Welcome to the OCE Kids Corner

Your go-to hub for raising the next generation of environmental stewards.

From climate-friendly games and science podcasts to earth-loving books and hands-on activities, this space is designed to spark curiosity, deepen learning, and inspire action—at home, in the classroom, or out in nature.

The Book Nook

“Teaching children about the natural world should be treated as one of the most important events in their lives.” -Thomas Berry

An open book resting on a wooden tray with a red apple placed in front of it.

Book of the Month

A children's book cover titled 'You Are a Wildlife Warrior' by Bindi Irwin, featuring illustrated animals like a lemur, bird, giraffes, rhinoceros, and lush greenery with a woman and a girl holding a koala.

June Book Pick:

You Are a Wildlife Warrior!

By Bindi Irwin | Illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki
Recommended Ages: 4–8

Take a trip through Australia Zoo with conservationist Bindi Irwin, daughter of Steve Irwin, and meet some of the planet’s most incredible creatures. This beautifully illustrated picture book is filled with real animal facts, family photos, and a heartfelt message about protecting the Earth and all who share it.

Why We Love It:
✅ Builds empathy for animals and the environment
✅ Includes real family snapshots and educational side notes
✅ Inspires kids to see themselves as wildlife protectors

👉 Check it out at your local library or bookstore—or listen to the read-aloud version on YouTube!
🔗 Watch/Listen on YouTube »

Explore these handpicked, age-appropriate reads that nurture environmental awareness, compassion, and action in kids of all ages.

Ages 3–6: Early Explorers

These colorful, engaging books spark an early love for the planet through storytelling, rhythm, and relatable characters.

Cover of the children's book titled 'Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth' with an illustration of a young girl with curly orange hair wearing a broad-brimmed hat, surrounded by a Dalmatian puppy, a duck, and flowers in a garden scene.
Cover of the book "The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss, featuring colorful, whimsical trees and the Lorax character with a yellow mustache and orange fur standing on a tree stump.
Book cover titled '10 Things I Can Do to Help My World' by Melanie Walsh, with large yellow '10' on an orange background, decorated with butterflies, ladybugs, a bird, and a light bulb illustration.
Cover of a children's book titled 'Outside In,' depicting a girl walking a black cat through a colorful forest with trees and flowers.

Teaches kids what can (and can’t) go in a compost pile—perfect for introducing sustainability through rhyme and rhythm.

A whimsical classic that helps young readers understand the impact of deforestation and why speaking up for nature matters.

Simple, empowering actions young kids can take to care for the environment.

A gentle reminder of how nature is always with us—even when we’re indoors.

Ages 7–10: Budding Planet Protectors

Books that combine captivating storytelling with deeper messages about environmental action and real-world heroes.

Cover of a children's book titled "We Are Water Protectors," featuring a girl with long black hair holding a feather, standing in front of a circular moon with trees inside, and background silhouettes of children holding hands. A gold medallion with a tree is also visible.
Book cover titled 'One Plastic Bag' featuring a woman sitting on a textured surface with animals and a rainbow in the background. She is dressed in colorful clothing with a headscarf, and there are small animals like goats and a pig around her. The cover includes the author's name, Miranda Paul, and illustrator Elizabeth Zunon.
Illustration of a girl lying on the ground surrounded by tall trees with green foliage, titled 'The Tree Lady'.
Book cover titled 'What a Waste' with illustrations of ocean pollution, including plastic bottles, a fishing net, a seagull, a whale, and sea creatures, emphasizing waste, recycling, and protecting the planet.

Inspired by Indigenous-led movements to protect water—this lyrical book is both a call to action and a celebration of culture.

The true story of Isatou Ceesay, who sparked a recycling movement in The Gambia by turning plastic bags into something new.

Meet Kate Sessions, the pioneering woman who brought greenery to San Diego’s urban landscape.

A visually rich nonfiction book full of stats, facts, and simple steps to reduce waste.

Ages 11–14: Future Stewards in Action

Thought-provoking reads that challenge older kids to connect science, justice, and activism with their own role in protecting the Earth.

Book cover titled 'It's Getting Hot in Here' with a polar bear on melting ice, highlighting climate change.
Book cover titled "Lily Dyu: Earth Heroes" with illustrations of diverse people and nature, including an elderly woman with a chameleon, a girl planting a tree, a woman sweeping, a young woman with a wind turbine, and a young girl holding a sign, representing environmental activism.
Book cover titled 'You Are Change the World' by Lucy Bell. The cover features colorful illustrations of a butterfly, a ocean wave, leaves, a caterpillar, a caterpillar, Earth, and a tree on a green background.
Book cover titled 'How to Change Everything' by Naomi Klein, with Rebecca Steff and 'The Young Human's Guide to Protecting the Planet and Each Other' written above an illustration of the Earth being damaged, a ladder, a plant, and a paint roller.

A straightforward, engaging explanation of climate change—covering the science, history, and what's at stake—along with what young people can do to help.

Meet real-life changemakers—from Greta Thunberg to David Attenborough—who’ve led global movements to protect the planet. A mix of biography, activism, and hope.

A colorful, project-based handbook packed with DIY ideas, planet-friendly tips, and inspiring profiles to help kids take action in their communities.

An urgent, empowering guide that breaks down the climate crisis—its causes, consequences, and the global youth-led movements rising to address it. Packed with real-world stories, climate science, and calls to action, this book helps middle schoolers understand the systems behind the crisis and how they can lead change.

StewardTube!

Smart Shows for Future Planet Protectors!

Featured Episodes

Cartoon scene featuring a girl and an elephant in a forest, with the girl smiling and the elephant waving its trunk.
Book cover for 'Octonauts: The Blue Whale Rescue,' featuring a large blue whale and a cat character in a rescue outfit.
Animated scene with a woman wearing a beige hat and glasses, standing in a desert landscape with cacti and rocks, titled "Weather vs. Climate" for a children's educational video.
Animated cartoon mouse wearing a safari hat observing a geyser erupting in Yellowstone National Park, with trees and pink sky in the background.
National Geographic Kids video thumbnail of a giant Pacific octopus with pink and purple coloration.

Wild Kratts |PBS Kids (Ages 4–10)

Join Chris and Martin Kratt as they explore the animal kingdom and use "creature powers" to solve environmental problems. Episodes are packed with real science, teamwork, and conservation messaging.
🔗 Watch Wild Kratts on YouTube
💡 Great for: Animal biology, ecosystems, endangered species

Octonauts (Ages 3–7)

Follow a team of animal adventurers as they explore the deep sea and rescue marine life. While full episodes are on Netflix, many clips and songs are available on YouTube.
🔗 Watch Octonauts on YouTube
💡 Great for: Ocean education, teamwork, marine conservation

Crash Course Kids (Ages 8–12)

Hosted by Sabrina Cruz, this science-forward series breaks down big topics—like climate, energy, and natural resources—in an accessible, story-based format.
🔗 Crash Course Kids Playlist
💡 Great for: Sustainability, systems thinking, classroom viewing

SciShow Kids (Ages 5–10)

Explore fun science questions like “Why is the ocean salty?” or “What is climate change?” with engaging visuals and experiments.
🔗 SciShow Kids YouTube Channel
💡 Great for: Environmental science, curiosity-driven learning

National Geographic Kids (Ages 7–12)

Short videos featuring real wildlife, global cultures, and eco-facts. Ideal for visual storytelling and connecting nature to the real world.
🔗 Nat Geo Kids YouTube Channel
💡 Great for: Global awareness, biodiversity, wildlife exploration

Interactive Activity Resources

Fun, free, educational games & resources focused on environmental learning for children.

National Geographic Kids logo with a green background, yellow border, and white and yellow text.
EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency logo on a blue background.
Children in space-themed bubbles with a 'PLUM LANDING' logo in the center and the tagline 'Exploring your world, one mission at a time' at the bottom.
NASA logo with 'Climate Kids' text and green leaf and plant graphic on a light blue background.

National Geographic Kids Games
Explore, learn, and play—safely! The National Geographic Kids Games portal is packed with fun, interactive games that teach kids about wildlife, nature, science, geography, and environmental stewardship. From animal trivia to eco-adventures, these games make learning about our planet exciting and accessible for young explorers.

🔗 Play Now on National Geographic Kids

Explore EPA’s Interactive Learning Hub

From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the EPA’s Student Portal is packed with games, quizzes, and videos designed to help kids learn how the environment works—and how they can help protect it. Whether it’s learning how to recycle, protect our air and water, or conserve energy at home, these interactive tools connect science with real-world action.

🔗 EPA Games, Quizzes & Videos for Students »

Tip: his is a great starting point for classroom activities or at-home learning—and many of the tools pair well with OCE’s own badge and Earth Stewardship programs.

PBS Kids: Plum Landing

Explore ecosystems through interactive adventures Join Plum, a curious alien from Planet Blorb, as she explores Earth’s wildest places—from forests and deserts to city parks and backyards. Through fun games, interactive stories, and challenges, kids learn about biodiversity, ecosystems, and environmental problem-solving in a playful and engaging way.🔗 Play Plum Landing Games »

Developed by PBS Kids and environmental education experts.

NASA Climate Kids

Big science made fun—for future Earth stewards
NASA’s Climate Kids is a colorful, engaging platform where students explore topics like climate change, weather, energy, and sustainability through interactive games, articles, and videos—all grounded in real NASA science.

Bonus: Includes downloadable activities, career spotlights, and classroom guides for teachers.

🔗 Explore NASA Climate Kids »


Brought to you by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Best Free iPad Apps for Eco Learning

A young girl with curly hair wearing a rainbow headband and a yellow dress, sitting at a table, looking at a tablet device with a smile. She has her hands on her head, as if surprised or excited.

Screen time with purpose—explore the world, protect the planet, and have fun learning!

Cartoon frog with red eyes sitting on a globe of Earth, against a blue background.
Black and white panda logo with rounded head, black ears, and black patches around eyes.
Earth with a clock hand and orbit line, symbolizing space and time.

Earth Rangers

Complete eco-missions, track wildlife sightings, and learn how kids can make a real-world impact. Features fun challenges around waste, water, and animal protection.

WWF Together

Travel the globe through interactive stories about endangered animals, complete with stunning photography and conservation facts.

  • 📱 iOS

  • 🚫 Not currently available on Google Play

NASA Earth Now

Visualize real-time global climate data—like sea surface temperature, CO₂ levels, and ozone—straight from NASA satellites.

Podcast Picks for Young Planet Protectors

Black over-ear wireless headphones on a yellow background.

Educational, entertaining, and inspiring stories about science, nature, and climate action—perfect for car rides or classroom listening.

A cartoon illustration of a hand holding a green magnifying glass with an atom symbol inside, with the text 'TUMBLE' and 'Science Podcast for Kids' below, against a light blue background.
Text reads 'BRAINS ON! UNIVERSE' with a cartoon planet with a ring around it and trees on its surface.
Logo of Earth Rangers featuring a green frog perched on a stylized globe with the words 'earth rangers' in green text.

Tumble Science Podcast for Kids (Ages 8–13)
 Explores mysteries of science and nature in story form.
🔗 Learn more here

Brains On! (Ages 6–12)
Curious questions from kids answered by scientists—including episodes on climate, weather, and pollution.
🔗 Learn more here

Earth Rangers Podcast (Ages 6–12)
Animal stories, science facts, and climate action missions.
🔗 Learn more here

Silhouettes of children and a dog walking up a hill during a colorful sunset with purple, pink, and orange sky.

Steward-in-Training: Knowledge Quests - coming soon!

Every great Earth Steward starts with knowledge. Complete these fun challenges to earn your next badge and level up on your stewardship journey.

Got a Resource We Should Know About?


We're always on the lookout for fresh, fun, and educational tools to share in our Kids' Corner! If you know of an app, game, video, or activity that inspires young environmental stewards—or if you've created a resource of your own—we’d love to hear about it.

📬 Send us a message with a few details. If it’s a great fit, we’ll feature it in an upcoming update!

🌱 We refresh our Kids' Corner monthly—so keep those ideas coming!