Earth Day is the perfect time to teach kids about the environment and how they can help protect it. With citizen science, your family can make a real difference by collecting and sharing data with scientists, learning more about the planet, and getting hands-on with nature. Citizen science projects are designed for everyone, no matter their age or expertise, making them a fun and educational way for families to bond and give back to the environment.
In this blog, we’ll explore a few kid-friendly citizen science projects to try with your family for Earth Day 2025 and how they can help protect the planet.
What Is Citizen Science?
Citizen science is a way for everyday people to contribute to important research. Through simple activities like observing animals, measuring air quality, or testing water, people of all ages can gather valuable data that scientists use to understand and protect the environment.
Citizen science is especially great for kids because it introduces them to the world of science and teaches them that their actions can have a positive impact. It helps develop their critical thinking skills while instilling a love for nature and conservation.
Kid-Friendly Citizen Science Projects for Earth Day 2025
Here are some easy and engaging projects your family can join to celebrate Earth Day and make a difference:
1. Track Butterflies with the Journey North Project
The Journey North Project invites families to help track butterfly migration patterns, particularly monarch butterflies. During spring and fall, you can observe and report sightings of monarchs, their eggs, and caterpillars. This data helps scientists track their migration routes and understand the environmental challenges these butterflies face.
How to get involved:
- Visit the Journey North website or app and create a free account.
- Keep an eye out for monarchs in your garden or local parks.
- Take photos and report your sightings through the website.
2. Monitor Air Quality with AirVisual
Kids can learn about air pollution and how it affects their health and environment by using the AirVisual app. This app allows families to track air quality in real-time, compare it to global data, and learn about the effects of air pollution.
How to get involved:
- Download the AirVisual app on your phone or tablet.
- Check the air quality in your area and compare it with other places around the world.
- Talk with your kids about what causes air pollution and ways to reduce it, such as walking or biking instead of driving.
3. Count Birds for the Great Backyard Bird Count
The Great Backyard Bird Count is a fantastic project for young nature lovers. Every year, families around the world take part in this citizen science event by observing and recording the birds they see in their backyards or local parks. The data collected helps scientists track bird populations and migration patterns.
How to get involved:
- Head to the Great Backyard Bird Count website and create an account.
- Spend time in your backyard, a park, or even looking out a window, and note the birds you see.
- Submit your data online and explore the interactive map to see where others are spotting birds.
4. Measure Rainfall for CoCoRaHS
The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) invites families to help measure and report rainfall. Kids can learn about weather patterns, precipitation, and how rainfall affects the environment, all while contributing to important research on climate and water resources.
How to get involved:
- Sign up as a CoCoRaHS observer on their website.
- Set up a rain gauge in your yard.
- Measure the amount of rain (or snow) and report your data online.
5. Observe Clouds for NASA’s GLOBE Observer
In partnership with NASA, the GLOBE Observer app lets families help scientists track clouds and weather patterns. By simply taking photos of the sky and submitting them through the app, your kids can contribute to real NASA research on climate and atmospheric science.
How to get involved:
- Download the GLOBE Observer app and create an account.
- Take pictures of the clouds in your area and upload them through the app.
- Compare your observations with NASA satellite data and learn more about how clouds affect the climate.
Why Citizen Science Is Important for Kids
Getting kids involved in citizen science encourages them to be curious about the world around them and teaches them that even small actions can make a big impact. By participating in these projects, your children will:
- Learn about environmental challenges like climate change, pollution, and habitat loss.
- Develop observational and problem-solving skills.
- Understand the importance of teamwork and community contributions.
- Gain a sense of empowerment, knowing that their actions can help scientists protect the planet.
Make Earth Day a Family Tradition
Citizen science is a fun and meaningful way to celebrate Earth Day with your family. It’s an opportunity to spend time outdoors, learn together, and contribute to the global effort to protect our planet. By getting your kids involved, you’re nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards and showing them that science is something they can do — and that it matters.
Let Earth Day 2025 be the beginning of a new family tradition: one where you explore the wonders of nature, learn about the world around you, and make a lasting impact through citizen science.
