12 Fun Eco Activities to Celebrate Earth Day with Your Friends
Earth Day is a time to reflect on our planet, appreciate its beauty, and commit to protecting it for future generations.
Lead the way by getting your friend group involved with one of these fun activities!
List of Fun Ways to Celebrate Earth Month
Here are some creative and sustainable ways to celebrate Earth Day with your friends.
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Host an Earth Month Book Club
Get your friends to commit to reading an environmental focused book for Earth Month. Then on Earth Day you can all gather together and discuss.
A couple books I’ve enjoyed reading and think would be great for this event are Braiding Sweetgrass and Something in the Woods Loves You. They’re both great books that remind us to slow down and appreciate nature.
Support small independent bookstores and purchase Braiding Sweetgrass or Something in the Woods Loves You from Bookshop.org. However, if that is not accessible you can find Braiding Sweetgrass and Something in the Woods Loves You on Amazon.
You can also see if your local library has these nature inspired reads!
Host a Zero-Waste Potluck
Food brings people together, so why not host a zero-waste potluck for Earth Day? Ask your friends to bring homemade dishes in reusable containers. Challenge each other to use local, organic ingredients to keep the environmental impact low by shopping a near by farmers markets.
Provide reusable plates, utensils, and cups, or invite your friends to bring their own. Compost food scraps and recycle where possible. Not only will this save waste, but it’s also a chance to share recipes and discover new sustainable meals.
You could even make it fancy with organic or biodynamic wine AND then upcycle the wine bottles after your Earth Day party!
Organize a Park or Beach Cleanup
Cleaning up can be a great way to show gratitude to any natural space in your community. Rally your friends to clean up a local park, beach, or hiking trail. Bring gloves, biodegradable trash bags, and sorting bins to separate recyclables from general waste.
You could take it a step further and turn it into a friendly competition by seeing who can collect the most trash, or end the day with a picnic in your newly cleaned space.
Host an Earth Day Fashion Show
Celebrate Earth Day in style with a sustainable fashion show. You can head to the thrift store to get creative or set rules that your friends must use clothes they already own. Put on some fun music and have everyone strut in to show off their sustainable style.
Check out my tips for putting together an Earth Day outfit!
Plant Trees to Support Reforestation
What better way to honor Mother Earth than by giving back to the environment? Trees play a vital role in absorbing CO2, improving air quality, and supporting local ecosystems. Find a local tree-planting event or plan your own reforestation activity with friends.
If you have space, plant trees in your backyard or community garden. It'll serve as a lasting reminder of your Earth Day celebration and contribute to a better planet.
Attend a Local Environmental Event or Workshop
Get inspired and informed by attending local events or workshops focused on sustainability. These could include talks by environmentalists, DIY upcycling sessions, local politicians on environmental policy, or seminars on eco-friendly living practices.
Host a Nature Inspired Craft Night
Get creative and craft by creating nature inspired creations. Consider going foraging for sticks, leaves, flowers, and making something that honors Mother Earth. I personally enjoy pressing flowers.
Crafting together is not only a sustainable activity but also a fun bonding experience—and your Earth Day decorations will have a unique, personal touch.
Swap Sustainable Living Tips and Tricks
Want to learn from your friends—and share your own eco-friendly hacks? Host an informal "sustainable living" brainstorming session.
Make it more personal by having each person give presentations of their eco living hacks!
Everyone can contribute practical tips like reducing energy usage, shopping secondhand, or making DIY cleaning products.
Hopefully each persons unique take on sustainable living encourages others.
Support Local, Eco-Friendly Businesses
Celebrate Earth Day by supporting local businesses that prioritize sustainability. This could mean grabbing coffee at a zero-waste café, shopping at your local farmers’ market, or purchasing handmade goods from eco-conscious artisans.
Host an Environmental Documentary movie night
Knowledge is power, and documentaries are one of the best tools for raising awareness. Gather your friends for a movie night and stream a documentary that highlights important environmental issues.
Check out our list of movies and documentaries recommended for Earth day.
Start a Community Garden
Gather some friends and start a community garden in your neighborhood. Growing your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs reduces reliance on industrial agriculture (and tastes way better!).
Even if you don’t have outdoor space, you can start a container garden on someone’s balcony or rooftop. Plus, this sustainable habit can help you save money by spending less on groceries.
Start a Sustainable Challenge
Earth Day is the perfect chance to try out a new sustainable habit. Challenge your friends to commit to a change that benefits the planet—whether it’s going plastic-free, eating plant-based meals for a month, or cycling to work instead of driving.
Keep each other accountable by sharing updates and progress! To find inspiration on new sustainable practices consider reading my post on easily reducing your carbon footprint!
Celebrating Earth Day with sustainable activities is a wonderful way to connect with your community and build mindful habits.
Happy Earth Day! Don’t be afraid go out there and make a difference! If you have other ideas for Earth day activities be sure to share them in the comments below.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Emily Waddell is the founder of The Honest Consumer. She has always been passionate about business for good and has a Bachelor degree in Social Entrepreneurship. She currently lives in Seattle where she practices imperfect sustainability. When she’s not writing, Emily enjoys supporting small businesses, clean eating, & practicing slow living. Learn more about Emily’s journey starting The Honest Consumer.
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