The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 and has evolved into an annual celebration on April 22 to raise awareness about protecting the environment for future generations.
Earth Day is a great opportunity to talk to kids about the importance of protecting our earth and its resources. Introduce topics like recycling, conservation, sustainability and the impact of climate change to get little minds thinking about how their choices can impact the earth in the future.
1. Go on a nature scavenger hunt. Take photos or have your little one draw pictures of what they find without disturbing nature. They'll learn the principles of “leave no trace” while visiting the outdoors.
2. Help the planet by picking up trash. Take a walk in your local park or your neighborhood. Bring gloves and trash bags and work together to leave your little section of the earth cleaner than you found it.
3. Make a "dirt cake" treat together. All you need is pudding, crushed cookies and gummy worms. While you enjoy your yummy creation, brainstorm ideas on how your family can help the earth like recycling, composting or planting seeds.
4. Plant something! Research what grows well in your area at this time of year and what plants are helpful for pollinators. Learn about plants like milkweed that help monarch butterflies and sunflowers for hummingbirds.
5. Read a book together that highlights the beauty of the earth near and far. Here are some great stories to choose from:
- Let’s Go on a Hike by Chloe Place will encourage your child to get outside and enjoy the beauty of the world around them.
- Spiderwebs & Spider Silk by Lynnae Allred is nonfiction book that teaches kids about something they may at first find scary, but with a closer at the fascinating facts, they'll develop an appreciation for, as they learn about the science of spiders and the art they create in their webs.
- She Leads and He Leads by June Smalls inspire little readers to respect the majestic creatures that live on our earth. They're also great conversation starters for topics like endangered animals and preservation of animal habitats.
- Where the Heart Is by Irma Gold and Susannah Crispe offers a window into discussing big issues with young readers, such as the oil spill that almost killed Dindim the penguin, and the effects of climate change on animal habitats. Magellanic penguins are a near threatened species, and it is vitally important to increase our awareness of the dangers faced by these beautiful birds.
6. Ask kids for their ideas on how to help the environment. Kids will come up with great suggestions like turning off the lights when not using them and conserving water when brushing teeth and showering. Pull out the markers and let them get creative by creating informative Earth Day posters to show what they know. You can add your own pointers to the discussion and make a plan for how your family will work together.
No matter what activity you choose to celebrate Earth Day together, kids are sure to have a blast while also learning about their world. Learning and working together to help the earth is sure to give kids a sense of empowerment and excitement about their impact on the future of the planet.