Earth Day Activities for Kids: Hands-On Learning for Your Homeschool
By: Knowledge Crates
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If you’re looking for meaningful and creative earth day activities, our homeschool unit study kits are a great place to start! The Explore the Environment Earth Day Unit Study is packed with hands-on projects that bring science, art, and environmental awareness to life—all while keeping things fun and age-appropriate.
From earth day art projects made with recycled materials to science experiments that explore pollution and conservation, this homeschool crate is designed to help families connect with real-world topics in ways kids will actually enjoy.
Whether you do a full unit during April or just want to sprinkle in a few art activities for Earth Day, this kit makes it easy to plan, prep, and go—all with everything you need included in the box!
Why Earth Day Activities Work So Well in a Homeschool Setting
Earth Day is a great time to pause and help kids reflect on their connection to the natural world. When learning is tied to real-world issues like pollution, conservation, and sustainability, kids are naturally curious and eager to explore more. Whether you want to spend a day digging into an earth-themed topic or spend a few weeks weaving it into your homeschool rhythm, these activities offer great jumping-off points for hands-on learning.
Earth Day Activities to Explore with Your Kids
If you're looking for ways to help your kids connect with the meaning of Earth Day, hands-on projects are a great place to start. Whether you're diving into a full unit study or sprinkling in a few themed activities throughout April, these earth day activities offer simple, engaging ways to learn about the planet and how to care for it.
The ideas below are pulled from our Explore the Environment homeschool unit study and are ideal for ages 6–10. They combine science, art, literacy, and hands-on exploration to help make Earth Day meaningful and memorable.
Earth Day Projects That Combine Science and Creativity
One of the best ways to make learning stick is to let kids explore with their hands. These Earth Day projects give them a chance to ask questions, test ideas, and create something that reflects what they’ve learned.
Here are a few project-based activities that work well during Earth Month:
Build a water filter to see how much work it takes to clean this finite resource and why we shouldn't be careless in using it.
Stage an oil spill experiment in a water table or baking dish and rescue the animals.
Learn about non-Newtonian substances with Earth-inspired Oobleck
Sort and graph recyclables found around the house or classroom
Each of these activities opens up great conversations about the environment while allowing kids to explore real science concepts in a hands-on, age-appropriate way.
Art Activities for Earth Day
Art is a great tool for reflection, and Earth Day art projects give kids space to respond to what they’ve learned in creative and personal ways. These projects help kids make sense of big topics like conservation and pollution while giving them time to slow down and focus on the beauty of the planet.
Here are some favorite art activities for Earth Day:
Use recycling bin finds to make a nature-inspired collage (we made an octopus out of cardboard, bottle caps, and soda can tabs!)
Decorate a reusable tote bag with Earth-friendly messages or drawings of the planet
Make a torn paper collage of planet Earth
Build a model out of clay or a puzzle kit (that's what we did from our unit study kit!) of a favorite animal that relies on a healthy Earth to survive
These projects also double as great displays for Earth Day or end-of-unit celebrations, giving kids something they can proudly show off while reinforcing what they’ve learned.
Free Tools to Support Your Earth Day Learning
To make Earth Month even easier to plan and enjoy, we’ve created two helpful free resources that pair perfectly with these earth day activities:
A week-by-week unit study plan that offers a simple suggested schedule for spreading these activities across the month of April (automatically sent to you when you purchase the unit study kit).
Earth Day is a great reminder, but building eco-friendly habits can continue long after April! One of the best things about doing earth day activities with kids is that it empowers them to take small, meaningful actions in everyday life.
Try adding a few of these ideas into your regular homeschool routine:
Start a small home recycling station and let kids sort materials each week
Set up a compost bin or container and track what goes into it
Keep a “nature notebook” to document changes outdoors
Do a weekly walk-and-clean where kids pick up trash while exploring your neighborhood or local trails
These small steps reinforce the idea that caring for the Earth isn’t just a one-time project—it’s a mindset we can carry into everyday life.
Have Fun This April with Earth Day Activities!
Earth Day is more than just a date on the calendar—it’s a chance to slow down, learn with purpose, and reconnect with the natural world. Whether you’re focusing on science, art, conservation, or just encouraging your kids to look closer at the world around them, these earth day activities offer a meaningful and fun way to do it.
The ideas shared here are just a sampling of what’s possible with a hands-on, nature-based unit. If you're looking for more structure, the Explore the Environment Earth Day Unit Study includes everything you need to bring Earth Day learning to life in your homeschool.
With thoughtful projects, creative prompts, and opportunities for real exploration, this kind of learning sticks with kids—and that’s what makes it truly worth celebrating.
Elizabeth is a former public school teacher turned homeschool mom. She's been homeschooling for six years with her kiddos who are currently in kindergarten and third grade. At Knowledge Crates, Elizabeth develops the elementary unit studies and test-runs activities with her kids.
Knowledge Crates are thoughtfully curated and secular educational activity boxes designed to make learning fun, hands-on, and stress-free for families.
Each crate is packed with activities, books, and all the materials needed to spark curiosity and creativity in children.
Whether you're a homeschooling parent or simply looking for screen-free ways to keep your kids engaged, Knowledge Crates provide a convenient and enriching solution that fosters exploration and discovery.
Who are Knowledge Crates designed for?
Knowledge Crates are designed for families with children ranging from preschool to high school.
Unit Crates: The preschool units are ideal for children from preschool through grade 1. While some of the skills included may already be mastered by older kids in this range, this gives children a sense of accomplishment as they confidently complete activities on their own! The elementary units are tailored for children in grades 2–5, providing more challenging and engaging activities to keep them excited about learning.
Mini Crates: These versatile crates are designed for children ranging from preschool all the way through high school. Each mini crate includes a detailed list of what’s inside, along with photos of the materials, so parents can easily choose the best fit for their child’s interests and age group.
Sensory Play: Loved by kids of all ages, our sensory play options provide hours of engaging, hands-on exploration that fosters creativity and fine motor development. Whether your child is a toddler or older, sensory play is a hit in every home!
Can Knowledge Crates be used as part of a homeschool curriculum?
Absolutely! Knowledge Crates are a fantastic addition to any homeschool routine. Whether you’re looking to supplement your core curriculum or need ready-made activities to engage your kids, our crates provide all the materials and guidance you need.
Each unit study crate is carefully designed to explore a specific theme in depth, from the wonders of the ocean to desert habitats and beyond. The step-by-step guides and hands-on projects make it easy to incorporate crate activities into your lesson plans, saving you time and adding variety to your homeschool day.
Will Knowledge Crates really work in my homeschool?
Every family is different, and that’s why we design Knowledge Crates to be flexible. Whether you’re homeschooling full-time, looking for weekend activities, or need an engaging way to keep your kids learning during breaks, our crates adapt to your needs. They’re perfect for preschoolers exploring sensory play or older elementary kids diving into creative and STEM-focused projects.
And if you're worried about the value, consider this: everything you need is included. No hidden costs, no extra materials to buy —just open the box and start creating moments of learning and discovery. The materials are even reusable, so many of the activities can be enjoyed again and again!
My kids and I have had such a great experience with Knowledge Crates that I gifted this crate to my nephew and he loved it! My sister told me that he was entertained for at least 2 hours when they first opened up the crate. She said the rainbow volcano activity alone kept him entertained for an hour and then he kept asking for more. I love knowing that there are so many more fun and engaging activities that await them in this create.
My daughter can spend at least 40 minutes to an hour in one sitting with this kit. Her younger brother joins her with the sensory rice that he got from his Bee Crate. We are going over the book together as she explores and plays with the sensory items that come in this crate. She has also added in the weather charms that came with her weather crate. The book has helped us with bringing up and discussing bullying so far and has been a great way to help her with opening up about her experiences with and around this issue. She loves the book and we are looking forward to keep reading it together and the conversations that come from it. She really loves all of the sensory options that come with this kit. I highly recommend it.
Knowledge Crates is the best purchase I can make for my homeschool. As a busy mom of 4 it is really hard to be able to do the fun projects because I don’t have the time to gather all the supplies. Knowledge Crates makes learning so much more fun for the kids and for me as the teacher. It truly has been such a blessing!
