Earth Day Activities to Do at Home
Did you know that Earth Day has a new theme every year? In 2021, environmental leaders invite people of all ages to “Restore Our Earth” by planting trees, cleaning up litter, and engaging students in climate literacy. We encourage our Titusville Catholic school students to do their part to preserve the planet. To celebrate Earth Day with your children, here are a few activities you can do with materials you likely already have at home:
Sun Printing with Old Fabric
Transform your children’s plain old t-shirts with sun printing, a natural way to combine flora with fashion. First, take your children on a nature walk to gather leaves, flowers, and other (safe) plants. Then, wet your fabric of choice and paint it with acrylic paint. Here’s the part children will enjoy: press the different plants you’ve gathered down flat on top of the fabric before leaving it out in the sun to dry. The sun’s heat will set the paint around your pattern, leaving a neat nature-inspired print behind.
Growing Seeds in Mason Jars
Have any empty food jars sitting in your cabinet? Use them to germinate seeds that you and your children can plant together! For this project, you’ll need some glass jars, paper towels, and seeds. Vegetables like peas, green beans, and squash will grow the fastest, but you can also experiment with other types of produce and flowers if you’d like. Fill the jars to the brim with paper towels and carefully add enough water to dampen them. Next, push your seeds into the jar, keeping them close to the glass so you can see them. Lastly, leave them in a sunny area to watch them grow! From root to shoot, your child will take delight in observing the seed at different stages in its germination.
Making Bird Feeders Out of Toilet Paper Rolls
Teach children to care for their feathered friends by helping them make bird feeders out of something everyone has at home: empty toilet paper rolls. You’ll also need some sturdy string, peanut butter, and birdseed. Start by punching two holes in the toilet paper roll; this is where the string will go later. Use a spoon to coat the toilet paper rolls in peanut butter and birdseed. Finally, loop the string through the holes and tie the ends into a knot. Now you can help your children hang the feeders on tree branches and look out for the different visitors that come to take a bite.
With over 57 years of academic excellence, St. Teresa Catholic School, a Titusville private school, provides a quality education that challenges and empowers students to develop to their full potential. Students foster qualities that are essential for lifelong learning and are equipped for future success. To learn more about why St. Teresa is the perfect fit for you and your student, contact us today.