4 Sustainable Crafts to Celebrate Earth Day

In today's world, where sustainability is paramount, there is a pressing need to engage in activities that promote environmental stewardship and share these with our children.

Earth Day, April 22, is an important reminder of our interconnectedness with the natural world, offering an opportune moment to explore crafts that instill a sense of responsibility toward the planet we call home.

Embracing recycled materials is a cornerstone of Earth Day-inspired crafting and involves transforming discarded items into vibrant creations. These projects teach valuable lessons about recycling and repurposing, fostering a mindset of resourcefulness and creativity while teaching kids to see the beauty in materials that others may deem as waste.

Nature-inspired crafts deepen our connection to the environment by incorporating elements from the natural world into our creations, encouraging observation and appreciation of nature.

DIY Terrarium

Creating your DIY terrarium offers a creative outlet and a chance to celebrate Earth Day with a sustainable twist.

To begin, select a container — preferably something that can be repurposed, like a plastic bottle or glass jar. Next, layer pebbles and charcoal to establish a drainage base at the bottom of your terrarium, which is crucial for maintaining proper moisture levels.

Add a layer of soil and carefully nestle in your chosen plants, ensuring roots are adequately covered while preventing contact of leaves, petals, or stems with the walls of the container. This step creates a visually appealing miniature ecosystem and imparts valuable lessons about plant care and environmental sustainability.

To complete your terrarium, incorporate personal touches like figurines and uniquely shaped rocks, adding a touch of whimsy to your creation!

Milk Carton Birdhouse

Transforming a milk carton into a birdhouse not only sparks creativity but also promotes environmental consciousness through the use of recycled materials.

To start this project, apply a thin layer of kid-friendly white paint to the outside of the carton as a base. Coat the sides of the carton with school glue and apply construction paper, tissue paper or magazine scraps in any arrangement.

Gently brush over the top of the paper with a sponge brush to ensure that all edges are glued down. For the birdhouse roof, fold a recycled piece of cardboard in half, cover it with glue, apply paper as you did for the rest of the birdhouse and set it aside to dry.

Once the roof has dried, use school glue to attach the roof to the carton. For the birdhouse door and perch, have an adult cut an opening for the door in addition to two slits to form a small “x” at the bottom of the carton. Insert the handle of a wooden spoon into the “x” shape to create a perch.

Add a generous dab of glue to securely attach the end of the spoon to the back of the carton. Finally, give the birdhouse a couple of coats of outdoor Mod Podge or spray varnish, and hang them up outside.

Pressed Flowers

Pressed flower art presents an engaging and educational activity suitable for kids of all ages.

Begin by pressing flowers, either from your garden or purchased fresh, beneath a heavy object to flatten them. Once flattened, arrange the flowers and leaves in a pattern of your choice on a piece of construction paper.

Using a paintbrush and white glue (thinned with water), carefully adhere the plant material to the paper to create a botanical masterpiece.

Get creative by adding personalized touches such as doodles, messages about Earth Day, or decorative elements like beads and ribbons.

Once dry, frame your artwork and proudly display it in your home, showcasing your artistic flair and appreciation for nature's beauty!

Recycled Earth Day Crayons

Transforming old and discarded crayons into new ones offers a hands-on activity that teaches children about the beauty of recycling and repurposing.

Begin by preheating your oven and removing the wrapping from old green, blue and white crayons. Break the crayons into small pieces and place them in a muffin tin, layering colors starting with white at the bottom.

Bake at 250°F for 15-20 minutes, until the crayons are melted, and then allow to cool and set in the refrigerator. Once set, pop the crayons out of the muffin tin to reveal unique recycled crayons ready for creative adventures!

Through this craft, children create something new from old materials while learning the importance of reducing waste and caring for the environment.

Author:

Becky Ward, Education Experience Specialist at Tutor Doctor, an internationally renowned tutoring franchise. With years of experience in the education industry, Ward creates resources for tutors, works with the franchisees, has been a tutor herself for decades, and is a certified Junior Kindergarten through grade 12 teacher with special education teaching qualifications.