Arbor Day Activities for Students

April 23, 2025 byKristina Cappetta

4 min to read

A group of students and their family walking through a forest

Spring provides many opportunities for students to get outside and enjoy nature, with Arbor Day being one of the most popular times. Arbor Day activities allow students and families to celebrate the beauty of nature. From planting trees to fun crafts, there is something for everyone to enjoy this Arbor Day.

What is Arbor Day?

Arbor Day is a holiday that celebrates the importance of trees and plant care and encourages tree planting. In 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for planting trees. Two years later, Nebraska’s Governor, Robert W. Furnas, officially proclaimed Arbor Day, and it was observed on April 10.

In 1882, Arbor Day activities such as tree planting became popular in schools around the country as children learned why trees are important. They also received trees to plant at home in their yards. In 1885, Arbor Day was named a legal state holiday in Nebraska. By 1920, more than 45 states and territories decided to celebrate Arbor Day. Today, Arbor Day is celebrated in all 50 states.

When is Arbor Day?

National Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April, so the exact date changes annually. But many other states celebrate Arbor Day when tree planting weather is best for them. This can range from January and February in the South all the way until May in the northern part of the country.

Arbor Day Activities for Students & Families

There are many Arbor Day activities for students and families to take part in to learn more about nature and the important roles that trees play.

Plant a Tree

Planting a tree for Arbor Day helps clean the air, prevent soil erosion, and contribute to a healthy ecosystem by releasing oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide.

When planting a tree, be sure to pick the right one for your area because trees have specific requirements when it comes to soil, climate, and sunlight. If you are unable to plant a tree in your own home, look for volunteer opportunities with local tree planting groups. They will already have established areas where they intend to plant trees and just need some helping hands. This can be a fantastic way to get involved as a family, meet new people, and make a difference in your community.

Take a Family Walk & Identify Trees

Walk through a local park and note the types of trees you see. You can take photos and then do a web search to help determine the type of tree you have found. See how many different types of trees you can find on your path.

Search Arbor Day Ceremonies in Your Community

Look for different Arbor Day activities and ceremonies in your community. Some areas honor those who have taken part in programs that improve the environment. This can be a good opportunity to learn more about the people who have made a difference around you.

Look for Park Cleanups or Host Your Own

See if your community is hosting any park cleanups for Arbor Day. If you can’t find any planned activities, organize your own. Talk with friends and family and choose a location in your area that can use a good cleanup. You may also want to contact your town park service for ideas. When they hear about your initiative, they may even offer local support!

Tree Art

If your children enjoy art, encourage them to collect fallen leaves from the trees they see in their surroundings. Paint the leaves or make them into a stamp to make larger pictures on craft paper.

Scavenger Hunt

Organize a scavenger hunt where kids can search for specific nature items such as differently shaped leaves, twigs, pinecones, acorns, or whatever else that is around for them to find. Be sure kids only observe their findings rather than collect items as they complete their list.

Create a Tree Time Capsule

Teens can create a time capsule that includes photos of them planting a tree or tending to a garden, items that represent their community, as well as their hopes for the future. If they have a connection to the tree— for example, it was planted in someone’s honor— they can also include this information. Keep all these items in a box and store them in a safe place. Then, decide on a date to open it. Perhaps a future Arbor Day, when they can reflect on what the space looked like before new plants were grown would be fitting!

Students of all ages can share what they’ve learned from their Arbor Day activities in their classes, including those enrolled in online school. Learn more about the learning opportunities an online K-12 school like Connections Academy offers for online education here.