10 Earth Day Activities For Kids And Adults

Earth Day falls on April 22nd every year. It is the best day to embrace a love of the environment and get outside to appreciate the Earth.

Earth Day presents an excellent opportunity to inspire a love of the Earth in young ones. Make the day fun and outdoorsy while teaching lessons about conservation, Earth science, gardening, and wildlife.

With the holiday approaching, you may be wondering what some good activities are for it.

This article is here to answer your question, "What should we do on Earth Day?"

Why is Earth Day celebrated?

Before I share the Earth Day activities, let me explain the reason we celebrate it in the first place.

Following the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, US Senator Gaylord Nelson started Earth Day as a protest against environmental degradation, and as a way to raise awareness for the planet, with growing concerns over climate change.

20 million people participated in observing Earth Day, which led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and some important environmental laws.

Today, we celebrate Earth Day to show appreciation for this beautiful planet, and to remind ourselves to take care of it and keep it clean.

Earth Day Activities

Trash picking

One way to show a love for the Earth is by participating in a trash cleanup. Many organizations hold events where people gather on one day to do a big cleanup, but you can also just go to your local park or walk around your neighborhood and pick up some trash.

Home made bird feeder

Making a homemade bird feeder is a fun and crafty activity that gives back. Birds will be happy, and you will get to enjoy watching them as they munch on this yummy peanut buttery treat.

To make a homemade bird feeder, all you need is a pinecone, twine, peanut butter, and bird seeds.

You just need to spread some peanut butter over the pinecone and then roll it in the bird seeds. Then, attach the twine and hang it from a tree or a bird feeder pole.

Bird watching

Similarly, there is also good old bird watching as an Earth day activity. Grab a pair of binoculars and find a comfy woodsy spot to relax and take in the view of the avian creatures that fly above. If you have a bird identifying book, it is fun to see what birds you can spot and then look up information about them.

Hiking

Nothing makes me feel more connected to the environment than hiking through the woods. Grab your sturdiest boots, a bottle of water, and some bug spray and get out there in nature to feel the fresh air and take in the views.

I feel so at peace when I walk among the trees. I find myself appreciating nature in the forest, which is why this is the perfect activity for Earth Day.

Gardening

Work on cultivating a green thumb by doing some gardening on Earth Day. Whether you plant a tree or start a vegetable garden, you will be positively contributing to the Earth. Plants are responsible for absorbing carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that is contributing to climate change. The more plants we have, the healthier the Earth!

When you plant a garden you are helping the environment, but plants also give out oxygen, so you're helping yourself as well. You can benefit from a garden because they are either there for beauty, or to grow delicious herbs and veggies, which are full of nutrients. Studies also show that gardening is good for your mental health.

Give it a try!

Earth day coloring activity pages

Here's a great activity to keep kids busy and engage their brains, while promoting creativity.

Find some fun activity pages with puzzles and things to color, such as this one:

Download this fun and engaging Earth day activity page for FREE!

Set up a table outside with crayons, colored pencils, or markers, and let your kid have a blast as they work on this Earth Day activity page.

For more activities check out this Earth Day coloring activity bundle available in my Etsy shop.

Upcycle crafts and projects

There are so many crafts you can do with your kids using recycled materials. Dig through the recycling bin and you'll find free craft supplies.

Cardboard is a great material to use for making things. You can make sculptures, models, costumes, accessories, and more out of card board.

I used an empty Poptart box to make this adorable brick fairy house, including a little cardboard fairy doll. It's a fun craft, but kids can also play with it.

I first drew the bricks and door on the inside of the Poptart box, then I taped it together with duct tape, but you could also use hot glue.

More projects:

• Turn an old t shirt into a bag by cutting slits at the bottom and tying them together to close up the bottom. Then cut the top part into straps.

• Turn an old rubber boot into a planter. Poke some draining holes at the bottom and add some dirt and your favorite plant.

• Use an old tire to make an ottoman or little seat. Use a piece of wood to cut a circle that will sit in the middle of the tire when it is flat on the floor. Adhere the circle and paint the whole thing. It works like a little table or extra spot to sit on.

• Paint a soup can with a fun design and use as a pencil holder or as a planter (if you poke drainage holes at the bottom). You could also use the soup can as a tea light candle holder.

• Take a cheese grater and paint it your favorite color, then use it to hang your earrings from.

• Homemade paper using scrap paper, cardboard, newspaper, magazines, and junk mail. You can make your own paper by soaking the old paper materials, blending them into a pulp, then flattening into a mold and letting it dry.

• You can use a plastic bottle to craft a homemade bird feeder. Simply take a plastic bottle, cut off the top part, paint it or decorate it, then poke holes on the sides and add some cord to hang it from somewhere. Fill it with bird seed and watch the birds enjoy!

  
  

Make some eco friendly all purpose cleaner

Everyone loves a tidy space, but cleaning supplies can be full of harsh chemicals. Here is a natural cleaning solution.

You will need:

• 1 cup water

• 1 cup white vinegar

• 1 tablespoon baking soda

• Optional: a few drops of essential oil (like lemon or lavender for scent)

How to make it:

1. Add water and vinegar to a spray bottle

2. Slowly add baking soda (it will fizz!)

3. Add essential oil if you want a fresh scent

4. Shake gently before use

Be sure to label the bottle properly.

Do not use on granite or marble.

Now you can do your spring cleaning without toxic chemicals.

Nature scavenger hunt

If Earth Day falls on a day with gorgeous weather, a nature scavenger hunt is a great way to keep kids active while instilling in them a sense of wonder at the world. They'll love using this list to go hunting in nature and find all the neat little things the Earth provides.

You can have this nature scavenger hunt guide for free:

Thrifting

You may not think of thrifting when you hear "Earth day," but it is relevant, I swear. Thrift stores are important in cutting back on waste. People throw things out all the time, and they end up in the landfill. But thrift stores take those things, and allow someone else to use them instead.

Spend some time on Earth day visiting a local thrift store and go hunting for some great finds! It's a good day to search for cute summer clothes.

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Don't treat Earth Day like any other day. Make it a fun day full of enjoyable activities such as these. Whatever you get up to, have a wonderful Earth day and remember to keep the planet clean!

About the author

Shello! My name is Mermaid Liv, a professional mermaid and content creator. I share my love of mermaiding through this blog, along with my Youtube channel.

If you've never heard of it before, mermaiding is a hobby, profession, and sport that involves wearing mermaid tails made for swimming.

I began making tails in 2013 and have continued my mermaid journey, starting my Youtube channel, working at a mermaid festival, performing at gigs, and being featured in the Netflix Docu Series MerPeople.

Follow me on Instagram for mermaid photos and videos: @the_real_mermaid_liv and be shore to check out my Youtube channel.