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Earth is home to all of us, both plants and animals. And every year, April 22nd is a day to celebrate everything this planet does for us.
There are so many things you can do to celebrate Earth Day. I’ve put together a list here for you that’s full of great ideas that are also thrifty and green.
I’ve grouped these thrifty and green ideas into the following categories to make it easier for you to find the kind of Earth Day ideas you’re looking for:
- Eco-friendly Crafts – These are ideas for those who want to make something for nature or activities to enjoy with their kids.
- Gardening and Yard Work – This category includes ideas to get you outside and enjoying your yard space.
- Environmental Home Projects – If you’re wanting to improve your home’s footprint, these ideas are for you.
- Enjoying Nature – If you just want to take in nature for Earth day, this list will not disappoint.
- Action for Nature – This category lists ways you can play an active tangible role in making a difference for climate change.
If you need more ideas, I’ve also included pertinent links to my Pinterest boards to help you find something to do for Earth Day that fits your style.
Eco-friendly Crafts
Here are a few thrifty and green crafts for you to enjoy making on Earth Day.
- Bird Feeders, like this one made from a pinecone: Simple Pine Cone Bird Feeder | Skip To My Lou
- Squirrel Picnic Table, like this one I made from scrap wood in our garage: Make your own squirrel picnic table with scrap wood
- Recycled bottle planters: Soda Bottle Animal Planters | Craving Some Creativity
- Rock Painting: Just grab some paint and rocks, and decorate. You can use them to label plants in your flower and vegetable gardens, add color and interest by your front door, etc.
- Tin can wind chimes, like this one I made from can lids, string, and a stick: Make a whimsical wind chime out of tin can lids
- Browse more thrifty and green eco-friendly craft ideas on my “Frugal Crafts” Pinterest board.
Gardening and Yard Work
If you want to spend some time out in your yard on Earth Day, these ideas are for you:
- Plant something: Start a flower bed without pulling a single weed or using any chemicals – 5 steps
- Start composting: Simple and affordable composting for beginners
- Sign up for free trees in your neighborhood: Get free native trees in Kansas City – Greenability Magazine
- Get an electric lawn mower: 11 Reasons You Should Switch to a Cordless Electric Mower
- Cancel your lawn service: How to get rid of dandelions without chemicals quickly and easily
- Wait to cut down your ornamental grass until now (Spring): 7 Benefits of cutting down ornamental grass in the spring
- Make your own quality mulch from leaves: Make your own quality flower garden mulch
- Browse more thrifty and green garden ideas on my “Frugal Gardening Tips” and “Frugal Wildlife Friendly” Pinterest boards.
Home Maintenance
Celebrate Earth Day by making your home more environmentally friendly.
- Clean your gutters: How to Clean Your Own Gutters to Save Money
- Get an Energy Audit: An energy audit will tell you what you can upgrade in your home to make it more energy-efficient which will also save you money. Check with your energy providers for free offerings. My local companies Evergy and Spire provide a free home assessment and energy-saving products when you sign up here: Energy Savings Kit (evergy.com)
- Power your home with wind energy: Switch to 100% wind power and save on your electric bill
- Transform some trash into treasure: This idea was inspired by watching episodes of Flea Market Flip. Give yourself a project to try with something you or someone else planned to get rid of. Examples: Patio Chair – “Trash to Treasure” DIY Transformation, Restore a Rusty Metal Bathroom Shelf for $5, DIY Outdoor Patio Chair Makeover
- Set up a recycling system: Create a space in your home to make it easy to sort trash and recyclable materials. We keep two receptacles in our kitchen appropriately labeled trash and recycling.
- Make and connect rain barrels to your down spouts:
Instructions to make your own: KCMO-Resident-Stormwater-Booklet-2015.pdf (kcwaterservices.org)
Check online for cheap 55-gallon food grade barrels available locally. I’ve seen some for as low as $14 on eBay, if you live close enough for pickup. Around here, you can get a ready-to-use hard plastic rain barrel from Bridging the Gap for only $65: Make a Rain Barrel – Bridging the Gap
At my house, I’ve got this 100-gallon foldable rain barrel for $70:
- Browse more thrifty and green home project ideas on my “Frugal Home DIY” and “Frugal Outdoor Living Space” Pinterest boards.
Enjoying Nature
Another great way to celebrate Earth Day is to get out and simply enjoy nature. Just be sure to leave things cleaner than you found them.
- Go on a hike, bike, walk
- Bird watch
- Have an eco-friendly picnic
- Go to the zoo
- Research your favorite animal
- Do a nature treasure hunt
- Make shadow drawings
- Browse more thrifty and green nature activities on my “Frugal Family Activities” Pinterest board.
Action for Nature
Take action to help nature on Earth Day.
- Pick up trash in your neighborhood
- Sign environmental petitions: Change.org
- Join an environmental organization
Examples:
I hope this article has given you some ideas for Earth Day and beyond.
Being kind to this planet will save your wallet and the world!
Please share any more ideas and the ways that you celebrate Earth Day in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you.
Be thrifty and green, friends!
