Check out this list of five of our favorite fun, eco-friendly toys to help every kind of kid celebrate Earth Day. As you may know, the first Earth Day was in 1970 to honor our planet by taking care of it and to pledge to make a positive impact on the environment. While the concept may be complicated for a five-year-old, kids can learn through play how important—and fun—it can be to care for Mother Earth.
For the Crafty Kid:
The Ultimate Eco Crafter Kit. Loaded with 537 pieces, this is a fully equipped kit that teaches the basics of a super earth-friendly arts & crafts project: paper making. It comes with all the supplies you need to make your own paper. Then, use it to make a scrapbook, personalized cards, and even jewelry. This is also a craft that can be refreshed with recyclable paper from around the house once the kit’s supplies run out.
For the Little Gardener:
Creativity for Kids’ Grow ‘n Glow Terrarium. Develop your green thumbs with this fun, portable gardening kit, which lets kids decorate their own Mason jar planters with glow-in-the-dark stickers and then nurture their own wheatgrass and chia seeds. We find that not all kids’ gardening kits work as they say they will, but this one does—and plants sprout in a couple of days.
For the Explorer:
Nancy B’s Science Club Nature Keeper & Tree Diary. You don’t have to plant a tree to celebrate Earth Day; simply adopt one. This science kit comes with a 22-page diary, which you can use to track the progress of your adopted tree, jot down your estimates of the tree’s age, make leaf art with the included nature press, and more. This kit doesn’t just get kids outdoors, it encourages them to think about the nature and wildlife in their own backyards.
For the Sporty Kid:
The Little Yoga Mat. Any toy that gets kids moving and outdoors offers a great way to celebrate Earth Day, but yoga especially is an activity kids and parents can do together while connecting with nature. Help your little yogi move into tree pose and find their inner balance with these adorable and environmentally friendly yoga mats. They are made of foam-like material that’s biodegradable, recyclable, hypoallergenic, and both PVC and latex free.
For the Young Techie:
Science X Fueling Future Cars. If you’ve got a tech-focused kid, take this science kit for a drive. It is loaded with lots of mini science activities that teach kids about how electric cars work and how to use the sun’s energy to power them up with a solar-charging station.