10 EARTH DAY INSPIRED ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH YOUR KIDDIES
So later this month many people around the globe will celebrate EARTH DAY, a celebration that is now in its 51st year.
On 22 April 1970 – the very first Earth Day - 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks and theatres to rally for environmental education, with many universities and colleges also taking part.
Over time, Earth Day was an opportunity for environmental groups to come together with a shared voice and bring many environmental concerns onto the front page.
Image of a persons hands holding a small plant by Noah Buscher on Unsplash
As the years have passed, raising awareness of environment issues has become more and more important; the fight for a clean environment goes on alongside the realisation that climate change will affect us all. To read more about Earth Day and how it started, click here.
Earth Day is now marked by more than one billion people every year as a day of action and a call to change human behaviour. A huge part of this is teaching our kiddies how to do the right thing - not to fill their heads with doom and gloom - but to educate them on how to lead an eco-friendly lifestyle and inspire them to care for our planet.
Restore Our Earth
The theme for Earth Day this year is Restore Our Earth. Restoring our Earth is vital to fighting climate change and making planet Earth a safer and healthier place to live.
Part of the campaign this year is to drive home the importance of environmental education, with recent reports suggesting that climate literacy is the key to a greener future. Many activists are suggesting that climate education should become a compulsory part of the curriculum in schools across the globe.
Image of children playing outside by Robert Collins on Unsplash
The race is on to be as eco-friendly as we can and a huge part of this is teaching our kids how to do the right thing.
So on that note, here are some ideas to get your family involved in Earth Day. As the weather starts to improve, get outside and help your littles ones connect with nature. Show your kiddies how valuable and beautiful nature is and what exactly is at stake when we don't protect it - they are much more likely to care for something that they’ve experienced.
Image a family walking in the woodlands by Riley Crawford on Unsplash
1. Go on a scavenger hunt
Go for your daily exercise walk and do a nature ‘scavenger hunt’. Check out these ideas from The Woodland Trust.
Image of a bee hotel by Tania Malrechauffe on Unsplash
2. Build a bug hotel
Build an insect hotel which is easily done by filling a small box with grass, pine cones and other similar items and leaving it in the garden. Check out this fab guide from the RSPB.
Image of children planting in the garden by Anna Earl on Unsplash
3. Plant a tree
Or build a terrarium - an enclosed indoor environment for plants – this can be done using an old glass jar or vase. Click here for more ideas.
Image of a bird on a garden fence by Bob Brewer on Unsplash
4. Do some birdwatching
Back in January, thousands of people joined in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. The survey might be over but you can still look out for birds and record what you find. Check out the RSPB site for tips and tricks for identifying each species.
Image of a sunflower plant by Helena Plate on Unsplash
5. Have a sunflower competition
Plant some sunflower seeds and watch them grow… whose will grow the tallest?
Image of a ladybird on a hand by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash
6. Go on a mini beast hunt
This is a great family activity to get your little ones up close to nature and hands-on with wildlife. Here is a checklist by The Woodland Trust of all the creatures that you might discover.
Image of the sun coming through the trees by Jenna Beekhuis on Unsplash
7. Make a sundial
Did you know that on sunny days you can use nature to help you tell the time. All you need are rocks, paint and sticks! Check out this fantastic guide from The Wild Network.
8. Make a seed bomb
Why not enjoy some messy play and brighten up your garden with some wildflowers and make a seed bomb. Check out the Wildlife Trusts instructions here.
Image of a container garden by Annie Spratt on Undplash
9. Get outside and get planting
No matter how much space you have, planting flowers and shrubs will provide a habitat for native bees, birds and other animals. Or try planting herbs, vegetables or fruit, studies have suggested that children are more likely to try food that they have grown.⠀
Image by of coloured pencils Markus Spiske on Unsplash
10. Make a poster
Reminding your household how to be more eco-friendly, this could be saving water when brushing teeth and saving energy by turning off the lights when you leave a room. Click here for some great ideas to get you started.