Tomorrow is Earth Day! You might know that Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd each year, but do you know why Earth Day is so important and why we should teach our students about it? Earth Day has been celebrated every year since 1970, when over 20 million Americans took to the streets on April 22nd in rallies and demonstrations to raise awareness about environmental issues.
I was in middle school that year, and my classmates and I were so excited to be a part of those very first Earth Day celebrations! I remember classroom discussions about the problems caused by air and water pollution, as well as the need for laws to protect our precious natural resources. Earth Day started a revolution, and by the end of 1970, the Environmental Protection Agency was formed and new environmental protection laws were already being passed. If you want to learn more about the history of Earth Day, visit the Earth Day website.
Teaching kids about Earth Day is just as important today as it was back in 1970, perhaps even more so. The deep budget cuts suggested by political leaders today threaten the very existence of the EPA, and we can no longer take the environmental laws and protections of the last 50 years for granted. Education is key, and it can start as early as the elementary classroom.
If you’re not sure that you have room in your curriculum to celebrate Earth Day, I challenge you carve out a little time to do so this year. I can think of at least six reasons why it’s important to teach kids about Earth Day, and after you read them, you can probably come up with many more on your own. Fortunately, there are loads of fun and easy ways to celebrate Earth Day with your students, such as building a terrarium or making bird feeders. If you need more ideas, you can find 10 terrific activities at the end of this article.
Why It’s Important to Teach Kids About Earth Day
Teaching students about Earth Day can have a far bigger impact than you might imagine. Here are six reasons why it really matters:
- Raises Environmental Awareness
Earth Day gives teachers a chance to show students the impact humans have on the planet—pollution, deforestation, climate change, etc.—and helps them understand why protecting the environment is urgent and necessary. - Builds Habits of Responsibility
When students learn about things like recycling, conserving water, or reducing waste, they start to develop habits that are environmentally responsible. Teaching these values early can lead to lifelong behavior that helps the planet. - Connects Learning to the Real World
Earth Day can bring science, social studies, and even art or writing together in a way that feels real and meaningful. It helps students see how what they’re learning in school applies to the world they live in. - Empowers Future Change-Makers
By learning about environmental issues, students begin to realize they can be part of the solution. Whether it’s starting a school recycling program or spreading awareness, they’re empowered to take action. - Promotes Global Citizenship
Understanding the global nature of environmental challenges teaches students empathy and respect for other people, places, and ecosystems around the world. It encourages them to think bigger than just their local community. - Encourages Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Environmental education often involves looking at complex problems with no easy answers. That kind of thinking is a valuable skill in all parts of life, not just science class.
10 Simple and Fun Earth Day Activities
A quick internet search can help you find loads of ideas for celebrating Earth Day. To get you started, here are 10 hands-on activities that are both engaging and educational.
- 🌱 Plant a Seed or Tree
Let students plant seeds in cups or small pots and watch them grow over time. You can talk about how plants clean the air and why trees are important for the environment. - ♻️ Recycling Relay
Create a fun relay race where students sort different items (plastic, paper, metal, etc.) into the correct recycling bins. This teaches proper recycling habits through movement and teamwork. - 🎨 Recycled Art Project
Ask students to bring in clean recyclables from home (bottles, boxes, newspapers) and make Earth Day-themed crafts or sculptures. It’s a creative way to talk about reusing materials. - 📚 Read Earth Day Books
Read a picture book with an environmental message. A few great choices:
– The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
– Compost Stew by Mary McKenna Siddals
– Earth Day—Hooray! by Stuart J. Murphy - 🌎 “Love the Earth” Posters
Have kids create posters with messages or drawings about how they can help the Earth. Hang them around the school to spread awareness. - 💧Water Conservation Experiment
Do a simple experiment—like comparing how much water is used when a faucet is left running vs. turned off while brushing teeth. It’s a great visual for showing waste and conservation. - 🐛 Make a Mini Compost Bin
Use a clear plastic container to make a small classroom compost bin with food scraps, soil, and newspaper. Watch how it changes over time and talk about decomposition. - ☀️ Nature Walk & Scavenger Hunt
Take a walk around the school or nearby park. Have students look for things like birds, flowers, insects, or trash to pick up. This helps build observation skills and a connection to nature. - 🎶 Earth Day Song or Poem
Teach a simple Earth Day song or have students write a class poem about protecting the Earth. Music and rhyme help messages stick! - 💡 Earth Day Pledge
Create a class “Earth Day Pledge” where students promise to do one thing to help the planet—like turning off lights or picking up litter. They can sign it and take a copy home to share with family.
More Resources for Celebrating Earth Day
If you’re looking for more Earth Day resources and activities, you can find them in the April folder of my online Seasonal File Cabinet. Also be sure to check out two other posts on my blog that include strategies for teaching kids about environmental issues, including Just a Dream to Save Our Planet and Green Court Claims.
If you don’t read this post until after Earth Day, no worries! Lessons about protecting and preserving Earth’s resources are important any time of the year!
