25 Easy Earth Day Crafts for Kids

Earth Day crafts are the best kind of fun because they’re colorful, hands-on, and sneak in a little “we love our planet” learning without feeling like homework.

These ideas are simple enough for classrooms, scout groups, and rainy afternoons at home.

1. Paper Plate Earth Twirl

A spinning paper-plate Earth that hangs from the ceiling—perfect for classrooms and bedroom decor.

Supplies

• 2 count paper plates
• 1 count blue acrylic paint
• 1 count green acrylic paint
• 1 count paintbrush set
• 1 count kids scissors
• 1 roll string

Directions

1. Place a paper plate on a covered surface and paint it blue using blue acrylic paint and a paintbrush.
2. Once the blue base is mostly dry, dab on green “continents” using green acrylic paint—they can be blobs, shapes, or kid-made “maps.”
3. Let it dry completely, then use kids scissors to cut a spiral starting at the rim and moving toward the center.
4. Punch a small hole at the center end of the spiral and tie on string for hanging.
5. Hold it up and watch it twirl—hang near a window for a cute spinning “planet.”

2. Earth Handprint Keepsake

Blue handprints become oceans, and green thumbprints become continents—sweet for memory books.

Supplies

• 1 pack white cardstock
• 1 count blue washable paint
• 1 count green washable paint
• 1 pack baby wipes
• 1 count black marker

Directions

1. Lay out white cardstock and have baby wipes ready for quick clean-up.
2. Paint the child’s hand with blue washable paint and press it onto the cardstock to make a big “ocean” print.
3. Let the blue dry a bit, then dip fingers or thumbs into green washable paint and add thumbprint continents.
4. Use a black marker to write “Love You to the Moon & Back (and the Earth too!)” or “Happy Earth Day” with the date.
5. Once dry, frame it or add it to a class display wall.

3. Recycled Magazine Earth Collage

A textured Earth made from torn blue and green paper—great fine-motor practice.

Supplies

• 1 stack old magazines
• 1 pack white construction paper
• 1 count glue sticks
• 1 count child-safe scissors
• 1 count pencil

Directions

1. Use a pencil to draw a big circle on white construction paper.
2. Flip through the old magazines and find pages with blues and greens.
3. Tear or cut small pieces using child-safe scissors (tearing gives a cool texture).
4. Use glue sticks to fill the circle with blue “ocean” pieces first, then add green pieces as continents.
5. Let it dry flat, then write one Earth-friendly promise underneath.

4. Coffee Filter Earth Suncatcher

A stained-glass-style Earth that looks adorable in a sunny window.

Supplies

• 25 count coffee filters
• 1 pack blue washable markers
• 1 pack green washable markers
• 1 count spray bottle
• 1 roll clear tape

Directions

1. Flatten a coffee filter and color it with blues for oceans using blue washable markers.
2. Add green patches for continents using green washable markers.
3. Lightly mist with water using a spray bottle so the colors blend like watercolor.
4. Let it dry completely (it will look more vibrant as it dries).
5. Tape it to a window using clear tape and enjoy the stained-glass glow.

5. Recycled Bottle “Ocean in a Bottle” Sensory Jar

A calming Earth Day sensory jar that looks like swirling ocean water.

Supplies

• 1 count clear plastic bottle
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoon clear glue
• 1 count blue food coloring
• 1 count green glitter
• 1 count super glue

Directions

1. Wash and dry the clear plastic bottle and remove any labels.
2. Add water and stir in clear glue to thicken the swirl.
3. Add 1–2 drops of blue food coloring and a small pinch of green glitter.
4. Seal the cap tightly and add a ring of super glue around the lid (adult step) so it stays closed.
5. Shake gently and watch the “ocean” swirl—great for calm corners and sensory breaks.

6. Toilet Paper Roll Earth Stamp Art

Upcycle a toilet paper roll into a circle stamp and make a whole wall of little Earth prints.

Supplies

• 6 count toilet paper rolls
• 1 count blue washable paint
• 1 count green washable paint
• 1 pack white paper
• 1 count paper plates for paint palette

Directions

1. Pinch a toilet paper roll into a rounded shape to form a circle stamp.
2. Pour blue washable paint onto paper plates and dip the roll rim into it.
3. Stamp circles onto white paper to make Earth bases.
4. Once the blue circles dry a bit, dip fingertips into green washable paint and add continents.
5. Make a whole “planet wall” by repeating with different continent shapes.

7. Earth Day Paper Chain Garland

A simple garland of alternating blue-and-green links that looks like an Earth Day party decoration.

Supplies

• 1 pack blue construction paper
• 1 pack green construction paper
• 1 count kids scissors
• 1 count glue sticks
• 1 roll string

Directions

1. Cut blue construction paper and green construction paper into strips using kids scissors.
2. Form the first strip into a loop and secure with glue.
3. Thread the next strip through the loop, then glue into a loop—keep alternating colors.
4. Make it as long as you want, then tie it onto string for extra support if it’s long.
5. Hang across a wall, doorframe, or classroom bulletin board.

8. Egg Carton “Earth” Planting Cups

Paint egg carton cups like little Earths, then plant seeds—cute and meaningful.

Supplies

• 1 count cardboard egg carton
• 1 count blue acrylic paint
• 1 count green acrylic paint
• 1 count paintbrush set
• 1 bag potting soil
• 1 pack wildflower seeds

Directions

1. Cut the cups apart from a cardboard egg carton.
2. Paint each cup blue with blue paint and add green patches using green paint.
3. Let dry, then fill each cup with potting soil.
4. Sprinkle a few wildflower seeds into each cup and cover lightly with soil.
5. Water gently and place near a sunny window—plant the whole cup outside later since it’s biodegradable.

9. Earth Day “I Spy” Nature Bracelet

A clear tape bracelet kids can wear to “collect” tiny nature finds on a walk.

Supplies

• 1 roll clear packing tape
• 1 pair kids scissors

Directions

1. Cut a strip of clear packing tape long enough to wrap around a child’s wrist.
2. Wrap it sticky-side out and secure the ends together (adult help is easiest).
3. Head outside and have kids gently press tiny finds—petals, grass, small leaves—onto the sticky surface.
4. Encourage respectful collecting: pick only fallen items or a single blade of grass, not whole plants.
5. Back inside, admire the “nature bracelet” and talk about what they found.

10. Earth Day Paper Plate “Recycling Truck” Craft

A cute truck made from paper plates and recycled bits—perfect for talking about recycling.

Supplies

• 2 count paper plates
• 1 pack green construction paper
• 1 count glue sticks
• 1 count black marker
• 1 pack googly eyes

Directions

1. Cut one paper plate in half for the truck body and use the other plate to cut two circles for wheels.
2. Cover the body with rectangles of green construction paper using glue.
3. Glue on the wheel circles and draw wheel details with a black marker.
4. Add googly eyes on the front like a friendly truck face.
5. Write “Recycle!” on the side and add tiny paper “bottles” and “cans” in the back.

11. Earth Day “Planet” Playdough Mats

Kids build continents with playdough on a reusable Earth mat—great for centers.

Supplies

• 1 pack laminating sheets
• 1 count blue cardstock
• 1 count green modeling clay
• 1 count blue modeling clay

Directions

1. Draw a large Earth circle on blue cardstock (or print an Earth outline), then laminate using laminating sheets.
2. Give kids small pieces of blue clay to fill oceans and green clay to make continents.
3. Encourage them to roll tiny snakes for coastlines and flatten blobs for landmasses.
4. Let kids build, squish, and rebuild—no drying time needed.
5. Wipe mats clean and reuse for multiple Earth Day activities.

12. Recycled Newspaper Seed Paper Hearts

Homemade seed paper kids can plant later—sweet for Earth Day gifts.

Supplies

• 1 stack old newspaper
• 1 pack wildflower seeds
• 1 count blender
• 1 count heart cookie cutter
• 1 count wax paper

Directions

1. Tear old newspaper into small pieces and soak in water for at least 30 minutes.
2. Blend soaked paper with water in a blender to make pulp (adult help).
3. Stir in a small pinch of wildflower seeds.
4. Press pulp into a thin layer on wax paper, then use a heart cutter to cut shapes.
5. Let dry completely, then gift or plant later by burying lightly in soil and watering.

13. Earth Day Bottle Cap Mosaic

A recycled bottle-cap “globe” that looks awesome on bulletin boards.

Supplies

• 50 count plastic bottle caps
• 1 pack poster board
• 1 count mini hot glue gun
• 1 pack hot glue sticks
• 1 count blue spray paint
• 1 count green spray paint

Directions

1. Sort bottle caps into “ocean” and “land” piles (you can spray paint them with blue and green ahead of time).
2. Draw a large circle Earth shape on poster board.
3. Adult uses hot glue gun with glue sticks to attach caps inside the circle.
4. Place blue caps first, then green caps in continent shapes on top.
5. Hang as a recycled-art Earth Day statement piece.

14. Earth Day “Kindness to the Planet” Coupon Book

A mini booklet kids can take home with eco-friendly promises they can actually do.

Supplies

• 1 pack index cards
• 1 count stapler
• 1 pack washable markers
• 1 pack Earth Day stickers

Directions

1. Stack 6–8 index cards and staple along one side with a stapler to make a booklet.
2. Have kids write one “coupon” per page using washable markers (examples: “I will turn off lights,” “I will pick up 5 pieces of litter”).
3. Decorate covers with Earth Day stickers.
4. Read a few aloud so kids get inspired with realistic ideas.
5. Send home as a sweet Earth Day pledge.

15. Earth Day “Planet” Sponge Painting

Kids make soft, textured planet prints using sponges—easy and mess-friendly.

Supplies

• 1 count washable paint set
• 1 pack sponges for painting
• 1 pack white cardstock
• 1 count paper plates for paint

Directions

1. Pour blue and green paints from a washable paint set onto paper plates.
2. Cut sponges into small round-ish pieces (adult can prep).
3. Dip sponge in blue paint and dab circles onto white cardstock.
4. Use a clean sponge corner to dab on green “land” once blue is slightly tacky.
5. Let dry and display as a whole “solar system” wall of Earths.

16. Earth Day Tissue Paper “Planet” Lantern

A glowing tissue-paper Earth kids can hang up—cute for a classroom Earth Day party.

Supplies

• 1 count white paper lantern
• 1 pack blue tissue paper
• 1 pack green tissue paper
• 1 count school glue
• 1 count paintbrush
• 1 pack battery tea lights

Directions

1. Open and assemble the white paper lantern according to package directions.
2. Tear blue tissue paper into small squares for ocean pieces and green tissue paper into irregular “continent” shapes.
3. Mix a little school glue with water to make a paintable glue wash.
4. Use a paintbrush to paint glue onto the lantern and stick blue tissue pieces all over, overlapping slightly for a cool textured look.
5. Add green tissue patches as continents, then let dry fully before placing a battery tea light nearby or under it for a soft glow (no flames).

17. Earth Day “Trash to Treasure” Robot

A silly robot built from boxes and recyclables—perfect for a reuse lesson.

Supplies

• 1 count assorted cardboard boxes
• 2 count paper towel rolls
• 1 roll duct tape
• 1 pack googly eyes
• 1 pack washable markers

Directions

1. Choose one larger box from assorted cardboard boxes for the robot body and a smaller box for the head.
2. Attach parts using duct tape (adult helps make it sturdy).
3. Use paper towel rolls as arms and tape them to the sides.
4. Add a face with googly eyes and draw details using markers.
5. Name the robot and write an “Earth helper job” on its chest (like “Recycler” or “Litter Patrol”).

18. Earth Day “Planet” Yarn Wrapped Cardboard

A simple, calming craft that looks great on display and builds fine motor skills.

Supplies

• 1 count cardboard sheets
• 1 skein blue yarn
• 1 skein green yarn
• 1 count scissors

Directions

1. Cut a large circle out of cardboard (adult can help for smooth edges).
2. Cut a small notch in the edge so yarn can anchor.
3. Wrap blue yarn around the circle many times to cover most of it like oceans.
4. Add pieces of green yarn in sections as continents by wrapping over the blue in patches.
5. Tie off and trim with scissors, then hang or display.

19. Earth Day “Love Our Planet” Fingerprint Poster

A collaborative class poster with fingerprint “continents” and student names around the globe.

Supplies

• 1 pack white poster board
• 1 count blue washable paint
• 1 count green washable paint
• 1 count black marker
• 1 pack baby wipes

Directions

1. Draw a large circle on white poster board and paint it blue using blue paint.
2. Let the blue dry slightly so fingerprints don’t smear.
3. Have kids dip fingers in green paint and add fingerprints as continents and islands.
4. Use black marker to write “Love Our Planet” across the top.
5. Clean hands quickly with baby wipes and add student names around the border once dry.

20. Earth Day Recycled Crayon Melt Art

Use broken crayons to make bright Earth-colored melt art—great for reusing old supplies.

Supplies

• 1 cup broken crayons
• 1 count mini muffin tin
• 1 pack parchment paper liners
• 1 count oven mitts

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 250°F (adult step) and line a mini muffin tin with parchment liners.
2. Sort broken crayons into blue and green (and a few white if you have them).
3. Fill each liner with mostly blue pieces and a few green pieces on top for “continents.”
4. Bake 10–12 minutes until melted, then carefully remove using oven mitts.
5. Cool completely and pop out your new Earth-themed crayons or wax art discs.

21. Earth Day “Planet” Pom-Pom Painting

Kids use pom-poms as stampers to make dotted Earth textures—super easy and cute.

Supplies

• 1 count blue washable paint
• 1 count green washable paint
• 1 pack craft pom poms
• 12 count wooden clothespins
• 1 pack white cardstock

Directions

1. Clip a pom-pom into a wooden clothespin so kids can dab without messy hands.
2. Pour blue paint and green paint onto paper plates.
3. Dab a circle shape on white cardstock using blue, building up dots for a textured ocean.
4. Switch to green and dab in land patches.
5. Let dry, then cut out the Earth circles for garlands or bulletin boards.

22. Earth Day “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” Crown

A wearable crown kids can decorate with eco words and tiny Earths.

Supplies

• 1 pack green construction paper
• 1 pack blue construction paper
• 1 count glue sticks
• 1 pack washable markers
• 1 count kids scissors

Directions

1. Cut long strips from green construction paper and size them around each child’s head.
2. Glue ends together with glue to form a crown base.
3. Cut small Earth circles from blue paper and add green land shapes on top.
4. Write “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” with markers and glue the Earths around the crown.
5. Wear for an Earth Day parade around the classroom or house.

23. Earth Day “Planet” Paper Mache Balloon

A classic paper mache Earth that looks amazing hanging up once dry.

Supplies

• 6 count balloons
• 1 count school glue
• 1 stack newspaper
• 1 count blue acrylic paint
• 1 count green acrylic paint
• 1 count paintbrush set

Directions

1. Blow up a balloon and tie it off, then set it in a bowl to keep it steady.
2. Tear newspaper into strips.
3. Mix school glue with a little water to make a paper mache paste.
4. Dip strips into paste and layer over the balloon, leaving a small opening near the knot.
5. Let dry completely (overnight), pop balloon, then paint blue and green using blue and green acrylic paint.

24. Earth Day “Nature Weaving” Plate Loom

Kids weave yarn through a paper plate and tuck in nature finds—beautiful and simple.

Supplies

• 6 count paper plates
• 1 skein blue yarn
• 1 skein green yarn
• 1 pack plastic yarn needles
• 1 count kids scissors

Directions

1. Cut notches around the rim of paper plates using kids scissors (adult can pre-notch for younger kids).
2. Wrap blue yarn across the plate as warp strings by looping into opposite notches.
3. Thread green yarn onto plastic yarn needles and weave over-under through the blue strings.
4. On a nature walk, tuck in tiny leaves, petals, or grass pieces into the weave (fallen pieces only).
5. Tie off yarn ends and hang the weaving as Earth Day art.

25. Earth Day “Planet” Slime

Swirly Earth slime that kids love—best as a supervised activity.

Supplies

• 2 cups clear school glue
• 1 cup liquid starch
• 1 count blue food coloring
• 1 count green food coloring
• 2 count mixing bowls

Directions

1. Pour clear school glue into two mixing bowls, splitting it evenly.
2. Color one bowl blue with blue food coloring and the other green with green food coloring.
3. Add a little liquid starch to each bowl and stir until slime forms (add slowly so it doesn’t get too stiff).
4. Knead each color a minute, then gently twist blue and green together for an “Earth swirl.”
5. Store in a sealed container and remind kids to wash hands after slime play.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best Earth Day crafts for preschoolers?

Look for low-cut, high-success crafts: coffee filter suncatchers, sponge painting, and handprint Earths. Use washable paint and keep pieces larger to avoid frustration. For little ones, adults can pre-cut shapes so kids focus on painting and decorating.

How can I make these crafts more eco-friendly?

Choose recycled materials whenever you can—magazines, cardboard, egg cartons, and broken crayons. Swap disposable plates for a reusable tray during painting, and use items you already have (like old boxes) before buying anything new. If you do purchase supplies, look for multipacks you’ll use again, like construction paper assorted packs.

What crafts work best for a whole classroom?

Go for assembly-line friendly projects like paper chain garlands, fingerprint posters, and toilet paper roll stamp art. Set up stations with glue sticks, washable markers, and pre-poured paint to keep things moving smoothly.

How do I avoid a huge mess with paint crafts?

Use washable paints, cover tables, and keep wipes nearby. Pour small amounts of paint onto paper plates so spills are minimal, and have kids wear old shirts or kids art smocks.

What are quick “no-dry-time” Earth Day craft options?

Try the nature bracelet, yarn wrapping, paper chain garland, and coupon book. These use simple supplies like clear packing tape, yarn, and markers—no paint required.

Can these crafts be used as gifts?

Yes—seed paper hearts, the Earth handprint keepsake, and the kindness coupon book make especially sweet gifts. Slip finished items into a simple folder or bag and add a note like “Thanks for helping our planet!”

How can I connect the crafts to a learning moment?

Pair each craft with one simple fact or action: recycling (robot or truck), conserving water (ocean jar), planting (egg carton cups), and reducing waste (crayon melt art). Keep it short and kid-friendly so it feels empowering, not overwhelming.

Conclusion

Earth Day crafts are such a fun way to turn “taking care of our planet” into something kids can see, touch, and feel proud of. Whether you’re painting tiny globe prints or building a robot from recyclables, these projects make Earth Day memorable without being complicated.

Pick a few that fit your group’s age and time, lean into recycled materials when you can, and add a simple “planet promise” to tie it all together. The cutest part is watching kids realize that small actions—and small crafts—can make a big difference.