Earth Day is a perfect time to introduce little ones to the wonders of our planet and the importance of taking care of it. With a few simple and fun craft ideas, you can make this day memorable for preschoolers while teaching them about sustainability and creativity.
1. Nature Collage Art
Take the kids on a short nature walk to collect leaves, flowers, and small twigs. Once back, help them arrange their treasures on a piece of recycled cardboard to create a beautiful nature collage. I’ve found that letting them glue down their finds is a great way to enhance their creativity and motor skills.
Give these a look:
- Non-Toxic Craft Glue: This non-toxic craft glue is perfect for ensuring the leaves and twigs stay securely attached to the cardboard, making it safe and easy for preschool use.
- Recycled Cardboard Sheets: Eco-friendly recycled cardboard sheets provide a sturdy and sustainable base for creating beautiful nature collages.
- Children’s Safety Scissors: These safety scissors are designed for little hands, allowing kids to safely trim leaves and twigs for their collage.
2. Recycled Paper Beads
Using old magazines or newspapers, show the kids how to roll strips into colorful beads. These can be strung together to make necklaces or bracelets. It’s a hit in my workshop, and the kids love wearing their creations home!
A few things you might like:
- Kids’ Scissors: Safe and easy-to-use scissors for children, ideal for cutting paper strips from old magazines or newspapers.
- Non-toxic Glue Stick: A washable, non-toxic glue stick perfect for securing the ends of paper beads. Great for crafting sessions with kids.
- Elastic String for Beading: Flexible and durable elastic string, perfect for threading paper beads to create colorful necklaces or bracelets.
3. Egg Carton Seed Starters
Turn empty egg cartons into seed starters by filling each cup with soil and a seed. Kids can decorate the cartons with paint and markers before planting. Watching the seeds grow is a magical experience for them!
You might like:
- Biodegradable Seed Starting Soil: This eco-friendly soil is perfect for starting seeds in egg cartons, providing all the nutrients for successful seed growth.
- Children’s Non-Toxic Washable Paint Set: A safe and colorful paint set that is ideal for kids to use when decorating their egg carton seed starters.
- Assorted Vegetable and Herb Seed Packets: A variety of seeds that are easy to plant and great for teaching kids about gardening and where food comes from.
4. Tissue Paper Earth
Cut circles from cardboard and cover them with blue and green tissue paper to resemble Earth. Kids can tear and glue the tissue themselves, creating their own unique version of our planet. This craft is always a favorite in my classes!
You might give these a try:
- Colored Tissue Paper Assortment: A variety of blue and green tissue paper for creating colorful Earth designs. Great for tearing and gluing activities.
- Round Cardboard Circles: Pre-cut cardboard circles make it easy to start crafting Earth’s surface without the need for additional cutting.
- Child-Safe Glue Sticks: Easy-to-use glue sticks that are perfect for small hands, ensuring mess-free application of tissue paper.
5. Plastic Bottle Planters
Cut the tops off plastic bottles to make small planters for herbs or flowers. Kids can personalize their planters with paint and stickers before planting. It’s a wonderful way to teach them about recycling and gardening.
A few helpful options:
- Acrylic Paint Set: Acrylic paints are perfect for adding vibrant and durable colors to plastic bottle planters. Safe for kids to use.
- Plant Starter Kit: A plant starter kit provides seeds and soil, making it easy for kids to start their own mini garden in recycled bottles.
- Sticker Decoration Set: A set of fun and colorful stickers that helps kids personalize their planters with creative designs.
6. Pebble Art
Gather pebbles during a nature walk and use them to create art on a piece of cardstock. Kids can arrange their pebbles into shapes or patterns and glue them down. It’s a simple activity that results in striking art pieces.
Consider these options:
- Acrylic Paint Set: A wide variety of colors perfect for decorating pebbles with vibrant patterns and designs.
- Paintbrush Set: Includes various sizes of brushes ideal for creating detailed designs on pebbles.
- Craft Glue: Strong glue suitable for securely attaching pebbles to cardstock or other surfaces.
7. Leaf Printed Art
Using leaves and washable paint, show kids how to make leaf prints on paper. They can experiment with different shapes and colors, creating a gallery of nature prints. This activity always results in lots of giggles and beautiful artwork.
Might be a good match:
- Washable Finger Paint Set: This set includes a variety of colors, perfect for creating vibrant leaf prints. Safe and easy to clean, it’s ideal for preschoolers.
- Mixed Media Art Paper Pad: Durable and versatile paper that absorbs paint well, making it ideal for leaf printing projects.
- Plastic Paint Trays: These trays are perfect for mixing and holding paint, making it easy for kids to dip leaves and create prints.
8. Earth Day Crowns
Craft crowns out of recycled paper or cardboard, and let kids decorate them with eco-friendly materials like leaves and flowers. They can wear these crowns during Earth Day celebrations. It’s a fun way to let them feel like nature royalty!
Try these:
- Recycled Paper or Cardboard Sheets: Durable and eco-friendly, these sheets are perfect for crafting crowns that align with Earth Day’s sustainability theme.
- Eco-Friendly Craft Glue: Non-toxic and safe for kids, this glue is ideal for attaching leaves and flowers to your Earth Day crowns.
- Natural Decoration Set for Crafts: Includes pressed leaves and dried flowers; perfect for embellishing crowns with natural beauty.
9. Paper Tube Binoculars
Transform empty paper tubes into binoculars by taping or gluing them together and adding a string. Kids can decorate their binoculars with markers and stickers, then use them for a nature observation walk. It’s a simple craft that promises hours of exploration.
Possibly handy products:
- Paper Towel Tubes: Reusable or recyclable paper tubes that can be transformed into fun crafts, like binoculars. Great for eco-friendly projects.
- Colorful Craft Tape: Craft tape in various colors and patterns for kids to use during decoration. Ideal for adding a personal touch to crafts.
- Decorative Stickers for Crafts: A set of themed stickers perfect for adding fun and creativity to any craft project, including binoculars.
10. Handprint Earth Art
Help the kids create an Earth using their handprints in blue and green paint on a large piece of paper. This makes for a personal and tactile Earth Day creation. It’s always heartwarming to see their proud grins as they realize the world is in their hands.
A few suggestions:
- Washable Blue and Green Finger Paint Set: This set includes non-toxic, washable finger paints in vibrant blue and green, perfect for creating Earth-themed art with little hands.
- Large Roll of White Craft Paper: A large roll of white craft paper provides a perfect canvas for multiple handprint Earth projects, allowing for extensive creativity.
- Plastic Tabletop Cover: A waterproof, reusable cover to protect surfaces during art projects. Easy to clean, making it ideal for preschool activities.
11. Recycled Paper Mâché Globes
Use strips of old newspaper and a paste made from flour and water to create globes. Kids can paint them to look like Earth once dry. It’s a messy but rewarding activity that they love!
These products might help:
- Non-toxic Tempera Paint Set: A set of vibrant, non-toxic tempera paints perfect for preschool crafts. These are easy to clean and provide excellent coverage for paper mâché projects.
- Balloon Pack for Crafting: A pack of durable balloons that serve as a base for creating paper mâché globes. These balloons can be easily inflated and are perfect for crafting activities.
- Flour for Paper Mâché Paste: All-purpose flour that can be used to make a simple and safe paste for paper mâché crafts. Ideal for use with newspaper strips to create sturdy shapes.
12. Upcycled T-Shirt Bags
Transform old T-shirts into reusable bags by cutting and tying the bottom. Kids can decorate their new bags with fabric paint or markers. It’s a great lesson in upcycling and practical crafting.
Check if these fit your needs:
- Fabric Paint Set: A set of vibrant fabric paints perfect for decorating T-shirt bags. Non-toxic and easy to use for kids.
- Permanent Fabric Markers: Assorted permanent fabric markers ideal for adding intricate designs and personal touches to upcycled bags.
- Kid-Friendly Scissors: Safe and easy-to-use scissors designed for children, suitable for cutting fabric safely during the crafting process.
13. Eggshell Planters
Save eggshell halves to use as tiny plant pots for seedlings. Kids can carefully paint the shells before planting. It’s a gentle way to introduce them to gardening and recycling.
These products might be useful:
- Non-toxic Acrylic Paint Set: A set of vibrant, non-toxic acrylic paints perfect for kids to decorate eggshell planters safely and creatively.
- Small Paint Brushes for Kids: A collection of easy-to-hold paint brushes, ideal for small hands, ensuring precise and fun painting on eggshells.
- Organic Seed Starter Kit: A kit containing a variety of organic seeds suitable for beginner gardeners, perfect for planting in eggshell planters.
14. Bottle Cap Stamps
Repurpose bottle caps as stamps by adding foam shapes to the tops. Kids can dip them in paint and stamp away on paper to create patterns. It’s an inventive way to reuse materials while having fun.
Products that could assist:
- Assorted Foam Shapes: These foam shapes are perfect for creating various designs on bottle caps, allowing kids to explore their creativity while stamping.
- Acrylic Paint Set: A set of vibrant acrylic paints ideal for use with foam stamps, providing long-lasting color on paper.
- Crafting Glue: Durable and easy-to-use crafting glue can securely attach foam shapes to bottle caps for fun stamping projects.
15. Nature-Inspired Wind Chimes
Collect sticks, shells, and other natural materials to string together and make wind chimes. Kids can personalize their chimes with paint or beads. Hanging them in the garden is a lovely way to celebrate Earth Day.
Check these products out:
- Wooden Craft Sticks: Natural wooden sticks perfect for creating wind chime frames, offering durability and a rustic look.
- Shell Beads Assortment: An assortment of shell beads suitable for adding charm and sound to your wind chimes.
- Colored Craft Beads: Vibrant colored beads for personalizing wind chimes and adding visual appeal.
