Creative Ways Families Can Celebrate Earth Day Together

For more than 50 years, Earth Day has been celebrated by millions of people worldwide.

It’s a universal way to honor our planet and express gratitude for the environment that sustains our way of life.

While every other holiday is related to a historical event or religious observance, Earth Day is for everyone young and old, from all types of backgrounds. This makes it ideal to celebrate in schools, communities, and families, no matter what your beliefs may be.

The best part is that celebrating Earth Day doesn’t require that you spend money or time on commercial goods and activities. Quite the opposite! The real way to celebrate this day is to connect with nature and be with your family in full appreciation and peace.

“It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest,” says legendary presenter David Attenborough. “It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living.”

Let’s look at a list of interesting and fun ways to make this Earth Day the most memorable one yet, and set a strong example for future generations.

Find Out Your Footprint

At the core of the Earth Day experience is recognizing our own place in the grand scheme of things. This is an important lesson for kids to learn, and it starts by understanding our impact on the world around us.

“You can explore your own home, your kitchen cabinets, your wardrobe, your belongings, and put them in an environmental context that young people can understand,” said Melissa Rhodes, CEO of Psychics 1on1. “This will open up their eyes to how everything is interconnected, and how small decisions can impact the globe and its inhabitants on a much larger scale.”

There are tools online that anyone can use to find out how much energy they consume on a daily basis, and what they can do to limit their impact and make small sacrifices to improve the health of the planet.

“Carbon footprints and electricity usage are some common examples of metrics that we use to gauge environmental impact, but there are many more to consider,” said Rachel Roff, Founder and CEO of Urban Skin Rx. “Look at how your clothes are made, where your food comes from, how much time you spend in the car, or the modern conveniences you enjoy like clean water and air conditioning. The lesson here is to gain a sense of appreciation for things we usually take for granted and realize there’s always a cost.”

Remember not to make kids feel anxious or guilty on Earth Day, but to simply share a realistic perspective without the alarmism. As a parent, you want to share the truth but not make kids overly concerned, because they’re just children, after all.

Get Into the Great Outdoors

What better place to be on Earth Day than out in nature where there is so much to be discovered? Weather permitting, there are plenty of fun outdoor activities to pursue on this special day.

“Nobody wants to be stuck at home on Earth Day, so take a trip to a local nature preserve or just explore some of the wildlife features in your own neighborhood,” said Cole Steverson, COO of Hybrid2Go. “There is bound to be something interesting you can find and study, whether it’s a unique plant, animal, or rock formation. Don’t discourage exploration, and get involved yourself! This is the type of childlike wonder that makes Earth Day special. Keep an open mind and look at things from a new perspective.”

The more you can engage with the environment in a material sense, the more you’ll get out of your Earth Day experience. Kids are not shy about getting their hands dirty, so embrace the hands-on aspect of this celebration.

“Who cares if you go digging for worms, catch insects in jars, or do other activities that make a mess,” said Cody Candee, Founder and CEO of Bounce. “The best way to appreciate the earth is to get involved on a direct level, and parents can facilitate this in a safe manner that everyone enjoys. Parents that encourage this kind of curiosity find that their kids grow up with a better appreciation for the environment at large.”

Remember that kids learn by being active and engaging with the environment in a literal sense. If this means cleaning up the park in classic Earth Day style, so be it.

“To leave the world better than you found it, sometimes you have to pick up other people’s trash,” says television personality Bill Nye.

Be sure to balance the at-home education with actually getting out there in the field and having some fun! Don’t worry, you can do a load of laundry later and clean any dirt or grass stains you might have sustained.

Unplugged Indoor Activities

After you’ve braved the great outdoors for a few hours, the kids will probably be in need of some indoor relaxation. You can enjoy some eco-themed activities inside the house, too. There are so many resources at your fingertips, so use them all.

“There is no shortage of environmentally-focused programming on television and online, and much of it is geared towards kids at different levels of understanding,” said Shaun Price, Head of Customer Acquisition at MitoQ. “The beauty of infotainment is that kids can have fun while absorbing important lessons about things like sustainability, environmental preservation, and other key topics that affect us all. Just be sure to find shows or videos that are appropriate for their age group and avoid anything that’s too politically motivated.”

Passively watching a TV program is easy for parents and kids alike, but the real learning happens in a more active manner. Try to set up some activities that bring the family together in an engaging way while still being educational.

“It’s never a bad time to break out board games or set up a scavenger hunt around the house with environmental themes,” said Jim Marggraf, CEO of Kinoo. “Kids of all ages appreciate when parents are directly involved and having fun as well. Educational resources should be practical and immersive, rather than a simple video on YouTube. Setting up creative opportunities to learn is where parents can really excel and set up a memorable Earth Day for all. Even if you download an application for your tablet and participate as a parent, you’re going above and beyond the norm - give yourself some credit!”

As many parents find themselves in the “screen time” dilemma, they may want to avoid tablets, computers, and televisions altogether on Earth Day. On the other hand, many children these days are accustomed to these technologies and don’t learn well without them.

As long as you balance the screens with face-to-face engagement and some outdoor activities, you can strike an appropriate balance on Earth Day and make the most of the experience. 

Enjoy Environmentally Friendly Food

Earth Day would not be complete without some healthy, eco-friendly snacks and meals to keep you energized throughout. Plan ahead and procure some sustainable foods for this day and get the whole family involved.

“This isn’t the day to go to a typical chain restaurant or do take-out, so put in some extra effort to eat green and clean,” said Hector Guttierez, CEO of JOI. “Take the family to a local farmer’s market to get a more direct idea of where food comes from, instead of picking up packages off the shelf at the supermarket. If you decide to eat meat, talk about the circle of life and how nutrients are passed from one animal to the next. There are learning opportunities everywhere.”

Most of all, take this chance to try out some new recipes that feature organic ingredients and don’t have all the artificial extras found in so much modern food.

“We all eat less-than-healthy food from time to time as a matter of convenience, but Earth Day is when you should focus on sustainable foods that the whole family loves,” said Lindsay McCormick, Founder and CEO of Bite. “Maybe make a huge salad with unusual organic ingredients, or buy a whole fish and break it down manually to see the process first hand. The key is to make the connection between the natural environment and what ends up on our plates, rather than reaching for a box of processed goods that aren’t so healthy.”

Of course, some kids - especially very young ones - will be averse to some of these more “adventurous” foods, even though they’re far more natural than sugar and salt bombs. Parents may need to come up with creative ways to introduce these foods and then sweeten things up at the end of the day with a treat for dessert.

Have an Excellent Earth Day!

While this holiday may not share the same historical legacy as others, you can absolutely make Earth Day something to remember and look forward to. Kids are naturally receptive to these topics and themes as long as you introduce them the right way and encourage expression.

Incorporate arts and crafts, cooking, outdoor fun, and family time into one amazing day. This article has some good ideas to get you started, but creativity is limitless!

Get the whole family involved and see if you can leave the world better than you found it when you woke up this morning! This is how you make Earth Day something that everyone can enjoy for years to come.