Ideas on How to Celebrate Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day! (Tomorrow)
* Earth Day Children's Activity Books and Coloring Books
One of our most popular publications for young children, this is an 11-page coloring book full of tips for making the Earth a better place. Download a printable copy and feel free to make as many copies as you'd like.

In addition to the free coloring book, you'll find lots of free environmental education materials at:

http://www.eps.gov/region5/publications/happy/happy.htm
* Earth Day Poems and Songs

Here is a collection of Earth Day songs. I hope you can use them at home, in your classroom or your daycare to help the children celebrate Earth Day. My favorite is Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/earth/songs.html
These are some simple examples that can be discussed:
Recycle: We should not throw cans, bottles and newspapers into landfills. These items can be recycled. Don't throw those shoe boxes away -- they can become toy dioramas or doll houses. Discuss how these items get recycled.
Reuse: We don't always need a new piece of paper or a new t-shirt. We can try to reuse what we already have. We can help keep trash out of the landfills. How can a piece of paper be reused? Example: We can use the comics to use as wrapping paper, print the templates in this web site on the blank/clean side of junk mail or other discarded paper material. How can a T-shirt be reused - many pieces of fabric from T-shirts can make a great quilt!
Reduce - Every home can reduce the amount of waste/garbage it produces and the landfills would last years longer. Composting is one way of reducing -- explain how you can help and/or are helping to reduce.
* Seashore Collage

Instructions and Suggestions can be found here:

http://www.first-school.ws/activities/artapp/collage.htm
* Celebrate Earth Day!
These books help children become more aware of the natural world and of our role as its caretakers. More of Barefoot Eco books
* Barefoot Book of Earth Tales

* Forest of Stories
Magical Tree Tales from Around the World

* Herb, The Vegetarian Dragon

* Home for a Tiger, Home for a Bear


For further reading on Earth Day posts:

http://barefootbooks-ladyd.blogspot.com/2009/04/earth-tales-sunday-times-book-of-week.html

http://barefootbooks-ladyd..blogspot.com/2009/04/review-whole-world-fun-eco-activities.html
* US Gov't Earth Day:

* Links to federal government Web sites for kids related to Earth Day and the environment.

http://www.earthday.gov/kids.htm
Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program's Education Center:

http://education.arm.gov
Endangered species: games and how you can help.

http://endangered.fws.gov/kids
Energy Hogbusters: learn how to outsmart the hogs that waste energy

http://www.energyhog.org
Energy Information Administration's Energy Ant: learn all about where we get our energy and how we use it

http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/iindex.html
Environmental Protection Agency's Kids Club: games and activities about environmental issues

http://www.epa.gov/kids
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Kids' pages: play games, read stories, sing along, and color.

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/home.htm
National Institutes of Health: Tox Mystery

http://toxmystery.nlm.nih.gov
National Park Service WebRangers: fun and activities in our National Parks.

http://www.nps.gov/webrangers
Nature Watch: see animals in action.

http://www.fs.fed.us/ooutdoors/naturewatch
Roofus the Dog's Solar and Efficient Neighborhood: make your home energy smart.

http://www.eere.energy.gov/kids/roofus
Sci4Kids: stories about plants and bugs.

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/kids/plants/plantsintro.htm

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/kids/insects/insectintro.htm
S.K.Worm: he'll answer your questions about dirt.

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/education/squirm/skworm.html
USA.gov for Kids: a portal to lots of kids' resources.

http://www.kids.gov
Guess I'll head on over to Walgreens tomorrow and get my free reusable shopping bag. Celebrate Earth Day!
~ LadyD