Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22nd. Did you know that it started as long ago as 1970? The special day was created as a way to raise awareness about environmental issues and encourage people to take action to protect the planet. It’s a fun and important day to celebrate our beautiful planet and make positive changes to help preserve it for future generations!
Here are Some Fun Ways Families can Celebrate Earth Day:
- Go on a nature walk: Take a hike in a nearby park or nature reserve and appreciate the beauty of the natural world.
- Plant a tree or a garden: Planting trees or starting a vegetable garden is a great way to celebrate Earth Day and make a positive impact on the environment.
- Have a picnic in the park: Pack a basket of organic and locally sourced food and enjoy a picnic in the park while appreciating the beauty of nature.
- Participate in a community cleanup: Organize a community cleanup with your family or join a local group to help pick up trash and litter in your neighbourhood.
- Attend an Earth Day event: Check out some local Earth Day family events like tree plantings, themed events, farmer’s markets, or environmental fairs that are held throughout the
- Take part in an eco-friendly craft project: Create earth day crafts with recycled materials such as paper, cardboard, and plastic bottles to raise awareness about reducing waste.
- Have a movie night: Host an earth friendly movie night at home and watch animal movies, documentaries or movies about environmentalism and climate change.
- Go on a bike ride: Take a bike ride with your family, reduce your carbon footprint and enjoy the outdoors!
- Start an indoor garden: Hydroponic gardens are a fun and educational way for kids to learn about sustainable gardening. Starting seedlings in the spring allows them to get a head start before being transplanted outdoors. Both Aerogarden and Click & Grow offer affordable mini gardens that are perfect for kids, with some plant varieties sprouting in just a few days.
- Have an Earth Day themed meal: Cook a special meal with locally sourced and organic ingredients, and teach your family about the importance of sustainable agriculture.
- Make a pledge to reduce your carbon footprint: Commit to reducing your carbon footprint by making small changes in your daily life, such as turning off lights and reducing water usage.
- Make April storytime all about the Earth : Build your library of earth and animal inspired children’s books and commit to sticking to the for the whole month of April. Find Earth Day picture books on amazon.ca.
Earth Day Resources for Kids & Families
Looking for more inspiration? Check out these sites for more ideas to celebrate Earth Day, climate education and fun eco-friendly activities:
- Earth Day Canada – provides a variety of resources, including activities, toolkits, and tips to help families get involved in Earth Day.
- Ontario Parks – offers resources, activities, and events for families to explore nature and the environment.
- UNICEF’s Climate Action for Youth – a program that empowers young people to take action on climate change, providing resources and opportunities for youth to learn about climate change, participate in campaigns, and engage with policymakers.
- The David Suzuki Foundation – offers educational resources, activities, and challenges for families to learn about and protect the environment.
- EcoParent Magazine – a Canadian magazine that provides eco-friendly parenting tips and ideas.
- KidsGardening.org – Help kids play, learn, and grow through gardening. KidsGardening supports the educators and caregivers bringing the life-changing benefits of gardening to kids.
By making steps together as a family, we can help create a healthier and more sustainable future for our planet! Happy Earth Day!
