EARTH DAY: Free Download and Resources

Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22nd, emerged as a global environmental movement in response to growing concerns about pollution, environmental degradation, and the need for conservation efforts. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin conceived the idea for Earth Day, inspired by anti-war protests, and sought to harness the energy of grassroots activism to raise awareness about environmental issues.

History

The inaugural Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970, drawing 20 million Americans to rallies, demonstrations, and educational events nationwide. This groundbreaking event catalyzed the passage of key environmental legislation in the United States, including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishment. Over the years, Earth Day has evolved into a global phenomenon, with millions of people worldwide participating in activities aimed at promoting environmental awareness, sustainability, and collective action to protect the planet for future generations.

Free Earth Day Coloring Book

Download our free coloring book for students in grades PreK-5 here.

Earth Day Resources

1. National Geographic Kids (https://kids.nationalgeographic.com): National Geographic provides a range of Earth Day activities, including printable worksheets, games, and educational videos.
2. NASA Climate Kids (https://climatekids.nasa.gov): NASA’s Climate Kids website offers interactive games, videos, and activities to help kids learn about climate science and environmental issues.
3. Scholastic’s Earth Day Resources (https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/activities/teaching-content/earth-day-activities-lesson-plans): Scholastic offers lesson plans, worksheets, and teaching ideas for Earth Day across various grade levels.
4. Education.com Earth Day Activities (https://www.education.com/activity/earth-day): Education.com provides a collection of hands-on activities, crafts, and worksheets to teach children about Earth Day and environmental conservation.
5. PBS LearningMedia Earth Day Collection (https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/earth-day): PBS LearningMedia offers a curated collection of Earth Day-themed educational videos, lesson plans, and interactive activities.
6. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Earth Day Resources (https://www.epa.gov/earthday): The EPA provides resources, toolkits, and ideas for teachers to engage students in environmental education and Earth Day activities.
7. The Earth Day Network (https://www.earthday.org/education) offers educational resources, toolkits, and campaign ideas for teachers to incorporate environmental education into their curriculum.
8. Teach For America Earth Day Toolkit (https://www.teachforamerica.org/about-us/newsroom/news-blogs/celebrating-earth-day): Teach For America provides a toolkit with lesson plans, activities, and project ideas for educators to celebrate Earth Day in their classrooms.
9. Discovery Education’s Earth Day Resources (https://www.discoveryeducation.com/learn/earth-day/): Discovery Education offers a variety of resources, including virtual field trips, videos, and lesson plans, to help teachers incorporate Earth Day into their instruction.
10. The Nature Conservancy’s Cool Green Science (https://blog.nature.org/science/2019/04/19/10-ways-to-celebrate-earth-day-with-kids): The Nature Conservancy’s blog offers suggestions for hands-on activities, outdoor adventures, and citizen science projects to celebrate Earth Day with children.