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On Earth Day, families, schools, nurseries, and communities around the world take part in events and activities to learn about the environment, explore recycling and sustainability, and enjoy hands-on ways to build eco-friendly habits.
There are plenty of Earth Day activities for children of all ages to try, and families can have fun while learning and exploring ways to care for our planet.
Earth Day takes place every year on the 22nd April to raise awareness about looking after the world and to help people see how their actions, no matter how small, can contribute to a healthier environment.
Each year has a different theme, and for 2026, “Our Power, Our Planet” aims to show that caring for the environment doesn’t come down to a single decision or moment. Instead, it grows through the everyday actions of communities and individuals alike, all doing their part and simply being more thoughtful about their choices.
Earth Day can be celebrated and enjoyed by anyone, including families with young children.
Although they may not fully understand the meaning behind it, engaging in Earth Day activities can help raise environmentally conscious children by building early awareness through hands-on experiences.
Earth Day activities help children develop important skills and values in ways they can see and experience.
Caring for plants, animals, and outdoor spaces encourages children to notice the needs of others and understand how their actions affect others, helping build empathy while encouraging children to be more responsible.
These activities also support critical thinking and problem-solving, as children learn to make choices, experiment, and work through small challenges.
Earth Day activities for younger children should be fun and playful. The 2026 theme is particularly family-friendly, encouraging simple ways for children to see how their actions can make a difference.
Here are some simple, hands-on Earth Day activities to try with your children:
What better way to explore nature and learn about the environment than by getting your hands a little dirty?
Children can see firsthand how life begins by planting seeds and watching them sprout, while learning what they need to grow and thrive.
You can plant directly into small pots, or use empty cardboard egg cartons to add a bonus lesson about how recycling can give everyday items a second life. Children can also decorate their pots with non-toxic paints, stickers, markers, or other materials.
Another idea is to cut clear plastic bottles to size so children see roots growing along the sides. (Just plant the seed closer to the edge for the best view!)
The best seeds to plant with children for fast, visible growth include:
Be sure to label each pot or container so they can keep track of what’s growing where, and encourage them to check daily, noticing changes in leaves, stems, and roots.
This activity stays true to Earth Day because it doesn’t end on the 22nd April. Watching seeds grow encourages ongoing care and attention, creating an enjoyable learning experience that lasts for weeks.
Taking children on nature walks gives them the chance to get moving and learn through exploration. These walks are a great way to connect with Earth Day because children see how plants, animals, and their surroundings interact, helping them appreciate the importance of caring for the environment.
Nature walks can take place in local parks, woods, or along canals and rivers. While walking or sitting down in the grass or woodland, children can take part in activities that make the experience playful and educational, such as:
Creating art from recycled materials gives children a fun way to express themselves while also exploring the idea of reusing everyday items.
Using cardboard, paper, bottle tops, wine corks, buttons, ice cream sticks, old clothing bits, fabric scraps, and other materials encourages creativity and resourcefulness, helping children see that objects can have a new life instead of being thrown away.
Recycled materials can also be used to teach small lessons to younger children. For example, children can make pollution trappers from cardboard or old containers to show how dirt and particles travel through the air, which can spark gentle conversations about keeping our surroundings clean.
Other ideas for using recycled materials include:
These activities let children get creative and try things out for themselves, while gently showing them how to reuse materials for fun and entertainment.
UK nurseries celebrate Earth Day with children through a mix of indoor and outdoor activities that make learning about the planet playful and engaging.
Outdoor play-based learning supports physical development, observation, experimentation, and sensory experiences while letting children connect directly with nature.
Outdoor activities nurseries may encourage children to take part in:
Depending on the weather, indoor play may be a better option through activities like:
Children can engage in Earth Day activities as young as a few months old, and when they get older, families can gradually introduce more interactive and meaningful ways to take part.
The activities best for infants up to one year would be more focused on sensory play, such as exploring natural textures like grass, leaves, or water, and listening to outdoor sounds while spending time in fresh air. Focus on finding soft, safe materials that they can touch and explore comfortably, and try to create a calm experience that introduces them to nature in a gentle and engaging way.
Toddlers can begin to join in more hands-on activities, such as planting seeds, watering plants, and creating nature-inspired crafts. At this stage, keep tasks short and playful, letting them get messy and offering simple choices so they can have fun without feeling overwhelmed.
Children over 3 years old will then be ready to take part in more involved Earth Day activities, such as gardening projects or even small conservation efforts like building bird feeders or bug houses and contributing to recycling. Keep the mood fun and lighthearted by turning tasks into mini-challenges or nature-themed games, adding a bit of friendly competition, and letting them take the lead on creative ideas.
Earth Day proves that even the smallest things we do at home can help make the world a bit better. With fun Earth Day activities, children can enjoy themselves while families help to shape how they see and care for the world.
Simple games and crafts let us teach sustainability through play, helping build habits in children that feel natural and make learning about the environment enjoyable and easy to remember.
The efforts of families and nurseries combined help children see that looking after the planet can be part of everyday life, not just something for Earth Day. Over time, these little actions build natural, positive habits and keep children curious and connected with the world.
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