Free Climate Education Resources for Kids in PreK–5
Share My Lesson's Climate Education for Kids collection includes more than 50 free, classroom-ready climate change resources for preK through 5th grade. Curated by educators at Share My Lesson and the American Federation of Teachers, it covers the full range of elementary climate education: the science of weather and Earth's systems, sustainability, biodiversity, environmental justice, and student-led action. Every lesson, activity, blog, and webinar is free to download and designed for young learners.
Teaching older students? Find climate education resources for grades 6–12.
What You'll Find in This Collection
Resources are organized into six topic areas designed to meet young learners where they are and build understanding progressively:
- Climate science for kids: weather, Earth, and change. Age-appropriate introductions to climate change, seasons, and how scientists study our planet.
- Biodiversity, animals, and endangered species. How climate change affects wildlife, pollinators, birds, and ecosystems.
- Recycling, waste reduction, and sustainable living. Hands-on activities that connect everyday choices to environmental health.
- Earth Day, conservation, and nature stewardship. Seasonal and project-based learning that celebrates and protects the natural world.
- Environmental justice and our communities. Helping young learners understand how climate change affects people and places unequally.
- Young climate champions: action and advocacy. Empowering elementary students to see themselves as part of the solution.
Built for PreK–5 Classrooms
These resources are designed with young learners in mind, emphasizing wonder, hands-on exploration, and hope over fear. Many connect to the elementary Earth and Human Activity standards in the Next Generation Science Standards, which run from kindergarten through 5th grade, and they support cross-subject teaching in science, ELA, social studies, math, and the arts. Contributors include Science Friday, SubjectToClimate, and The Nature Conservancy, alongside classroom teachers in the Share My Lesson community. You do not need a science background to teach any of them.
Why Climate Education for Kids Starts Early
Elementary school is where environmental habits begin. In a study of more than 2,000 adults, people who spent time in nature as children reported stronger pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors as adults, and free play in nature showed a stronger link than required, structured activities. That finding shapes this collection. Alongside the science, you'll find things children can go outside and do: observe the weather, care for plants and animals, track where waste goes, and ask questions about their own neighborhood.
Learn more about the AFT's climate curriculum work and its broader climate justice campaign.
