As you could probably guess, I’m a big believer in acting like it’s Earth Day everyday. I try to be mindful of my impact on outdoor spaces I visit, use resources with care, and do what I can to create habitat all year, not just on April 22nd. But what to do when Earth Day rolls around, and the 50th anniversary, no less? Celebrate! This week I’ve pulled together some festive ways to connect with nature and a recycled craft bonanza.
While you’re OUTSIDE:
- I know that routine is important, especially right now when it’s hard enough to keep track of what day it is. But I also know that sometimes a minor tweak to that routine can make something feel extra special! What can you do to shake things up and perhaps experience something new in nature? Maybe that means eating breakfast al fresco, spreading a blanket outside for some cloud watching before nap, or staying up a little past bedtime to listen for spring peepers.
- I love this story about a woman in London labeling trees in her neighborhood with sidewalk chalk. You don’t have to be a tree whiz to do the same – try labeling things you find that are beautiful or surprising. You could even write questions you have, and maybe a neighbor will be inspired to answer!
- What’s a celebration without cake? Pull together your best mud kitchen implements and make an Earth Day cake. Don’t forget to decorate it beautifully and sing “Happy Earth Day” before you dig(!) in.
When you are INSIDE, it’s time to raid the recycling bin!
- We were recently inspired by Busy Toddler’s box road to create a whole box landscape that includes roads, a pond, and a river. It’s great for playing with animal figurines, cars, and blocks. You can also add houses, trees, tunnels, and bridges with chipboard (the thin cardboard used for cereal boxes). We worked together to make it, but the finished product has seen a lot of independent play.
- These egg carton fish are fun to make. For young children, I like to pre-punch holes in each segment and use ditalini pasta between segments so they can do the stringing together (mostly) independently. Using pasta and cotton string also means that the whole project is biodegradable.
- I bet your child already has plenty of ideas for using cardboard tubes! But if you need one more, I like to make binoculars by using rubber bands to hold them together — because kids will take them apart no matter how you attach them and this way they are repairable.
- Collaging is a timeless way to use old magazine pages, but for children that can fold with relative precision (or are ready to learn!), these folded paper butterflies are also a great option.
- Try providing an array of recycled materials and some coloring utensils, masking tape, etc. and see what happens. Often the process is more important than the product!.
Our educators, scientists, advocates, and naturalists are committed to keeping you connected to the natural world as we deal with the coronavirus situation together. Check in every weekday on our Connections page for family activities, parent/teacher tips, backyard birding, nature exploration at our sanctuaries, and more.
