April showers bring May flowers, but the first full month of spring also means a slew of excuses to get outside. Each April 22, millions of people unite globally to celebrate Earth Day to bring awareness to how we can help our planet. The theme for Earth Day 2024 is “Planet vs. Plastics,” (no, not those Plastics), emphasizing the importance of reducing the use of wasteful plastic materials. The goal is to completely reduce the production of all plastics by 2040.

Many parents try to give our planet some TLC all year-round and encourage our kids to do the same—PS: even making a habit of recycling cans, bottles, and cardboard counts!—but why not step it up a notch on Earth Day? These nature-inspired activities are fun for the whole family and good for Mother Earth to boot:

Go on a nature scavenger hunt. You can make this game as simple or as complicated as you see fit based on your child’s age and attention span. Opt to create your own list of items to find in nature, or print out a nature scavenger hunt that’s ready to go.

Plant some seeds. You could go all out and visit a local gardening center; buy some mulch, seeds, and gardening tools and help your son or daughter plant seeds outside. Or you can simply fill up a paper cup with some dirt, seeds, and a sprinkling of water and leave it on your window sill to blossom. (we won’t tell if you go for option #2!). Both are great ways to teach kids the concept of how veggies and flowers grow in nature.

Search online for nature events and festivals in your area. Whether you’d enjoy a hike under the stars, a daytime nature walk, an outdoor mommy-and-me yoga class, or a community-wide volunteer clean-up at a local park, odds are there’s something going on in your neighborhood for Earth Day. Not sure where to begin on Google? Stop by your local library, whose staff may be able to point you in the right direction. 

Turn your trash into art. Don’t hate us for telling you to hold onto some recyclable items that your kids can turn into craft projects. Honestly, you’d be surprised how entertained a toddler can be by an empty Amazon box. Find a cardboard box craft of your choosing, and use the activity as a teaching moment about the importance of reduce, reuse, recycle. 

Go camping in your backyard. If you or your kiddos aren’t ready for a real campsite situation, bring a similar experience to your home by setting up shop on your own property. Consider a mini fire pit for making s’mores, laying out blankets for stargazing, and using a flashlight to scope out little critters. A tent is optional—even if you don’t sleep outside, it certainly helps to set the vibe.

Any other fun Earth Day ideas you want to try? Share your ideas!

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