Activities to teach kids about climate change

Climate change is a hot topic, and your kids probably have questions about it. But it’s not exactly the easiest issue to explain. Empower your children to understand not only what climate change is all about—but also what they can do to help. Here are videos, games, and crafts to get you started.

Start with the facts
Not sure how to explain climate change? No problem! Check out our kid-friendly article and video that explain the science behind the greenhouse effect and how global warming is affecting the Earth. Then remind kids how awesome our planet is with this amazing photo gallery.

Empower them with tips and crafts
Excite your kids about fighting climate change by playing the online game Recycle Roundup, then investigate ideas the whole family can do together to help save the planet. Whether they’re creatively resusing household items, waging a war on plastic, or decreasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, kids will feel empowered to make a difference.

Upcycling is a great way to keep trash out of landfills—and CO2 out of the atmosphere. Have your children grab an old pair of jeans and upcycle them into a lunch bag. (Watch videos for more eco-friendly crafting tips.)

Inspire them to find their voice
Your kids probably have something to say about climate change, so help their voices be heard. Use these letter-writing tips (pdf) to show them how to craft compelling letters asking for support from politicians and other leaders. Want to get the entire neighborhood involved? Work with your kids to start a petition. Get them ready to present their case to others by helping them research the topic (pdf) and practice public speaking (pdf).

Let your kids know that everyday actions affect people, plants, and animals all over the world. Encourage them to be cool by doing their best to keep Earth, well, cool!