celebrating Earth Day with the kids...

by Margaret DeStefano

What began in 1970 has evolved into the largest civic observance in the world. Celebrated annually on April 22, Earth Day is a friendly reminder to take better care of this planet we call home. Here are a few ideas to turn it into teachable moments for kids:

1) Backyard Camping: Try spending a night in nature. Take in the night sky and stargaze with your little ones before they head to bed. 2) Recyclable Art: Try making a picture of a tree out of egg cartons by cutting and painting the individual egg cups green and gluing them onto a canvas. 3) Nature Scavenger Hunt: Search for natural wonders in your own backyard (think: a flower, squirrel, moss and so on).

4) Ground Yourself: Kick off your shoes and give grounding a try. The practice, documented on TikTok with the hashtag #grounding, has almost 300 million views.

5) Try Your Green Thumb: There are endless ways to create an eco-friendly space that will extend long past Earth Day itself. Plant a tree, assemble indoor herb container or designate part of your yard as a pollinator or butterfly garden.

6) Homemade Bird Feeder: Simply fill empty milk cartons or plastic water bottles with bird seed. Watching feathered friends flock to the yard is bound to make your little ones smile.

7) Thought-Provoking Books: Head to the library with your little environmentalists. Try classics like “The Lorax” by Dr. Seuss or “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein. Pick up a bunch of planet-friendly books for kids of all ages.