Earth Day
Bringing Environmental Issues into the Classroom
10 Reasons Kids & Adults Need Vitamin N
Celebrating Earth Day as a Family and as a Community
Tread Lightly: Eco Travel with Kids
How to Talk with Kids About Climate Change
Helicopter Parenting in Nature: Don’t Cut Down the Tree, Build Up the Kid
The Significance of Earth Day
Earth Day is an ongoing movement, and we have a long way yet to go. The good news is – when your family takes action, it matters. Every change we make really does add up.
When your family develops a deep fondness of the natural world, all those baby steps to greener living are amplified. It works wonders for not just the health of the planet, but our own health, too!
Richard Louv in his book Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder explains:
A generation of children is not only being raised indoors, but is being confined to even smaller spaces. Jane Clark, a University of Maryland professor of kinesiology . . . calls them ‘containerized kids.’ They spend more and more time in car seats, high chairs, and even baby seats for watching TV. When small children go outside, they’re often placed in containers – strollers – and pushed by walking or jogging parents. Most kid-containerizing is done for safety concerns, but the long term health of these children is compromised.
This inspires us to want to spend Earth Day with kids outdoors and with as much freedom to run and roam as possible. Enjoying our environment is extremely beneficial to adults, too. Exposure to nature has been found to encourage people to nurture close relationships with fellow human beings, value community, and to be more generous.
Earth Day Projects for Kids
Throughout the month of April, parents and teachers can help kids with Earth Day inspired projects like the ones below. Take them outside if you can, and be sure to use materials you already have on hand to keep your footprint small.
Nature-Inspired Art Projects + DIY Paints and Brushes
How to Create a Wildlife Garden with Kids
DIY Organic Nuts & Seeds Bird Feeder
Leave No Trace Camping with Kids
DIY Fairy Bridge from Recycled & Upcycled Materials
How to Safely Observe Animals in Their Natural Habitats
Recycled Item DIY Marble Roller Coaster
Check our Battery-Free Fun Pinterest Board for hundreds of fun nature-inspired projects and games to help you celebrate Earth Day with kids
