10 Quick & Easy Earth Day Activities for Kids
Earth Day is here! In our family, I try to teach our kids to be environmentally conscious- turn off the lights, use less water, wear hand-me-down clothing, etc. You know, all the things kids love to hear. :)
But on Earth Day, everyone puts in a little more effort to being environmentally conscious.
So, here are 10 FUN things you can do with your kids to celebrate Earth Day this afternoon!
1. Make a nature jar. This is a must-have in our house whenever the kids go on walks. Just empty and wash a peanut-butter jar.
Optionally, you can poke holes in the top so the bugs can breathe. :)
2. Start composting. It's as easy as making a small pile of fruit/veggie scraps in your backyard. Mix with brown matter (leaves) and occasionally stir. Done.
Or, you can purchase a compost container.
3. Plant something. (Like a snack garden!) No room for a garden? No problem! Here are the top 15 plants for improving indoor air quality.
4. Give up bottled water. My husband and I both recently got new water bottles at various conferences we've been to that have infusers, so you can add lemon slices, mint, or other ingredients to naturally flavor your water. It's super helpful for people (like me) that aren't particularly good at drinking enough!
5. Build something with recycled materials. My daughter made this "CD player" (on the right) a few years ago. It was super fun and kept her busy for hours.
6. Do some leaf rubbings or tree identification. I've used the Leafsnap app with my Environmental Science classes to identify some basic trees.
7. Research some of the birds in your backyard. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is the premier site for this kind of information. Just peruse with your kids! Fabulous stuff.
8. Walk or ride a bike to a park and leave the car behind. Aren't we always trying to wear out our kids anyway?
9. Make a bird house or bird feeder. Here are 2 super easy examples:
10. Clean up trash around your yard or neighborhood.
One my favorite ways to do this is with the "Cache In, Trash Out" program. My kids totally love geocaching. If you haven't tried it, it's like an outdoor treasure hunt that someone else has already set up for you! Just go to geocaching.com and create a FREE account. Use the compass on your phone to help direct you to the location! While you're searching, carry a trash bag and collect trash as you find it.
Are you celebrating Earth Day? If so, how?
Homeschooling your kiddos this year? Our blog contains great science tips and tricks for homeschool families.
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