Earth-Saving Gift Giving

Give students a glimpse of what “trash” can be turned into with a little effort. Collect rinsed baby food jars. Remove the labels. Let the children decorate the jars with their mothers or grandmothers in mind. Explain how the jars can be used as votive candleholders. Hand out our discounted “Kids’ Guide To Environmental Awareness” Educational Puzzle Books so your “artists” can learn more about reusing. Also pass out “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” Pencil Grippers as reminders. Store the candleholders a few weeks, until the Friday before Mother’s Day. Then the children can give them as gifts.

Animals Everywhere

Provide an opportunity for children to participate in reducing what goes to landfills. Conduct a stuffed-animal swap. Request that the kids bring in stuffed animals they no longer want instead of throwing them away. Make sure parents are informed of this activity. Before the event, shop at a thrift store and purchase some used stuffed animals to have around in case anyone arrives empty handed. During the swap, play animal-themed music. Distribute “Earth Day Is ‘Bear-y’ Important” Temporary Tattoos or “Earth Care Benefits All Creatures” 5-On-A-Roll Stickers to all the children in attendance.

Green Education

Every community has a different combination of items that can be recycled. For example, some recycling programs accept just #1 and #2 plastic containers, while others take a wider range of plastic. Conduct a lesson for your students on what can and can’t be recycled in your area. Then type up a list, leaving plenty of white space around the edges. Provide copies of the list and colored pencils to the children, encouraging them to draw the items that can be recycled. Hand out “Let’s Learn About Recycling” Bookmarks to generate enthusiasm. Have the children bring the decorated lists, along with “Love The Earth? Recycle!” Bookmarks, to their parents.

Putting It In Writing

Through acrostic poems, let students express their feelings about the harm being done to the planet. Print “We Love The Earth” vertically on sheets of paper. Have your poets start each line with a letter from the printed phrase. Give “I The Earth” Buttons to everyone who turns in a poem. Award an “I The Earth” Water Bottle to the author of the best poem in each class.

Here’s Some Litter, There’s Some Litter

Instill in your students the habit of picking up litter whenever they see it by holding a contest. Place two special containers in each classroom, one for trash and one for recyclables. Announce that items found on school grounds should go in the containers. Set an amount of time for the collection to last, such as a month, and begin it on Earth Day. At the end of the contest, give everyone Earth Day Participant Certificates. Reward students in the class that picked up the most litter with “Tote-ally Reusable” Shopping Bags.

A Bright Idea

Any time you leave a room for more than a few seconds, it is energy efficient to turn lights off. The bulbs will not wear out any faster due to the more frequent on/off. Teach youngsters this important information. Have them create posters that will educate others about the subject. Thank them for their hard work with “Celebrate Earth Day Every Day” Recycled High Flyer Discs, which mentions saving energy by turning things off.

For The Love Of Bugs

On Earth Day, discuss the importance of insects to the ecosystem. Explain the many tasks insects are responsible for, such as pollinating plants. Organize a craft activity in which the children make caterpillars, ladybugs, and spiders from pipe cleaners and paper egg cartons. (You may need your school’s PTA to begin collecting egg cartons well ahead of time.) Use “Go Green” Biodegradable Plastic Stadium Cups to hold paint in during the craft, as well as to hold water for rinsing brushes. The cups can be washed and reused for other craft projects.