Celebrating Earth Day in Preschool

Celebrating Earth Day in Preschool

Most preschool and kindergarten teachers teach their students about fire safety and dental health; but did you know that teaching your little learners to love and respect our planet is just as important? Celebrating Earth Day is the perfect time to introduce the concepts of reducing, reusing, and recycling to your students. Here are some of my favorite earth day activities you can try in your own classroom.

earth day blog hop

Earth Day Song

We all know children learn best through music and movement so here’s a song I wrote to help your students better understand the concept of recycling.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Song

by Vanessa Levin
(Tune: For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow)
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Let’s all do our part!
Bottles, cans, and bags
Bottles, cans, and bags
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Let’s all do our part!

Adding some hand motions to this song will increase engagement. Have your students use their index finger to make the triangular recycle symbol in the air or on the carpet as you sing the song together.

You also might like one of these 8 Earth Day Songs for Kids as well!

Preschool Books About Earth Day

Books about Earth Day

Of course, no topic is ever complete without some great books to read aloud. Two of my Earth Day favorites for preschool and kindergarten are Big Earth, Little Me by Thom Wiley and The Earth Book by Todd Parr.

 

Big Earth, Little Me has everything a book for young children needs to be a smash hit. The illustrations are created in the vibrant cut paper collage style, which makes them very visually appealing to all audiences. The text on each page is simple and short but packs a big punch with empowering “I can” phrases that will make little ones feel like they can make a difference. To top it off there are flaps throughout the book that kids will love to peek behind for added fun.

 

The Earth Book is from popular children’s author, Todd Parr. His unique style of colorful illustrations and simple text hit the mark with preschool and kindergarten audiences every time.

Each page highlights one way kids can help make the world a better place followed by a “because” statement. Adding because to each statement makes the message in this book more powerful. It’s not about just telling kids to do something, but also giving them the reasons why it’s important; therefore it becomes more meaningful to them.

Parr also has a great sense of humor and knows his audience well as evidenced by the mention of underwear in the detachable poster that is included on the last page of the book.

Check out this research-based, playful learning unit in our curriculum shop!

Preview in the Shop

Earth Day Bundle

A bundle of 8 of my most popular earth day resources, math, literacy, fine motor, and more! Make learning fun with these hands-on resources!

Celebrating Earth Day in Preschool

Here are some fun Earth Day activities to help you celebrate Earth Day in your classroom and teach children about caring for our planet. You can add just a few, or all of these to your lesson plans!

Earth Day Paper Plate Weaving (Pre-K Pages) – Paper plate weaving is a fantastic fine motor challenge for your Earth Day theme. With Earth Day right around the corner, this simple paper plate weaving activity is a fun way to spark discussion with your students about stewardship of the earth while encouraging creativity!

Sensory Play for Earth Day (Pre-K Pages) – Animals are a vital part of planet Earth and it’s a wonderful idea to celebrate them on Earth Day. This sensory play activity for Earth Day is a great way to engage the senses while also talking about creatures that live on Earth.

Homemade Seed Paper (Pre-K Pages) – A great way to celebrate Earth Day for Kids is by making homemade seed paper. It makes a great process art activity for preschoolers, requiring very simple materials. It is also a great fine motor skill challenge and makes for fun sensory play with a little science mixed in, too.

Earth Day Art

Painting with Recycled Objects (Pre-K Pages) – Earth Day is a time to think about caring for the world we have. Reusing and recycling materials are ways to be responsible. In this art project activity children can recycle materials to use for painting and can explore the letters of the alphabet, too.

Simple Earth Suncatcher (No Time for Flash Cards) – With some environmentally friendly glitter and white glue your preschoolers will have a fun time making these easy Earth Suncatchers in this hands on activity.

Recycled Art (No Time for Flash Cards) – Using a collection of recycled objects, this is an easy Earth day process art activity.

Earth Day Activities

Talking About Recycling (Pre-K Pages) – Earth Day is a great time to teach preschoolers about recycling materials. Making a recycling center for the classroom is a simple way to get kids involved in caring for the environment. Can you recycle a plastic bottle? How about a can? Your little learners will love sorting materials into the appropriate bins with this easy earth day activity.

Celebrating Earth Day (Pre-K Pages) – Most preschool and kindergarten teachers teach their students about fire safety and dental health; but teaching students to respect our planet is just as important.

Alphabet Clean Up (Pre-K Pages) – Earth Day is the perfect time to teach children about the environment and how they can help care for our planet. Here’s one way you can help your kids learn about the environment and the importance of not littering.

Upcycled Plastic Egg Music Shakers (Pre-K Pages) – Earth Day is a great time to talk about recycling and reusing (or upcycling) materials. Recycle plastic eggs after Easter and make upcycled plastic egg music shakers out of them. They are easy to make and you end up with the perfect little instruments for music time!

Cardboard Tube Marble Run Building Activity (Little Bins for Little Hands) – Save those cardboard tubes instead of throwing them away, and then turn them into this hands on marble run building activity.

Earth Day Snack Idea (Educators’ Spin on It) – Celebrate Earth Day with this healthy snack. Grab some blueberries, green grapes and let’s create the water and land with an Earth Day Snack! This kid made recipe can be made into individual Earth for each child or you can make one large Earth!

Printable Recycling Sorting Cards

Looking for more Earth Day fun? You can get free printable Earth Day Recycling Sensory Bin sorting cards emailed to you, simply fill out the form below.

More Earth Day Ideas

Recycling Activity for Preschoolers
Celebrating Earth Day in Preschool
Earth Day Sensory Play
Homemade Seed Paper Recipe
Earth Day Weaving Activity
Preschool Earth Day Activities
Upcycled Plastic Egg Shakers for Music
Earth Day Play Dough for Preschool
Earth Day Music for Kids
Earth Day Picture Books

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