Earth Day Crafts for Elementary Kids: Fun and Easy Projects

I have collected 15 simple Earth Day crafts projects which elementary school students can complete because most projects utilize recycled items we already possess in our home.

1. Recycled Bottle Planters

Recycled bottle planter.

Materials:

  • Empty plastic bottles (soda or water bottles work great)
  • Scissors
  • Acrylic paint or markers
  • Potting soil
  • Seeds or small plants
  • Googly eyes (optional, but so cute!)

Instructions:

  1. Cut the plastic bottle in half—kids will need help with this part.
  2. Use the bottom half as your planter base.
  3. The kids can create their own designs by painting or using markers to decorate the outside of the bottle.
  4. Add googly eyes or draw a face to make it extra fun.
  5. The parent must create small drainage holes in the bottom using a sharp object.
  6. Fill the container with soil and plant your seeds.
  7. Water your plants and position them on a sunny windowsill.

2. Egg Carton Earth

This lovely keepsake helps children understand our planet’s beauty through its visual representation.

An egg carton Earth.

Materials:

  • Cardboard egg carton •
  • Blue and green paint
  • Paintbrushes
  • Scissors
  • String or ribbon for hanging

Instructions:

  1. Cut out one cup section from the egg carton.
  2. Paint the outside blue for the oceans.
  3. Once dry, add green splotches for the continents.
  4. Let it dry completely.
  5. Display proudly!

3. Newspaper Seed Pots

This is an entirely biodegradable product which allows you to plant the container directly into the soil.

A newspaper seeds pot.

Materials:

  • Newspaper
  • A small can or jar (about 2-3 inches diameter)
  • Tape (optional)
  • Potting soil
  • Seeds

Instructions:

  1. Cut the newspaper into 4 inch wide strips which should extend 12 inches in length.
  2. Wrap the newspaper around the can, leaving about 2 inches hanging off the bottom.
  3. The excess newspaper must be folded under the bottom of the can while pressing down to create a crease
  4. Slide the can out carefully.
  5. Fill your new pot with soil.
  6. Plant seeds according to package directions.
  7. The complete newspaper pot should be planted in the garden after the seedlings reach their planting stage because it will break down by itself.

4. CD Sun Catchers

Got old CDs lying around? (Who doesn’t?) Turn them into sparkly decorations!

A suncatcher made with a CD as an Earth Day craft for elementary kids.

Materials:

  • Old CDs or DVDs
  • Tissue paper in various colors
  • Mod Podge or white glue
  • Ribbon or string
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. Tear tissue paper into small segments through cutting.
  2. Apply Mod Podge to one surface of the CD through brushing.
  3. Children may use tissue paper fragments to create overlapping color patterns across the entire space.
  4. The project needs an additional Mod Podge application which will function as a protective seal.
  5. The material needs complete drying which will require several hours.
  6. Thread ribbon through the center hole.
  7. Hang in a window and watch it sparkle!

5. Cardboard Tube Binoculars

This activity works perfectly for observing birds during outdoor nature walks.

Binoculars made with empty toilet paper rolls.

Materials:

  • 2 empty toilet paper rolls or 1 paper towel roll cut in half
  • Tape or glue
  • Paint, markers, or stickers for decorating
  • Hole punch
  • String or yarn
  • Tissue paper or cellophane (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Decorate both tubes through your choice of colors.
  2. The tubes should be glued or taped together after they reach the drying stage.
  3. Create a hole on the outer edge of each tube.
  4. To make a neck strap, thread a string through the holes and tied together.
  5. You can choose to tape colored cellophane or tissue paper to one end for creating a playful filter effect
  6. Head outside and explore!

6. Recycled Crayon Earth Crayons

Create new art by transforming all of your broken crayon pieces.

Earth Day craft made with recycled crayons in blue and green colors.

Materials:

  • Broken crayons in blue and green
  • Silicone mold (circle or earth-shaped if you can find it)
  • Oven
  • Peeler or knife (for parent use)

Instructions:

  1. Start by setting the oven temperature to 250°F.
  2. Peel the paper off all the crayons.
  3. Crayons should be broken down into tiny sections.
  4. The mold should be filled with a blue and green crayon mixture that requires slight blending.
  5. Bake for 10-15 minutes until completely melted.
  6. Let cool completely before popping out (at least an hour).
  7. You now possess earth-toned crayons which you can use for artistic expression.

7. Pine Cone Bird Feeders

The birds will thank you for this one!

Pine cone feeder for Earth Day.

Materials:

  • Pine cones
  • Peanut butter or vegetable shortening
  • Birdseed
  • String or yarn
  • Plate or shallow dish
  • Butter knife or popsicle stick

Instructions:

  1. The top section of the pine cone needs string to be tied securely while leaving enough length for hanging purposes.
  2. Spread peanut butter all over the pine cone using the knife or stick.
  3. Pour birdseed onto a plate.
  4. Roll the pine cone in the birdseed until completely covered.
  5. Hang from a tree branch.
  6. Observe the birds as they indulge in their delicious meal.

8. Milk Jug Watering Can

This craft creates useful garden equipment which children will use.

A watering can made with a recycled milk jug.

Materials: •

  • Empty milk jug with cap
  • Nail or push pin
  • Markers or paint for decorating
  • Stickers (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Clean the milk jug thoroughly and let dry.
  2. Decorate through markers and paint and stickers.
  3. The parent should use the nail to create 5 to 10 small holes on the cap.
  4. Fill with water.
  5. Screw the cap on tight.
  6. Use to water plants—tip and pour!

9. Coffee Filter Earth

This technique appears basic yet produces stunning watercolor results.

A coffee filter with the colors of the earth.

Materials:

  • White coffee filters
  • Blue and green washable markers
  • Spray bottle with water
  • Newspaper or plastic tablecloth

Instructions:

  1. Protect your workspace by using newspaper.
  2. Use green marker for drawing continent shapes.
  3. Fill in the rest with blue marker for oceans.
  4. The filter requires only a brief misting of water to demonstrate color mixing results which will become visible.
  5. Let dry flat.
  6. Display on windows or hang from string.

10. Tin Can Pencil Holders

Turn trash into organizational treasures!

A tin can pencil holder.

Materials:

  • Clean tin cans (remove labels)
  • Sandpaper
  • Paint or wrapping paper
  • Glue
  • Decorative items: buttons, ribbons, stickers, fabric scraps

Instructions:

  1. Sand any sharp edges on the can opening.
  2. Paint the outside or wrap with decorative paper, gluing in place.
  3. Add embellishments like buttons, ribbons, or nature-themed stickers.
  4. Let dry completely.
  5. Fill with pencils, markers, or art supplies.

11. Paper Bag Earth Vest

Kids love wearable crafts!

A vest made with a paper bag for Earth Day.

Materials:

  • Large brown paper grocery bag
  • Scissors
  • Blue and green paint
  • Paintbrushes or sponges
  • Markers

Instructions:

  1. Cut up the center of the bag from bottom to top.
  2. Cut a circle in the bottom for the head hole.
  3. Cut armholes on each side.
  4. Lay flat and paint blue for oceans.
  5. Add green continents once the blue dries.
  6. Add details with markers—animals, trees, people holding hands.
  7. Let dry and wear proudly!

12. Recycled Magazine Bead Necklace

Jewelry from junk mail? Yes, please!

A bead necklace made with magazine pages.

Materials

  • Colorful magazine pages
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick
  • Toothpicks or wooden skewer
  • Clear nail polish or Mod Podge
  • String or elastic cord

Instructions:

  1. Cut magazine pages into long, thin triangles (about 1 inch wide at the base, 6-8 inches long).
  2. Starting at the wide end, wrap the triangle tightly around a toothpick.
  3. Glue the pointed end down to secure.
  4. Slide the bead off the toothpick.
  5. Coat with clear polish or Mod Podge for durability.
  6. Let dry completely.
  7. String beads onto cord and tie to wear.

13. Recycled Cereal Box Puzzle

This one’s a hit because kids make their own puzzle and then get to solve it!

A cereal box recycled as an Earth puzzle.

Materials:

  • Empty cereal box (or any cardboard box)
  • Scissors
  • Markers, crayons, or paint
  • Ruler
  • Pencil
  • Ziplock bag for storage

Instructions:

  1. Cut out the front or back panel of the cereal box to get a flat piece of cardboard.
  2. On the blank side, draw a large Earth with blue oceans and green continents.
  3. Add fun details like animals, trees, clouds, or a rainbow.
  4. Color it in brightly with markers, crayons, or paint.
  5. Let it dry completely.
  6. Flip it over and use a pencil and ruler to draw puzzle piece shapes (about 12-20 pieces for elementary kids).
  7. Cut along the lines to create your puzzle pieces.
  8. Mix them up and see if you can put the Earth back together!
  9. Store in a ziplock bag for future puzzle fun.

14. Plastic Bag Pom-Poms

Turn plastic bags into cheerleading pom-poms for Earth!

A pom pom made with green and blue plastic strips.

Materials:

  • Plastic grocery bags (green and blue)
  • Scissors
  • Tape or rubber band

Instructions:

  1. Flatten several plastic bags together (about 4-5).
  2. Cut off the handles and bottom seam.
  3. Cut long strips from the bottom up, stopping about 2 inches from the top.
  4. Roll tightly from one side.
  5. Secure the middle with tape or a rubber band.
  6. Fluff out the strips.
  7. Shake and cheer for our planet!

15. Egg Carton Caterpillar

Because Earth Day is about all creatures great and small!

A caterpillar made with egg carton.

Materials:

  • Cardboard egg carton
  • Scissors
  • Green paint
  • Googly eyes
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Markers or crayons

Instructions:

  1. Cut out a row of 5-6 cups from the egg carton.
  2. Paint the cups green.
  3. Once dry, glue on googly eyes to the first cup.
  4. Poke two small holes in the top of the first cup.
  5. Insert pipe cleaners for antennae.
  6. Draw a smile and spots with markers.
  7. Your caterpillar is ready to crawl!

There you have it—15 Earth Day crafts to keep your kiddos busy and teach them about caring for our beautiful planet! The best part? Most of these use materials you probably already have on hand, which is just so on theme for Earth Day.

My kiddos’ favorite, as always, are the pine cone bird feeders—they love checking every morning to see what birds came by. And let’s be real, any excuse to make a mess with paint is a win in my book!

Looking for Earth Day Crafts for preschoolers? Check out this post.

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