Movies, Shows, Apps, and More that Teach Environmentalism

   
TV shows, movies, apps, books, and games that teach kids about environmentalism
    

TV Shows About the Environment

One Big Ocean (PBS)
4 out of 5 stars
Recommended age: 3+
Featuring biodiversity, environmental concerns in marine adventures
    

Planet Earth II (BBC America)
5 out of 5 stars
Recommended age: 6+ 
This nature documentary sequel is a visual triumph.

     

Movies About the Environment

Dr. Seuss: The Lorax (DVD, Streaming)
5 out of 5 stars
Recommended age: 5+ 
An outstanding 1970s Dr. Seuss parable about protecting nature
     

Boy and the World (DVD, Streaming)
4 out of 5 stars
Recommended age: 7+
This poignant hand-drawn story promotes family and environmentalism.
      

Chasing Ice (DVD, Streaming)
5 out of 5 stars
Recommended age: 13+ 
A beautiful, affecting documentary about glacier retreat

  

Apps About the Environment

Duckie Deck Trash Toys
5 out of 5 stars
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
Recommended age: 3+
Discarded and found items inspire creativity through “upcycling.”
    

Ansel and Clair: Little Green Island
5 out of 5 stars
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire
Recommended age: 7+
This eco-friendly game makes kids masters of their own islands.
    

Project Noah
4 out of 5 stars
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
Recommended age: 10+
Share nature photos and help global research

 

Books About the Environment

Over and Under the Pond
5 out of 5 stars
Recommended age: 5+
Lovely book about wildlife teeming in and around a pond
    

Fuzzy Mud
4 out of 5 stars
Recommended age: 10+
This gripping eco-thriller is a thoughtful and satisfying read.

 

Games About the Environment

Ekoloko (Free or $5.99 per month subscription)
5 out of 5 stars
Platform: Windows
Recommended age: 8+
Kids learn environmental consciousness in this massively multi-player online game.
    

SimCity EDU: Pollution Challenge! ($19.99)
5 out of 5 stars
Platform: Windows, Mac
Recommended age: 11+
Environmental-issues sim teaches real-world solutions
        

Main image: The PBS show, One Big Ocean, features the characters from the preschool series Splash and Bubbles.
Courtesy Common Sense Media

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