• Even little kids can learn about caring for the Earth.Earth in my hands image by Renata Osinska from Fotolia.com
  
  Little kids often love to work on crafts. Such activities give them a chance to develop their creativity and motor skills while learning something new. Teach little ones about the basic concepts of valuing and helping the planet--offer fun and easy crafts that focus on Earth Day.
  
  

Clutter Bug

• For an Earth Day craft, little kids--age 2 and older--can create a clutter bug. This project calls for paper and crayons or markers. You also need scissors, glue and such items as shiny candy wrappers, wrapping paper, old fabric, twist ties, foil or buttons--the child will decorate her clutter bug with these items.
  
  Draw a clutter bug on a piece of paper. Make a copy for each child. The bug should be large enough for children to color and decorate. You also can let each child draw his own clutter bug. Cut out the clutter bug after the child colors it. Let the child glue decorations to her clutter bug. Talk to your kids about recycling and reusing items.
  
  

Can Crafts

• Save aluminum cans from your recycle bin. Collect old fabric scraps. Make fabric-covered pencil or kitchen utensil holders with this project. Children age 5 and older can handle this Earth Day craft while you explain the importance of recycling. Introduce the concept of repurposing items.
  
  Mix equal parts white craft glue and water. Paint the mixture on the outside of a clean, dry aluminum can. Paint the can with a coat of white craft paint. Let it dry.
  
  Starting anywhere on the can, paint the glue and water mixture on the can. Smooth a piece of scrap fabric over the mixture. Paint more of the glue mixture over the fabric. Keep covering the can until it is completely decorated. Trim off any fabric pieces that stick up over the top of the can. Let the glue dry.
  
  Soup cans work well for holding pens and pencils, while coffee cans are a good choice to hold kitchen utensils. Kids also can make a tool holder for your workshop or garage.
  
  

Help a Bird Out

• Have your little ones help you gather nest-building materials for birds. Use such items as old scraps of ribbon, yarn and string; the stuffing from an old feather pillow; narrow scraps of fabric; and broken shoelaces.
  
  Put your nest-building items in a mesh bag, such as the type onions come in. Hang the bag where birds can access it. The birds will select the pieces they want to use when building their nests.
  
  This Earth Day craft project is a good way to help little kids learn how they can help animals while using items that might otherwise end up in the trash.