Earth Day Printables & Activities

by the Brightly Editors

Illustration credit: Penelope Dullaghan

This year is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, and there is no better way to mark the occasion than encouraging young readers to be knowledgeable, curious, and thoughtful about the world around them. Learning about how we can help the Earth doesn’t have to be done in just one day, but it’s a great way to raise awareness about the planet — our only home — and how we need to work together to preserve it.

Centering around conservation and celebrating biodiversity, these activities provide an excellent and easy way to discuss protecting the environment and caring for our surroundings with little ones!

  • The Lorax

  • Break the Lorax Code!

    Crack the secret message from the Lorax! Use the special code in the printable to help solve the message. What is the Lorax’s message for everyone?

  • The Lorax's Earth Day Word Search

    Look horizontally, vertically, and diagonally to help the Lorax find these words!

  • Speak for the Trees

    Use the examples in the boxes to start the conversation with your group about what
    you can all do to help reduce, reuse, and recycle. Then write down other ways to go green in the appropriate columns!

  • Protect Our Planet

    The Lorax encourages us to work hard to care for our planet so that we can enjoy it for a long, long time! What is your favorite place on Earth? Draw it below, and write a description of that place and why you want to protect it.

  • What A Waste

  • Recycling News

    Almost everything we do creates waste. Test your knowledge on how much is thrown away each year and think about what you and your family can do to help reduce your waste with What a Waste.

  • The Sea Book

  • What lives beneath the waves?

    The Sea Book teaches us that life is everywhere in the sea – from sunlit oceans to freezing arctic seas, numerous creatures call it home. Create your ocean fact file and learn how with little actions we can make a big difference in conserving water bodies.

  • Magic Tree House Series

  • Gorilla: Fact or Fiction

    Using information you’ve learned from Good Morning, Gorillas and other Internet and library resources, determine if these statements about gorillas are fact or fiction.

  • Habitat Match

    Jack and Annie see so many different things on their travels, they sometimes have trouble remembering where they saw what! See if you can remember where Jack and Annie saw these animals from their adventures and match each one with its proper habitat.

  • The Book of Brilliant Bugs

  • Brilliant Bugs

    Take a quiz about brilliant bugs, find all the creatures crawling in the wordsearch, draw a picture about your favorite bug, and learn how to build a bug hotel in this fun-filled pack.

  • Don't Worry, Little Crab

  • A Doze of Vitamin Sea

    Help Little Crab who is afraid to venture out from his rocky beach to the big wide ocean. Off you go on an undersea adventure!

  • Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth

  • Inside the Plant Cell

    Have you ever wondered how plants that nourish all other living creatures on the planet make food for themselves? Learn about all the different parts of a plant cell with this cute illustration. Pro tip: Don’t forget to color it!

  • Understanding Our World and Its Ecosystems

    Learn about all the big and small creatures that are essential to our soil and forest ecosystems. Color redwood trees, apex predators, lichen, fungi, and protozoa, and marvel at the wondrous workings of planet Earth!

  • The Bee Book

  • Busy as a Bee

    Learn buzz-worthy facts about bees in this activity pack. Where will your honey bee be flying? In a garden, a park, or somewhere different? It’s up to you! If you want to learn more fun facts about the humble honeybee, The Bee Book is a wonderful resource.