Fun and Educational Earth Day Activities for Preschoolers and Daycare

April 15, 2026

When it comes to helping mold little eco-warriors, Earth Day is the perfect opportunity to instill a love for our planet in preschoolers. With a focus on fun and education, you can create engaging activities that inspire children to take care of their environment from a young age. These delightful Earth Day activities for preschoolers and daycare are perfect opportunities for daycares and preschools to make the celebration both enjoyable and informative for little ones.

earth day activities for preschoolers

1. Nature Scavenger Hunt

A nature scavenger hunt is a fantastic way to get little ones excited about the natural world around them. Create a list of items for the children to find, such as:

  • A smooth rock
  • A green leaf
  • A twig
  • A flower petal
  • An insect or bug

Equip the kids with small baskets or bags and head outdoors. Bring magnifying glasses so they can examine other items in nature, such as butterflies and plants, but leave them be! While they hunt for their natural treasures, talk about the importance of each item and how it contributes to the ecosystem. An outdoor scavenger hunt is also a wonderful sensory activity – use the time to smell, touch, see, and hear while out in the nature world.

2. Planting Trees, Flowers or Veggies

Nothing says Earth Day quite like planting something new. Provide each child with a small pot, some soil, and a seed. Flowers like marigolds or sunflowers are great choices as they are easy to grow and visually rewarding. A bonus for this activity is to save the plant, letting kids watch it grow, and then paint a decorative pot to put in for a Mother’s Day or Father’s Day gift. Alternatively, if your childcare center plans on creating any sort of veggie or outdoor garden, you can get kids started early in the seedling process.

  • Step 1: Help the children fill their pots with soil.
  • Step 2: Plant the seed at the appropriate depth.
  • Step 3: Water the seed and place the pot in a sunny area.

Use this activity to teach them about the plant growth cycle and the benefits of plants for the environment.

3. Story Time with a Purpose

Reading books that focus on environmental themes is an excellent way to combine education with entertainment. Choose age-appropriate books such as:

  • “The Earth Book” by Todd Parr
  • “The Lorax” by Dr. Seuss
  • “Compost Stew” by Mary McKenna Siddals

After story time, discuss with the children what they learned and how they can help protect the Earth. You can take it a step further by having kids create/tell their own Earth Day story – they can also draw pictures to accompany the story!

4. Recycled Art Projects

Turn trash into treasure with some creative recycled art projects. Gather clean recyclables such as:

  • Egg cartons
  • Plastic bottles
  • Cardboard tubes
  • Newspaper

Provide the children with glue, paint, and other art supplies, and let their imaginations run wild. They can create anything from robots to flower vases. This activity encourages creativity while teaching the importance of recycling and reusing materials. Don’t forget to check out Pinterest for fun recycled craft ideas and other fun daycare activities.

5. Earth Day Sing-Along

Music is a powerful tool for learning, especially for young children. Teach them simple Earth Day-themed songs such as:

  • “This Land is Your Land”
  • “The Green Grass Grows All Around”
  • “The 3 R’s” by Jack Johnson

Encourage the children to sing and dance, reinforcing the idea that taking care of our planet can be fun and joyous.

6. Earth-Friendly Snacks

Wrap up the day with a delicious, eco-friendly snack, serving as both a reward and a teaching moment. Opt for snacks that don’t generate a lot of waste, such as:

  • Fresh fruit slices
  • Homemade trail mix
  • Veggie sticks with hummus
  • Cheese and crackers

You can also involve the kids in making simple snacks, emphasizing the importance of reducing packaging waste and composting organic leftovers.

Celebrating Earth Day with preschoolers is all about combining fun with educational activities that foster a love for the environment. Whether you’re planting seeds, creating recycled art, or singing eco-friendly songs, these fun Earth Day activities for preschoolers are sure to leave a lasting impression on little minds. By starting early, we can nurture a generation of children who are passionate about protecting our planet.

Let’s make Earth Day every day, one playful lesson at a time!

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