1 Month Full of FUN Earth Day Activities and Ideas for Kids

Helping elementary students understand the importance of caring for our planet is a crucial step in fostering a sense of responsibility toward the Earth. Read on to explore a month’s worth of fun and educational Earth Day activities and ideas for kids to make your classroom experience memorable and impactful!

Understanding the Basics: Why “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”?

Before going straight into fun activities, it’s worth your time to make sure your students understand the basics of Earth Day. 

It’s common just to teach kids to “reduce, reuse, recycle”, but without a deeper understanding of the bigger picture, it’s hard for them to really get it… It’s important to explain the negative things that are happening to the Earth so they can comprehend why reducing, reusing, and recycling is so necessary. 

Teach your students about some of these:

• Acid Rain
• Air Pollution
• Disappearing Animals
• Too Much Garbage
• Greenhouse Effect/Global Warming
• Ozone Hole
• Water Pollution

Earth Day Books

You can also use read-aloud time to share some books about being kind to the Earth introduce basic Earth Day concepts. 

My First Book of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle is the perfect introduction for even your youngest students. Help kids learn simple things that can do to help the environment and limit climate change. 

Thank You, Earth is a nonfiction book filled with pictures of our planet to introduce students to weather, colors, shapes, life cycles, and more. It’s written as a thoughtful, simple thank-you letter to Earth.

Integrate these books plus 13 other Earth-friendly books into your reading time this month!  

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Interactive Earth Day Activities for Your Classroom

Once you’re sure your students have a well-rounded understanding of Earth Day and why it’s important to be friendly to the Earth, begin your interactive activities! 

Daily Activities Chart

Create a chart titled “Things We Can Do To Help Save Our Earth.” 

Introduce one activity or idea each day and add it to your chart. Have class discussions about how each activity is something good for the Earth. 

Encourage students to keep track of the ideas shared each day by writing or drawing in a box on their Save the Earth calendar.

As an extra bonus, challenge your students to try each idea at home (when possible!) and then report back about it next day. This is a great way to practice speaking skills and independence! 

20 Earth-Friendly Ideas

1. Precycle

When buying new things, opt for recyclable or already recycled packaging to reduce waste. Teach students the concept of making mindful choices before acquiring new items.

2. Pass It On

Instead of discarding old items, find new homes for them. Encourage students to pass on toys and clothes they no longer use to benefit others.

3. Read to the Trees

Celebrate Earth Day by taking students outside to read to the trees. Yes, READ TO THE TREES! 

This activity is precious way for your elementary students to practice reading aloud while fostering a connection with nature and helping them learn to appreciate the Earth’s wonders.

4. In the Classroom Recycle/Reuse

Promote sustainable practices within the classroom, such as using both sides of the paper and designating a bin for paper scraps.

5. Earth-Positive Lunch

Encourage using lunch boxes or reusing clean paper and plastic bags for bag lunches to minimize waste.

6. Don’t Let That Water Run

Teach students the importance of conserving water by turning it off when not in use, such as when brushing teeth or washing dishes.

7. Make a Bird Feeder

Engage students in a hands-on activity by creating bird feeders from simple materials, fostering a connection with local wildlife.

8. Save the Bugs

Highlight the importance of insects and spiders in the ecosystem. Encourage students to help rather than harm when encountering bugs, emphasizing their role in maintaining a healthy environment.

9. Don’t Let Go of Those Balloons

Raise awareness about the environmental impact of helium balloons. Encourage responsible handling to prevent harm to wildlife.

10. Don’t Litter

Promote the importance of a clean environment and the potential harm litter can cause to animals.

11. Use a Dishtowel

Encourage using dishtowels instead of paper towels at home to reduce paper waste.

12. Say No to the Bag

Advocate for the mindful use of bags, whether paper or plastic, to minimize resource consumption.

13. Save Battery Life

Educate students on the environmental impact of disposable batteries. Encourage the use of rechargeable batteries and turning off battery-operated devices when not in use.

14. Less Trips to the Refrigerator

Highlight the energy-saving benefits of minimizing trips to the refrigerator, contributing to a healthier planet.

15. Less Trips in the Car

Encourage walking or using alternative transportation for short distances to reduce pollution.

16. Turn Off the Lights

Teach the importance of energy conservation by turning off lights when not needed and utilizing natural daylight.

17. Spread the Word

Engage students in spreading awareness by decorating their desks or tables with “Save the Earth” banners. They can create banners for the entire school too!

Download templates for “Save the Earth” banners from the Earth Day FREEBIE by filling out the form above.

18. Start a Recycling Program

Initiate a recycling program at your school or have students write letters to other classrooms explaining the significance of recycling.

19. Plant Some Seeds

Highlight the positive impact of plants on air quality. Encourage students to plant seeds and care for a designated piece of Earth.

20. Adopt a Piece of Earth

Encourage students to adopt and care for a part of their schoolyard, neighborhood, or home, fostering a sense of responsibility for the environment.

Final Earth Day Activity

Conclude your Earth Day activities with a whole class, collaborative craft— a magazine collage of the earth! Utilize old magazines to emphasize the concept of upcycling.

Activity Prep

First, collect old magazines. Ask other teachers, your neigbors, and students’ families to share these with you. Once you’ve received several, cut up pages that have shades of blue, green, or brown into various sized pieces. 

PRO TEACHER TIP: Parent helpers or older students are FABULOUS for this part of the activity!

Next, draw the earth onto a blue piece of bulletin board paper. Depending on your students ages and skill level, consider shading the parts that are land with pencil so they don’t get confused while working.

Then, let the kids get started gluing on the magazine pieces.

This Earth Day activity is great to work on little bits at a time throughout the entire week of Earth Day. It’s so fun for students to see upcycling in action as they create something beautiful together from something old and unused!

When the Earth collage is complete, mount it onto black bulletin board paper and display it in your classroom or the hallway.

With all of these Earth Day activities, book, and craft ideas, you can confidently embark on this Earth Day journey with your students! By instilling a deeper understanding of environmental challenges and encouraging sustainable practices, you’re shaping responsible stewards of the Earth. Give yourself a pat on the back for your dedication to making a positive impact on the world. Happy Earth Day!

Let me know if you have any questions about anything you see here. Don’t forget to pin this post to refer to it later!

Other posts you may enjoy: 

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Diane Romo

Thank you for being here! I love sharing ideas with other teachers! If you are looking to enhance your teaching and build a positive classroom community, you have come to the right place!

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