Environmentalism is a year-round attitude—and action plan—to advocate for positive change that impacts us all.
Raising environmentally-responsible kids is important to protecting the planet and its health, and instilling in them a love and respect for nature. Connecting to causes you and your family care about can be just as fun as it is impactful.
Get involved in your community or school’s environmental projects (or start your own!). Spending time with family and friends to beautify or clean up your neighborhood, and taking trips to ecological centers or a local park, are experiences that can help teach children about the value nature has in our everyday lives. Learn more about what can be done locally, and then think big on how to set an example for other citizen scientists and environmental stewards around the world! Together we can make a difference and protect our planet.
Keep scrolling for videos, games, and activities exploring how our choices can positively impact the planet and help your family become planet protectors. Then, keep the fun going with Learn Along Bingo sheets full of printable activities and everyday learning ideas for children grades Pre-K to 2!
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Doing Our Part: Become a Planet Protector
Speaking Out | ARTHUR
Grades PreK-2
Discover how to overcome obstacles in order to take civic action for a cause you care about, in this video from the PBS KIDS series Arthur. When Francine discovers chemicals from lawn fertilizer are causing fish to die in a nearby creek, she is determined to raise awareness about the dangers of poisoning the environment. After watching the video, explore the steps involved in creating a campaign for change.
Six Ways to Celebrate Earth Day Every Day
Grades PreK-3
Research shows that our early experiences in nature form the foundation for our understanding of the way things work. Help kids build a meaningful relationship with nature.
Setting a Good Example – Martha Speaks | PBS KIDS Lab
Grades K-2
Help children build vocabulary and understand education concepts with this Martha Speaks video! The kids try to brainstorm ideas for how to clean up the litter in the park, and inspire other kids to be more aware of litter.
Students Fighting Climate Change | Power of Us
Grades 3-12
Learn how young people are taking action to help with climate change in this video from Power of Us. In September 2019, climate strikes took place in cities all around world – and many of the participants were students. Concerned about how their lives will be affected by climate change, young people have been pressuring governments to take more actions to protect the environment. Support materials include discussion questions, support in designing a climate action plan, and a project that guides kids as they make infographics about climate change.
Games, Crafts & Activities
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Clean Up Game
Grades PreK-K
Daniel, Katerina, and their neighbors work together to clean up their playground. Your child can learn about recycling, community involvement, and reading skills in this story.
Nature Cat’s Recycling Challenge
Grades K-2
It is important for everyone to do his or her part to keep the world we live in beautiful. In this activity, children have the chance to do their part and develop important early math skills by sorting recyclable materials into their correct bins.
Create a Family Water Conservation Plan
Grades K-5
Learn water-saving tips and create a plan to conserve water by making small changes at home.
A Guide to Hiking Trail Stewardship and Maintenance | Mountain Lake Journal
Grades 6-12
In this video, follow along as members of the Adirondack Mountain Club work on maintaining hiking trails in the Adirondacks. Learn about the importance of trail maintenance, stewardship, and etiquette. Then take action of your own! Apply your new knowledge by creating a checklist of stewardship “do’s” and “don’ts”. Bring the list on your next hike and see how you do.
Taking Action for a Clean Environment
Grades 9-12
In this media-rich, self-paced lesson, explore activism—taking action to bring about change—including some causes that activists espouse and the tactics that they use to end harmful practices or reshape policies. The lesson contains videos that feature some successful youth activists, and identifies some of the personal characteristics that many activists possess. Finish up by either planning and executing an activist campaign, or by interviewing an activist in their own community.
Learn Along Bingo
With Learn Along Bingo, children can view, explore, and play as they learn alongside their PBS KIDS friends on the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel. We hope your family will use it to inspire learning each and every day.
This time, we’re protecting our planet! Children will learn that their choices can positively impact the land, water, air, and other living things.
Grades PreK-K
Play & Learn: In this packet, there are printable activities and everyday learning ideas for you and your child to choose from. As you complete each square, mark it off to celebrate the learning!
Grades 1-2
Play & Learn: In this packet, there are printable activities and everyday learning ideas for you and your child to choose from. As you complete each square, mark it off to celebrate the learning!
For even more games and educational resources for young learners, go to the Protecting Our Planet collection on PBS KIDS for Parents.