Earth Day is an important occasion for children of all ages - including preschoolers. It’s a great opportunity to teach young children the importance of taking care of the environment, and to get them excited about the natural world. Science activities can be an excellent way to engage preschoolers in Earth Day activities. Here are some fun and educational science activities to do with your preschooler on Earth Day.

Make a Worm Farm

Worms are an important part of the environment, as they help to break down organic material and turn it into soil. With your preschooler, you can make a small worm farm and observe the worms for a few days. Start by getting a large container with a lid, such as a plastic storage bin. Drill a few holes in the lid for air circulation, and place a few tablespoons of soil and some kitchen scraps, such as vegetable peels, in the container. Add a handful of worms, and place the lid on the container. Put the worm farm in a warm, dark place, such as a closet, and observe the worms as they work. Explain to your preschooler that the worms are helping the environment by breaking down the organic material and making it useful again.

Create a Rain Cloud in a Jar

This is a great activity to demonstrate the power of water to your preschooler. Start by filling a large jar halfway with water. Add a few drops of food coloring to the water if you wish. Show your preschooler how to fill a small container, such as a cup or a bowl, with warm water. Place the container upside down in the jar, and watch as the warm water rises to the top and creates a “cloud”. Explain to your preschooler that this is what happens when warm air from the atmosphere meets cold air from the ground - it creates a cloud, which eventually produces rain. This is a great way to show your preschooler the importance of water in nature.

Make a Miniature Solar System

This is a fun and easy activity to do with your preschooler. Start by gathering some large Styrofoam balls of different sizes. Paint each ball to represent a different planet in our solar system. You can use paint or markers to create the planets. Once they’re dry, attach the balls to a large piece of cardboard or poster board with glue. Put the planets in order to represent the solar system, and explain the concept of the solar system to your preschooler. This is a great way to introduce them to the wonders of space and the planets that make up our solar system.

Grow a Plant from Seeds

This activity is a great way to get your preschooler interested in gardening and the life cycle of plants. Start by gathering some small pots and soil, as well as some seeds. Show your preschooler how to fill the pots with soil and place the seeds in the soil. Water the pots and place them in a sunny spot in your home. Explain to your preschooler that plants need sunlight, water, and soil to grow. Have them observe the pots over the course of a few weeks, and watch as the plants grow. This is a great way to show your preschooler the importance of taking care of the environment and how nature works.

Create a Recycled Art Project

This is a great activity to get your preschooler interested in creative reuse and recycling. Gather some items from around the house that can be reused, such as paper towel rolls, egg cartons, and cardboard boxes. Show your preschooler how to create a sculpture or a collage from the items. Explain to them that by reusing and recycling items, we can help the environment by reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. This is a great way to get your preschooler thinking about how to help the environment in a creative way.

Make a Compost Bin

Composting is an excellent way to help the environment, as composting helps to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. With your preschooler, you can make a small compost bin and demonstrate how composting works. Start by gathering some soil and some kitchen scraps, such as vegetable peels and eggshells. Place the soil and scraps in a small container, such as a plastic storage bin. Drill a few holes in the lid for air circulation, and explain to your preschooler that the worms in the bin will break down the organic material and turn it into soil. Place the bin in a warm, dark spot, such as a closet, and observe the worms as they work. Explain to your preschooler that the bin is helping the environment by reducing the amount of waste in landfills.

Collect Leaves for a Nature Collage

This is a great activity to do with your preschooler outdoors. Take a nature walk around your neighborhood and collect leaves of different shapes, sizes, and colors. Once you’ve collected enough leaves, head back home and create a nature collage with the leaves. You can use glue to stick the leaves onto a piece of cardboard or poster board. Explain to your preschooler that by collecting the leaves, you’re helping the environment by reducing the amount of waste that would otherwise end up in landfills. This is a great way to get your preschooler interested in nature and the environment.

Conclusion

Earth Day is an important occasion for children of all ages - including preschoolers. With the help of science activities, you can get your preschooler interested in the environment and teach them about the importance of taking care of the natural world. From making a worm farm to creating a nature collage, there are plenty of fun and educational activities that you can do with your preschooler on Earth Day.