22 Fun Earth Day Activities For Students To Love And Learn From

Earth Day is the perfect time to inspire students to take action for our planet. Whether it’s hands-on projects, creative challenges, or outdoor explorations, these Earth Day activities for students will make learning about sustainability exciting and impactful.

From making posters to upcycling crafts, these activities show kids that even small actions can make a big difference. Get ready to celebrate Earth Day in a way that sparks curiosity, responsibility, and a lifelong love for our planet!

Earth Day Explained

Earth Day, celebrated every year on April 22, is a global movement dedicated to environmental awareness and action. First recognized in 1970, it has since grown into a worldwide event where people take steps to protect and preserve the planet.

For students, Earth Day provides an opportunity to learn about sustainability, conservation, and the impact of human actions on the environment. By engaging in meaningful Earth Day activities for students, reading Earth Day books with kids, and sharing quotes related to the Earth helps deepen their understanding, teachers can inspire the next generation to become environmental stewards.

22 Engaging Earth Day Activities for Students

These Earth Day activities for students will not only make learning fun but also instill a sense of responsibility for our planet. Whether in the classroom or outdoors, these ideas will help students understand their role in protecting the environment.

1. Nature Scavenger Hunt

Take students outside for a scavenger hunt where they can identify natural objects like leaves, rocks, and insects.

Encourage them to observe colors, textures, and patterns in nature. Once they’ve checked off all their findings, discuss biodiversity and how different organisms contribute to a healthy ecosystem.

This hands-on activity sparks curiosity and deepens their understanding of the natural world.

Check This Out: Outdoor Scavenger Hunt

2. Plant a Classroom Garden

Teach students about photosynthesis and sustainability by growing herbs, flowers, or vegetables in a classroom garden.

As they care for the plants, they’ll observe the life cycle firsthand and learn about the importance of sunlight, water, and soil. This activity encourages responsibility and environmental awareness. Plus, harvesting what they’ve grown makes science both rewarding and delicious!

💡 Make plant growth come to life for kids! 🌿
The Root Viewer Kit For Kids is the perfect way to take your lesson to the next level! Kids can watch roots grow and develop in real-time, creating an engaging hands-on experience that will deepen their understanding of nature.

3. Recycled Art Project

Encourage creativity while teaching about waste reduction by having students create art from recyclable materials. Students can transform paper scraps, cardboard, and plastic into unique sculptures, collages, or functional items.

On this YouTube channel, viewers will find a variety of engaging art and craft projects that inspire creativity and imagination!

With a focus on recycled materials, textiles, and student interests, Alameda Arts offers fun, hands-on ways for kids to express themselves and explore different artistic techniques. From learning about famous artists to creating with unique materials, it’s a place where creativity knows no bounds and worth checking out.

💡 For more great recycling craft ideas, check out this book:
Recycled Crafts Box: Sock Puppets, Cardboard Castles, Bottle Bugs & 37 More Earth-Friendly Projects & Activities You Can Create

4. DIY Bird Feeders

Hands-on Earth Day activities for students make learning more meaningful, and creating DIY bird feeders is a perfect example. Using recycled materials like milk cartons or toilet paper rolls coated in peanut butter and birdseed, students can craft simple feeders to support local wildlife.

Once placed outside, these feeders attract birds, sparking discussions about habitat preservation and the important role birds play in ecosystems.

Watch how Maddie Moate makes 3 recycled feeders:

This activity not only supports local wildlife but also fosters a sense of responsibility for caring for nature.

💡 Here are two great resources to supplement this activity:
How to Make a Bird Feeder for Kids
Bird Watch Book for Kids

5. Trash Audit Challenge

Have students collect and sort classroom waste for a week to see how much can be recycled or composted. After analyzing the results, discuss ways to reduce waste and make more sustainable choices.

This glimpse of reality raises awareness about consumption and environmental impact. It also encourages students to take action in their daily lives to minimize waste.

Here’s a informative video on how to perform a waste audit at your school:

6. Earth Day Pledge Board

Create a pledge board where students commit to eco-friendly actions like reducing plastic use, conserving water, or planting trees.

Each student writes their pledge on a card or sticky note and adds it to the board. This visual display serves as a daily reminder of their commitment to protecting the planet. It also sparks conversations about simple but powerful ways to make a difference.

💡 Fun Idea: Have kids write a song like this one:
I Pledge Allegiance to the Earth Song

7. Upcycled Fashion Show

Challenge students to design and create outfits using only recycled materials like newspapers, fabric scraps, or plastic bags. Host a fashion show where they showcase their creations and explain how their designs promote sustainability.

This activity encourages creativity while reinforcing the importance of reusing materials. It also sparks discussions on fast fashion and its environmental impact.

Use this video to inspire your students. These kids do such an amazing job! 👇

8. Solar-Powered Oven Experiment

One exciting way to explore renewable energy through Earth Day activities is by building a simple solar oven using a pizza box, aluminum foil, and plastic wrap. Students can see firsthand how sunlight is converted into heat while making s’mores or melting chocolate.

This experiment highlights the potential of solar power as a clean energy source and sparks curiosity about alternative ways to generate electricity.

This cute Sci Show Kids video does a great job explaining how to do just this!

9. Seed Paper Making

Teach students how to make biodegradable paper embedded with seeds that can be planted to grow flowers or herbs. They’ll blend recycled paper with water, mix in seeds, and press the pulp into sheets to dry. This activity highlights the importance of reducing waste while promoting gardening and biodiversity. Once planted, students can watch their paper decompose and turn into new life.

Find out how to make a Plantable Seed Paper Card in this tutorial by the Moomi family!

10. The Water Conservation Game

Have students track their daily water usage for a week and identify habits that waste water. Then, challenge them to brainstorm simple ways to cut down on water waste, like turning off the tap while brushing their teeth.

This activity helps students see the direct impact of their choices on water conservation. It also encourages lifelong habits that support sustainability.

Smile and Learn Kids has a very detailed video about water saving tips and tricks that you can show your students! Check it out:

11. Earth Day Story Time & Writing Prompt

Read engaging books about environmental conservation to inspire students to think about their role in protecting the planet.

After the story, have them write their own Earth Day-inspired narratives, imagining a world where nature thrives. They can create stories about eco-friendly superheroes, animals facing environmental challenges, or communities working together for change.

This activity encourages creativity while reinforcing important lessons about sustainability.

Looking for ways to make Earth Day even more special? We’ve got you covered! Check out our blog 13 Earth Day Books for Kids filled with amazing stories that spark creativity and encourage eco-friendly actions. These books are perfect for reading with kids AND can even serve as writing prompts to help them think about their role in protecting the planet.

Listen to a read-aloud of one of our favorites, What a Waste! It’s an excellent way to kick off meaningful discussions and activities with young learners.

12. Create Earth Day Posters

Your Earth Day activities for students can include designing posters that inspire eco-friendly habits, like recycling, cutting down on plastic use, and saving energy. Provide materials like recycled paper, markers, and magazine cutouts to create visually impactful messages.

Display their work around the school to spread awareness and inspire others to take action. This project combines art and advocacy, empowering students to use their voices for the planet.

Art for Kids Hub has a whole 31 video playlist of how to draw videos that are earth themed! They’re all amazing, but this one is our favorite:

13. Adopt a Tree Project

Have each student choose a tree on school grounds or in their neighborhood to “adopt” for the year. They will research its species, track seasonal changes, and monitor its growth and health. Students can record their observations in a journal, make a sketch of their tree, learn about what kinds of animals live in harmony with the tree, and the clienment in which it grows.

Take it a step further and have them write a reflective piece about its importance to the ecosystem. This project fosters a personal connection to nature and encourages long-term environmental stewardship.

💡 Free Resource!
Project Learning Tree Canada offers a free PDF guide on Adopting a Tree – available when you sign up for their newsletter. It’s definitely worth checking out!

14. Virtual Field Trip to a National Park

Take students on a virtual tour of a national park or nature reserve, such as Yellowstone or the Amazon Rainforest. Explore the park’s biodiversity, conservation efforts, and the importance of protecting these natural areas.

Here’s a playlist of kid friendly virtual field trips, starting with an amazing one by National Geographic:

After the trip, have students research the park’s history and wildlife, then present what they’ve learned through posters or presentations.

Want to extend the learning in a fun, interactive way? Our A to Z Scavenger Hunt template is the perfect post-field trip activity! Students can reflect on what they’ve learned by filling in their checklists with animals, plants, and other words related to their experience – one for each letter of the alphabet.

15. Composting in the Classroom

Start a composting project in the classroom to demonstrate how food waste can turn into nutrient-rich soil.

Students can help set up the bin, monitor its progress, and track the decomposition process. Along the way, they’ll learn about sustainability, waste management, and the benefits of composting for soil health.

Follow Sammy the scientist as she shows us how we can reuse a large plastic bottle to make a compost bin:

Take this lesson to the next step by using the compost in a garden project, helping students see firsthand the impact of reducing waste and enriching the earth. Using books like Let’s Get Gardening and The School Garden Curriculum.

16. Be a Climate Scientist for a Day

Have students explore Earth Day as climate scientists by conducting simple experiments that highlight the effects of climate change on the environment.

They can measure local temperature changes, observe pollution in their area, or test soil health to see how the environment is affected by human activity. Students can then analyze their findings, make predictions about how these changes impact ecosystems, and discuss ways to help protect the planet.

This activity sparks curiosity, teaches scientific methods, and empowers kids to think critically about their role in preserving the Earth.

Bill Nye explains climate change in this fun appearance on TODAY 👇

17. Ocean Cleanup Simulation

In this hands-on activity, fill a tub with water and add “pollutants” like plastic wrappers, bottle caps, and other debris to simulate ocean pollution.

Have students work in teams to brainstorm and try out different methods for cleaning up the ocean, such as using nets, suction devices, or separating waste.

In this video by The Dad Lab, a simulation of an ocean spill and clean up are brought to he classroom for a hands on lesson kids will really connect with.

This activity helps children understand the impact of pollution on marine life and encourages discussions on sustainable solutions for ocean conservation.

18. Earth Day Jeopardy

Switch up the learning routine with an exciting Earth Day-themed Jeopardy-style trivia game! This activity keeps kids engaged by offering a fun, fast-paced challenge that gets them thinking about topics like pollution, wildlife conservation, and renewable energy.

The change of scenery and game-show format make learning feel fresh and exciting, keeping students on their toes as they work in teams to answer questions in categories that relate to Earth Day. It’s a great way to spark curiosity and reinforce important environmental concepts in an interactive way.

Looking for an online version of Earth Day Jeopardy to use with your kids?

This interactive online game keeps students engaged as they explore environmental concepts, build teamwork skills, and think critically!

19. Eco-Friendly Lunch Day

Encourage students to bring a waste-free lunch to school for Earth Day by packing their food in reusable containers and avoiding single-use plastic.

Discuss the benefits of reducing plastic waste and its impact on the environment, such as the reduction of landfill waste and plastic pollution in oceans.

This challenge teaches kids about sustainability and the importance of making eco-friendly choices in their daily lives.

The insightful website Wholefully has a great post about How to Pack Zero-Waste School Lunches that will be useful for a lesson like this one!

20. Schoolyard Cleanup Challenge

Organize a schoolyard cleanup where students work together to pick up litter around the school grounds. Discuss the negative effects of waste on local ecosystems, including how trash can harm animals and plants. This hands-on activity promotes environmental responsibility, teamwork, and raises awareness about the importance of keeping our surroundings clean and protecting nature.

Check This Out: Organizing a Schoolyard Clean-Up

21. Reforestation Awareness Project

Have students research deforestation and the critical role trees play in maintaining healthy ecosystems.

You can use amazing videos like this one to get the conversation going: