Learning about the environment is an exciting way for kids to explore science while connecting to the world around them. These simple environmental science activities are hands-on, easy to set up, and perfect for grades K–4. From pollution experiments to renewable energy projects, your kids will discover how humans impact the Earth—and what we can do to protect it!
Environmental Science Activities for Kids
These environmental science activities for kids are perfect for the classroom, homeschool, or even a backyard experiment. Kids will learn that science isn’t just about facts—it’s about protecting and caring for the world we live in!
🔎 Look for additional helpful resources in our Earth Day Activities Guide. Add to life science and Earth systems lessons.
Pollution and Human Impact
Carbon Footprint Worksheet (Grades 2–4)
Help kids understand the choices that affect our planet by exploring daily activities and their environmental impact.
Oil Spill Experiment (Grades 2–4)
Simulate an oil spill and try different methods to clean it up. A powerful way to show kids how pollution affects oceans and wildlife.
Stormwater Runoff Demonstration (Grades 2–4)
Learn how rainwater carries pollution into rivers and oceans with this simple activity.
Acid Rain Experiment (Grades 2–4)
See how air pollution changes water and impacts plants with this easy classroom experiment.
Beach Erosion Experiment (Grades 2–4)
Watch how waves can shape and erode coastlines, and talk about ways we can protect these areas.
Water Pollution in a Jar (Grades K–2)
Collect small bits of litter and add them to a jar of clean water. Watch how quickly the water changes—and imagine what happens to rivers and lakes when waste isn’t disposed of properly.
Sort the Recyclables (Grades K–2)
Set up a simple sorting game with bins or mats labeled “paper,” “plastic,” and “metal.” Younger kids practice categorizing, while older kids can discuss what happens to each material.
Homemade Paper Project (Grades K–4)
Shred and blend old paper scraps, then press them into new sheets of recycled paper. Younger kids can help with tearing and pressing, while older kids can explore how paper recycling saves trees and reduces waste.
Natural and Man-Made Resources Worksheets (Grades K–2)
Introduce kids to the difference between natural resources (like water, soil, plants, and rocks) and man-made resources (like paper, plastic, and glass).
Renewable Energy for Kids
🔎 Find more renewable energy activities and free printables here.
Solar Oven (Grades 2–4)
Harness the power of the sun to cook a snack! Kids will learn about solar energy and sustainability.
Water Wheel (Grades K–2)
Build a simple model of hydropower using cups and a straw.
Wind Energy Projects (Grades K–4)
Try pinwheels, paper windmills, or a simple wind turbine to see renewable energy in action.
Insulation Experiment (Grades 2–4)
Test different insulation materials to see which conserves heat best.
Water Science and Conservation
💡 Explore more of our water conservation activities here.
DIY Water Filter (Grades 2–4)
Show kids how water is cleaned through filtration and why clean water is important.
Water Cycle in a Bag (Grades K–2)
Observe evaporation, condensation, and precipitation with a plastic bag taped to a sunny window.
Water Conservation Challenge (Grades 2–4)
Track how much water is used at home or school in a day and brainstorm simple ways to save it.
Sink or Float with Natural Materials (Grades K–1)
Test items like rocks, sticks, leaves, and seeds to see which ones sink or float. Consider how rivers transport materials differently.
Earth’s Systems
🔎 Find more Earth’s systems activities here.
Ocean Floor Mapping (Marie Tharp Project) (Grades 2–4)
Be inspired by Marie Tharp’s mapping of the ocean floor and make your own relief map.
Rocks and Landforms (Grades 2–4)
Investigate different types of rocks, soils, and landforms with simple hands-on activities.
Weather Tools (Grades 2–4)
Build a rain gauge, barometer, and anemometer to learn how scientists study the weather. Also, make a simple pine cone weather station.
Terrarium or Ecosystem in a Jar (Grades K–4)
Watch how plants, water, air, and soil interact in a closed system [PROJECT COMING SOON]. Also, try this mini greenhouse project.
Sun vs. Shade Plant Growth (Grades K–2)
Plant seeds in two containers—one in full sun, one in shade. Compare growth over time to see how the environment affects living things.
Ecosystems and Habitats
🔎 Find more animal activities here, including adaptations, classification, food chains, and more!
Pollinator Activities (Grades K–4)
Build a bee habitat or explore how pollination works with a flower model.
Decomposition in a Jar (Grades K–4) [PROJECT COMING SOON]
Bury fruit, bread, or leaves and observe how decomposers return matter to the soil.
Camouflage Experiment (Grades K–2)
Hide paper “animals” in different backgrounds to see how camouflage helps survival. [PROJECT COMING SOON]
Build an Animal Habitat (Grades 2-4)
Learn about different habitats or biomes and build a diorama.
Animal Migration and Hibernation (Grades 2–4)
Explore seasonal survival strategies with simple crafts and simulations.
Differentiating Environmental Science for K–4
Every classroom (or home!) looks different, and kids at different grade levels can get different takeaways from the same activity. Here are some simple ways to adapt these projects so they work well across K–4.
Pollution and Human Impact
- K–1: Observe water changes in the pollution jar, sort recyclables, or role-play cleaning up litter. Help with tearing paper for the homemade paper project.
- 2–4: Record observations in journals, predict outcomes, and connect to real-world examples like oil spills, acid rain, or recycling systems.
Renewable Energy
- K–1: Keep builds simple (pinwheels, water wheels) and focus on “energy makes things move.”
- 2–4: Add measurement—track solar oven times or test different blade shapes for wind projects.
Water Science and Conservation
- K–1: Try sink-or-float with natural objects, act out brushing teeth with water running vs. off, or water plants differently to compare growth.
- 2–4: Track actual water use, graph results, and design posters or campaigns to encourage conservation.
Earth’s Systems
- K–1: Use simple models like terrariums, water cycle bags, or sun vs. shade plants.
- 2–4: Add vocabulary (precipitation, erosion) and ask kids to diagram results or connect to real-world weather events.
Ecosystems and Habitats
- Grades K–1: Play camouflage games, act out hibernation, or make simple crafts tied to animals.
- Grades 2–4: Build food chains, compare different habitats, create a habitat diorama, or research how two animals adapt differently.
More STEM Resources
Look through our huge collection of printable resources in our SHOP!
NGSS Connections for Environmental Science Activities (K–4)
| Activity | NGSS Connection (DCI) | Example PE (Grade-Level Expectation) |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Footprint Worksheet | ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems | K-ESS3-3: Reduce human impacts on land, water, air, and living things |
| Oil Spill Experiment | ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems | K-ESS3-3: Reduce impact of humans on the environment |
| Stormwater Runoff Demonstration | ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems | K-ESS3-3: Reduce human impacts on land and water |
| Acid Rain Experiment | ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems | K-ESS3-3: Reduce impact of humans on air, water, and land |
| Beach Erosion Experiment | ESS2.A: Earth Materials and Systems | 2-ESS2-1: Compare solutions to slow/prevent wind/water from changing land |
| Water Pollution in a Jar | ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems | K-ESS3-3: Reduce impact of humans on water |
| Sort the Recyclables | ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems | K-ESS3-3: Reduce impact of humans on land and water |
| Homemade Paper Project | ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems | K-ESS3-3: Communicate solutions that reduce waste and impact on resources |
| Natural and Man-Made Resources Worksheets | ESS3.A: Natural Resources | K-ESS3-1: Use a model to represent the relationship between needs of living things and the places they live |
| Solar Oven | PS3.B / ESS3.A | 4-ESS3-1: Energy and fuels derived from natural resources |
| Water Wheel | PS3.B / ESS3.A | 4-ESS3-1: Energy and fuels from natural resources |
| Wind Energy Projects | PS3.B / ESS3.A | 4-ESS3-1: Energy and fuels from natural resources |
| Energy Efficiency Experiment | PS3.B: Conservation of Energy | 4-PS3-4: Design/test a device that converts energy |
| DIY Water Filter | ESS2.C: Roles of Water in Earth’s Processes | 2-ESS2-3: Models to represent land/water |
| Water Cycle in a Bag | ESS2.C: Roles of Water in Earth’s Processes | 2-ESS2-3: Represent land/water (water cycle processes) |
| Water Conservation Challenge | ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems | K-ESS3-3: Reduce human impacts on land and water |
| Sink or Float with Natural Materials | PS2.A: Pushes and Pulls | K-PS2-1: Investigate pushes and pulls on objects |
| Ocean Floor Mapping (Marie Tharp) | ESS2.B: Plate Tectonics | 4-ESS2-2: Analyze data from maps of Earth’s features |
| Rocks and Landforms | ESS2.A: Earth Materials and Systems | 2-ESS2-1: Prevent wind/water changing the land |
| Weather Tools | ESS2.D: Weather and Climate | 3-ESS3-1: Design solutions to weather-related hazards |
| Terrarium or Ecosystem in a Jar | ESS2.A / LS2.A | 2-LS2-1: Plants depend on water/light to grow |
| Sun vs. Shade Plant Growth | LS1.C: Matter/Energy in Organisms | 2-LS2-1: Plants depend on sunlight and water |
| Pollinator Activities | LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships | 2-LS2-2: Pollinators disperse seeds/pollen |
| Decomposition in a Jar | LS2.B: Cycles of Matter/Energy | 2-LS2-1: Plants depend on water/light (nutrient cycling) |
| Camouflage Experiment | LS1.A: Structure and Function | 1-LS1-2: Animals use external parts to survive |
| Animal Migration and Hibernation | LS1.B: Growth/Development of Organisms | 3-LS4-3: Organisms survive in habitats that meet needs |
