Earth Day Fun for April 22
Here are some simple ideas to celebrate Earth Day:
1. Earth Day Crafts: Create collages out of recycled materials. The children can cut up recycled cardboard or magazines to create a collage. Perhaps think of a theme such as healthy foods or exercise. Maybe write the child’s name in large bubble letters and glue on the recycled pictures.
2. Earth Day Challenge: Who can create the tallest recycled tower? See how many recycled boxes or containers you can stack before it falls over. Depending upon where you place the boxes, this activity encourages the child to squat down, reach high, motor plan and more.
3. Earth Day Signs: Create signs with the children reminding them of energy conservation. Example#1: Turn Lights Off when you leave a room – cut out pictures of light bulbs from magazines to glue to sign. Or cut out circles from white scrap paper to be light bulbs. Example #2: Turn off water when brushing teeth. Try using a toothbrush to paint with for the tooth brushing sign.
4. Recycle Carnival: Create carnival games out of recycled materials. For example, recycled, clean yogurt cups stack well for a target. Newspapers rolled up can hit objects for eye hand coordination. Put newspaper rolls on floor to jump over. Recycle green and blue paper. Crumple into balls and practice juggling. Make this Easter Egg Plinko game.
5. Practice energy conservation: Discuss how energy can be conserved by walking to school or stores. Practice different forms of transportation – walking, jogging, running, bike riding and scooter riding. Discuss which one required the most energy.
6. Protect the earth’s animals: Act out movements of endangered species such as elephants, gorillas, wolves, and tigers.
7. Milk Scoop Jugs: Most everyone knows how to make a milk scoop jug. Just cut off the bottom of a gallon milk container leaving the handle intact. Get a tin foil ball. Throw and catch it in the plastic container. Put colored tape on it to protect any sharp edges. You can view more details at Jug Catchers.
8. Clean Up Stroll: Take a walk outdoors, wear gloves and clean up any trash.
9. Plant a tree: Plant a small tree in your yard or at your school (with permission). This is so much physical activity and hard work needed to plant a tree, water it and care for it until it starts to grow on it’s own.
10. Enjoy what the earth has to offer: Just go outdoors and enjoy what the earth has to offer. Go hiking, dig in the dirt, splash in the mud, whatever your fancy but appreciate the earth and give thanks.
