Earth Day is important—but so is your sanity. If you’re a teacher juggling testing, behavior, and all the end-of-year things, you don’t need another Pinterest-perfect project. These simple Earth Day classroom ideas are low-prep, meaningful, and easy to pull off — even when your students have spring fever.
Bonus: I’ve included a free Earth Day writing paper set to help you tie it all together. It comes with 20 writing prompts that are ready to go — making your Earth Day writing time no-prep and easy to plan.
Easy Earth Day Classroom Ideas and Read-Alouds
Start your Earth Day classroom activities with a no-pressure read-aloud and a class chat. You don’t need a whole unit or worksheet packet. Just read and talk — a perfect example of low prep Earth Day ideas that still feel impactful.
Here are two easy and engaging books:
The Earth Book by Todd Parr — bright, fun, and simple enough for young readers.
Don’t Throw That Away! by Lara Bergen — great for introducing the concept of reusing and recycling.
After reading, ask simple, open-ended questions:
- “Why do we celebrate Earth Day?”
- “What are some ways we can help the Earth at school or home?”
- “What do you love about our planet?”
This short discussion sets the stage for writing time and helps students think more deeply — without the need for a full lesson plan. It also gives you time to take attendance or sip your coffee before it gets cold.
If you’d like to add one of these books to your classroom library, you can find them here:
The Earth Book by Todd Parr
Don’t Throw That Away! By Lara Bergen
These are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend resources we have used and loved in the classroom!
If you’d like to explore more first grade read-alouds for Earth Day, I’ve put together a list of our favorite picture books that make environmental topics simple and engaging.
Check out the full list of Earth Day books for first grade here.
Use Writing Time for a Quick Earth Day Activity
You already have writing built into your schedule, so there’s no need to reinvent it. Use your usual first-grade writing time and plug in an Earth Day writing activity.
Each student can choose one of the 20 prompts included in your free Earth Day writing paper. Some teacher favorites include:
- “I can help the Earth by…”
- “My favorite thing about the Earth is…”
- “What I would tell others about taking care of our planet.”
The writing pages are designed to be no-prep, with options for primary lines, regular lines, and even space for illustrations — making them perfect for first grade Earth Day ideas.
These writing pieces also make beautiful keepsakes or hallway displays. If you want to add a little skill-building, turn it into a sentence editing mini-lesson. Then, send a copy home to share with families.
If you’re looking for easy Earth Day activities for teachers, this one checks all the boxes.
Create an Earth Day Bulletin Board
If you want to showcase your students’ work but don’t want to commit to a big project, keep it simple with a quick and easy Earth Day classroom display.
Here’s how:
- Use student writing from the Earth Day writing paper (already done!)
- Add a title like “Our Earth Day Pledges” or “We Care for the Earth”
- Mount writing on green or blue construction paper for a quick pop of color
- Let students decorate the border with recycled materials or cut-out hearts
And that’s it. Done. You’ve got a purposeful, themed display without the chaos of glitter, glue, or 27 half-finished crafts. This is one of my favorite low prep Earth Day ideas because it gives students a chance to feel proud of their finished writing.
Earth Day Brain Break or Recess Game
Sometimes the best way to celebrate a theme is by giving kids a chance to move — especially when spring energy levels are off the charts.
Try these easy Earth Day activities for teachers who need a break just as much as their students:
- Recess scavenger hunt: Have students search for items like “something green,” “something smooth,” “something shaped like a circle,” or “something that came from nature.” No prizes, no pressure — just simple Earth observation.
- Indoor option: Play an Earth Day-themed GoNoodle video or do a quick movement break where students act out “planting seeds,” “watering trees,” or “blowing wind.”
These quick transitions fit perfectly between lessons and give students a brain-friendly reset while staying on theme.
Celebrate with a Reuse or Recycle Challenge
This one is always a hit — and doesn’t require any prep or purchases. Plus, it’s one of the simple Earth Day classroom ideas that your students will remember over a worksheet or a quiz.
Ask students to bring in one small item from home that they can reuse or recycle creatively. Some great starter ideas include:
- Empty toilet paper rolls
- Old newspaper or junk mail
- Bottle caps or lids
- Clean food containers
Then, give them 10–15 minutes to “invent” something new using just scissors, tape, or glue. No fancy art supplies necessary. It’s an easy way to incorporate STEM, creativity, and environmental awareness into one activity.
You could build a:
- Class robot
- Earth Day monster
- Nature-themed collage
Use this opportunity to have a short discussion about reuse and reducing waste — not just recycling. If students completed their Earth Day writing paper earlier in the day, display it next to their project for an even more powerful Earth Day classroom activity.
Simple Earth Day Classroom Ideas Without The Stress
You don’t have to go all out to make Earth Day meaningful for your students. A good read-aloud, a bit of writing, and a little creativity is more than enough to spark awareness and engagement. These simple Earth Day classroom ideas are great to get you started.
And if you’re looking for a simple, ready-to-go activity, you can download the free Earth Day writing paper, which includes 20 no-prep prompts you can use during your writing block, as a fast finisher activity, or for your next Earth Day classroom display.
