If you’re looking for a holiday that will educate your child and encourage him or her to give back, look no further than Earth Day! Held each year on April 22nd, Earth Day calls for us to celebrate, conserve, and learn how we can care for this planet we call home.
Now, there are a lot of ways to give back and give thanks on Earth Day, including organized events all over the world. However, depending on the age of your kid, where you live, what the weather is like, and a whole other slew of factors, you may be seeking a quieter indoor activity. If that’s the case, don’t miss out on these free Planet Earth coloring pages!
Worried that maybe these Earth Day printable coloring pages aren’t exactly the most eco-friendly option? I hear you, and I appreciate that concern. As I share these free Planet Earth coloring pages, I will be including tips on how to make the activity truly Earth Day-worthy!
Planet Earth Coloring Page
Make it eco-friendly tip: Reuse what you have at home!
A super simple way to cut down on waste is to reuse what you already have whenever possible. When you print these Planet Earth coloring pages (or any coloring pages, for that matter), you have a few different options.
You can reuse paper. If you’ve printed something or maybe even gotten a letter in the mail with writing on only one side, you can print these Planet Earth coloring pages on the other side! Obviously, make sure whatever was originally on the paper isn’t something private, like financial information, but otherwise, don’t hesitate to reuse old paper.
You can recycle crayons. Did you know that more than 500,000 pounds of crayons are discarded every single year in the U.S.? Recycling crayons isn’t just a way to make coloring more environmentally friendly; it can also save you money and serve as a fun craft project. Seriously, it’s a win all the way around! All you need to do is purchase some silicone baking molds or molds specifically made for recycling crayons (like these).
Once you have your molds:
- Peel the paper off your crayon stubs.
- Sort them into whatever color combos you want to create. Don’t be afraid to get creative; you can even create tie-dye crayons!
- Place crayons into the molds.
- Place the molds on a metal baking sheet in an oven preheated to 250 degrees. Double check the recommended temp for your molds and follow any manufacturer instructions!
- Wait for the crayons to fully melt. This will take about 15-20 minutes, give or take, depending on the size of your molds.
- Remove the molds from the oven and place them in the refrigerator until the new crayons are fully solidified.
- Remove your recycled crayons from the molds and start coloring this Planet Earth coloring page!
Earth Day Coloring Page
Make it eco-friendly tip: Buy recycled items to use for these Earth Day coloring pages.
If you don’t have items at home that you can reuse, consider purchasing recycled supplies. For instance, you can buy recycled printer paper from most office supply stores or directly from Amazon (see here for 100% recycled paper).
You can also purchase recycled crayons online! Crazy Crayons offers 100% recycled crayons with no plastic packaging. Bonus: when you buy from Crazy Crayons, you’re supporting the National Crayon Recycle Program, which is a non-profit focused on protecting the environment and getting art supplies (recycled crayons) into the hands of children in need.
If you prefer to use colored pencils on your Earth Day coloring pages, there are also recycled colored pencils, like these, made from reused newspapers.
Earth Day Printable Coloring Page
Make it eco-friendly tip: Buy natural and/or sustainable products to use on your Earth Day printable coloring page.
If you can’t reuse items at home or purchase recycled goods, consider purchasing items that are all-natural and will biodegrade or are sustainable/recyclable.
Did you know that most crayons are made of a petroleum by-product that is not biodegradable? With over 60 million crayons thrown in the garbage each year in the U.S., that’s a lot of brightly-colored-never-going-away trash! However, there are all-natural alternatives. For example, there are crayons made out of beeswax, such as Honeysticks.
Lastly, when your kids’ Earth Day printable coloring pages inevitably get replaced by their next artistic masterpiece, be sure to recycle them. 😉
Celebrating and conserving the Earth doesn’t automatically mean giving up fun and creative hobbies like coloring. You and your child can enjoy Earth Day coloring pages and do something good for the planet simply by reusing what you already have at home or making smart purchases.
More Earth Day Activities
These Planet Earth coloring pages aren’t the only way to celebrate Earth Day. Here are more fun activities to explore with your kids.
- Earth Day Activities for Kids
- Free Nature Walk Scavenger Hunt Printable
- Free Printable Earth Day Word Search
More Printable Flower Templates
These Earth Day printable coloring pages may have you looking forward to the bright colors nature has to offer in the spring. If that’s the case, don’t miss out on these printable flower templates! They’re great for coloring and other craft projects:
- Free Printable Flower Templates
- Free Printable Sunflower Pattern Templates
- Printable Bubble Letters: Flower Letters Set
I hope this post of free Planet Earth coloring pages has inspired you to think about the sustainability of your educational and creative activities on Earth Day and all other 364 days of the year! What are some other ways that you make your favorite craft projects more environmentally friendly? Share in the comments!
