Earth Day began on April 22, 1970 as a way of promoting information about our environment. I’ve never known a child who wasn’t fascinated with our natural world, with animals, bugs, and flowers. They love to help with recycling, and saving the animals.
Many communities hold Earth Day fairs where people can learn more about recycling and reducing their impact on their planet. You can learn how to save water and electricity, and money! Other communities host things like park or river clean up on Earth Day weekend.
Here are some more ideas for celebrating Earth Day in your own family and your own corner of the world.
1) At the store, buy some recycled products or natural cleaning products.
2) See about converting a shower or toilet to be low-flow and water conserving. Let your kids carry the tool box and help.
3) Plant some herbs, flowers, or vegetables outside or in a planter box.
4) Visit a farm stand or just buy organic produce at the grocery store.
5) Run a lemonade stand and donate the profits to an environmental cause.
6) Start seeds. Herbs and beans are quick to grow. So are sunflowers.
7) Plant a tree. The kids can water it all summer.
8) Take a walk or hike. See how many different kinds of trees you can spot. Bring a nature book to identify plants, birds, and insects. Bring a couple of trash bags to pick up liter.
9) Scatter birdseed for the squirrels and birds or install a bird feeder. Bird watching is a great thing to do together as a family.
10) Watch a nature show on TV, or rent a movie like Planet Earth or the Amazing Planet series from National Geographic. Or play with Google Earth and be amazed at our planet!
11) It’s a great day to work in the yard. Weed by hand instead of spraying. Instead of throwing away yard waste, start a mulch pile. Kids can help with all of this!
12) Read about what other children are doing to help their environment. You just might be inspired to do even more.
More Nature Ideas:
The Joy of the Unpredictable Nature Walk