How to Celebrate World Environment Day with Your Child

At Saha, we believe childhood is inherently aligned with the rhythms of nature — curious, slow, full of wonder. And on World Environment Day, there’s no better reminder of what both childhood and the Earth truly need: presence, simplicity, and love.

The early years are not just a phase — they are the foundation of a child’s lifelong relationship with the world. If we want our children to grow up as protectors of the planet, we must begin by helping them fall in love with nature first.

This blog offers gentle, low-impact, high-connection ways to celebrate World Environment Day with your child — no fancy setups, no plastic props — just real moments, rooted in nature and intention.

1. Take a Slow Nature Walk

Go for a walk without any destination. Let your child notice the way leaves crunch, how ants march, the way light filters through trees. This isn't just sensory play — it's building reverence for the natural world.

Let them collect fallen leaves, twigs, or seed pods. These can be used for nature crafts or simply returned to Earth. According to UNEP, when children are given opportunities to connect with nature early, they develop stronger ecological awareness.

2. Rotate or Reuse Toys Instead of Buying New

You don’t need to buy a “green” toy to celebrate this day. In fact, reusing and rotating toys teaches a far deeper lesson — that enough is a beautiful word.

Rediscover an old toy or create something new from what you already have. For example, wooden blocks can become trees, bridges, or homes in a child's imaginative play. As The Times of India suggests, even small shifts in daily routines can lay the foundation for sustainable habits.

3. Make Art With Nature — Not Plastic

Let your child explore creative expression with petals, mud, sand, leaves, and twigs. This activity not only keeps the environment clean but also engages children in sensory play and open-ended thinking.

Skip the store-bought art supplies. Let them feel the texture of leaves, mix mud into paint, or use fallen flowers for stamping. As Makoons shares in their list of kid-friendly environment day ideas, nature-based art deepens a child’s connection to their surroundings.

 4. Tell a Story About the Earth

Stories shape how children see the world. This World Environment Day, tell your child a story about a brave little tree, a helpful raindrop, or a wise old mountain. No facts, no fear — just wonder and warmth.

This kind of storytelling nourishes empathy, not just knowledge. It lets children feel connected to something much bigger than themselves — and that’s where real sustainability begins.

5. Talk About What They Wear

Turn your wardrobe into a teaching moment. Let your child feel the difference between synthetic and natural fabrics. Explain why their organic cotton romper or khadi shirt feels softer — not just on skin, but on the Earth too.

At Saha, we use handspun khadi and GOTS-certified organic cotton — consciously chosen to be gentle on young skin and kind to the planet. When your child grows up knowing what clothes are made of, they grow into consumers who care.

 6. Unplug, Pause, Play

Declare a screen-free day. Instead of passively consuming, let your child build a fort, dig in the mud, sort their toys, or even stare out of the window in boredom (which, as research suggests, often leads to creativity). Use open-ended play materials made out of natural elements like wood, clay, cotton and engage your senses in a wholesome way. 

Unplugging from devices is not just for digital detox — it’s a way to restore our connection with time, presence, and one another.

7. Plant a Seed — Literally or Figuratively

Planting a sapling is a wonderful ritual — and so is planting an idea. You could say,

“We’re not just planting this tree. We’re promising to take care of it, like the Earth takes care of us.”

Or start a ritual like watering a plant every morning, or observing the changes in a seed sprouting. These little acts remind children of their own agency as caretakers.

 A Final Word From Saha

As parents, caregivers, and conscious citizens, our choices speak louder than any Earth Day slogan.

This World Environment Day, let’s remember:

• That sustainability starts in the nursery — with what we buy, wear, and value.
• That less is not a lack — it’s a powerful lesson in mindful abundance.
• That children don’t need to be taught to love the Earth — they just need space to stay connected to it.

From slow toys to slow parenting, from natural fabrics to natural rhythms — The Saha Way is about honoring both the child and the planet.

Let’s raise a generation that doesn’t need to “relearn” sustainability — because it’s woven into the very fabric of their childhood.

References

1. UNEP. (n.d.). Children connect with nature at school on World Environment Day. Retrieved from https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/news/children-connect-nature-school-world-environment-day
2. Times of India. (2024). World Environment Day: 5 Activities for Kids to Learn Sustainability the Fun Way. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/parenting/moments/world-environment-day-5-activities-for-kids-to-learn-sustainability-the-fun-way/how-can-kids-celebrate-earth-day/photostory/121633968.cms
3. Makoons. (n.d.). Environment Day Celebration Ideas for Kids. Retrieved from https://makoons.com/blogs/environment-day-celebration-ideas-for-kids/