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6 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day
By Sarah Lyons
Many families do things to help the Planet Earth on a daily basis. Recycling is now often offered by waste management services and has become a normal part of our children’s lives. Our generation has grown up knowing the importance of taking care of the environment more than previous generations. This Earth Day, take it one step further and intentionally celebrate the earth with your kids. Here are some ideas:
Plant a tree
A common way to celebrate Earth Day is to plant a tree. You could do this in your own backyard or donate one to a local park or common area and plant it there. Also consider planting a garden, flowers, or working in the yard. Try volunteering to help someone who isn’t physically able to clean up their own backyard by raking leaves or taking care of outdoor chores.
Visit a recycling center
Check local listings for a recycling center near you. Many have visiting hours where kids can learn what happens to all those cans, bottles, and papers after they go in the recycle bin. This helps kids understand why we recycle and what recycled goods are used for.
Visit a water treatment plant
Another fun family field trip is a visit to the local water treatment plant. Workers there teach how our water is treated and why. They also gain a better understanding of the importance of taking care of our water resources and how to protect them.
Adopt a street
Celebrate Earth Day and clean up the environment by picking up trash and debris in your neighborhood. Organize a group to take on a large area such as a busy city street or your favorite park. We can all do our part to keep our hometowns beautiful.
Create a compost
A great way to recycle your food waste is to create a compost. This can be on a small or large scale and is an affordable project your family can do together. A simple compost bin can be made from a plastic tub (be sure to drill a several holes on the top and bottom for draining). Fill the container with leaves, grass, weeds, fruit or vegetable scraps, eggshells, and coffee grounds. Turn the bin, shake it, or stir the contents often to begin the compost process. Use the contents to fertilize your planters or your garden. Kids will learn how food decomposes and about the benefits of gardening as well.
Family of four playing with ball in summer park
Spend time in the great outdoors
What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to spend time outside and enjoy nature? Play outside, go on a nature hike, visit a zoo, go to the park, or enjoy a walk while taking time to stop and observe the beauty of the world around you. Have the kids collect interesting items from your nature walk and use them to create art when you return home.
As you celebrate Earth Day, remember that a healthy environment is vital to all of us and our continued prosperity. It is everyone’s responsibility to keep it clean and maintain its beauty for this generation and generations to come.
Celebrate Earth Day Every Day!
Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd, but your family can celebrate the earth every day by changing these simple behaviors.
- Turn off lights when you leave the house
- Recycle
- Reuse or re-purpose items
- Plant a garden
- Pick up trash on your daily walk
- Wash only full loads of laundry or dishes
- Walk or carpool to your destination
- Switch to cloth – use cloth napkins, diapers
- Reduce paper products (no more paper plates)
- Hang clothes to dry rather than using dryer
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