Honoring Mother Earth is simple, and a great way to bond with your children. Consider partaking in the following activities to celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd:
Gardening
You don’t have to go overboard with this idea. Instead of planting an entire garden filled with vegetables and flowers, just grab a pot or cup, fill it 2/3rds of the way with soil, sprinkle on some grass seed, add a little more soil, and water. Then, place the cup in a sunny spot and let nature take its course. Your kids will love checking on their grass every day and will learn a lesson in responsibility by watering it on a regular basis.
Recycling
Teach your children how to recycle everyday items. An empty milk carton or cereal box can be turned into a house for your kid’s favorite stuffed animal, while an empty milk jug can be recycled and made into a bird feeder.
Nest Building
Lend a hand to the feathered friends in your neighborhood by setting out nest material. Simply fill a mesh bag (like the kind onions are packaged in) with dried grass, yarn, string, feathers from an old pillow, or hair from your brush and hang the bag in a location that the birds can safely access. Then, watch them collect the materials and build a nest in one of your trees.
Seed Scatter
Fill your pockets with seeds and go on a walk with the entire family. While you are walking, scatter the seeds for birds and other creatures to enjoy.
Butterfly Wand
Materials:
Popsicle stick
Pipe cleaner
Cone-shaped coffee filter
Markers or crayons
Craft glue
Directions:
Glue a pipe cleaner to a Popsicle stick. Allow to dry.
Meanwhile, open up a cone-shaped coffee filter at the seam and have kids decorate it with markers or crayons (this will be the butterfly’s wings). Children should concentrate on the outer edges of the filter, as the middle portion will be hard to see once the project is complete.
Attach the filter to the Popsicle stick with the pipe cleaner.
Bend the ends to form antennae.
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