Earth Day Following Directions Color Activity for Preschool
Teach color identification and single-step directions with this engaging, Earth-friendly digital and printable activity!
If you’re planning Earth Day activities for your classroom or homeschool, this is one activity you won’t want to miss! 🌱 This Earth Day following directions color activity gives kids a playful way to practice following single-step directions, all while learning about recycling and taking care of our planet.
Designed with preschoolers, kindergartners, and early learners in mind, this activity is simple to use and perfect for mixed-ability groups. With both digital and printable formats included, it fits seamlessly into your routine… whether you’re teaching in-person, virtually, or somewhere in between.
Recommended Grade Level:
Are you looking for a meaningful, low-prep way to celebrate Earth Day in your preschool or kindergarten classroom? This Earth Day Following Directions activity is perfect for building early listening skills, supporting color recognition, and encouraging Earth-friendly conversations—all through play-based learning! Whether you’re teaching in person or online, this resource works seamlessly as both a Google Slides and Seesaw digital activity, plus it includes a printable version for hands-on learning too!
What Is the Earth Day Color Matching Activity?
This Earth Day activity for kids features brightly colored recycling bins and a little soda can waiting to be sorted! On each page or slide, the child is given a short instruction such as:
“Put the can in the yellow bin.”
“Put the can in the blue bin.”
“Put the can in the green bin.”
The task is to move the can to the matching bin color based on the 1-step direction.
🎯 That’s it—and that’s the magic.
This simple structure helps children build foundational skills like:
- Color identification
- Listening comprehension
- Reading and recognizing color words
- Following directions
- Drag-and-drop or grasp-and-place motor control
And since it’s themed around recycling bins, it naturally opens up conversations about Earth Day, caring for the environment, and sorting waste.
Get more Earth Day Activities!
Why Use a Following Directions Activity?
Preschoolers are just beginning to master the skill of following one-step directions—and it’s not always easy! This skill is essential not only for classroom routines (think: “Push in your chair” or “Wash your hands”) but also for language development and social skills. Adding a color activity for preschoolers helps reinforce vocabulary and understanding, especially for kids with speech delays, language processing challenges, or special needs.
Combining simple one-step commands with bright visuals gives kids multiple ways to succeed.
Use It Digitally with Google Slides® and Seesaw®
Whether you’re looking for an Earth Day Seesaw activity or something fun for Google Slides®, this digital version is ready to go. No prep. No printing. Just click and assign!
🖱️ Google Slides Version:
Drag and drop the soda can into the correct bin. Great for independent practice, small groups, or whole-class interactive board use.
🖱️ Seesaw Version:
Perfect for distance learning or classroom tablet use. Students tap and move the can and can even record themselves reading the direction aloud.
These Earth Day digital activities are perfect for tech-friendly classrooms and support a range of learning goals with minimal prep.
🖨️ Prefer Printables? Make It an Interactive Book!
Sometimes you just need a break from the screen—and this activity is just as powerful in print!
The printable Earth Day color matching version can be turned into an interactive direction-following book. Kids read (or listen to) the sentence and move the soda can to the correct bin using reusable Velcro, tape, or just by placing it on the page.
How to Prep the Printable Version:
- Print and laminate the pages for durability
- Use hook-and-loop dots (Velcro) for the can piece
- Bind the pages into a flip-style booklet
- Or store loose pages in a dry-erase pouch for repeated use
This version supports fine motor development, visual scanning, and hands-on learning—making it ideal for OT sessions, independent work, or calm-down centers during your Earth Day celebration.
How to Get the Activity
- Enter your email below and then check your inbox to get the activity.
- When you open the file you can click on the format that you prefer to use: Google Slides®, Seesaw® or upgrade to self-checking Boom Cards®.
- If you are downloading the Google Slides version you will be prompted to “Make a copy”. This is an important step you need to complete to make sure you get an editable version to share with your students!
- In Slides, make sure you are in “Edit” mode, as opposed to “Present” mode. You will see the “Present” button in the upper right-hand corner.
- In Slides, just click on the symbol box to highlight it in blue and drag it when the cursor resembles a plus sign with an arrow on each end.
- If you choose the Seesaw version, click the Seesaw image to instantly add it to your Seesaw library.
- Use the Text tool (click on the large T) to be able to highlight each symbol to move it.
- To upgrade to self-checking Boom Cards®, click on the image in the download PDF to purchase the deck to use with your students.
- Or check out the Apple Counting Self-Checking Boom Cards® here!
- Finally, if you choose self-correcting Boom Cards, remember you must be connected to the Internet in order for the cards to work.
Supporting All Learners: Strategies That Work
This activity was built with differentiation in mind. Whether your learners are neurotypical or have additional support needs, you can easily adapt this activity to help everyone feel successful.
Use Visual Cues:
The bins are bright and color-coded, making it easier for children to match even if they don’t recognize the written color word yet.
Model and Repeat:
Show how to move the can to the correct bin first, then let the child try. Repeating the direction a couple of times builds confidence without frustration.
Pair with Speech Practice:
Let children repeat the instruction, name the colors, or record their voice on Seesaw to reinforce vocabulary and comprehension.
Add Movement:
Before dragging the can, have the child act out a motion (like stomping or hopping to a “green bin corner” in the room), then complete the task. Movement = more brain connections!
Celebrate the Process:
Whether they point, drag, or just say the color out loud—acknowledge and celebrate progress in all forms.
Why Color Identification Matters
This might seem like a simple color identification activity, but it packs a big developmental punch!
Kids are learning to:
- Visually discriminate between colors
- Match written words to visual meaning
- Make intentional choices based on instruction
- Build language skills and confidence
Mastering basic colors is one of the first academic concepts preschoolers learn—and this Earth Day activity reinforces it in a purposeful, playful way.
Extension Ideas: Bring It Off the Screen!
Looking to build on this concept with screen-free activities? Here are a few fun ways to practice one-step directions while sticking with the Earth Day theme:
Recycle Bin Color Sort
Use small colored bins or baskets and real recyclable items (clean cans, paper, plastic lids). Give simple directions like:
“Put the can in the red bin.”
“Put the bottle in the green bin.”
Earth Day Color Hunt
Send kids on a classroom or nature scavenger hunt to find items of each color. Give directions one at a time:
“Find something green.”
“Bring me something blue.”
Color Sorting Sensory Bin
Fill a bin with colored pom poms or recycled paper strips. Hide mini items inside and have kids follow directions like:
“Find a red item and put it in the cup.”
Trash & Recycle Game
Set up a pretend play recycling station. Use colored bins and give instructions for where to put pretend trash:
“Put the banana peel in the green bin.”
“Put the can in the blue bin.”
Get Your Free Earth Day Following Directions Color Activity
Whether you’re planning your Earth Day lesson plans or looking for a quick, meaningful activity to build direction-following and color recognition, this Earth Day following directions activity for kids is ready to go.
✔️ Digital + printable formats
✔️ Easy to prep
✔️ Supports multiple learning goals
✔️ Great for preschool, kindergarten, and early intervention
Let this be the activity that brings smiles, learning, and a little eco-awareness to your classroom this April!
🌿 Find more playful and purposeful Earth Day ideas at https://iteachtoo.com – where learning through play is always the goal!
Join the I Teach Too Newsletter and Get Your Activity
Already a subscriber? No worries. Just enter your email here to have the activity sent directly to your inbox.
More Color Activities for Kids!
