Earth Day 2022 activities: fun facts, ideas and quiz questions children can do to celebrate helping the planet

Here is a list of some fun, simple and quick activities for children to get stuck into to celebrate Earth Day
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Earth Day is celebrated on 22 April each year and is a day to think about our planet, how we can protect our environment and fight against climate change.

It was established in 1970 in the United States and quickly became a global event.

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It is important to make sure children understand their responsibility when it comes to looking after our planet - and Earth Day is a great opportunity to get them involved.

We have compiled some fun activities, ideas, and quiz questions that children can do to celebrate this Friday.

Egrets fly past during sunrise at Kajhu beach, Aceh province during Earth Day on April 22, 2021. (Photo by CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN / AFP)Egrets fly past during sunrise at Kajhu beach, Aceh province during Earth Day on April 22, 2021. (Photo by CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN / AFP)
Egrets fly past during sunrise at Kajhu beach, Aceh province during Earth Day on April 22, 2021. (Photo by CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN / AFP)

Quick ideas for children’s activities to celebrate Earth Day

If you don’t have much time, here are some simple and quick ideas for activities that children can do this Earth Day to celebrate.

  • Go for a bike ride or a long walk (leave the car behind)
  • Bake your favourite cookie or biscuit recipe and let the kids decorate with icing to look like planet earth
  • Look through your shelves and find some books to give away via your local charity shop or library
  • Take a walk through a local park so the children can birdwatch and observe wildlife.
  • Draw pictures of flowers and plants
  • Collect litter and recycling in your local area

What are some other fun activities to do?

Organise an Earth Day scavenger hunt

Send the kids out into the garden or park in teams to collect - or spot - various items on a list you provide.

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For example you could provide lists of different birds to spot with images next to them, or images of particular flowers and plants.

Hang birdseed ornaments

Celebrate Earth Day and feed the birds with the help of birdseed ornaments.

You can make these from supplies you can find in the kitchen or purchase from local shops or garden centres.

They are great for letting kids see the birds that come to visit when you hang them outside the kitchen window.

A rainbow is seen over an illegal sand quarry in Pekan Bada, Aceh province during Earth Day on April 22, 2021. (Photo by CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN / AFP)A rainbow is seen over an illegal sand quarry in Pekan Bada, Aceh province during Earth Day on April 22, 2021. (Photo by CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN / AFP)
A rainbow is seen over an illegal sand quarry in Pekan Bada, Aceh province during Earth Day on April 22, 2021. (Photo by CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN / AFP)

Take an Earth Day pledge

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Getting the kids to make a list of the things they would like to do to maintain the health of our environment is a great way to get them involved with Earth Day.

They can put their drawing and doodle skills to good use too.

Build a vegetable garden with your family

Show kids how to grow and care for their vegetable gardens.

It is important to stress how creating gardens with our own vegetables will encourage wildlife and pollinators.

Plant a tree

They capture carbon and support pollinators.

You can consider getting out a spade, digging a shallow hole and planting a new tree in your own back garden.

Try out some vegan dishes

See if your children enjoy some climate-friendly dishes.

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There are thousands of recipes to try online from breakfast to dinner dishes. See which ones your children would like to try and have a go at cooking them together.

This is a great and easy way to celebrate Earth Day with your children.

Teach kids how to recycle

Create your own recycle bins and let the children create them with their own stickers and names.

Teaching children how to reuse, recycle and reduce will not only help the planet but is a great way to get involved with the Earth Day celebrations.

Fun quiz questions for children this Earth Day

  • Which of these items can be composted, or turned into natural fertilizer, for your garden?
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Egg shells, Golf balls, Aluminium foil, or All of the above.

Answer = Egg shells.

  • Which of these species are threatened by global warming?

Koala, Clownfish, Arctic Fox, or All of the above.

Answer = All of the above

  • What is most frequently found in beach cleanups?

Glass, shoes, pieces of plastic or jewellery.

Answer = Pieces of plastic.

  • Paper can be made from which of these materials?

Panda excrement, hemp, wood, or all of the above.

Answer = All of the above.

  • Which is the greenest form of transportation?

Car, Bicycle, Bus or Train.

Answer = Bicycle.

A band performs in front of a large crowd during the Earth Day celebrations in New York City, US, 22nd April 1970. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)A band performs in front of a large crowd during the Earth Day celebrations in New York City, US, 22nd April 1970. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
A band performs in front of a large crowd during the Earth Day celebrations in New York City, US, 22nd April 1970. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

10 fun facts about Earth Day

Here are 10 fun Earth Day facts:

  • The first Earth Day was in 1970.
  • Earth Day went global in 1990.
  • It’s known as “International Mother Earth Day” around the world.
  • There’s an “official” Earth Day song - one of the most popular Earth Day songs is Earth Anthem, which was written in 2013 by Indian poet Abhay Kumar.
  • This year marks the 52nd anniversary.
  • Earth Day is celebrated by over a billion people each year.
  • Millions of trees have been planted for Earth Day.
  • The first Earth Day was the planet’s largest civic event.
  • The date for Earth Day was chosen due to its appeal to college students, who are known to be great activists for causes they care about.
  • Earth Day drove the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, which does great work to pass legislation on clean air, water, toxic substances and endangered species.

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