Earth Day is the perfect time for parents to teach children about respecting the natural environment and the different creatures that live in it. Earth Day, originally initiated by John McConnell in 1969, is gradually becoming an annual tradition celebrated around the globe. The visual and tactile experience of arts and crafts are great teaching tool to give children learn about Earth Day. I have included three examples below but there are literally hundreds of crafts ideas to choose from. You are only limited by your imagination.
Ladybug Puppet
Insects frighten a lot of little kids but ladybugs, because they are colorful and cute, tend to have more pleasing effect. I remember my daughter being fascinated with ladybugs where she was very little. Making a ladybug puppet helps a child to have fun with the respect the insect world in a creative and fun way.
List of Supplies
Two paper plates
Red and black watercolor paint
Markers and crayons
Pipe cleaner
Wiggle eyes
Scissors
Stapler
White craft glue
Instructions
- Cut out two legs from black construction paper
- Staple two paper plates together, the top surfaces should face inwards. Leave the bottom unstapled – for a hand insert
- Cut the edge of the plate off of the bottom
- Paint the top of the plate red – leave a space for the head. Allow the red paint to dry and then paint the head black. Glue wiggle eyes to the head.
- Punch two holes in the top of the ladybug above the head. Thread two pipe cleaners into the hole to look like attenenas.
Pet Rocks
Years ago pet rocks used to be hip and cool. Helping your own child make her own pet rock may bring back pleasant memories of your own childhood, and at the same time, helps her to have fun with a piece of nature. A big part of the fun is walking around with your kid as she selects the rock to turn into her pet.
List of Supplies
Rock
Acrylic Craft Paint
Decoration items – yarn, wiggle eyes, glitter glue, sequins, beads
White Craft Glue Instructions
- Wash the rock with soap and water. Use a scrub brush to get all the nooks and crannies in the rock. Set the rock in a warm or sunny location and allow it to completely air-dry.
- Paint the rock with acrylic craft paint and a paintbrush. Allow the child to choose the color(s) that she wants. Allow drying time between each color if the rock is being painted multiple colors.
- Decorate the rock with wiggle eyes, glitter glue, and so forth,
- Glue piece of yarn to the rock to simulate hair for the finishing touch.
Animals Made with Recycled Bottles
Thousands of plastic bottles are thrown away of every day. It is difficult for most families to avoid using plastic bottles because so many staples – water, milk, juice, to name a few. One of the most important lessons that children should learn from Earth Day celebrations is to make a conscious effort to recycle materials rather than simply disposing of them. Using old bottles for crafts projects helps to encourage a child’s creativity at the practical level and the theoretic level.
List of Supplies
Plastic Bottle
Felt
Wood Ball
Chalk Pencil
Scissors
Paintbrush
Instructions
- Decide what type of animal that you want to make. Select a bottle.
- Wash the bottle with warm water and dishwashing detergent. A small scrub brush works well for the inside of the bottle.
- Paint the wooden ball with a paintbrush. Choose a color for the animal – for example, a pink pig, an orange or gray cat and so forth. Purchase felt.
- Glue a ball to the top of the bottle for the head.
- Outline the body of the animal on the felt with a piece of chalk.
- Cut the felt into pieces.
- Glue the felt to the bottle.
- Embellish the animal, wiggle eye, ribbons, and markers.
