As Earth Day approaches each April, it offers the perfect opportunity to introduce young children to the importance of caring for our planet. While preschoolers may be small, their capacity to understand and appreciate the natural world is big—and growing! At ABC West Child Development Center, we use this celebration as a meaningful teaching moment to encourage environmental awareness, kindness to nature, and simple sustainability habits.

In this blog, we’ll explore how to celebrate Earth Day in the classroom with age-appropriate activities, why it’s important to start teaching environmental stewardship early, and how our free preschool in Greeley supports learning that connects children to the world around them.

Why Earth Day Matters in Preschool

Preschool is a time of discovery, and nature provides one of the most engaging classrooms of all. Teaching children about Earth Day helps them develop a connection to the environment and lays the foundation for responsible behaviors that can last a lifetime.

Introducing sustainability concepts in fun, hands-on ways—like planting seeds, reusing materials, and picking up litter—teaches children that even small actions can make a big difference. It also helps them build respect for living things and develop empathy for others, including animals and plants.

At ABC West, a preschool near you in Greeley, our educators use Earth Day as a launching point for fostering curiosity, wonder, and care for the environment.

Simple Earth Day Activities for Preschoolers

The best activities for preschoolers are those that are fun, tactile, and meaningful. Here are a few of our favorite Earth Day-themed learning opportunities that can be easily implemented at school or at home:

1. Plant a Classroom Garden

Let each child plant a flower or vegetable seed in a small cup or garden bed. Teach them how to water it, watch it grow, and understand its needs.

What they learn: Responsibility, the basics of plant life cycles, and how to care for living things.

2. Create Art with Recycled Materials

Set up a crafting station with clean recyclables like bottle caps, paper rolls, cardboard, and magazines. Let children create nature-themed art like birds, flowers, or bugs.

What they learn: Creativity, reusing materials, and reducing waste.

3. Go on a Nature Walk and Litter Hunt

Take a nature walk around the school yard or a local park. Provide gloves and small bags so children can help pick up litter along the way.

What they learn: Observation skills, teamwork, and the importance of keeping nature clean.

4. Make a Bird Feeder

Using string, peanut butter, and birdseed, help children coat a cardboard roll or pinecone to hang outside and feed local birds.

What they learn: Compassion for animals and how humans can positively interact with the environment.

5. Read Earth-Themed Books

Some great Earth Day-friendly titles for preschoolers include “The Earth Book” by Todd Parr, “Compost Stew” by Mary McKenna Siddals, and “Michael Recycle” by Ellie Bethel.

What they learn: Vocabulary related to the environment, listening skills, and a deeper understanding of sustainability through stories.

Building Environmental Awareness Through Play

At ABC West Child Development Center, we believe that environmental education doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, it’s often best taught through simple routines and playful moments. We help children explore concepts like:

• Reducing waste by using reusable snack containers and bottles.
• Recycling in classroom bins with visual cues and color coding.
• Saving water by turning off faucets and talking about water conservation.
• Loving nature by exploring bugs, plants, and weather outside daily.
  

These habits and conversations help children learn that they are active participants in keeping the Earth healthy—and that their actions have real impact.

Celebrating Earth Day in the Classroom

We make Earth Day a special celebration at our preschool with a variety of nature-based experiences. Some of our favorite ways to celebrate include:

• Earth Day Art Show: Children display their recycled art projects for parents and friends.
• Outdoor Learning Day: We take learning outside with story time under the trees, chalk drawings, and science exploration.
• Earth Pledge Ceremony: Children create and recite simple Earth-friendly pledges like “I will turn off the water while I brush my teeth” or “I will plant flowers for bees.”
  

These activities help children take pride in being “Earth Helpers” and reinforce the idea that they can make the world a better place.

Supporting Environmental Values Year-Round

Although Earth Day is a great time to focus on sustainability, at ABC West, our commitment to Greeley child care programs goes far beyond just one day. Our curriculum integrates environmental appreciation into everyday learning through:

• Outdoor play and nature exploration
• Lessons about weather, seasons, and life cycles
• Classroom discussions about animals and habitats
• Gardening and hands-on science projects
  

These experiences build not only academic knowledge, but also a sense of responsibility, empathy, and awareness of the world around them.

Enroll in Our Free Preschool in Greeley

ABC West Child Development Center is proud to offer free preschool in Greeley through the Colorado Universal Preschool Program (UPK). Our preschool programs provide a nurturing, enriching environment that prepares children academically, socially, and emotionally—while also encouraging respect for our planet.

With open enrollment now available, it’s the perfect time to contact us and learn how your child can benefit from a high-quality early education experience.

Make Earth Day a Day of Discovery and Growth

Celebrating Earth Day with your little one is more than just a fun activity—it’s a chance to plant the seeds of lifelong environmental values. Through hands-on experiences, storytelling, and playful exploration, preschoolers can develop a love for nature and an understanding of their role in protecting it.

Whether you’re searching for a “preschool near me” or seeking trusted Greeley child care programs, ABC West Child Development Center is here to support your child’s journey toward learning, growing, and caring for the world around them.

Ready to enroll? Explore our programs and apply for free preschool today!