Earth Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate this special day than by spending time with your loved ones and helping the environment? Whether you’re looking for ideas to do at home or outside, there are plenty of family-friendly activities you can enjoy while also doing your part to protect our planet.
Here are some easy and fun Earth Day activities for your whole family:
1. Plant a tree
It’s estimated that about 15 billion trees are cut down worldwide each year. Planting a tree is a great way to help the environment and make your community more beautiful. You can choose a spot in your yard or a local park to plant a tree, and make sure to take care of it in the months and years to come.
Pro tip: Consider planting a tree in a place that can provide your home with more shade and reduce the need for air conditioning in the summer.
2. Get outside
Take a family walk in a local park or nature reserve. Encourage your children to try to spot native plants and animals. You can capture the fun by taking photos or drawing pictures of your favorite finds!
3. Clean up a local park or beach
Join a local Earth Day cleanup effort and help pick up litter at a park or beach in your neighborhood. This is a great way to help the environment and teach kids about the importance of keeping our planet clean.
4. Make a bird feeder
One fun Earth Day activity for the whole family is to make a bird feeder out of recycled materials, such as milk jugs or old soda bottles. Hang it in your yard or a local park and get ready to watch the birds come to feast!
5. Create a compost bin
Encourage your children to take an active role in reducing food waste and promoting sustainability by starting a compost bin in your backyard. By composting food scraps and yard waste, you can create nutrient-rich soil that reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.
6. Get crafty with recycled materials
Unleash your family’s creativity with eco-conscious crafts! With a little imagination, you can turn everyday objects into beautiful and functional items like birdhouses, planters, or even jewelry.
7. Have a meatless meal
You can help reduce your carbon footprint by having a vegetarian or vegan meal for Earth Day. Look up delicious plant-based recipes to try as a family.
8. Watch an environmental documentary
Make your family movie night both entertaining and educational by choosing a nature documentary. You’ll spend quality time together and learn more about our planet and ways you can help protect it.
9. Start a garden
Got a green thumb? Start a family garden and grow your own fruits and vegetables. This is a fun (and tasty!) way to teach your kids about the importance of sustainable agriculture. You can also consider lending a hand at your community garden – or even starting your own if your neighborhood doesn’t have one yet,
10. Turn off the lights
Your family can participate in Earth Hour by turning off all non-essential lights in your house for one hour. This is a great way to practice conserving energy to reduce your household’s carbon footprint.
We hope your family loves these activities for Earth Day (and beyond)!
With over one billion people in 170+ countries celebrating Earth Day today, it’s clear that our planet’s health and well-being are top priorities for many individuals and families around the world. Another way to inspire your children to become responsible global citizens is through cultural exchange. Hosting an au pair from another country can expose your family to new perspectives, languages and traditions, while also providing flexible, affordable and personalized child care.
Learn more about the benefits of au pair child care for your family!
