25 Earth Day Activities for Nature-Lovers of All Ages

On Earth Day, it's the little things that matter... like helping the little creatures in your backyard by providing your local birds with food! That can look like upcycling old glassware into a feeder and filling it with birdseed or even covering a pinecone in peanut butter to give your feathered friends some sustenance.

SHOP BIRD SEED

Treat the Earth and yourself with some green and blue treats inspired by our planet. Make a batch of cute, Earth-themed cookies, cupcakes, or popcorn and enjoy!

Get the tutorial at Simple As That.

Save the Bees! And the birds, butterflies, and pretty much any pollinator you can, as these crucial creatures are increasingly becoming endangered. To start, research specific local plants that pollinators are typically attracted to, like milkweed, coneflowers, and goldenrod. Use this information to help you plant a pollinator garden to help the pollination cycle keep running smoothly.

Showing your love for the planet can look as good as it feels! Pull out the craft supplies and whip up some recycled decorations, like this cute and environmental wind sock, to adorn your house.

Get the tutorial at Non-Toy Gifts.

We've all heard of birdhouses, but how about a bee house? Even the littlest of critters, like bees and other insects, need shelter during nights and chilly days, too! Designed with small holes and places to hide and burrow, bee houses not only shelter them but give them a place to raise their offspring.

SHOP BEE HOUSES

Plenty of communities hold clean-up days on or around Earth Day, so be sure to add one to your calendar. Whether it’s a beach, park, or highway, you’ll definitely be doing your part.

For a totally classic Earth Day activity, plant a tree! Ask your kids to get in on it, too. Pick out a tree from a local nursery and plant it in your backyard. Or you could participate in a tree-planting day at a nearby park.

Go out into the backyard and gather up pretty fixings to make an Earth Day crown. The flowers and greenery will look gorgeous, and you and the kids can wear them all day to celebrate.

Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.

Swapping in organic laundry detergent, soap, makeup, and more can do a lot to help the planet. Made without toxic chemicals, these products are eco-friendly, and tend to be healthier for you and your family, too.

Celebrate the Earth’s beauty by bringing it indoors! Use a glass jar, moss, and tiny touches like mini dinosaurs or even toy cars and create a natural scene to display on a table or in your little one’s bedroom.

SHOP TERRARIUM SUPPLIES

If you haven’t clued in your kids to the importance of recycling yet, Earth Day is the perfect opportunity! Show them the bins and what goes where, and talk about how much recycling can help the environment.

Challenge your kiddos to make their own Earth Day costumes using items heading for the trash. Cardboard is always a great option when creating a recycled costume, like this cheerful sun.

Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.

Instead of using all that water from your hose, save it and turn to rainwater instead. A rain barrel placed next to your house will catch all that rain from your roof, resulting in H2O for your plants. Sometimes, communities will even give rain barrels away for free, so be sure to check that out before purchasing.

Something old can be new again with the help of upcycling! For instance, you can take a worn-out straw hat and transform it into a piece of chic wall decor.

Get the tutorial at Lily Ardor.

Learn about local birds in your area and take your kids to do some birdwatching. Be sure to bring along binoculars, and be extra-quiet, and respectful of the birds, as you view them in trees and nests.

SHOP BINOCULARS

Composting is a great way to put food scraps meant for the trash to good use, and the plants in your garden will love it.

There are so many things you usually throw away or recycle that make great organizers! Paper bags are ideal, and you can make them into toy organizers with this tutorial. You can also turn milk jugs, egg cartons, and plastic cups into handy organizers, too.

Get the tutorial at Hello, Wonderful.

Who knew that cardboard could be so cute?! Follow these steps to reuse cardboard lying around the house and turn it into a kaleidoscopic rainbow perfect for holding art supplies.

Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.

While Earth Day is all about eco-friendly efforts to help the planet, it’s also about appreciating nature, too. Take your family on a hike to view wildlife, trees, and plants and be thankful for the environment around you.

Have a family meeting for Earth Day and come up with ingenious ways to save energy around the house. For example, you could switch to LED lightbulbs, install dimmer switches, and turn lights off whenever you leave the room.

SHOP ENERGY SAVING LIGHT BULBS