Kid-Friendly Games, Videos & Crafts to Learn About Earth Day!

April 14, 2021 Becky Marburger Leave a Comment

Earth Day is celebrated April 22 each year, but what is Earth Day? Where did it come from? What are some ways we can take care of the Earth?

Together with the children in your life, learn about Earth Day with these educational resources.

All About the Holidays: Earth Day

We only have one Earth, and we should celebrate it! Earth Day is an opportunity to cherish our planet and recognize how to protect it. Learn more about the event with this short video. Recommended for grades K-5.

Build a Worm Hotel

Start observing nature with this easy craft, creating a temporary “hotel” for earthworms in a dirt-filled container. This craft is a great way to launch a conversation about what types of living things depend on our Earth and why we should care for it. Recommended for grades PreK-5.

Building a Biodiversity Timeline

In this interactive lesson found on PBS LearningMedia, identify and evaluate solutions for reducing human impacts on the environment and biodiversity. Learn how various kinds of data and information can be gathered to create a biodiversity timeline that serves as evidence of changes in a population of a species. Recommended for grades 9-12.

Design a Water Filter

Blast off with Jet and his friends and create a water filter! In this Ready Jet Go! activity, use a pitcher of water, a flour sifter, pebbles and a few other household materials to a filter that cleans debris from water. Recommended for grades PreK-3.

Climate Wisconsin

From warming trout streams to decreasing ice cover, lower lake levels to extreme heat, Climate Wisconsin tells stories of our rapidly changing climate. This online educational multimedia resource from PBS Wisconsin Education features 10 videos and an interactive, along with background essays and teaching tips. Climate Wisconsin connects stories of personal observation and experience to current climate change research. Recommended for grades 6-12.

Jo Wilder and the Capitol Case

Jo Wilder looks at her map for clues

Play this online video game set in and around the Wisconsin State Capitol and be engaged as a “history detective.” Use critical thinking and historical inquiry to help Jo Wilder solve two history mysteries, including uncovering an Earth Day artifact. Also meet fun and interesting characters while you play! Recommended for grades 3-5.

Make a Reusable Bag From a T-Shirt

When we use reusable bags, we make less plastic and paper trash that can be harmful to nature. In this activity from PBS KIDS’ Nature Cat, make a reusable cloth bag to bring on your next shopping trip and use it to collect treasures on your next outdoor adventure! Recommended for grades 4-8.

Seasonal Temperature and Precipitation Variations

Compare the seasonal weather between two U.S. locations with this interactive lesson from PBS LearningMedia. Interpret temperature and precipitation data maps as well as collect and record the data for the two locations in order to find patterns and make comparisons. Recommended for grades 3-5.

Seventh Generation Earth Ethics

The book “Seventh Generation Earth Ethics” shares how Native people of Wisconsin have worked toward sustainability and protecting the environment using this collection of biographies, one from each of Wisconsin’s First Nations. Each story shares traditional ecological values and cultural sensibilities. Recommended for caregivers and educators.

The Water Walker

A book found on Wisconsin First Nations, “The Water Walker” tells the tale of Josephine Mandamin, an Ojibwe grandmother who loves nibi (water) — the giver of life. Learn how she walks around all the Great Lakes to raise awareness of our need to protect nibi and our planet for future generations. Recommended for grades K-3.

Wisconsin Biographies

A PBS Wisconsin Education resource, Wisconsin Biographies is a collection of free educational, online media resources that use stories of famous people in Wisconsin history to discover our past and understand our present. Materials include short animations, leveled books, image galleries, interactives and more! Three stories from the collection feature Earth Day themes: Chief Oshkosh: Leader in Troubled Times, Gaylord Nelson: A Vision for the Earth and Milly Zantow: Recycling Revolutionary. Recommended for grades 3-8.

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