Earth Day Movies, Scavenger Hunts and More Ways to Celebrate

Earth Day isn’t just the most eco-friendly holiday, it can be a day full of fun and engaging activities! There’s no better time to engage in activities that promote sustainability, appreciation for nature, and eco-conscious living. We’ll explore a variety of creative and meaningful ways to celebrate Earth Day.  

From watching inspiring movies to embarking on scavenger hunts, and even sprucing up your surroundings with earth-friendly decorations. Every activity helps and promotes the meaningfulness of the holiday. Let’s dive in and discover how we can all play a part in protecting and preserving our beautiful home. 

Is April Earth Month? 

Yes! April is Earth Month. Rather than having just one day dedicated to sustainability, organizations like the E.P.A, The National Environment Education Foundation, and more have officially declared April as Earth Month.  

This month-long celebration offers ample opportunities to deepen our connection with the planet and take meaningful action toward positive change. Don’t worry if you don’t have a whole month to celebrate. We’ll share our best ways to make the most of Earth Day and Earth Month. 

Engaging activities 

What better way to celebrate Earth Day than by getting out in nature and lending a helping hand to the Earth yourself? These Earth Day activities will be fun and easy to do! Here are our top recommendations for celebrating even if you don’t have the time: 

Work on an Earth Day Worksheet: If you’re looking to get the kiddos involved in the Earth Day fun, working on some Earth Day worksheets is a great way to start! These worksheets provide a platform for children to learn about crucial concepts of environmental protection in an interactive manner. Moreover, Earth Day worksheets can spark curiosity and encourage discussions about environmental stewardship. 

Download your FREE worksheet for your young child now: “What is Renewable Energy?” 

Participate in an Earth Day Scavenger Hunt: Want to take this celebration outside? Try getting involved in an Earth Day scavenger hunt. If you need something to do during your lunch break or want to spend time outside, following an Earth Day scavenger hunt is a great way to get back to nature. Check out our free template to use on your adventure! 

Watch some Earth Day Movies: If you don’t have the time to get outside after a long day, watching movies or shows is a great way to participate in Earth Day. You can learn how to help the Earth in the future by watching movies about climate change, deforestation, and protecting wildlife.  

These movies provide valuable information on ways to make a positive impact on the environment. By educating yourself through these films, you can become more aware of the issues facing our planet. Taking action based on what you learn can contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future for the Earth. Here’s our ultimate list of movies with an Earth Day or environmentally positive theme: 

• Wall-E (2008) 
• Avatar (2009) 
• FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992) 
• The Lorax (2012) 
• Happy Feet (2006) 
• Into the Wild (2007) 
• March of the Penguins (2005) 
• The 11th Hour (2007) 
• Bee Movie (2007) 

For more earth-friendly movie options, visit Earth.org’s list! 

Go on a Nature Walk: This allows individuals to directly connect with the natural world, fostering appreciation and understanding of the environment. By immersing themselves in nature, participants can observe the beauty of ecosystems, from vibrant plant life to diverse wildlife, firsthand.  

Plus, being out in nature has numerous health benefits for your body and your mind. Not only does walking strengthen your muscles and your endurance but being out in nature has been linked to decreasing depression and anxiety. 

Plant a Tree: Trees are vital components of the ecosystem and play crucial roles in combating climate change, improving air quality, and supporting biodiversity. Better yet, individuals can directly contribute to reforestation efforts, helping to mitigate the effects of deforestation and carbon emissions one tree at a time. 

Plant a Native Plant Native to Your Area: Did you know that native plants provide incredible benefits to your garden? Native plants are adapted to the specific climate, soil, and environmental conditions of their region, making them well-suited to thrive without excessive maintenance or resources. Additionally, native plants provide essential habitat and food sources for local wildlife, including birds, insects, and pollinators.  

Build a Pollinator Hotel: It’s no secret that bees play a vital role in the preservation of our ecosystems. So why not treat them with respect and make them a little home within your garden? All it takes is some wood, a few tools, and love. 

Visit a Nature Center: Nature centers serve as valuable educational resources, offering visitors the opportunity to learn about local ecosystems, wildlife, and conservation efforts. Through interactive exhibits, guided tours, and more, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the natural world and the importance of protecting and preserving it. 

Volunteer at a Park Clean Up: What better way to participate in Earth Day than to do so in your local community? Try organizing a local neighborhood clean-up so everyone can be involved. Better yet, continue on your own and pick up trash in your neighborhood. The Earth and wildlife will thank you. 

Throw an Earth Day party 

To show even more love to the Earth, consider throwing an Earth Day party to spread the word! You can start by going digital with your party invitations and sending them by email or text. Next, plan eco-friendly activities and games that promote sustainability and environmental awareness.  

Lastly, focus on Earth Day decorations for your event! Here are some ideas to get you started: 

• Upcycled Centerpieces: Fill them with fresh flowers, succulents, or herbs for a natural touch. 
• DIY Terrariums: Provide decorative elements like moss, rocks, and figurines to personalize their creations. 
• Nature-Inspired Table Settings: Add rustic touches with linen tablecloths, woven baskets, and fresh greenery as accents. 
• Potted Plant Party Favors: Choose native plants or herbs that are easy to care for and symbolize growth and sustainability. 

• Earth-Themed Balloons: Opt for biodegradable or recycled latex balloons in Earth-inspired colors like blue, green, and white.  
• Recycled Paper Lanterns: Hang recycled paper lanterns in various sizes and colors to create a festive atmosphere.  
• Natural Fiber Textiles: Choose earthy tones or botanical prints to complement your party theme. 
• Chalkboard Signs: Use chalkboard signs or chalkboard paint to create reusable signage for food and drink stations, activities, and informational displays. 

Most importantly of all, be sure to keep eco-friendliness in mind when picking up materials like Earth Day decorations or utensils for your fiesta. If you’re looking for more help, download our guide free to you on how to throw the ultimate eco-friendly party! 

Earth Day sweet treats 

Yes, you can have your earth cake and eat it too! Possibly the best way to celebrate Earth Day is with some Earth Day treats. 

Earth Day cookies 

We’ve got the recipe you’re looking for to make the perfect, quick, and easy Earth Day cookies. Visit our video below for the complete guide and ingredients list: 

Earth Day cupcakes  

Just as easy as making Earth Day cookies, we have your recipe for Earth Day cupcakes! Follow the recipe below to make the perfect treats: 

Ingredients: 

• 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 
• 1 cup granulated sugar 
• 1 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1 cup water 
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• Blue and green food coloring 
• Vanilla frosting 

Instructions: 

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. 
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt until well combined. 
3. In a separate bowl, mix together the water, vegetable oil, vinegar, and vanilla extract. 
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. 
5. Spoon a small amount of batter into each cupcake liner be sure not to over-pour until your cupcake liner is two-thirds of the way full. 
6. Bake the cupcakes in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 
7. Remove the cupcakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack. 
8. Once cooled, prepare the vanilla frosting. Divide the frosting into two separate bowls. Add blue food coloring to one bowl and green food coloring to the other, mixing until you achieve the desired shades. 
9. Using a piping bag or zip-top bags, fill one side with the blue frosting and the other side with the green frosting and roll until colors are just combined but don’t mix together. 
10. Pipe the frosting onto the cooled cupcakes, creating a swirl effect from mixed frosting. 

Earth month challenge 

Looking to become even more earth-friendly? Check out our one-month Earth Month challenge to do something eco-friendly all month long! Whether it’s reducing plastic usage, conserving energy, or supporting local and sustainable businesses, our Earth Month challenge offers daily prompts and tips to help you make a positive impact on the planet.

Tips to show your love for the Earth every day 

If Earth Day’s not your thing, but being sustainable is, check out our list of the best ways you can support the Earth even when it’s not Earth Day: 

1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle 
2. Conserve Water 
3. Conserve Energy and Choose Earth-Friendly Energy for Your Home 
4. Walk, bike, carpool, or use public transportation instead of driving alone to reduce carbon emissions and air pollution. 
5. Buy locally produced goods to reduce transportation emissions and support your community. Look for products that are sustainably sourced and produced. 
6. Avoid single-use plastics like plastic bags, bottles, and straws whenever possible. 
7. Plan meals, store food properly, and compost organic waste to reduce food waste and methane emissions from landfills.