Wednesday, April 22 is Earth Day and the global ‘holiday’ is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. As we are all spending a lot of time in our houses, it’s important to also take time to think about our home – planet Earth – and ways we can preserve and protect its future. Here are fun, easy and educational activities you can do at home with kids to honor Earth Day.

Earth Day Activities + Games

• Go to a new park and explore the great outdoors.
• Collect leaves, flowers and seeds and decorate printed photographs.
• Make Story Stones and tell stories in nature.
• Preserve an engaged animal with a recycled animal silhouette.

Get Creative

• Earth Day Necklaces with Salt Dough
• Upcycled Earth Suncatcher
• DIY Nature Mobile
• Make Nature Paint Brushes
• Paint with Mud

Good Reads

• The Green Mother Goose by David Davis
• Here We Are: Notes for Living On Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers
• What If Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick
• Not for me please! I Choose to Act Green by Maria Godsey
• 10 Things I Can Do To Help My World by Melanie Walsh
• What a Waste: Trash, Recycling, and Protecting Our Planet by Jess French
• Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years by Stacy McAnulty
• Don’t Let Them Disappear by Chelsea Clinton
• The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

Eat Well

• Earth Day Cookies
• Simple Green Smoothie
• Earth Day lunch
• Dirt Pudding Cups

Start new habits as a family

• Buy in bulk. Buy the big boxes to use less packaging and serve your portion sizes in reusable silicone sandwich bags and even reusable pouch containers.
• Have a vegetarian day. Cutting meat out of your diet for one day a week can make a difference and it doesn’t have to be difficult – in fact it can make meals even easier! Cereal for breakfast, PB&J for lunch, quesadillas, pasta with sauce and vegetables, or pancakes for dinner are a few ideas everyone can enjoy.
• Invest in re-usable cups. Plastic water bottles maybe convenient but they are very bad for the planet. Invest in a special cup for everyone at home and make sure to bring it with you wherever you go.
• Shop new to you. Buying clothes second hand extends the life of a product and helps you save some money. Check out a local thrift shop, Mom2Mom sale, Facebook Marketplace or online resale sites like Kidizen or ThredUp for cute clothes for the whole family.
• Grow your own food. Start a garden in your yard or kitchen window. Your family will have a go-to activity and fresh food to eat. Here’s a guide to help you get started.

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