Originally published April 19, 2024
Latest Update April 18, 2026
Find easy no/low prep Earth Day music activities, songs, and games for elementary classrooms using rhythm, movement, and singing!
What’s the history of Earth Day?
According to Earthday.org, “…founders created and organized the very first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. Since then, (it) has been mobilizing over 1 billion people annually on Earth Day, and every other day, to protect the planet.”
Table of Contents
Earth Day Music Activities-Videos
This Pretty Planet
This Pretty Planet by Tom Chapin is a gorgeous round that expresses the love and joy of our beautiful planet.
Seeds of Change
Written as a companion to Amanda Gorman’s book, “Something, Someday,” Seeds of Change with its simple song and Orff arrangement affirms the power in all of us to make a difference.
We Are the World
This classic song in Boomwhacker play along and lyric sing along formats.
Lava
This popular Pixar short video speaks to the evolutionary process of volcanoes. Here is the song with lyrics and a ukulele play along.
Earth Day Is Ev’ry Day
This resource is in a pop style with a rap in the middle that uses all those environmental LONG words such as “deforestation” and “conservation.” Here’s an instrumental play along and a TPT video preview of the resource.
The Whole World In Our Hands/Whole New World
Sing along with “We’ve Got the Whole World.” (lyrics reflect recycling and environmental ideas)
For “Whole New World,” (lyrics reflect the growing Earth and living together in peace) use the verse/chorus form for movement. Scarves would work beautifully. T can simply give verbal “walk” and “stop” signals until Ss learn the form.
🟢 Verses-Stand still and do scarf movements.
🟢 Choruses-walk and do scarf movements.
Earth Day Rhythm Stick Play Alongs
Two Earth Day songs using rhythm sticks. FYI: Mr. DelGaudio also adds some beautiful sign language and I’d increase the tempo of the other video. (In full screen, click the cog, then speed)
Earth Day Music Games & Activities
Planet Earth E-A-R-T-H (Parachute Game)
The object of the game is to see how many items you can collect on the parachute. Begin with one ball/bean bag/etc. and add another for each repeat of the song. The items represent trash that is collected/recycled. If an item falls off the parachute, you have to begin again at zero!
(I wrote these new words to the tune of, “Old McDonald”)
(walk to your right) Planet Earth goes round and round, E-A-R-T-H. (walk to your left) And we all need to keep it *clean, E-A-R-T-H. (parachute up) Clean up here, (parachute down) clean up there, (parachute up) here a clean, there a clean, (parachute down) everywhere a clean, clean. (shake parachute)
Planet Earth goes round and round, E-A-R-T-H.
*Add verses compost, recycle, reduce, reuse, etc. if desired.
Planet EARTH (sung to BINGO)
Sing to the tune, BINGO.
This Planet Earth piggyback song (to the tune of BINGO) is a fun and simple way to get young students singing, clapping, and learning in your elementary music classroom.
What makes this lesson especially valuable is the built-in rhythm practice activity at the end of the video. Students practice a steady pattern using: quarter, quarter, 2 eighths, quarter.
Environmentally Themed/Friendly Merch
Stanley Straw Toppers
Straw Topper for Spills and Cleanliness!
Teachers, if you know you know!
And, no more cases of bottled water!
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Menu-Style Page Holders
Multi-Page Menu Style Holders
NO lamination needed!
Keeps multi-page items together!
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