Every year on April 22nd we celebrate Earth Day. According to Earthday.org, we need to act (boldly), innovate (broadly), and implement (equitably). It’s going to take all of us. All in. Businesses, governments, and citizens — everyone accounted for, and everyone accountable. A partnership for the planet.
The theme for this year is “Invest in Our Planet”, and what better way to do that than to teach your children to appreciate nature and protect the planet with the following simple Earth Day activities:
Soak up some sun with a simple scavenger hunt. Celebrate Earth Day this year by getting outside, enjoying some sunshine, and exploring nature. Use this free printable for an Earth Day scavenger hunt with your children. For older children, simply add a time limit for them to see how quickly they can spot the items.
Painting and Planting. Pick up a few flower pots, potting soil, flowers, paint, and paintbrushes. Let your children decorate their own pots and then add in the potting soil and flowers.
Trash Talk. Grab some bags and go on a family bike ride around your neighborhood or head over to your local park and pick up any trash. Take this time to teach your children the importance of not littering and recycling. Help them sort out what can be recycled vs. what is considered trash.
Recycled Art. Many items that are to be recycled are perfect for craft projects, such as milk cartons, cardboard boxes, water bottles, newspapers, and magazines. Head over to Mom Hacks 101 for 14 recycled bird feeder ideas to do with your children.
Visit your local farmer’s market. Boost the local economy by shopping at your local farmer’s market on Earth Day (and continuing the habit afterward). Grab some cheese, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and head to the park for a picnic outside.
Earth Day Live. Tune into Earth Day events live on the official Earth Day website. Earth Day events such as youth-led summits and climate change discussions will be going on from April 20th to April 22nd.
There are several resources online that provide parents with the tools to teach their children how to take care of the environment. Although Earth Day is April 22nd, instituting these simple activities can make every day Earth Day.
