Teaching kindergarten is busy! I’m sure I’m not the only one who wakes up and realizes it’s another special day. So if it’s April 22nd and you’re stumbling upon this blog post right before your kids come to school, I’m here to save the day! Here are 10 simple Earth Day activities for kids that you can do with your kindergarteners today!
1. Listen to a song about recycling
I’ve said this a million times, and I’ll say it again- I always like a good Jack Hartmann song! This Earth Day song is about recycling, and it’s very catchy!
2. Make a newspaper Earth craft
This Earth craft is special because it’s a recycled project. Kids will use recycled newspaper and watercolor paint to create their Earth.
3. Upcycled juice planters
Teach your students about recycling by turning their juice boxes into planters. Give your students the chance to be creative while decorating their juice box planters, and then teach them how to plant and care for seeds.
4. Homemade crayons
Kids love coloring with crayons! How about teaching them how to use broken crayons to make their own homemade crayons? Follow these easy steps to teach your students how to recycle their broken crayons into new crayon creations!
5. Make bird feeders
Bird feeders are simple to make, and they’re a great way to help take care of some of Earth’s animals! Follow these steps to make kid-friendly bird feeders in your classroom (there’s even a peanut-free version!).
6. Earth Day Promise
Have your students make their own Earth Day promise and share what they will do to help take care of the Earth.
7. Earth Day Scavenger Hunt
Have some students learning at home? Whether they’re learning at home or at school, all of your students can go on a scavenger hunt and find things in nature!
8. Recycled buildings
Have you ever heard parents talk about how their kids have tons of toys but love to play with the empty toy boxes? It’s true! Kids love to be creative and build their own things. Save up your recycling (have families help you, too) and bring in empty cereal boxes, bottles, and paper towel rolls. Let your students use their imagination and create their own buildings.
9. Read The Earth Book
I love reading The Earth Book by Todd Parr on Earth Day because it’s kid-friendly and has colorful illustrations. If you don’t have your own copy, you can borrow it from a friend, or watch a virtual read aloud here.
10. Go on a nature walk
Last, but not least, sometimes the simplest things are the best. Go on a nature walk with your students and let them use their senses to observe nature around them. Talk about why we need to protect the Earth and what we can do to help!
Have you grabbed the free Earth Day scavenger hunt mentioned in this post? Click here or on the image below to download it now! What are your favorite Earth Day activities for kids? Leave a comment and let us know!
