Guest Blog: What Are Five Ways To Celebrate Earth Day With Young Children?

Earth is the only planet we know of that is suited for life. It has the perfect temperature, water, and air to support us. It is our home, and we should look after it. Earth Day is a day to celebrate and remember how all living things on Earth depend on each other, no matter their size or species. This day is an opportunity for us to look at how we can help protect Earth and make changes for the better. There are a lot of fun ways to celebrate Earth Day, from spending time in nature, to planting trees, to learning about recycling. Here are five activities that will encourage children to celebrate and take care of our planet.

1. Plant a tree. Teach your children how trees produce oxygen and how we all need oxygen to breathe. Check locally for inexpensive or even free saplings. Start a notebook to record the name and height of the tree and document the changes it goes through during the four seasons.

2. Make a garden. Choose fast-growing flower and vegetable seeds to plant in a small bed or even containers. Giving children the opportunity to water and care for plants as they sprout and grow is a wondrous activity. They can discuss the changes they observe each day and record them with drawings and notes on a chart.

3. Reuse. Work together to find ways to re-purpose objects headed to the trash. Save plastic containers and lids to use for organizing art supplies or small toys. Use cardboard tubes and boxes for art projects.

4. Recycle. Teach children to sort materials like glass, paper, plastic, and aluminum for local recycling collections. Kids love to sort and can help decorate bins with pictures (cut from magazines or drawn) of what kinds of items go in each. If they pack a lunch, have them be involved in organizing a “trashless” lunch one day a week by using no plastic or foil to wrap food. Utilize those containers they saved to reuse. Strive to make every day, “trashless”.

5. Be creative. Make flags or other artworks to celebrate our planet and display them in your yard or window, or on your porch. Sing songs to express our appreciation for planet Earth. A google search for Earth Day Songs for Kids will provide lots of choices.

Have fun with these ideas on Earth Day, but try to incorporate them into your everyday routine. It is important to instill in young children the idea that they take care of themselves, their things, and each other.

Taking care of Mother Earth is an opportunity to incorporate all three!