Earth Day presents a unique opportunity for parents and child care providers. Raising and caring for kids isn’t just about academic achievements and milestones. It’s also about preparing them to be responsible inhabitants of the Earth and learning to care for the environment around them. Earth Day reminds us that environmental stewardship is essential to living on our planet. This concept can be hard to explain to kids, however, so we’re suggesting some activities that can help you show the importance of caring for the environment while having fun!
Here are three of our favorite Earth Day activities for parents or child care providers to do with their kids.
Take a Nature Walk
We could all spend a little more time in nature. Take a walk through your neighborhood or local park and appreciate the nature around you. You can make a nature journal and draw pictures or write about the different plants and animals you see. Collect various leaves, flowers, or cool rocks to use in nature-themed crafts later. To give back to your community, you can also collect trash or litter as you walk.
Try a Water Conservation Experiment
We’ve all been told about water conservation, but it’s hard to understand just how much water we use in a day. An easy way to understand water conservation is to perform a simple experiment. Plug the drain on your sink and let the water run for three minutes, the recommended time to brush your teeth. At the end of three minutes, there will be a lot of water in your sink! This basic experiment shows you how much water comes out of your faucet. When you’re done, don’t let the water go down the drain. Transfer it to a pot or pitcher to use for cooking or to water your plants.
Plant Some Seeds or Saplings
Speaking of watering plants, there’s no better way to observe Earth Day than to add greenery to your home. If you have the space, plant some saplings or shrubs. If larger plants aren’t an option, plant some seeds in pots or outside. Carefully tend to them and watch them grow over the next few days and weeks to observe the progress from seed to full-grown plant.
Watch Me Shine | Child Care in Bangor, ME
At Watch Me Shine, our child care professionals craft individual programs to meet the needs of every child. With services like early intervention, speech therapy, and more, we can help every child reach their full potential.
