How To Explain Earth Day To Your Kids & Nurture Your Little Environmentalists

The first thing kids need to understand is that we only have one Earth and it's our job to make sure it stays clean and healthy. Talk about all the different aspects of Earth (water, land, wildlife, atmosphere, humans) and how each play a role. Share some facts about the environment to show how earth is suffering. Read them some books about Earth Day. (My Friend Earth by Patricia MacLachlan is just one great one!) Get some screen time and watch a cartoon about Earth Day, like Happy Earth Day! by SciShow Kids on YouTube. Books and kid-friendly TV are a fun way for kids to learn things instead of just having a conversation.

All over the globe, environmentally conscious people will be celebrating on April 22. Take your kids to an Earth Day event near you, and let them see first hand how everyone is working together to preserve resources and keep Earth clean.

Actions speak louder than words, right? Showing your kids how to be environmentally conscious instead of just talking about it is really important. Start some sustainable practices in your own home and get them involved. It can be as simple as teaching them how and what to recycle, replacing plastic bags with reusable tote bags, or only using reusable water bottles. Every time you do something that helps the Earth, involve them and explain exactly what you’re doing.

Each year, Earth Day has a theme — an issue that is heavily focused on to inspire global citizens to learn more and find solutions. For 2023, the theme is Planet vs. Plastics. The theme is a call to action to act “unwavering in our commitment to end plastics for the sake of human and planetary health, demanding a 60% reduction in the production of all plastics by 2040.” You can talk to them about how to help the Earth every day, not just on Earth Day, and you can do some activities, too. Join a cleanup, or do something like showing them how to decrease food waste.

Once your kids hear all the ways Earth needs their help, they are going to wonder how they can help. Help them brainstorm ways they can be active in making positive changes in the environment. Make a list together of things you can all do around the house — make it a fun art project by decorating it with paint, markers, and stickers. You can even try giving them more of an incentive by creating challenges that come with small prizes or gifts.

Earth Day is a great excuse to spend some time outside. Take them for a nature walk or an easy hike, or if it’s nice enough, head down to the beach. Instead of just playing and enjoying the great outdoors, try teaching them about what they’re seeing and what they’re loving. Show them cool rocks or plants, try to find interesting wildlife, collect seashells, and point out all of the different kinds of trees. Use your outdoor adventure as a learning opportunity. Having them experience nature firsthand is an important step in getting them to love nature enough to help save it.

Planting is a great opportunity to talk about Earth Day, and it’s also a good way to make your yard look even better! Head to the nursery or plant shop nearby with your little ones and have them help you pick out a tree, some flowers, or a bush or two. Get them their own gardening supplies and get to work. Explain to them that trees give off oxygen that the air around us needs. This may even foster a future love of gardening!

Show some love to the animals out there in nature by building a little bird house with your kids. This is an easy and fun activity, and it will be fun for them in more than just the moment: after putting one together, they can spend the days watching the bird house to see the birds hanging out in there. There are tons of DIY ideas online that you can use that are easy and require items you may already have in the house.

If your kids are old enough to pick up trash and not, you know, immediately put it in their mouths (toddlers, I’m looking at you), then take them on a cleanup. You can look one up near you, or you can just do it yourself: head to a local beach or park with some gloves, a trash bag, and something to pick trash up with. Do a little bit of cleaning and talk about the importance of cleaning up after yourself rather than polluting the Earth.

Planting trees and flowers is great, but if you’re feeling ambitious, start a garden with your kids. It’s good for the environment, and at the end of the day, it saves you money since you’ll be growing some of your own produce, so it’s a win-win for everyone. Pick some easy veggies or even just do herbs, then start the process of putting together a garden. The nice thing about this is it’s an ongoing activity you guys can work on together for months. They’ll love planting and then watching food grow throughout the spring and summer.