The Lorax Earth Day Activities for Kids

Dr. Seuss's The Lorax isn't only full of enduring hope, he's also the protector of trees and guardian of the forest. In our eyes, these things make the Lorax the perfect mascot to educate kids about Earth Day and inspire them to be friendlier to our planet.

On March 2nd, 2012, the much anticipated big screen adaptation of Dr. Seuss's The Lorax hits theaters. A story told in typical Seuss-style, The Lorax has a very clear message: unless we make a change and take care, we will destroy the very world we need to live.

Arriving on a the movie's heels a month later is Earth Day - April 22nd - and we can't think of a better opportunity to team up with The Lorax to teach kids about protecting the environment and encouraging them to adopt Earth-conscious habits.

Share the history and teachings of Earth Day with your kids, and keep them engaged with the ideas by getting crafty a la The Lorax!

Activities to Teach Kids The Lorax's Earth-Friendly Message

Make Truffula Trees - Dr. Seuss's Truffula Trees are cut down in his story to power a factory. Share the similar facts with your kids about the very trees on Earth and teach them how to recycle paper and encourage a green thumb!

Poke around your kitchen and find some straws or chopsticks - any thin stick will do! Then, get some yellow paint from your craft bin and paint the sticks.

Allow them to dry completely (you may need a few coats of paint) and then trace black lines around them to mimic the stumps of Dr. Seuss's Truffula Trees.

Top with bright and colorful pom poms, securing with glue.

Alternatively, if you don't have these supplies in your craft bin, get creative with other supplies - Playdoh or even construction paper will work.

Craft The Lorax - The Lorax, protector of the forest, is a great role model for kids to have when it comes to Earth Day.

There are tons of ways to make your own Lorax, but we particularly like the idea of crafting him from either felt, this way you can attach a pin to his back and where him!

Write a Poem - Dr. Seuss's stories connect with kids because they're metaphors of a larger purpose with words and rhymes children can relate to and enjoy.

Encourage the inner-poet in your own child and have he/she write a melodic verse on ways they plan to treat the planet better. In this case, it's totally fine for them to make up silly words!