Climate change is one of those important topics that can be hard to tackle in the classroom. Some teachers face opposition from parents, communities, or even school curriculum requirements that deny the existence or importance of climate change. But it’s vital to give kids the facts by using global warming and climate change activities that help them understand what’s taking place—and why it matters. Try some of these ideas with your students, accompanied with discussion about what kids can do to help keep our planet healthy for years to come.
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Earth Day Worksheet Bundle
Use the Earth Day–themed worksheets included in this bundle to get students talking about our planet. They’ll learn about single-use plastic bottles, solve math problems, learn how to sort recycling, and write about the future of Earth.
11. Act Locally
The right resources can make all the difference in helping young people see how they can take meaningful action in their own community. This climate action resource kit from World Wildlife Fund’s Wild Classroom contains an informative slideshow as well as several lesson plans that are a perfect place to start.
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12. Participate in the World’s Largest Lesson
In partnership with UNICEF, World’s Largest Lesson promotes use of the Sustainable Development Goals in learning so that children can contribute to a better future for all. As part of your climate change activities, learn more about their videos, lessons, and resources here.
13. Explore how melting ice affects sea levels
The North Polar Ice Cap sits on water, while the South Polar Ice Cap is on land. Simulate the melting of the two by placing a chunk of ice in a cup of water and marking the total level on the side of the cup. In a separate cup, add water and mark the level. Then, float a chunk of ice resting on top of a piece of play dough in the second cup. Check on the results in an hour to see how the ice melting on “land” caused the “sea level” to rise.
14. Play the Carbon Cycle Game
Carbon is another big contributor to global warming and climate change. Learn how the natural carbon cycle works, and how too much carbon throws the cycle off, with this free printable game from COSEE.
15. Meet the greenhouse gases
Now that kids have seen the greenhouse effect in action, introduce them to the gases that make it happen. These fun trading cards of the six major atmospheric gases teach students what they are and where they come from. Each card has two sides, showing the positive and negative effects of that gas. Get the free printable cards from NASA here.
16. March for your beliefs
Check out an organization like Fridays for Future, which has helped to organize massive global student climate strikes. Students can make signs and even participate in marches or demonstrations (with parent/guardian permission, of course). Don’t want to march? Hang posters in your school hallways instead!
17. Recognize climate change anxiety
As students learn about global warming and climate change, they may begin to experience a lot of anxiety about their future. This is a real phenomenon, and one that’s become more common among today’s kids. Learn how to help them deal with those worries here.
Get my printable Earth Day bundle!
Grab our Earth Day worksheet bundle with all the printables described above.
Looking for more climate change activities for kids? Here are Ways To Make Your School and Classroom More Green.
Plus, don’t forget to grab your free printable climate resource action kit!
