Photo by LollyKnit (flickr.com)

Earth Day is April 22nd – are you ready?  If you are scrambling for last minute activities to do with your students, do not panic.  We have five fun and easy activities below that are perfect for Earth Day fun.

Plant a Seed

Earth Day is the perfect time to plant some seeds and grow some flowers.  For fancy crafts, have your students paint small terra cotta pots and plant marigold or herb seeds.  For simple science, plant some flower seeds in a recycled plastic cup.  No soil?  No problem!  Wrap a dried bean in a wet paper towel, place it in a cup, and watch it sprout over the next few weeks.

Terrific Terrariums

Watch the water cycle and plant growth unfold with a soda bottle terrarium.  Follow the directions for building one here.  Have parent helpers assist you in cutting the soda bottles.

Earth Day Booklet

Print out and copy this fun and kid-friendly Earth Day activity book from the Environmental Protection Agency.  Be sure to make double-sided copies to save paper!

Photo by jnyemb (flickr.com)

Trash Walk

Take your students on a trash walk around the school.  Bring dustpans, brooms and trash bags for trash collection.  Encourage students to not pick up the trash with their hands.

Earth Poems

Grab some blankets and head outside for a chance to do poetry on the playground.  Give students a choice of poetry styles and encourage them to look and listen to the world around them as they sit outdoors.  If possible, have students read their poems aloud to the class while everyone is outside.

Check out these other Earth Day ideas from Really Good Teachers just like you:

4 Sure-Fire Ways to Kick Off Earth Day

Take the Wrinkles Out of Earth Care

Imagination to the Rescue

Follow the Directions Recycled Craft

Playing Around with Recycling