This post may contain affiliate links and we may receive compensation if you purchase products linked to below. Please read our Privacy Policy for more information.
Earth Day Activities for Kids
Celebrate, Learn, and Love Our Planet—One Small Action at a Time!
How to Explain Earth Day to Children
Talking to kids about environmental responsibility doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s a simple, child-friendly way to explain Earth Day:
“Earth Day is like the Earth’s birthday—a special day when we say thank you to nature. We take care of the trees, animals, water, and air by doing small things like not wasting, not littering, and planting more plants.”
Children naturally love animals and playing outside, so connecting Earth Day to what they already enjoy is a great starting point.
Earth Day is the perfect opportunity to slow down, head outside, and talk with our kids about how to care for the only home we all share—our beautiful Earth!
Whether you have a few minutes or a full afternoon, these simple Earth Day activities for kids are meaningful, and fun, and help instill lifelong eco-friendly habits.
Let’s dig in (literally)!
1. Create an Earth Day Timeline
Age: 5+
Materials: Poster paper, crayons/markers, glue, old magazines (optional)
Why: Teaches kids the history and evolution of Earth Day.
Instructions:
- Draw a timeline starting with the first Earth Day in 1970.
- Add key dates like the Clean Air Act, the ban on certain plastics, or when your city started recycling.
- Let your child decorate the timeline with drawings or magazine clippings of Earth-friendly actions (like trees, people recycling, and animals).
- Talk about how Earth Day has grown to include more than 1 billion participants globally!
Bonus Resource: Earth Day History for Kids
Interactive Earth Day Timeline
2. Make a Family Earth Day Pledge
Age: 4+
Materials: Colorful paper, markers, tape, or a bulletin board
Why: Makes kids feel responsible and empowered.
Instructions:
- Ask each family member to write or draw one Earth-friendly action they promise to do—like turning off lights, using less water, or packing waste-free lunches.
- Post them on a wall or fridge.
- Check back each week to celebrate your progress!
Book Pairing:
“What a Waste” by Jess French — A colorful, fact-filled guide that helps kids understand how waste impacts our planet and how they can help.
3. Plant a Tree or Start a Mini Garden
Age: 3+ (with help)
Materials: Seeds or saplings, soil, pots or garden space, watering can
Why: Teaches kids about the importance of trees and nurturing life.
Instructions:
- Plant a tree in your yard or participate in a community tree-planting event.
- No yard? Start a kitchen herb garden with basil, mint, or cilantro in recycled containers!
- Water and observe growth daily—this builds responsibility and awe for nature.
Find Local Tree Events: Arbor Day Foundation Event Finder
Book Pairing:
“The Tree Lady” by H. Joseph Hopkins — The inspiring story of Kate Sessions, who brought greenery to San Diego through tireless planting.
4. Play the Recycling Relay Game
Age: 5+
Materials: Clean recyclables (paper, plastic, metal), 3 bins, timer
Why: Teaches proper recycling habits in a fun, active way.
Instructions:
- Label three bins: Paper, Plastic, and Metal.
- Mix up clean recyclables in a pile.
- Set a timer and have kids race to sort items correctly.
- Afterward, go over any mistakes together to build awareness.
Book Pairing:
“Why Should I Recycle?” by Jen Green is a simple, engaging book showing kids how recycling helps the planet.
Ahimsa for the Earth – What Lord Mahavir Can Teach Us This Earth Day
5. Become a Water-Saving Hero
Age: 4+
Materials: Printed tracker or chart, stickers
Why: Helps kids understand water is precious.
Instructions:
- Print or draw a simple “Water-Saver Chart”.
- Add daily boxes to check off:
- Turned off the tap while brushing
- Took a 5-minute shower
- Collected rainwater for plants
- Give a sticker or star for each action. Celebrate “Water Hero of the Week”!
DIY Chart Template: You can create your own or use free printables like this one from Twinkl.
Book Pairing:
“Why Should I Save Water?” by Jen Green — A great companion to the recycling book, this explains water scarcity in a kid-friendly way.
6. Decorate Reusable Bags
Age: 4+
Materials: Plain cloth bags, fabric markers, or paints
Why: Encourages creative expression and reduces plastic use.
Instructions:
- Give kids a blank canvas tote and let them decorate it with Earth-friendly designs (trees, animals, slogans like “Love Your Earth”).
- Use this bag when shopping or going to the library.
- Talk about why we say no to plastic bags.
Book Pairing:
“One Plastic Bag” by Miranda Paul — The real story of a woman in Gambia who transformed plastic pollution into reusable bags and community change.
7. Go on a Spring Nature Scavenger Hunt
Age: 3+
Materials: Scavenger hunt sheet, pencil, bag for collection (optional)
Why: Builds observation skills and appreciation for nature.
Instructions:
- Print or create a checklist with simple items: “a yellow flower,” “a feather,” “a buzzing insect,” and “a green leaf.”
- Head outside and see how many you can find!
- Collect only fallen items—leave nature as you find it.
Free Printable: Nature Scavenger Hunt by The Measured Mom
More Book Recommendations for Earth Day
If your kids love stories, here are a few more beautifully written books to explore:
- “The Earth Book” by Todd Parr – Bright, simple, and perfect for preschoolers.
- “We Are Water Protectors” by Carole Lindstrom – A poetic call to action inspired by Indigenous movements.
- “Compost Stew” by Mary McKenna Siddals – A fun A–Z guide to building compost!
Learning Resources & Printables
Indian Environmental Heroes Kids Should Know About
Teaching children about real-life heroes from their culture who care for the planet can leave a lasting impression. These historical and contemporary inspiring individuals show us how powerful love for nature can be.
1. Mahatma Gandhi – The Original Minimalist
Known for: Simple living, zero waste principles, and compassion for all living beings.
Gandhi’s life reflected the idea of “Ahimsa” (non-violence), not just towards humans but the environment too. His belief in using only what one needs is at the heart of sustainable living.
2. Sunderlal Bahuguna – Leader of the Chipko Movement
Known for: Hugging trees to protect forests in the 1970s.
The Chipko Movement (“chipko” means “to hug”) was started by villagers—especially women—to stop deforestation in the Himalayas. Bahuguna’s peaceful protest became a symbol of environmental conservation.
Activity Tie-In: Do a “Tree Hug Walk.” Head to a nearby park and encourage kids to choose a tree to observe, care for, and maybe even hug!
3. Salim Ali – The Bird Man of India
Known for: Making bird watching popular and protecting bird habitats.
He showed that learning about nature is the first step in loving and protecting it. His research helped preserve bird-rich areas across India.
Activity Tie-In: Start a bird-watching logbook with your kids. You don’t need a forest—just a window, balcony, or backyard. Sketch birds or look up their names.
4. Ridhima Pandey – Young Climate Warrior
Known for: Filing a petition at age 9 against the Indian government for failing to tackle climate change.
Ridhima is often called “India’s Greta Thunberg.” She reminds us that age is just a number when it comes to standing up for the planet.
Activity Tie-In: Encourage kids to write a letter or make a poster about one change they’d like to see in the world—be it less plastic or cleaner air.
5. Vandana Shiva – Eco-Feminist and Seed Saver
Known for: Promoting organic farming and saving native Indian seeds.
Dr. Shiva works with farmers to protect biodiversity and traditional knowledge. She teaches that caring for the Earth is also about protecting food and farmers.
Activity Tie-In: Try a seed-saving project. Let kids dry seeds from fruits or vegetables and start a mini kitchen garden.
Discussion Prompt
Ask your child: If you could meet any of these eco-heroes, what would you ask them? Or what would YOU do to help the Earth if you were in their shoes?
Final Thoughts: Small Hands, Big Change
When kids get involved in activities like these, they don’t just learn about Earth—they begin to form a relationship with it. Whether it’s by planting a seed, saving a bug, or using their art to spread the message, every small act adds up.
Let’s teach our children that Ahimsa—gentleness in thought, word, and action—extends to the planet too.
