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Earth Day Outside Games

Celebrating Earth Day helps children understand the role they play in protecting the environment. Indoor activities can effectively teach core Earth Day lessons, but educational games played outside let kids enjoy themselves while interacting in the environment. It is an opportunity for kids to explore elements of the Earth and learn how to protect and respect the environment.

Earth
- The earth provides many opportunities for educational games.
  
  Games involving soil can teach kids to recognize the different types of dirt and soil as well as identify what they are likely to find in it. Students could investigate the soil to better understand the worms, debris and life-giving nutrients within. Another idea is to match an environmentally beneficial activity like garbage collection with a worksheet or checklist. A scavenger hunt could feature kids finding specific trash items before the time is up. Creating a game out of building a sustainable garden is a team-based activity that helps kids learn about the relationship of the Earth to its ability to provide food.
Wood
- Insects and wildlife abound in forests and wildlife areas.
  
  Forests and wildlife areas present an opportunity to teach kids about the effects of pollution and deforestation on animals, insects and vegetation. Consider creating a game out of identifying local flora and fauna. Help the kids collect caterpillars, butterflies and other small bugs in jars and catalogue their findings before releasing them. Tree planting is another activity that can help kids better understand the life of the forest around them.
Air
- Wind vanes teach students about air currents.
  
  Building a wind vane can help kids understand the air around them. This simple construction activity gives every child something to build, and they can personalize the wind vane with art or stencils. This activity also offers insight into how wind effects the world, from erosion to pollution. Flying a kite is an easy activity, and it's one of the most obvious demonstrations of how wind works.
Water
- Understanding the aquatic environment can be educational on Earth Day.
  
  Going to the beach, lake or ocean science center helps kids gain a better understanding of the aquatic environment. Create a game around catching small fish or beach crabs and pair it with a worksheet to let the kids catalogue what they find. A garbage collection challenge to clean up the beach or lakeside area offers a lesson on the damaging effects of pollution on the Earth's water systems and steps people can take to protect them.
Fire
- Fire is one of the most powerful, and dangerous, elements available. Under correct supervision, kids can learn about this powerful tool. Learning to build a fire is a unique opportunity for kids to appreciate the important role heat plays in everyday life. This team-based game not only helps children acquire a key survival skill but it can also teach them to respect the potential danger fire represents. Focus on the most abundant heart source, the sun, so students understand this powerful element. Using a magnifying glass to redirect the sun's rays or creating solar-powered batteries harness the heat of the sun in an educational way.

Kids Games