National Tree Day Activities for Early Learning Centres and Educators
Tree planting is messy, meaningful and full of learning opportunities for children. National Tree Day is the perfect excuse to dig in, get hands dirty and spark curiosity about caring for the planet. Discover fun, hands-on activities for Early Learning Centres and educators that can be done any time of year, all linked to EYLF
One of my favourite memories growing up was participating in a four-day “Black Cockatoo Camp” campaign, where we planted over 1,000 native trees to restore habitat for black cockatoos in crisis. That experience taught me the power of hands-on environmental action. Planting trees together, whether at home or in your Early Learning Centre, builds connection, sparks curiosity, and supports biodiversity in a way children can see and feel.
What is National Tree Day and Schools Tree Day
National Tree Day (Sunday, 27 July) is Australia’s most significant community tree-planting and nature care event. It has been coordinated by the Planet Ark Environmental Foundation since 1996 and engages around 300,000 volunteers nationally annually. Since the campaign began, more than 28 million trees have been planted, with over 10 million hours of community action recorded.
Schools Tree Day (Friday 25 July) is designed for Early Learning Services and schools to participate together, while National Tree Day invites the broader community to get involved. Both days create a chance for children and educators to connect with nature and learn about environmental care.
How Tree Planting Supports Early Childhood Education and Care
Giving children the chance to plant trees turns environmental care into something they can see, touch, and experience firsthand. It fosters a connection to Country and invites them to observe how living things grow and change over time.
For Early Learning Centres, tree planting activities embed sustainability and community engagement, aligning with the Early Years Learning Framework, particularly Outcome 2, which focuses on children becoming connected with and contributing to their world.
These projects also link to National Quality Standard Quality Area 3, promoting sustainable practices and creating rich outdoor learning environments that support exploration and respect for nature.
Steps for Getting Involved
Plan Your Activity
Register an event through the National Tree Day website and choose an activity suitable for your children, such as planting native trees, building wildlife features, or creating a bush tucker garden.
Access the Seedling Bank
Apply for Seedling Bank support to receive free seedlings and planting resources for your centre. This initiative has supplied more than 80,000 seedlings to schools and community groups.
Use the Toolkit
Download free lesson plans and activity sheets from the National Tree Day Toolkit to integrate planting into your curriculum with ease and link directly to EYLF outcomes.
Incorporate Nature Play
Add multi-sensory learning experiences, such as bird boxes, habitat gardens, and bush tucker planting, to connect children to biodiversity and traditional ecological knowledge.
Partnering with Families and Communities
Tree planting provides a natural opportunity to engage families and the broader community in your program. Inviting them to join in the activity helps children see that caring for the environment is a shared responsibility and extends learning beyond the centre.
You can also encourage families to continue the experience at home by planting native species together or contributing to future projects. Supporting National Tree Day through a group or individual donation helps fund seedlings and growing initiatives across Australia. Donate here
Connecting Tree Day to Your Early Learning Program
Tree-planting activities showcase your centre’s commitment to sustainability, community, and experiential learning. They also highlight the value of passionate educators who can bring meaningful, hands-on experiences into your program. Entrée Early Years partners with centres to connect them with educators who share these values and can enrich your curriculum through authentic, nature-based learning that supports both EYLF and National Quality Standard outcomes.
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References and Resources
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