4/12/2024 | Angela Whitlock, CSRA
Over a billion people participate in Earth Day, which makes it the largest civic observance in the world. This year, make sure you can participate too!
Now that you know a little bit about the history of Earth Day and Earth Month from our last blog, here are some activities that are fun for all ages.
Go Backyard Camping
A fun way to learn about and reflect on planet Earth and all that it gives us is to spend time in nature. Backyard camping is a unique way to do this because you can observe nature both at night and early morning. For parents with many children, backyard camping is an easy way to take a “trip” without potential added stress from traveling. It also helps save fuel, which lessens air pollution from emissions, making it an even better way to celebrate Earth Month.
Some ideas for things to bring to your backyard camping trip include:
- Tent and/or sleeping bags, pillows, and blankets.
- Snacks – see if you can choose snacks that do not come in much disposable plastic to learn about plastic waste.
- A Scavenger Hunt Sheet – List roughly 10-15 items found in nature, such as moss, small rock, squirrel, feather, or clover, and see how many you can find in your own backyard. The Museum Store also sells scavenger hunt sheets.
- Spooky Stories – a fun twist on this idea is to tell stories that all have a common theme involving Earth Day, the planet, or pollution.
- A Star Finder – Learn about the constellations and make your own star finder using this template from the Cradle of Aviation Museum.
- Notebook, sketchbook, pencils, pens, drawing materials – Let nature inspire your creative side!
Try to avoid or limit these items during your backyard camping trip as a way to learn about different types of pollution:
- Multiple flashlights (try to pair it down to as few as possible) – light pollution
- Grilling outdoors, especially with a gas grill – air pollution
- Bug repellent (unless it is environmentally safe – DEET, picaridin, and lemon eucalyptus all have minimal environmental impact) – air pollution
- Loud music – noise pollution
- Disposable plastics and paper – plastic and soil pollution
Take a Virtual Field Trip
There are several line resources that allow you to visit monuments virtually, from either the comfort of your home or a library. By going on virtual field trips, you can take in all the natural beauty that the world offers. Like backyard camping, taking virtual field trips is another way to save fuel. Below are some online resources that offer virtual field trips:
If you want to really get into the spirit, try to dress up like you would if you were visiting these places in person.
Both activities provide fun and exciting things to do that also allow you to learn about the importance of Earth Month. We hope they inspire you to participate.
In our next Earth Month post, we will be looking at the importance of Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling and why they are listed in this order! And don’t forget about our upcoming in-person activity and prize giveaway happening April 20th-22nd. Stay tuned for more info!
Sources: Today.com, Google Arts & Culture, Cradle of Aviation Museum (website), NPS.gov.