Earth Day is this Sunday, and man, they really knew what they were doing in 1970 when they originally set the date for April 22. This is the time of year in most parts of the country where things have really turned to spring and people are finally able to get out and enjoy the outdoors. It's a perfect time to reintroduce your family to nature, whether that means outdoor activities like hiking or camping, learning to ride a two-wheeler, or getting your garden on.
Even if you're in one of the parts of the planet where spring hasn't quite settled in (Northeastern US, holla!), there are things you can do this weekend to observe Earth Day and get your kids thinking about their role in the ecosystem. Over at Kaboose, there are tons of crafts for kids of all ages, including awesome (and tasty) herb pots, a great "fossil" project using recycled coffee grounds, and some tasty recipes.
One Hour Craft also has a terrific gardening project for kids that doesn't require a yard or any outdoor space at all, really: starting seeds in tiny greenhouses made from plastic soda bottles. And if that's too crafty for you, head to Target--they've got tiny little terra-cotta pots with dirt pellets and seeds in the dollar bins right now.