3 Easy Ways to Celebrate Earth Day with Younger Children [Educational Ideas]

Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22nd.

This holiday was created as a way to practice conservation worldwide and to help reduce pollution. The goal is that this behavior one day of the year will help many build new lifetime habits.

We only have one Earth and we have to do everything within our power to protect it.

Teaching your kids through interactive and fun ideas can build an early love for saving the planet plus be very educational. Which is something every parent needs.

Outdoor Activity: Create A Compost Bin

This activity definitely takes some preplanning to get done, so you will want to start ASAP.

However, the best part about this activity is that it is something you can continue to use year-round. Plus, it is so much easier than you would think.

Once you get the items to get you started it isn’t half bad.

It is about 6 steps and the only maintenance that is required is to mix regularly, add water as needed, and add in your biodegradables (can be broken down by bacteria).

How to Create a Compost Bin:

1. Choose a compost container (this is the main expense you will incur if you don’t have something on hand).
   • You want the bin to be deep/big enough to allow you to mix and hold how much material you think you will create.
   • You can find bin options as low as $20 here.
2. Choose a location that is flat, well-drained, and sunny area to set up the bin.
3. Start adding the layers. Do not compact them together because air is critical to the breaking down process.
   • First, add brown organic items. These will be small twigs, bark, or even dead houseplants. If you want you can add fertilizer before moving on as it helps to speed up the breaking down process.
   • Then, add green organic items, such as green leaves, vegetables, or eggshells. This is where you can add in your compostable household waste.
   • Continue alternating your green and brown layers until you get close to the top. Always have a brown layer on top. Then add 1-2 inches of fresh soil (not treated with insectides-you may need to buy a small bag [not sterilized]).
   • You can add earthworms before the soil to assist with decomposition.
4. Use a glass container to collect household waste for your bin. When it is full place the items in your bin. Then add your layer of browns. Add frequently until your compost bin is full.
5. Maintain the mix. Use a garden fork or shovel to mix in new layers. Maintain the moistness through mixing as well. Should be like a damp sponge.
   • Use browns to dry it up and water to moisten it depending on what your mix may need.
6. Use your compost. When it is ready the compost material will be at the top of your pile remove it all. It should be dark and crumbly to the touch.
   • It can take up to 6 months for the first set of compost.
   • Leave the remaining layers.
   • Use it in flower beds, around trees, or you can make it into a liquid mix and use it to water plants.

What Are The Benefits of Composting:

• Gardening Fertilizer
• Less Trash Thrown Out to Mass Sites
• Practices Easy Recycling Habits
• Helps Enrich the Soil

Some common items you can compost are veggies, fruits, any dairy products, bread, coffee filters, and eggshells. There are many other options that you can find with a quick Google search.

There is so much information out there about composting. Plus your compost bin should come with instructions if you buy one.

Indoor Activity: Earth Day Printable Pack

A perfect curriculum builder that you can whip out on Earth Day is the Budding Mama Earth Day Printable Pack.

It includes 50 pages of activities that teach everything Earth Day related.

You will find crafts, reading/math activities, and various different ways to teach conservation to elementary-aged students– specifically grades 1st to 4th.

It comes with:

• 3 Earth Day Q & A Puzzles (Answer Key Included)
• 1 Earth Day Connect the Dots Sheet
• 2 Easy Earth Day Crafts
• 3 Sort the Recyclables Page
• 11 Page Earth Day Coloring Story Book
• 12 Unscramble the Words Cards
• 1 Earth Day Vocabulary Page
• 8 Graphing Practice Sheets (w/ Answer Key)
• 2 Earth Day Mazes (Answer Key Included)
• 3 Composting Worksheets
• 6 Writing Prompt Sheets (1 Blank Copy)

Indoor/Outdoor Idea: No [Minimal] Power Day

One of the easiest ways to celebrate Earth Day with your kids is to go the entire day without using any electricity.

That means no lights, no phones, etc. If possible even no water except for drinking. This can be done easily if you plan out the day in advance.

Here is an example of how you can spend the day:

Morning:

• Wake up and get dressed. Allow the natural sunlight to shine into the rooms of your homes.
• Make a quick, simple breakfast. Cereal, yogurt, or even just fruit if you don’t want to open the fridge.
• Spend the morning doing some yoga or meditation together as a family. Or just some simple stretches outside.

Evening

• You can have a day of relaxation where you spend the day singing some songs, going for a walk, or enjoy some time at the park.
  • Other great ideas for a relaxing day would be going for a bike ride, planting a tree, make your compost bin, etc.
• If you want to keep your day more structured then you can mix it up and have homeschool outside. You can take your current curriculum or the previously mentioned Earth Day printable pack and go out to a park.
  • Spend the day learning and then enjoy some time at the park before coming home for the day.

Overall, I’d suggest doing a no-power day until about 7-8 PM. This allows for everyone to take a shower and prepare for bed (especially if you have little ones that may need a night light to go to sleep).

Endless Possibilities

Honestly, there is no wrong to celebrate Earth Day with your children as long as you practice some type of conservation behavior.

Try to remind them throughout the day about how easy these changes can be, but how impactful they can be as well.

If you wanted to you could make an entire day out of all three of these ideas for Earth Day. Have a no-power day spend the morning having class and using the Earth Day printable pack.

You can use the pack to teach all about composting and how it’s helpful. Then spend the afternoon making a composting bin in your backyard. These activities will be fun, educational, and make the holiday truly special.

I would love to hear how you are planning to spend Earth Day with your little ones.

For more holiday learning activities by Budding Mama check out:

Easter Mini Story Books– These five mini-books teach your little ones about Easter vocabulary, how-to dye eggs, and more. Plus, you will find tracing activities in one of the mini-books to make them that much more fun.

Flag Day Activities– Flag Day is June 14th. This 5-page freebie teaches about the anthem and the symbolism behind the American Flag. It comes with everything a parent needs to teach about an honored American symbol.

Updated 01/2022

Last Updated on January 21, 2022 by Kierra