8 Earth Day Activities for Kids

April 21, 2025 byJulie Hersum

6 min to read

Two teenagers working on a gardening project outside for an Earth Day activity.

Wondering what to do on Earth Day to help your student become more aware of the environment and sustainability? Help them learn more about earth science while making a positive impact in their community with some meaningful Earth Day activities geared for families and students of all ages.

Keep reading to discover the history of Earth Day and find inspiration for celebrating it with your family this year.

What Is Earth Day?

Earth Day is an annual event in the U.S. dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of sustainability and environmental stewardship to our planet. The history of Earth Day stems back to 1970, when 20 million Americans were inspired to demonstrate against the environmental impacts of 150 years of industrial development. Thousands of universities organized protests against the deterioration of the earth from oil spills, pollution, the loss of wilderness, and more, according to earthday.org.

Later in 1990, Earth Day went global with a campaign to drive recycling efforts around the world. Today, Earth Day is widely known as a day of action to promote change in both human behavior and policies for a cleaner world.

8 Earth Day Activities for Kids

By engaging in hands-on activities together—like planting trees, making a commitment to reduce waste, or cleaning up a park—kids see firsthand how small actions can make a big impact. These are also opportunities to spark curiosity, have meaningful conversations about nature, and create lasting memories as a family.

1. Plant a Seed, a Tree, or Start a Small Gardenden

Gardening activities can make some of the most rewarding, hands-on Earth Day activities for students.

Have your learner plant a flower or veggie seed in a cup to take care of. It just might become a few pots of herbs in your kitchen, flowers on your front porch, or even a tree or row of vegetables in your yard.

As their plant germinates and grows, discuss how plants start as tiny seeds and use nutrients from the soil, water, and sunlight to turn into a plant.

2. Take a Nature Walk and Scavenger Hunt

Taking a hike in nature is a fantastic Earth Day activity for getting young learners outside, engaging their senses, and helping them connect with the natural world in a fun and educational way.

Choose a location, such as a park or nature trail. While this activity could be done in your backyard or a local greenspace, try to make a dedicated trip out to a forest, beach, lake, mountain or other space to explore a new environment.

Before heading out, create a custom scavenger hunt checklist of items you and your child are likely to see, smell, or hear (not touch!) while they are there.

Your list might include:

something soft (moss, a flower petal)
something rough (bark, a pinecone)
leaves with interesting shapes
recording of a bird call
a picture of a squirrel or other small animal
something that smells nice (a flower, pine needles)
something humans left behind (and discuss why it shouldn’t be there!)

A Learning Coach and online elementary student participating in Earth Day activities for elementary school planting a tree in a park.

3. Volunteer to Clean Up a Local Park

For older kids, look into volunteer opportunities to clean up a local park. You can even make it a fun competition or litter cleanup challenge to collect the most trash.

Parks can be high-traffic areas with plenty of discarded trash. Picking it up makes a difference and may encourage others to be responsible, too. Remember to have students wear gloves and safely dispose of debris in trash bags. And don’t forget to recycle any bottles or cans you may find!

4. No-Waste Meal Challenge

Encourage kids to participate in a no-waste meal challenge by helping you plan a full week of meals while focusing on reducing waste, composting, using sustainable ingredients with minimal packaging, and making smart food choices.

Before planning, have students:

Research food waste. How much food is wasted in the U.S.? What are the environmental impacts?
Explore sustainability. What foods have a lower carbon footprint?

Create a Meal Plan

Keep in mind:

Nutritional balance. Include protein, veggies, grains, etc.
Minimizing waste. Use leftovers creatively, control portions, or use minimal plastic packaging or wrapping. Try reusable silicone snack bags or beeswax wraps to store leftovers instead of single-use plastic.
Sustainable choices. Select seasonal/local foods, plant-based options, or reduced-packaging options.

5. Make It an Outdoor Learning Day

Combine several Earth Day activities for kids and create an entire day of outdoor learning. Your student can enjoy a full day dedicated to celebrating the earth and being outside.

For example, try birding:

Get up at sunrise to listen to and observe the birds; many species are most vocal and active during this period, known as the "dawn chorus."
Participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count. Students can record bird sightings and contribute to real scientific research.
Visit a local park or natural area to explore bird habitats or participate in an organized habitat restoration project.
Identify common bird calls and practice mimicking them. Create a "sound map" of the area and explore bird communication and the role of human noise pollution for a lesson on bird-healthy ecosystems.
If your day extends into the evening, discuss the effects of light pollution on nocturnal ecosystems and nocturnal birds and animals that may live locally.

6. Measure Your Ecological Footprint

Older kids may enjoy calculating their own ecological footprint. Start by having them reflect on your family’s habits and take the Footprint Calculator Quiz from Global Footprint Network.

Talk about each question and brainstorm a few easy actions you can take to lower your footprint.

7. Organize a Clothing Swap

Demonstrate sustainability in fashion—with a clothing swap!

Instead of throwing away old clothes and buying new, students trade items they no longer need or want with their friends and family. Extending the life of clothing by swapping perfectly good items with others helps reduce fast fashion, promotes sustainability, encourages students to reuse and reduce textile waste.

8. Research and Present an Environmental Issue

This Earth Day activity is a great way to encourage critical thinking, public speaking, and a deeper understanding of pressing environmental challenges, such as pollution or deforestation.

Students might give their presentations to friends, family members, a social media audience, or even a local community group, library, or club.

Celebrate Earth Day Year-Round

Just because Earth Day only lasts for one day doesn’t mean your family can’t take part in Earth Day activities throughout the year!

Connections Academy's online learning model gives families the flexibility and added time for participating in meaningful outdoor activities in your community that help our planet and can foster a lifelong love of nature.

Learn more about Connections Academy® and how you can personalize your child’s learning in the way that best supports your child's education journey.