Go Green Recycle Activity

Recycling starts with one simple question: what is this made of? This go green recycle activity teaches young learners to look at everyday trash and sort it by material into paper, plastic, metal, and glass. When students know the material, they know which bin it belongs in, and they learn a habit that helps take care of our planet.

The activity has 16 sorting cards: four heading cards with a colorful recycling bin for paper, plastic, metal, and glass, and twelve picture cards of things children see every day, such as a newspaper, a milk jug, a soup can, and a glass jar. Students lay the four headings in a row, name the object on each picture card, decide what it is made of, and place it under the right heading. The cards are mixed so the answers never follow a pattern, and a key lists the material for every card. A kindergarten practice worksheet shows five new objects, and students circle the word that tells what each one is made of. It has its own answer key.

What’s Included

• A colorful cover page
• A How to Use page with materials, prep tips, and simple steps
• 4 sorting heading cards: paper, plastic, metal, and glass
• 12 picture cards of everyday recyclable items
• A practice worksheet: circle what each object is made of
• A picture card answer key and a practice answer key

Why This Activity Helps

First, sorting real objects by material builds early science skills, because students observe, compare, and classify. Second, naming each object and its material grows vocabulary that children use when they talk about the world. Third, a hands-on sort turns a big idea like caring for the Earth into something even the youngest students can do.

Ideas for Teachers and Parents

Use the cards for an Earth Day center, a science lesson on materials, or a small group game. After the sort, go on a classroom hunt and find one real object for each heading. This preschool earth day activity also works well for older students, who can explain why each item belongs where it does. Pair the go green recycle activity with the resources below for more practice.

Related Resources

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Sorting Worksheet
• Recycle Worksheet
• Earth Day Crossword Puzzle
• Going Green Song