We have one resource that we need to protect — our planet. Activities include service and awareness. Let’s celebrate our planet with a holiday!
Steps
1. Earth Day.
Earth Day is celebrated on April 22. It celebrates and supports protecting our planet. It was first celebrated in 1970 and is coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network. It is celebrated in over 192 countries each year. Learn about this holiday.
2. April 22.
The date was chosen to maximize participation on college campuses. It missed both spring break and final exams. Find out what local colleges / universities are doing for this holiday. Can the public participate? If so, find out how.
3. Earth Anthem.
Abhay Kumar’s “Earth Anthem’ has been translated into eight languages, including all official languages of the United Nations. Listen to it. What other songs reflect the holiday?
4. Earth Day Network.
From an online leadership guide to events and activities, the network contains many resources. Explore the site.
5. Stories.
Read “The Lorax” or another book that discusses the issues of protecting our planet. How can you relate the story to Earth Day? Read and discuss the possibilities with kids to get their views and ideas.
6. Service.
Providing service is a great way to celebrate the holiday. Check to see if your community, school or organization is planning on doing something for this holiday. If you don’t see anything scheduled, can you lead a service event for Earth Day? Check out the EPA’s ideas for service.
NOTE: In the past, my girls have helped pick up trash, spread mulch over park trails to protect the land and worked to remove invasive plants at the Indiana Dunes.
7. Act.
Look through crafts and activities to include others in celebrating Earth Day. Choose and do one or more of these to support the idea behind the holiday.
8. Awareness.
Find a way to raise awareness for Earth Day. This might include making posters, flyers or even a video about the holiday and / or ways to protect our planet.
9. Track.
As you work through the steps above, document what you did or did not do. What might you want to do next year that you didn’t have enough time or resources to do this year? What would you like to do again? Take it a step further and create an activity box specifically for Earth Day projects.
10. Beyond.
The service and activities that you do to celebrate the holiday can be continued throughout the year. Make a plan to do so!
Supplements
SUPP_Earth Day_2in_12up_larajla
- Avery 2” round label printable, 12 up
SUPP_ Earth Day_Checklist_larajla
- Badge checklist
SUPP_Printable_Earth Day_Word_larajla
- Word list for Earth Day
SUPP_Printable_Earth_Look_larajla
- Draw the earth like you would like to see it
SUPP_Printable_Earth_I Do_larajla
- Blank sheets to write or draw your own PLUS a starting list to start thinking
SUPP_Printable_SA Earth Care_larajla
- Printable: Street Art Sign – Protect Our Planet! Thank you for caring!
SUPP_Printable_SA Earth Love_larajla
- Printable: Street Art Sign – Love Our Planet! Me + Earth = Love
SUPP_Printable_SA Earth Protect_larajla
- Printable: Street Art Sign – Protect Our Planet! Pick It Up!
SUPP_Puzzle Fun_SC_Earth Hope_larajla
- Puzzle Fun: Earth Day – Hope for Our Planet Scramble
SUPP_Puzzle Fun_SC_Earth Kids_larajla
- Puzzle Fun: Earth Day — Kids Version Scramble
SUPP_Puzzle Fun_SC_Earth Save_larajla
- Puzzle Fun: Earth Day – Save Our Planet Scramble
SUPP_Puzzle Fun_WF_Earth Day_larajla
- Puzzle Fun: Earth Day Word Find (easier)
SUPP_Puzzle Fun_WF_Earth Day_Wet_larajla
- Puzzle Fun: Earth Day Word Find (harder)
SUPP_Puzzle Fun_WF_Recyclables_larajla
- Puzzle Fun: Recyclables Word Find
Sites to Explore
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Day
- www.earthday.org
- www..envirolink.org
- www.earthdaybags.org
- www.edutopia.org/blog/earth-day-lesson-plans-matt-davis
- www.kidactivities.net/category/Holidays-Earth-Day.aspx
- www.pinterest.com/missmeehan/earth-love
- www.pinterest.com/Leake100Days/earth-day
- www.pinterest.com/heidiutr/earth-day-projects-and-bulletin-board-displays
- www.pinterest.com/clairemarie77/earth-day
Get the infographic here > larajla blog post
Get the PDFs of the badge program / supplements here > Full badge PDFs