Simple, Budget-Friendly Ideas to Celebrate Earth Day With Your Little One
Earth Day crafts for toddlers are the perfect way to introduce your little one to caring for our planet. But let’s be honest, the last thing busy moms need is another expensive craft supply run!
Good news: You don’t need fancy materials or Pinterest-perfect execution to create meaningful Earth Day activities with your little one.
These 12 crafts use items you probably already have tucked away in your recycling bin, junk drawer, or craft stash. Perfect for toddlers with short attention spans and moms with limited time!
1. Paper Plate Earth Painting (Blue + Green Blot Art)
Create a beautiful planet Earth with simple supplies:
- Paper plate
- Blue and green paint
- Cotton balls or sponge pieces
Let your toddler dab blue paint all over the paper plate. Then add green splotches on top to make “land.” There’s no wrong way to do this — every Earth is different!
2. Egg Carton Caterpillars
Use leftover egg cartons to make cute crawly friends:
- Cut strips of 3-5 connected egg cups
- Let your toddler paint them bright colors
- Add googly eyes or draw with markers
- Use pipe cleaners or twigs for antennae
This one is great for practicing counting and color recognition.
3. Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars
Make nature walk binoculars using:
- Two empty toilet paper rolls
- Tape or glue
- Yarn or string
Have your toddler decorate them, then head outside for a nature scavenger hunt!
4. DIY Recycled Crayon Shapes
Perfect for all those broken crayons:
- Peel off wrappers
- Place crayon pieces in silicone molds
- Bake at 275°F for 10 minutes
Cool, pop out, and use for new colorful creations!
5. Coffee Filter Planet Earth
This combines color mixing and water play:
- Color a coffee filter with blue and green markers
- Lightly spray with water and let dry
Hang it in a window for a pretty Earth Day suncatcher.
6. Nature Collage
Collect natural items like:
- Leaves
- Small twigs
- Petals or grass
Glue them onto cardboard or a paper plate to make a nature collage that celebrates the outdoors.
7. Bottle Cap Painting
Use caps from water or milk bottles as paint stampers:
- Dip edges in washable paint
- Stamp onto paper
Create patterns, flowers, or caterpillar shapes. Great for fine motor skills!
8. Newspaper Flower Crowns
Turn old newspapers into wearable art:
- Paint or color strips of newspaper
- Fold accordion-style and pinch the middle
- Secure with pipe cleaners and fan out into flowers
- Make a crown or a bouquet
9. “Trash to Treasure” Sorting Game
Turn recycling into a toddler game:
- Collect clean recyclables (bottles, paper, cans)
- Set up bins labeled with material types
- Let your toddler sort items by type
It’s fun and builds early environmental awareness.
10. Sensory Bin With Recycled Items
Fill a bin with safe, clean recyclables like:
- Bubble wrap
- Cardboard
- Paper scraps
- Bottle caps
Add scoops, bowls, and tongs. Mix in a few pinecones or stones for texture.
11. Magazine Scrap Collage
Use old magazines to make art:
- Tear or cut out green and blue images
- Glue onto a circle shape to make an Earth collage
You can even add hearts or handprints for extra flair.
12. Handprint Earth With a Heart
Create a keepsake you’ll want to save:
- Paint your toddler’s palm blue and fingers green
- Press onto paper
- Add a red heart in the middle to show we love our Earth
Perfect for even the youngest toddlers.
Earth Day Is a Great Chance to Teach + Create
These Earth Day crafts for toddlers focus on creativity, fun, and eco-awareness, without needing a trip to the store.
Which one will you try first?
Leave a Reply