15 Fun Earth Day Activities for Families

Earth Day 2024 is right around the corner on April 22nd, and with more and more people becoming environmentally conscious, why not get the whole family involved? While we have seen great strides with more eco-friendly innovations like the rise of electric vehicles, we still have a long way to go. This is why it’s a great idea to get our children involved early and teach our kids more ways to be eco-friendly.

Earth Day is a great time to get outside or even stay indoors and do some fun activities for the whole family while also teaching the benefits of helping our planet. Whether it’s creating your own garden or getting out into nature, these Earth Day activities are sure to be fun and educational for the whole family.

1. Send Eco-friendly Gifts

One of the most heartfelt ways to express our love for both people and our planet is through mindful gift-giving. ForestNation’s Gift Stories allows you to do just that. These eco-conscious digital gifts enable you to create and share personalized stories, akin to a living, digital scrapbook. Each Gift Story is unique, filled with your own videos and photos that carry a message of care and commitment.

More than just a gift, every Gift Story plants trees in the recipient’s honor. This wonderful gesture not only celebrates special occasions but also contributes positively to the Earth by aiding reforestation efforts and carbon sequestration. It’s a dual gift of love – for your loved one and for the planet – making it a perfect eco-friendly gift choice that lasts a lifetime and supports a greener tomorrow.

2. Create Your Own Garden

This is not only a fun activity that’s great for all ages, but it can create great family time and a bonding experience long after Earth Day is over. Whether you have a home with a yard or live in an apartment, you’ll be able to create a beautiful garden where you can grow your own plants. You can start by having a conversation together to decide if you want to plant some gorgeous flowers or if you’d prefer to make your own vegetable garden that you can then use for cooking some delicious meals together.

After you decide what you want to plant, you can take a family trip to your local nursery to get everything you need including:

• Soil
• Seeds
• Gardening gloves
• Gardening trowels and/or shovels
• Watering can and/or a hose

From here you’ll need to find the perfect space in your yard or in your home, and you can start planting! During this time together, you can discuss the importance of plants to our ecosystem and how they provide us with oxygen as well as nourishment. 

To make it easier, we recommend the ForestNation Tree Kit. It lets you plant a tree at home and, with every kit purchased, trees are also planted in countries that benefit from reforestation efforts. 

3. Take a Trip Into Nature

Take exploratory walks or hikes in natural settings. This activity promotes physical health and an appreciation for the earth’s diversity. Enhance the experience by identifying plants or birds, using it as an opportunity to teach about local ecosystems.

You don’t have to make this a one-time activity, either. Getting out into nature is a great way to promote both physical as well as mental health. Many science-based organizations like the American Psychological Association have done extensive research into how going outdoors helps promote happiness and fight off depression and other mood disorders.

4. DIY Solar-Powered Phone Chargers

Alright, we know. It’s not going to be easy to convince your teen to spend a day with the family discussing Earth Day, but we have the solution for that: solar-powered phone chargers. These are a fun project you can do together, and it’ll be a way your teen can charge their phone while also learning how to help the environment.

Before getting started, you can chat about the science behind what solar power is and how it works. 

For a full list of supplies and instructions, there are some great DIY videos on YouTube that can walk you through the process!

5. Decorative Recycling Bins

Recycling is one of the best ways to cut down on all of the trash filling up our oceans and planet as a whole. With this activity, you’ll be able to recycle and have fun while doing it. This is a super easy one, and everyone gets to express their creativity.

First, you’ll need some trash bins that you want to decorate. You can get smaller, desk-sized ones so even your children’s bedrooms can have their own personally designed bins. You can usually find some inexpensive trash bins at your local dollar store, and you can pick up some art supplies as well.

Each person in the family can create their own recycling bins and make one for plastic, paper and regular trash. You can paint them, draw on them with markers or even cut up some old magazines and glue on images so everyone has their own unique designs. 

6. Donate to an Eco-Friendly Organization

Donating to charity is a great habit to get into, and it’s something you can teach your children while they’re young. This is an opportunity for the family to get together and do some research about various organizations to see what type of work they do and has the biggest impact on the environment.

During this research process, your whole family will get exposed to a bunch of different organizations and great people out there working to make this planet a better place. The experience can be truly inspiring, and you’ll be helping a good cause in the process.

Earth Day is a wonderful day to remember the importance of keeping our planet clean, but it’s also a wonderful opportunity to spend time with your family. Hang out, have fun, plant a tree and enjoy this great day of bringing more awareness to protecting the Earth!

7. Community Clean-Up

Organize or participate in local clean-ups. This demonstrates community spirit and the immediate impact of removing litter from local environments.

8. Backyard Bird Sanctuary

Build bird feeders or houses to attract birds to your garden. Discuss with your children the importance of birds to biodiversity and ecosystem health.

9. Awareness through Art

Make crafts from recycled materials to highlight the importance of reusing resources. Incorporate messages or themes about saving the planet within the art pieces for a deeper understanding.

10. Establish a No-Car Day

Dedicate days to going car-free. Discuss the impact of fossil fuels on the environment and explore alternative, more sustainable modes of transport.

11. Build a Terrarium

Create mini-ecosystems at home. This introduces the concept of ecological balance and the importance of every organism in an ecosystem, reinforcing the value of biodiversity.

12. Construct a Bug Hotel

Engage in building a habitat for beneficial insects. This project teaches about the crucial roles insects play in nature, such as pollination and composting organic matter.

13. Take on a Scavenger Hunt

Organize a nature scavenger hunt focusing on local flora and fauna. This can spark curiosity about the natural world and encourage outdoor adventure.

14. Start Composting

Begin composting at home with a simple bin to turn organic waste into valuable fertilizer, discussing waste reduction and soil health.

15. Advocate for Community Gardens

Encourage the development of community gardens. They not only provide fresh produce but also strengthen community ties and promote sustainable living practices.

16. Environmental Petitioning

Get involved in environmental causes by petitioning for green initiatives in your community, highlighting the power of civic engagement in nurturing a sustainable environment.

By incorporating these activities and utilizing ForestNation products, families can foster a year-long celebration of Earth Day, teaching valuable lessons about sustainability, community, and the importance of every individual’s contribution to a healthier planet.