Earth Day 2022 Activities and Events in New York

With our on-the-go schedules, it’s easy to miss the beautiful nature that surrounds us: cherry blossoms on the way to work, green grass on the playground, or centuries-old trees rooted in the ground. . However, with Earth Day approaching, it’s time to slow down and appreciate all that our planet has to offer.

We are increasingly aware of the importance of taking care of our environment, but once a year, on April 22, we also celebrate the Earth. Whether it’s stopping to notice flower buds on your morning walk or planning a fun craft for your kids, take the time to say “thank you” to our planet. Luckily, we’ve rounded up the best kid-friendly Earth Day activities and events so your family can easily join in the festivities. Read on to find out how you can celebrate!

Earth Day Activities for Kids

Earth Day Storytime

There are so many children’s books that celebrate the Earth and encourage readers to treat our planet with love and respect. Pick a few and get cozy on the couch for story time. Especially if April 22 ends up being rainy or cold (you never know with the weather!), this is the perfect home activity. Some of our favorite books are The Lorax by Dr Suess, We are the Gardeners by Joanna Gaines and Julianna Swaney, and When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree by Jamie LB Deenihan and Lorraine Rocha, and City Green by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan.

Blue and green tie-dye

What better way to celebrate the Earth than to show ingenuity and creativity outdoors? Tie-Dye is a fan favorite for kids, especially when the weather warms up. Pick up a tie-dye kit and some white t-shirts at your local craft store and encourage your little ones to use the colors blue and green to create the Earth. You can even dye hats, socks, headbands, and other small items blue and green to keep the fun going for a few hours. But beware: this will cause a mess, so make sure your kids wear older clothes.

Planting flowers and painting pots

When we think of spring nature, flowers are the first thing that comes to mind! Let your kids become professional gardeners this Earth Day by heading to your local florist. You can either collect seeds or ready-to-bloom flowers, depending on your preference. Plant the seeds or flowers in pots, lay the soil down and sprinkle them with water. If you want to prolong the activity, you can even paint the pots. In this case, we recommend using terracotta pots and painting them first, before planting.

Layers of the Earth Pudding Cups

What if you could learn more about Earth and enjoy a delicious sweet treat? Well, with these pudding cups, it’s possible! Each layer represents a part of the Earth, so we suggest having a printout of the Earth’s core handy. This way you can teach your kids without them jumping sugar. Here’s how the pudding cup is made: 6 marshmallows (inner core), 1 tbsp. yellow vanilla pudding (inner core), 1 tbsp. (outer coat), 1 tbsp crushed oreos (crust), 1 tbsp green coconut (grass), and a plastic dinosaur is optional on top.

Earth Day Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts are a great way to make learning fun! One idea is to do a “clean up” scavenger hunt, where your kids have to find things to clean up your area. For example, you can go to a park and have a list that includes something plastic, recyclable, lost, etc. Even if you end up throwing away a few littered soda cans, you’re still making a difference! Another idea is to do a “nature” scavenger hunt, where you take pictures of a bunch of different natural sights: leaves, caterpillars, cherry blossoms, ducklings, water, etc. All you have to do is make a list and choose a location. .

Earth Day events around New York for kids

The Orchid Show: Kaleidoscope by Jeff Leatham

April 22
Bring your family to the New York Botanical Garden to admire these magnificent orchids. Your kids will surely love the multicolored orchids: orange, yellow, green, white, purple and more. The show debuted in 2020, and it’s been incredibly popular ever since. Get in touch with Earth’s captivating nature this spring with the show, and you can even check out other exhibits at NYBG afterward. 10am-6pm, $30; $28 students (with valid ID)/seniors (65+); $15 children (2-12 years old); free for children under 2 and patrons/members.