Fun Ideas for Earth Day

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

20 Apr 2009 07:12 PM

Honoring Mother Earth is simple, and a great way to bond with your children. Consider partaking in the following activities to celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd:

Gardening

You don't have to go overboard with this idea. Instead of planting an entire garden filled with vegetables and flowers, just grab a pot or cup, fill it 2/3rds of the way with soil, sprinkle on some grass seed, add a little more soil, and water. Then, place the cup in a sunny spot and let nature take its course. Your kids will love checking on their grass every day and will learn a lesson in responsibility by watering it on a regular basis.

Recycling

Teach your children how to recycle everyday items. An empty milk carton or cereal box can be turned into a house for your kid's favorite stuffed animal, while an empty milk jug can be recycled and made into a bird feeder.

Nest Building

Lend a hand to the feathered friends in your neighborhood by setting out nest material. Simply fill a mesh bag (like the kind onions are packaged in) with dried grass, yarn, string, feathers from an old pillow, or hair from your brush and hang the bag in a location that the birds can safely access. Then, watch them collect the materials and build a nest in one of your trees.

Seed Scatter

Fill your pockets with seeds and go on a walk with the entire family. While you are walking, scatter the seeds for birds and other creatures to enjoy.

Butterfly Wand

Materials:

Popsicle stick

Pipe cleaner

Cone-shaped coffee filter

Markers or crayons

Craft glue

Directions:

Glue a pipe cleaner to a Popsicle stick. Allow to dry.

Meanwhile, open up a cone-shaped coffee filter at the seam and have kids decorate it with markers or crayons (this will be the butterfly's wings). Children should concentrate on the outer edges of the filter, as the middle portion will be hard to see once the project is complete.

Attach the filter to the Popsicle stick with the pipe cleaner.

Bend the ends to form antennae.

Related Articles:

Fun Earth Day Activities

Green Recipes for Earth Hour

"Price is Right" Goes Green

How Green is Too Green?

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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