Kids & Company Blog

6 Ways to Spend Earth Hour with Your Children

Earth Hour is one of the world's largest grassroots movements for the environment! Led by the WWF, Earth Hour has become an annual event that brings people together worldwide to show support for our planet. In 2025, Earth Hour falls on Saturday, March 22, from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm local time. The goal of Earth Hour is to turn off all of your lights and spend 60 minutes of your time doing good for the planet. While this is typically a lights-off event in the evening, families with young children can still participate by celebrating earlier in the day. Whether at noon or another convenient time, dedicating an hour to honouring the Earth helps instill an appreciation for our environment in young minds.

With Earth Month beginning on April 1st, Earth Hour serves as the perfect introduction to sustainability concepts children will soon explore in school. It’s a meaningful way to kickstart conversations about caring for the planet while making lasting memories as a family.

Let's unplug and play!

 1. Have your child pick something to dedicate the hour to 

Thread Earth Hour into your day by chatting with your children about the importance of Earth Hour, and pick something together that you are going dark for this year. Ask your child to think of their favourite animal, bird, body of water, or outdoor spot they love to play in and decide what you would like to give your hour to. 

If they pick the ocean, you can discuss plastic pollution; if they choose a favourite nearby park, talk about the importance of keeping green spaces clean. You can even incorporate themed activities, such as drawing a picture of their favourite animal or writing a short pledge about how they’ll help protect it. This makes Earth Hour feel personal and meaningful for your child, reinforcing the connection between their daily actions and the well-being of the planet.

2. Play a game 

Turn off all electronics and play a board game, card game, or nature-themed guessing game together. If your child enjoys interactive play, try a scavenger hunt in the dark with flashlights, where they look for objects related to nature. Making Earth Hour fun helps build positive associations with sustainability.

 

3. Create Nature Inspired Crafts

Gather around with candles or flashlights and create eco-friendly crafts using recycled materials. Try out playdough prints from our Kidco at Home Nature Activity Guide! Place some playdough on a tray with a rolling pin and a few playdough toys and take it outside. Gather some items from around the yard…leaves, pine cones, sturdy flowers, etc. Encourage your child to press them into the playdough, leaving impressions of the items.

 

4. Build a Cosy Fort

Many of these fun ideas can be enjoyed from your own little at-home camping experience! Before Earth Hour starts (or during!) use blankets and cushions to build a cosy fort together in your home. When it's ready, bring in flashlights for an hour of cuddles, story time and shadow puppet games.  Challenge your children to create animal shapes or tell a story using their shadow puppets. This imaginative play fosters creativity and makes Earth Hour a magical experience.

5. Enjoy Storytime

Turn off all lights and gather with your child for a cozy story session by candlelight or flashlight. For an Earth-inspired reading list, find our Kidco recommended reads HERE. Encourage your child to ask questions or share their thoughts as you read. You can even extend the activity by discussing what small actions they can take to help the environment, such as planting flowers for pollinators or turning off unused lights.

 

6. Spend Time Outdoors

If you are celebrating with children earlier in the day, take a walk in your local park, backyard, or neighbourhood and appreciate the beauty of nature. Bring a small bag and some gloves and encourage children to pick up litter along the way. It’s a great hands-on lesson about keeping our environment clean while giving them an opportunity to connect with nature.

By celebrating Earth Hour with children, you help build lasting eco-conscious habits and strengthen their connection with nature. Whether you observe it at 8:30 pm or earlier in the day, your commitment to an hour of unplugging and appreciating the Earth makes a difference. Earth Hour is more than just turning off the lights, it’s about taking time to reflect on how we can better care for our planet. By making it a fun and engaging experience for children, we encourage the next generation to be mindful of their impact on the environment. Let’s come together, unplug, and celebrate our Earth, not just for an hour, but every day!

Let’s make Earth Hour a tradition that inspires future generations to protect our planet!

 

Posted on: Friday March 21st, 2025

Posted by: Kids & Company