Earth Day, celebrated every year on April 22nd, is a global event dedicated to raising awareness about the environment and inspiring people to take action to protect our planet.
It was established in 1970 by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson and activist Denis Hayes, the inaugural Earth Day mobilized millions across the United States to advocate for a healthier planet. This movement led to significant environmental legislation and inspired countries worldwide to adopt similar observances.
In 2025, Earth Day will celebrate its 55th anniversary with the theme “Our Power, Our Planet™.” This theme emphasises the critical need to transition to renewable energy sources—such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and tidal power—to generate clean electricity for all. The goal is to triple global renewable energy generation by 2030, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating climate change.
To support this initiative, individuals are encouraged to make informed energy choices, advocate for policies that promote renewable energy, and participate in local Earth Day events focused on sustainability. By uniting behind the “Our Power, Our Planet” theme, we can collectively work towards a sustainable and thriving future for our planet.
And while this is worthy, it is tricky for children to have any real say in. So, we are looking at what power they do have and how they can bring about change. This ensures Earth day is a perfect opportunity to engage children in activities that help them connect with nature, understand the importance of caring for the Earth, and feel empowered to make a difference. Here are some fresh, hands-on ideas to celebrate Earth Day by fostering a sense of connection and responsibility.
1. Organise a Recycling Drive
Children can take the lead in organising a school or community recycling drive. They can create posters, set up collection points for recyclable materials, and sort items for proper recycling. This activity helps them see how their efforts can reduce waste and promote sustainability.
Did you know that schools can become valuable community hubs for TerraCycle by providing a convenient space for collecting hard-to-recycle items. By setting up designated collection points, schools can encourage families and the wider community to bring in items such as crisp packets, toothbrushes, empty beauty product containers, and coffee pods—waste that might otherwise end up in landfill. This not only raises awareness about recycling but also strengthens the school’s role in promoting environmental responsibility. Partnering with TerraCycle allows schools to earn points for collected items, which can be redeemed for donations, turning waste into a positive force for both the environment and the local community.
2. Start a Pollinator Garden
Give children the power to support local wildlife by starting a pollinator garden. Provide a variety of native flowering plants that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Allow the children to choose where and how to plant, and let them take ownership of maintaining the garden.
Schools can also team up with local allotments and community green spaces to create thriving pollinator gardens that benefit both people and wildlife. By partnering with local gardeners, schools gain access to shared knowledge about native plants, growing techniques, and the needs of pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and beetles. Together, they can transform unused or underutilised spaces into vibrant habitats filled with flowering plants, herbs, and shrubs that attract pollinators year-round. This collaboration not only supports local biodiversity but also provides a hands-on learning opportunity for children to understand the importance of pollinators in food production. Involving the community fosters a sense of shared responsibility, and students can take pride in contributing to a project that benefits the environment while building stronger ties with local groups. Additionally, regular visits to the allotments can offer ongoing educational experiences, from observing plant growth to harvesting seasonal produce, making the partnership both practical and inspiring.
3. Create a Climate Action Pledge Wall
Set up a space where children can write and display their personal pledges for how they will help the planet. These could include actions like using less plastic, turning off lights when not needed, or walking instead of driving short distances. Seeing their pledges displayed helps reinforce the idea that small actions add up to big changes.
It is important here to really consider where children have power to make change. There is no point in saying they will take in less plastic if they do not decide what is in their packed lunch boxes. Instead, could they ask their adult how to change this and the asking could be their pledge. If children are driven to school as adults leave for work they may not be able to walk to school but can they ask to visit green spaces at the weekend. Instead of saying they could save water, could they simply turn off the tap when brushing their teeth?
Having achievable pledges can be hugely motivational.
4. Host a “Switch Off” Challenge
Empower children to reduce energy consumption by hosting a challenge where they track how often they can switch off lights, electronics, and appliances when not in use. They can do this at school or at home and compare results to see the collective impact.
Use this as an opportunity to discuss renewable energy and the importance of conserving electricity to reduce carbon emissions.
5. Design Reusable Tote Bags
Provide children with plain canvas bags and eco-friendly paints or markers, and let them design their own reusable tote bags. Or, could you provide them with mallets and use Hapa Zome to create designs?
Hapa Zome is a Japanese-inspired art technique that involves pounding natural pigments from leaves and flowers onto fabric to create beautiful, nature-inspired patterns. It’s a fun, hands-on activity that connects children to the outdoors while encouraging creativity and mindfulness.
To create a Hapa Zome design on a tote bag, start by gathering fresh leaves and flowers with vibrant colors. Lay the tote bag flat on a hard surface and arrange the plant materials in your desired pattern. Cover the arrangement with a piece of fabric or parchment paper to protect the hammer and prevent staining. Gently tap or pound the surface with a hammer, pressing the natural pigments into the fabric. Once finished, remove the plant materials to reveal the imprinted designs. To set the colours, you can iron the fabric on a low heat (or send a note home for adults to do this). This eco-friendly craft not only results in a personalized, reusable tote bag but also offers a wonderful opportunity to explore natural colours and patterns.
This activity not only reduces the use of plastic bags but also gives children a tangible item they can use daily to help the planet.
Additional Activities
- Community clean-up: Organise a clean-up of a local park or beach.
- Composting project: Start a compost bin and teach children how to reduce food waste.
- Green poster campaign: Create posters promoting environmental awareness to display around the school.
- DIY water filters: Teach children how to build simple water filters and discuss clean water access.
- Upcycle challenge: Challenge children to create something new from old or discarded items.
Why Earth Day Matters
Earth Day reminds us that our actions, no matter how small, can help protect the planet. By engaging children in activities that empower them to make a difference, we inspire future environmental stewards. These activities teach valuable lessons about sustainability while fostering a sense of pride in their ability to bring about change.
This Earth Day, let’s focus on empowering children to take action and make a difference. Whether by organising recycling drives, planting pollinator gardens, or designing reusable bags, every action contributes to a healthier planet. Together, we can nurture a generation that feels confident in their ability to create positive change.
