Earth Day is coming, and this list of Earth Day activities is a great reminder to stop and appreciate our world and do what we can to keep our planet healthy. If you’re looking for ideas on how to inspire your family to take better care of our earth, its resources and all living things, these Earth Day activities will get you started.
Earth Day Activities
1. Start a garden for herbs, veggies, fruit or flowers.
2. Recycle your cans, bottles, plastics and cardboard. Remember, old schoolwork, notes and drawings can be recycled too.
3. Put away plugged in lamps and devices you never use.
4. See how plants absorb water. (Put a celery stalk in water with a few drops of red or blue food coloring overnight. Cut the stalk crosswise to see how the plant took in the water.)
5. Go on a bike ride.
6. Plant a new tree or flowering plant in your yard.
7. Gather all of your outgrown and unused clothes and organize a swap with friends or family.
8. Check out the activities available at your local parks.
9. Fill up some containers with homemade eco-friendly cleaners.
10. Go bird watching.
11. Make a bird feeder.
12. Have a picnic with local, organic produce.
13. Cloud gaze.
14. Star gaze.
15. Learn about a newly discovered species of plant or animal native to your area. (Local nature centers can be a great resource.)
16. See how rain is formed. (Tie a plastic bag around a tree branch with leaves for a few hours. The bag will fill with condensation from the water transpired by the leaves.)
17. Count the rings on a tree stump to find the tree’s age. (Wide rings show years of strong growth. Narrow rings show years with tougher conditions like drought, insect damage, lack of sunlight, etc.)
18. Make connect-the-dot diagrams to help you remember the constellation shapes.
19. Visit a planetarium.
20. Fly a kite.
21. Make a spring mural.
22. Play in the mud and make mudpies.
23. Try building a nest. (Gather up dried grass, twigs, paper scraps, trash, string and try to form a nest with your hands by weaving everything together. Not that easy, is it? Birds are amazing.)
24. Learn your state bird, flower and tree. Design a poster or placemat with them.
25. Make a rain gauge.
26. Examine the roots of a plant, and talk about how they absorb nutrients. What roots do people eat?
27. Grow some sprouts to eat.
28. Visit a wildlife sanctuary or zoo.
29. Look for bird feathers. (Are they contour feathers or down feathers? Talk about how the barbs of contour feathers lock together, and how birds spend time preening to get them aligned properly.)
30. Make a plant press, and press some flowers.
31. Start a scrapbook of tree leaves.
32. Visit a working animal farm.
33. Explore a pond or lake. (Look for life on the water’s surface, tracks along the muddy banks, and plants and animal life in or near the water.)
34. Use a cricket as a thermometer. (Count the number of chirps in one minute. Subtract 40 from the number of chirps, then divide that by four, and finally add 50. The answer will be the temperature measured in Fahrenheit. Did it work?)
35. Talk about ways that people use the oceans.
36. Make a mobile from beach treasures.
37. Dye some yarn with plants.
38. Use the sun to dry some foods.
39. Make solar prints.
40. Make rock rubbings.
41. Plan a meal from your garden.
42. Use an old tissue box to store plastic bags for reusing.
43. Visit a quarry or mine.
44. Make some rock candy.
45. Learn some of the cloud formations.
46. Listen for nocturnal animals.
47. Make a daisy or dandelion chain.
48. Experiment with ocean water. (Can you smell it in the air when you get close to the beach? After swimming, can you feel how it dries and tightens your skin? Lick your skin for a taste of the ocean. Save some ocean water in a clear bowl and let it evaporate for a few days, leaving only the minerals. Take a taste to confirm there’s salt.)
49. Watch birds fly. Some ride thermal currents and don’t flap their wings much at all, while others like crows and robins beat their wings twice a second. Hummingbirds beat them 70 times per second. How long can you flap your arms like a bird?)
50. Hunt for spring mushrooms. (Don’t eat them unless you’re 100% sure they’re safe.)
Take some time to experience nature. It’s more rewarding than you think!
What Earth Day activities do you have planned for your family this year?
Cara says
Love all of these activities! Going to have to add some of them to our to do list!
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen says
Thank you for giving a lot of options on how we can spend Earth Day! It would be nice to try these even if it isn’t Earth day.
Lisa @bitesforbabies says
These are such great ideas…I love this roundup! I think I might try a few of these 😉
Virginia says
Awesome list! Will definitely have to try some of your suggestions with my daughter!
Aisha Kristine Chong says
These are wonderful ideas to incorporate having earth day activities.
Shannon Gurnee says
I can’t believe that Earth Day is almost here! These are totally some great ideas to either do on your own or with your family. Thanks for sharing Liz!
Lubna Naz says
This is an amazing list and a very informative post. I am happy to reach here. Thanks
Krystal says
I’d love to host a picnic or go stargazing! That is such a sweet and fun idea!
HilLesha says
There are so many activities to celebrate Earth Day. Thank you for all of the wonderful ideas!
Heather says
I like Finding local produce, itching that’s a great ide! Or planting some seeds would be another good one.
Manu Kalia says
Going to a wildlife sanctuary or zoo is a great choice for my kids, it makes them love the animals and nature. Saving this list for summer treat.
Lisa Rios says
What a great post indeed! I really love all these earth day activities. We have decided to visit planetarium this week end. I am not sure about doing this with my kids, but will definitely try something for sure. Eagerly waiting to celebrate Earth day and thanks for sharing this wonderful list as well.
Esther says
So many great ideas! I remember making a dandelion chain when I was younger. One of my favorite memories. I think riding bikes is a definite thing to do for Earth Day this year for our family 🙂
Amber C. says
Love the list! We are starting a garden for our Earth Day Activity! We do every year!
valerie g says
Those some great activities. We haven’t decided yet what we will do but leaning towards a family bike ride.
Emily says
What a great list. I plan on taking the boys out to the state park nearby and enjoying a bike ride/walk.
Kristin Wheeler says
Great ideas for Earth Day!!! Totally sharing these with my kids’ teachers!
Ourfamilyworld says
This is an amazing list for Earth Day. We will certainly go on a bike ride as we love that
eliz frank says
We can all make a difference by starting gwith what we know om this list, and growing from there. Mother Earth needs us all.
April G says
The idea of seeing how water flows in plants by watching it go through a stalk of celery. It’s a good visual for my little girls.
Crystal says
Great list of ways to celebrate Earth Day! I have to admit that I usually stare up at the sky all the time whether Earth Day or not, but I’ll have to get my kids outside to do it.
Chrystal @ YUM eating says
I think that sounds like the perfect , relaxing day to me!
Gabriel says
Earth day will alway remind of being suspended from school for a week in high school (for skipping school of all things) and my dad sending me off to my uncle’s tree farm to plant and work for a week. It was hard work but I learned an even deeper appreciation for farming and the environment.
[email protected] says
This is such a great list of ideas, Liz! We love to plant flowers/trees on Earth Day!
[email protected] says
I am so excited about Earth Day. Can’t wait to celebrate it.
Dogvills says
This is a great list of ideas. And I have to say, I absolutely love that picture of the hands. I am pinning this list.
Stefani Tolson says
What a great list of ideas for Earth Day. Not sure what I am doing with the kids but we will be doing something fun.
Rebel Sweetheart says
Wonderful ideas! We plan to visit the planetarium next week. 🙂
Fi Ní Neachtáin says
These are all really great things to do for Earth Day. I really want to have a picnic with my little one and plant some seeds with him for the day.
Rosey says
I might do the celery idea. That is a fun and easy way to teach my youngest about how the plants drink via a visual.
Holly @ Woman Tribune says
These are some great activities! I always look forward to Earth Day, because while I like to do things to help the planet and live green all year, there are some really cool events all over the country in celebration of Earth Day. I really need to get started on my garden for this year. It’s funny, I live in northeastern Pennsylvania near one of the most popular coal mine attractions and I have never visited it. Maybe this year I will!
Stephanie of The TipToe Fairy says
Earth Day is actually my daughter’s birthday. One of our favorite things is to bring a big blanket in the backyard at night and lay down and look at the stars. We live out in the country, so the sky is just full of them.
Joanne T Ferguson says
What great activities for Earth Day and I like that the world can be connected for at least one day! Thanks for sharing!
Shaney Vijendranath says
What a brilliant post! Thanks for sharing some awesome activities, I’m hoping to start a veggie garden soon.
Tammilee tips says
These are great Earth Day activities to do! I don’t’ think we have much plans for Earth Day this year.
Lena says
A nike ride would be my favorite one. Missed my bike so much over the winter
Carol Bryant says
I love these tips. I have started living more in favor of the earth and am happy to report I am going to my first zero waste conference for bloggers in Nashville in May: BlogPaws!
Rebecca Swenor says
These are some amazing things to do for Earth Day. I am going to be taking my niece’s kids for a day this weekend and we will make some rock candies along with planting some plants in the yard. It will be an amazing time for them for sure. Thanks for sharing.
Carly says
I’m really excited for Earth Day, it’s one of my favorite days to be with kids! I’m planning to plant in our garden with my toddler and to do some fun projects at school with my students!
M from The Stay-at-Home Life says
these are all such fun ideas to do with the kids. I love the hands holding the world pic.
ellen beck says
I have allways been bif into Earth Day. I think anymore in our fast paced word where people are lawaays looking dowwn at devices there isnt enough time made to enjoy your time on Earth. I am an avid gardener and into composting and such I hope a lot go out and enjoy the day.
Donna Ward says
Beautiful reminders, Liz – thank you – I am blessed that I live in the forests and see , hear nature and can interact just a bit on forest walks.
Vera Sweeney says
We don’t have anything planded yet for Earth day! These are great activities for Earth Day though.
Uplifting Families says
So many great choices to choose from in honor of Earth Day. I haven’t really planned on doing anything with my kids yet.
Ricci says
When I was growing up I used to LOVE Earth day!!! We always did such fun activities!!
Melissa Vera says
We don’t have any activities planned for Earth day yet. Thanks folr these tips I wil start planning now.
Sarah @ Must Have Mom says
These all sound super fun. I remember making daisy chains as a kid. Listening for nocturnal animals sounds really fun too.
Stacey- Travel Blogger says
I always like to buy local fruits and veggies. A picnic would be lovely.
Brett says
I really need to go through the house and unplug unused stuff. We have a bad habit of leaving things plugged in!
Maggie says
All of these sound great! But since my birthday is on earth day, we will be celebrating that!!
michele d says
I am not sure what we have planned for Earth Day but I am hoping to do some planting if the weather is good. Love your suggestions.
Amber NElson says
What a great idea! i didn’t realize Earth Day was coming up.
Theresa says
Great ideas! We are going to start our first ever garden soon. I can’t wait!
Kecia says
So many fun Earth Day activities here! I think we will do a picnic, since we haven’t had a chance to do one this year.
Pam says
We haven’t had a chance for a picnic yet this year either. Hopefully it will be sunny and we can have one!
Christi from sexymoxiemama.com says
These are great ideas. I am going to definitely use them with my kids. Thanks for sharing!
Pam says
We’ve been working on landscaping our backyard. I wonder if I can make my son help and tell him it’s for Earth Day?
Mama to 5 BLessings says
My kids and I have not flown a kite in years. I so need to do this with them!
Kelly Hutchinson says
We are starting an herb garden on Earth Day and I think making a daisy chain sounds like a great idea as well!
Shauna says
What a fabulous list. I love the idea of doing many of these with my kids. Though, I haven’t made rock candy with the kids, I totally want to.
Diane Sullivan says
I cannot believe Earth Day is right around the bend! So many great ideas! I love the bird feeder and the bird watching ideas! Great ones.
Yolanda @ Seeing It Their Way says
Love this list for Earth Day! Will definitely try the celery food color experiment and my boys have been wanting to make a bird feeder.
Debra says
I love all of these ideas! WE love Earth day!
Veronica says
great ideas to celebrate Earth day! I need to get outside and love on nature
maria @ close to home says
These are some great ideas to do any time of the year. Earth day is just a great reminder.
Lorane says
These are all great tips …I think Earth Day should be everyday instead of one day or month
LauraOinAK says
What a great list of ideas to celebrate Earth Day. I know my 5 year old would LOVE for me to encourage puddle jumping if we can find any. Otherwise, rock candy making sounds like fun as well as just getting out into nature.
Carol Cassara says
We celebrated earth day even when I was in elementary school, but planting tress.
Adrienne says
Thanks for the Earth Day reminder! I’ve always wanted to start growing my own fruits and vegetables, but I have no idea where to start. I think going to the park and stargazing would be so relaxing. I haven’t done that since I was a kid!
Mama to 5 BLessings says
Those are great suggestions. We love taking nature walks and adding things to our nature box.
Jamie says
What a great list of ideas! I will have to share this with some of my teacher friends!
JanetGoingCrazy says
These are all great activities to celebrate Earth Month!
Chelley @ AisForAdelaide says
What a great list! I love making rock candy 🙂 But I think my toddler would love to try counting rings on a tree- she is obsessed with counting!
AJ @ NutriFitMama says
I don’t know if my previous comment went through or not- but I’m LOVING these ideas! SO many wonderful things you can do with your family to show appreciation for the Earth! Fun!
Ann Bacciaglia says
I have always wanted to go to a planetarium. These are all great activities to do with your family. I am planting my first garden this year.
mabi says
These ideas are awesome! I want to do them all. I really need to get a bike though 🙂
christina aliperti says
For Paula Schuck
I think it’s important to teach kids about saving the environment. I have planned a picnic and a nature walk for my son and my nieces this year.
Mama to 5 BLessings says
I agree! Too beautiful to be indoors, go outside and enjoy the outdoor beauty!
Allison says
I absolutely love these ideas! It’s so important for kids to celebrate Earth Day and understand what it really means!
Chelley @ AisForAdelaide says
I totally agree! We are going to pick up trash in the park across the street AFTER our picnic!
Maureen Campaiola says
Great ideas to give mother nature and our beautiful earth it’s due.
Sharon Erickson - Her Organized Chaos says
I love these Earth day ideas! I have been coming up with a list of things for us to do so this is very helpful.
Sara P. (@SensiblySara) says
I love these ideas!! We don’t have anything specific planned for Earth Day, but I can see at least 40 ideas on your list! Can’t wait to see which few the kids want to start with.
Krystal says
I really want to buy a bike this spring. It would be the perfect Earth Day Activity!
Heather D. (@GirlGoneMom) says
Yay for Earth day! I will do a few of these this month.
Linda Kinsman says
I love these ideas. We joined the energy conservation movement and we always recycle.
coolchillmom says
What a great list! So important to take time to reflect on our planet
Katherine says
We’re going to the recycling center for a field trip!
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos says
With such a long winter, I’m really hoping the weather is great for earth day. I’d love to spend the entire day outside!
Jillian Fisher says
I am with you on that one. I live in Chicago and I feel like Winter was forever this year. We will be outside a lot this year!
Ashley - Embracing Homemaking says
I love so any of these ideas! I bet my daughter would love star gazing!
Megan Elford says
Those are great activities, and not just for Earth Day! I love doing things that make my kids more aware of how we can care for this planet 🙂
Chrystal @ YUM eating says
I’ve celebrated Earth Day in the past. We do a lot of upcycle projects and do our own garden. I hope to grow some things this year in containers. Since we might be moving I am not really wanting to put in the garden. So, containers will have to do for now.
becca says
Awesome activities. I think this year we will plant some trees.
Karla Campos says
I love Earth Day! Thank you for the reminder and the great activities list. I will surely do many of the things listed here with my kids : )
CourtneyLynne says
These are some pretty awesome Earth Day ideas! I have been planting something every earth day with my princess. Unfortunately since I’m not exactly the best at taking care of plants nothing ever survives lol….
aimee fauci says
Great ideas and thanks for the Earth Day reminder! I think I will have my kids make a bird feeder!
harriet says
What a great list! You have some good ideas!
Kristen from The Road to Domestication says
Oh, Earth Day! I had totally forgotten about it! Thanks for the reminder, and for all the great ideas!
Tanya says
We’ve never celebrated Earth Day just because I didn’t know it even existed! Thank you for the reminder that it’s coming-up and for the great idea. Now that I have a toddler, I want to show him it’s important to take care of our planet so we take our trash together (recycling too).
Maria says
Great suggestions! We need to put air in the tires and go bike riding!
Amy Desrosiers says
I would love to head to the beach to pick shells and rocks. My kids love doing outdoorsy things.
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly says
This is quite a comprehensive list! Thanks for sharing! My family likes to visit Central Park in New York City on Earth Day as they always tend to have something going on over there! 🙂
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly
Raijean says
I can’t wait to pick a few activities for the me and the boychild. We had fun with Spiderman.
Christina says
This is a great post. I’ll be using some of these ideas with my kiddos for sure.
Jeannette says
I was just trying to think of ways to help my children “get” Earth day and these are some great activities! We have plenty of choices to help us celebrate the day!
Maggie C says
Thanks for these tips! I bet my kids would love to play in the mud.
Alicia says
These are some really neat ideas! My son is in Cub Scouts, so I may bring some of these up to my husband who is a Tiger Scout leader to see if he’d like to add this into their cirriculum.
Tina @ My Highest Self says
Great list for Earth Day! We have been biking daily and loving it.
Terri says
This is SUCH a great list! I love the cricket method of determining the temperature! Learn something new everyday!
Kori Tomelden says
These are really great ideas for celebrating Earth Day and for going green in general.
Adriana Martin says
Great ideas for Earth Day, I like to celebrate this day gardening and preparing recipes that showcase earthy ingredients. Thanks for sharing.
Karen Dawkins says
Our favorite Earth Day activity is to pick up trash on the roadside. I won’t be home this year… I wonder if my kids will carry on the tradition without me.
Catherine S says
These are all great Earth Day ideas. I think a dinner picnic under the stars would be fun.
Cara (@StylishGeek) says
Liz your list is amazing and very helpful! Our family appreciates Earth Day activities. To us, every day is Earth Day and we try our best to really be mindful of the choices me make to help our environment. Thanks for sharing!
Lee says
My boys would love to play in the mud. Spencer especially loves science projects. He doesn’t even think of them as science projects, he thinks of them as “How things work” or “How things happen”.
Lee
breanna says
This is a great list. I hope to be outdoors on this day doing some exploring with the kids. We love to walk around the neighborhood and find flowers and trees and animals and what not. So relaxing and fun.
Allie D. says
These are great ideas! I am learning how to garden this year, and I am also teaching my daughter as I go along planting and learning. She was having a blast digging in the dirt and looking at all the pretty flowers we are planting. Really motivates me to be outdoors more and appreciate nature.
Jennifer says
You’re going to have so much fun! Playing in the dirt is the best!
Ashley @irishred02 says
I love the ideas you have here. We are going to be planting our own garden to celebrate this year
Danielle says
I love so many of these ideas and that rock candy looks tasty! I remember eating it as a kid. I was never one to recycle in the past, but our apartment complex has recycle bins and we go through so many jugs of milk and water. Just in the past few months I’ve started keeping the empty jugs and whenever we go grocery shopping I take the empty jugs down to the recycle bins. It’s amazing how much my family goes through and I feel better when I know the plastic is being recycled.
lisa says
These are all awesome ideas! I love being outside in nature with the kids.
Athena says
This is a great list of ideas. We always do “stuff” for Earth Day too.
Becky Fry (mysparklinglife.com) says
I love this list! So many fun activities I can do with the boys 🙂
Jennifer Williams says
There are several on there I would not have thought of. We are hopefully going to be planting a garden – that is if my seedlings ever actually make it!
Jessica M says
I love Earth Day and teaching my children about ways to help sustain the earth
Michele says
These are definitely some great ideas for families to do to celebrate Earth Day! May I also suggest finding out if there are any environmental groups in your area that are holding an Earth Day fest in a park near you–great outdoor fun!!
Scott says
We decided to plant some flowers in an area of the neighborhood that is ignored. It’ll be neat to see some color pop up where no one expects it!
Jaime says
We will probably work in the garden. These are all great ideas, and I think gardening is the most feasible for us next week!
Kelsey Apley says
You have a TON of great idea’s! The one that stood out the most to me that I want to try first is to build a bird nest!!!! That sounds so fun!
Jessica Harlow says
We’ll be enjoying several of the suggestions on your list! We love being outdoors and interacted with our environment. It’s important to me that my kids are educated and aware that we are stewards of our beautiful planet!
Sandy says
This is a great list–thanks for sharing. We will be planting a new tree and flowers, and a lot of the things on this list, actually. 🙂
AJ @ NutriFitMama says
SO many awesome ideas here! I love so many I don’t know where I’d start first 🙂
Betsy @ BPhotoArt.com says
What a great list! Thanks for putting this list together! I’m pinning it for later. Lots of good ideas for getting outside, thanks!
Fi Ní Neachtáin says
These are all such lovely ideas to celebrate Earth Day. I’m really inspired to plant something with my toddler, I think he’d love gardening with me and watching something new grow. A picnic is also another great idea 🙂
Pam says
As I was reading through this it brought back a lot of memories. I participated in the first Earth Day back in April of 1970. I was a freshman in high school. It was a big deal in my state because Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson was the founder of this day. I was from a small farming community and the everyone from our small school took part that day in some type of activity. Our class was assigned to pick up trash along the roadways and I think that was the first time you ever saw a community picking up trash along the roadways. We had a great time planning for that day and the Earth Days that followed every year and in contributing.
Emma says
Hey Liz,
What an amazing list to do so many exciting tasks on this Earth Day. Thanks for sharing with us. I would like to go on a bike ride and will try to continue it in every morning.
Cinny says
Oh rock candy sounds fabulous. I’ve always loved it and bought it but never knew how to make it. I love this list!
Joanne T Ferguson says
What a lovely post that brightened my day! I think it is great how Earth Day can unite the world if only for one hour!
Alli says
I love all the activities! I always enjoyed playing in mud puddles when I was a child. I’ve got to get busy planting my garden. There’s nothing quite like fresh veggies.
Erin says
These are all such great activities! I’m going to have to have to go down the list with my kiddos!
michele d says
Earth day is so important. Nothing is too little to get noticed. Love this post.
toughcookiemommy says
Earth Day is such a great day for paying homage to the planet. I love that it helps to raise awareness.
Terri Ramsey Beavers says
You have a lot of cool suggestions and I’d love to do them all. Especially starting a garden for herbs, veggies, fruit or flowers and going on an organic picnic.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
I would love to start a garden, too. Fresh is always best!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
You can’t beat garden fresh veggies! And not garden fresh like they’re advertised. ACTUALLY garden fresh.
Terri Ramsey Beavers says
Last year I planted some veggies along a sidewalk I unofficially adopted lol. They neighbors enjoyed them. I should do that this year too.
Tami says
I want to start a garden, not necessarily for Earth Day. I’m being selfish…I want the fresh fruit and veggies!
Chubskulit Rose says
These are great idea! I have started our garden already, I am just waiting for our weather to be warmer so I can transplant the plants.
Carissa Pelletier says
What a great list! That reminds me that we need to get started with our veggie garden for the season soon or we’ll miss out. Have a happy Earth Day!
IttyBittyFoodies says
Earth day is so important. Everyday should be Earth Day in my opinion (same with Mother’s Day *Wink*). I love the list. We do many of the things on it already but always a good refresher
Digna says
Wonderful Earthy Day ideas. I love to sit out on my patio and watch the birds fly down to feed in our yard. Thank you for sharing.
Jeanine says
Wow these are all really cool! I love Earth Day and doing stuff with my kids to celebrate. We will be doing quite a few crafts and activities for homeschool earth day this year!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
These area all wonderful ideas. I think planting a tree is a great way to celebrate Earth Day. Trees are the Earth’s lungs.
Olivia Schwab says
I love Earth Day because it’s another excuse to spend the entire day outside! I also think it’s important to learn how we can make the Earth more environmentally safe. Considering I’m a public health major that’s not much of a surprise haha. Great list of activities!
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
My boys abs I love making peanut butter bird feeders out of pine cones. We have 2 huge pine trees in our front yard, so we have an endless supply of pine cones.
Deborah Pucci says
What a great list. Thank you for sharing!