April is an important month for the Earth! Not only does it signal a change in weather, springtime showers, and begin the countdown until summer, it’s also the month we celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day! Whether you’ve heard of both of these holidays or only one, there are plenty of ways you can celebrate them at-home with your family.
Check out our free activities, read-aloud book recommendations, and hands-on activities that celebrate our planet!
What’s the difference between Earth Day and Arbor Day?
Earth Day falls on April 22nd every year, and was founded in 1970 to raise awareness about environmental issues. People celebrate Earth Day in many different ways, whether it’s through nature walks, hands-on activities, or pursuing environmental justice.
Arbor Day is normally celebrated on the last Friday in April, but depends on the climate of the area. It was started in 1872 as an initiative to repopulate Nebraska with trees, and soon spread throughout the country. Though Arbor Day is mainly about planting trees, there are plenty of other ways to celebrate it.
Earth Day Activities
Free Earth Day Activity
This worksheet activity includes an information page, comprehension questions, and a fun word search with Earth Day terms! This free sample comes from Evan-Moor’s Seasonal Activities workbook, which is a cross-curriculum resource that celebrates fun seasonal themes.
Download your free Earth Day Activity here.
Free STEAM Sampler – Litter Machine: Incorporate a STEAM task into your celebrations with these free activities from Skill Sharpeners: STEAM. This first grade STEAM activity, “Dirty Beach,” teaches children about beach litter and how they can help. Children are asked to design their own litter machine. The activity walks children through the planning, design, and model-building process using comprehension questions and drawing activities.
Click here to get this free STEAM sampler.
Plant a Garden: If you have the space in your backyard, plant a small garden! You can plant fruits, vegetables, flowers, or a mix of all three! Pay attention to the process and point out the different things that plants need to grow such as water and sunlight. If you don’t have room outside, get some small plants or succulents for indoors!
If you are in the classroom, fill an old container or planter with soil and have students plant flower or vegetable seeds. Create a weekly chore list for your students and assign a water monitor every week to care for the plant.
Make a Nature Collage: Gather things from outdoors, like sticks, leaves, and small rocks, and make a small art collage out of them!
Painting Stones: Find some medium-sized, flat rocks in your yard or outdoors, and paint fun designs on them! These can also make for great paperweights and decorations (or Mother’s and Father’s Day presents.)
Make Recycled Art: Gather materials like milk jugs, soda cans, water bottles, recycled paper, paper towel rolls, and any other recyclable materials. Use your imagination to create art out of it, whether it’s a sculpture, a 3D college, or using the materials for different paint textures. See if you can create multiple pieces and have an at-home art exhibition.
Paper Plate Planet: Using a paper plate, paint or colored construction paper, create a replica of Earth! You can use a variety of materials for this and make it your own! You can also add details like labelling continents, oceans, or adding tiny little people to the planet. Hang them from your ceiling to celebrate.
Earth Day Read Aloud Book Recommendations
The Earth Book by Todd Parr:
This picture book not only teaches about the earth, it’s eco-friendly itself! Made from completely recycled materials, you can read about ways to help the earth while helping it!
Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth by Mary McKenna Siddals:
This book walks you through what you can and can’t compost in a fun way! Learn all about how composting helps the planet, and how you can make your own compost at home.
My Friend Earth by Patricia MacLachlan, illustrated by Francesca Sanna:
Check out this award winning read aloud book for ages 3-5, which teaches kids all about our earth, climate change, and how we can make a positive difference.
I Am Earth: An Earth Day Book for Kids by James McDonald and Rebecca McDonald:
This read aloud book introduces the basics of earth science to ages 3-5 and explains why it’s important to protect our home! These concepts come to life with colorful illustrations.
Activities and Books for Arbor Day
Free Arbor Day Activity:
This activity teaches students about Arbor Day and includes writing, art and history activities! You can find more activities like this one in Evan-Moor’s Giant Write workbook, which develops critical thinking skills, vocabulary, and writing skills.
Download your free Arbor Day Activity here.
Planting Trees: This one seems like a no-brainer, but isn’t always possible depending on yard space, climate, and other factors. Family, neighborhood, or city initiatives to plant more trees is one of the best ways to celebrate Arbor Day.
Family Tree: Combine Arbor Day with a family activity and make a family tree! Use art supplies to create the tree, and then write in family names, with the child’s name at the base of the trunk.
Recycled Tree Sculpture: Using recyclable materials, construction paper, and paint, make your own tree sculpture. You can use things like paper towel rolls for the trunk and paper plates for the leaves. You can even glue real leaves to the tree! Use your imagination!
Handprint Tree Art: Using brown and green paint and a piece of paper, paint your children’s hands and have them press it onto the paper to make a tree! You can use handprints for the whole tree, or paint the trunk with a brush.
Arbor Day Read Aloud Book Recommendations
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
This book tells the story of the Lorax, who stands up for the trees when they’re being cut down. It’s an inspiring and encouraging tale about doing the right thing for others and our earth.
Treemendous: Diary of a Not Yet Mighty Oak by Bridget Heos, illustrated by Mike Ciccotello:
Follow the journey of an acorn as it grows into an oak tree in this illustrated kids’ book. Perfect for ages 3-7, this diary-entry style book is engaging and educational.
Tall Tall Tree: A Nature Book for Kids About Forest Habitats by Anthony D. Fredericks, illustrated by Chad Wallace:
A beautiful book about the redwood trees of California, this book teaches children about trees and the habitats and animals they sustain. It also includes complementary STEAM activities for ages 3-8.
Take advantage of spring weather to celebrate Earth and Arbor Day! Show your appreciation for the earth by creating art, planting trees and flowers, or just going outside.
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Christine Wooler has experience working with children as a youth soccer coach and summer camp counselor. She is currently studying English Literature and journalism in college. She enjoys exploring educational topics that help students have fun while learning.