The 50th Anniversary of Earth Day is April 22nd! How will you and your family celebrate it? Since we’re all stuck at home during the quarantine anyway, why not start a new tradition with your kids by doing one (or all!) of these activities … For more ideas, check out our 50-Day Countdown to Earth Day on our Facebook Page.
EARTH DAY FAMILY ACTIVITIES
#1 – Read books and/or watch movies and videos about caring for the Earth. Here are just a few of our favorites
- The Lorax – A classic. If you don’t own the 2012 movie, it’s available for rent at a very low price on Youtube. Or watch and read along with a narration of the original book by Dr. Seuss. Another favorite – The Giving Tree – is also available as a narration of the classic book by Shel Silverstein.
- “Earth: One Amazing Day” is a great movie for kids of all ages. It’s available for Rent for a low price on Youtube.
- If you’re looking for a comprehensive book to teach your kids what they can do to save the earth, check out “True Green Kids: 100 Things You Can Do to Save the Earth”
#2 – Create and Share an Earth-Friendly Meal
- Use ingredients from your own garden
- Buy ingredients locally (and emphasize why it’s important to do so for the Earth’s benefit)
- Make it meatless. Learn how your daily meal choices impact the environment
#3 – Plant a Tree, a Garden, Start a Compost Bin, or Install a Rain Barrel
- Set up a rain barrel and learn/teach the importance of water conservation
- Make a seed bomb!
- Choose a part of your yard that you can “re-wild”. Read about the benefits of rewilding in two articles in ACLT’s latest newsletter
- Start a compost pile/bin – a great opportunity to teach your kids about food waste
- No room for a garden? Plant herbs and veggies in pots on deck, plant a window box, Plant a terrarium, start a sweet potato plant in a jar, get houseplants, re-grow veggies …
- Plant a Victory Garden
#4 – Make Earth Day-Related Craft Projects
- There are so many ideas out there! Check out Woo! Jr. and/or Little Bins for Little Hands.
- Coloring pages are great for the little kids and/or for rainy days
- And here are some really cool Art Projects made from recycled materials
#5 – Have a “Decluttering” Party
- Another great activity for rainy days – Declutter your house! It’s another opportunity to teach the kids about where stuff goes when we throw it away and why we shouldn’t buy more than we need
- Learn/Teach about the difference between recycling and upcycling, about the downside of fast fashion, why we should donate (& buy) at thrift stores, and about the “Buy Nothing Movement“
#6 – Get Outside and Enjoy Nature
- Go for a hike! ACLT’s 22 miles of trails are still open every day from dawn to dusk!
- Take our raft across Parkers Creek!
- Take bags with you and pick up trash while hiking
- Go on a Scavenger Hunt on the trails or in your own back yard
- Participate in ACLT’s “Virtual” Earth Day 5K
#7 – Learn/Teach about the birds and the bees and butterflies and fish and …
- Go on a “birding” hike and learn about what birds are in your area. Try making a bird feeder from popsicle sticks or using peanut butter
- Plant a pollinator garden and learn why bees and butterflies are so important to us and the environment
- Learn about fish while making crafts
#8 – Play!
- Here’s some great ideas for Earth Day Games
- And what kid doesn’t enjoy hearing a few Earth Day Jokes?
#9 – Learn How to Care for the Earth Through Science Projects and Activities
- Chesapeake Bay Foundation “Learn Outside, Learn at Home” Student Investigations and Activities pair earth science videos with with investigations students can complete.
- Check out these lists of 10 Earth Science Projects and STEM Activities for Earth Day
#10 – Support a local non-profit (hint, hint) by donating and/or volunteering
- Donate to ACLT’s Spring Appeal
- Our volunteer programs have been scaled back due to the pandemic, but you can still become an unofficial “trail steward” and pick up trash when you see it on ACLT’s trails. If you see a major problem, report it to our office.
Happy Earth Day!
