For the past 45 years, millions around the world have celebrated Earth Day on April 22 where people get to slow down and enjoy the earth’s beautiful bounty. This year is no different as schools, organizations, companies, and millions around the world are getting ready to host different activities to highlight the most pressing environmental matters. Here are some activities the family can do together to mark Earth Day.
Make a Papier-Mache Earth
Have the kids make their very own globe from strips of papier-Mache then paint it according to an actual globe. This is a valuable geography lesson kids can take part in as they learn about the Earth, its seas and oceans, land masses, and continents.
Music and Songs
Increase the volume slightly higher than usual and have the kids belt out tunes to the various songs about Earth, awareness, and environment to hget them in the Earth Day spirit. Check iTunes or the web for a playlist in your favorite genre or branch out into cultural genres like Latin or Korean Pop.
Make a Recycled Animal for Earth Day
The most valuable lesson to teach children about Earth Day is the importance of recycling and an even better way is to have them upcycle household items and other trash into crafts projects such as caterpillars, fish, birds, and more. Instruct teens to take their old clothes and have them turn them into something more fashionable within current trends. A quick search for “upcycle clothing” on Pinterest will turn out a wealth of tutorials ranging in difficulty. Some projects require no sewing at all! The idea is to let kids understand that trash can become a treasure and help in reducing the carbon footprint.
Visit Your Local Zoo or Aquarium
It’s important for kids to learn about the endangered species within zoos, learn about the natural environment, and learn how animal lovers and scientists are trying to protect and save animals. Kids can have fun learning something new or reinforcing what they have already learned in school.
Read an Earth Day Story to Kids
If you have little time to celebrate the day, all kids love time with parents and a book. The following list of Earth Day-related titles is by no means complete:
- Celebrating Earth Day: Circle the Year With Holidays, by Janet McDonnell
- Every Day Is Earth Day: A Craft Book, by Kathy Ross
- Keeper of the Swamp, by Ann Garrett
- Mr. Garbage, by William H. Hooks
- Gover’s 10 Terrific Ways to Help our Wonderful World, by Anna Ross
- Tanya’s Big Green Dream, written by Lida Glaser
- Pollution? No Problem!, by David Morichon
- For the Love of Our Earth, by P.K. Hallinan
Watch a Documentary
Planet Earth or any other environmental based film from the Discovery Channel is sure to elicit several questions as they learn more about the Earth, species, habitats, and other amazing facts. Of course, the Discovery Channel is also an eye feast!
Sourced from About.com
Photo: amazonaws.com
