As parents raising the future generation, teaching love and appreciation for the planet in our children is so important! Earth Day is a great opportunity to reflect on all the ways that our planet takes care of us and what we can do to better preserve its resources for future generations. It is never too soon to start teaching your little ones about the importance of caring for our planet. Here are five simple yet meaningful ways to share and celebrate Earth Day together:
Nature Walks: Take advantage of the beauty of nature by going on a nature walk with your little one. Visit a local park, nature reserve, or even your own backyard. Encourage your children to observe the plants, flowers, insects, and animals they encounter. Point out different colors, textures, and sounds in nature. This hands-on experience helps children develop a connection to the environment around them and also helps to develop their sense of wonder and curiosity.
Planting Seeds: Get your hands dirty and teach your children about the magic of growth by planting seeds together. Choose easy-to-grow plants like sunflowers, beans, or herbs that your little ones can care for and watch as they sprout and grow. If you are a city-dweller without access to a backyard, these plants can also be grown in a pot on your windowsill. Discuss the importance of trees in providing oxygen, shelter, and habitat for wildlife.
Arts and Crafts with Recycled Materials: Crafting with recycled materials helps to teach the importance and fun in recycling and reusing materials. Gather recyclable items such as cardboard boxes, paper tubes, bottle caps, and newspapers, and let your children's imagination run wild. Create art projects like cardboard tube binoculars for birdwatching, newspaper collages, or DIY bird feeders. Not only does this activity promote eco-friendly practices, but it also encourages resourcefulness and creativity.
Story Time with Environmental Themes: Introduce your children to age-appropriate books with environmental themes to spark conversations about nature, conservation, and sustainability. Some or our favorites include "The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss, "The Earth Book" by Todd Parr, and "We Planted a Tree" by Diane Muldrow. After reading, talk about the key messages and encourage your children to share their thoughts and ideas.
Nature-inspired Sensory Play: Create sensory-rich experiences that incorporate the sights, sounds, smells, and textures of nature. This is great for a rainy day or a day when the weather makes going outside not so fun. Set up a sensory bin filled with materials like sand, rocks, leaves, pinecones, and shells for them to explore. On warm days, incorporate water play by filling a tub or kiddie pool with water, adding natural elements like flowers or leaves, and providing cups, scoops, and containers for pouring and splashing.
Earth Day is not just one day: it’s about the ongoing commitment to always care for our planet. When you get your little ones involved in these activities, you’re not only making great memories but also teaching them to take care of the Earth and inspiring the next generation to protect and preserve it for more generations to come. Happy Earth Day!
We hope you give these activities try – and if you do, don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @hazelbabystore!