I am not about to hand you a giant list of random Earth Day words and tell you to memorize them with your kids...
Because let’s be real—your 4-year-old does not need to know how to say “carbon emissions” in Spanish. And you don’t need another thing to feel guilty about not keeping up with.
Instead, let’s make this EASY.
At Homeschool Languages, we teach languages through real, daily moments—starting with phrases that actually stick. So today, we’re introducing three simple Spanish phrases that you can start using on Earth Day AND keep using all year long. In our curriculum we script it and have it be completely open and go... but we'll keep it minimal for the blog ;)
Here we go!
Phrase #1: “Apaga la luz.” (Turn off the light.)
Why it’s useful: Because kids LOVE leaving every single light in the house on.
This is a great everyday phrase that connects to saving energy (hello, Earth Day!) but also keeps your electric bill from skyrocketing. Win-win.
How to start using it today:
When leaving a room, say “Apaga la luz” and point to the light.
If your child forgets, just repeat it until they start saying it on their own.
Make it fun—do a silly “light patrol” where they have to find and turn off lights!
How to keep it going after Earth Day:Make it part of your daily routine. Whenever someone forgets to turn off the light, remind them with Apaga la luz. (And if they get really good at it? Let them be in charge of “light patrol” at home!)
Phrase #2: “Recoge eso.” (Pick that up.)
Why it’s useful: Because every parent has said this phrase a thousand times.
Earth Day is all about taking care of our environment, and one of the easiest ways to start is by picking things up—whether it’s trash outside or toys inside.
How to start using it today: On a nature walk, say “Recoge eso” when you spot litter. At home, use it when cleaning up toys, shoes, or LEGOs (especially the LEGOs 🫠). Turn it into a game—set a timer and see how fast they can recoge eso.
How to keep it going after Earth Day:Use "recoge eso" for everything—cleaning up after meals, tidying up bedrooms, or even helping a friend who dropped something. Once it’s part of your home language, kids just do it without thinking.
Phrase #3: “Vamos afuera.” (Let’s go outside.)
Why it’s useful: Because kids belong outside, running, playing, and touching ALL the sticks.
Spending time outside is one of the best ways to celebrate Earth Day, and this phrase makes it easy to add Spanish into those moments.
How to start using it today: Instead of saying “Let’s go outside,” say “Vamos afuera.” If your child asks, “What did you say?!”—just repeat it and walk toward the door. Keep it playful! Whisper it like a secret mission or turn it into a countdown.
How to keep it going after Earth Day: Use "vamos afuera" every time you head outside—to the park, on a walk, or just into the backyard. Once it becomes part of your daily routine, it’ll stick forever.
How These Phrases Fit Into Our Holiday Series
At Homeschool Languages, we use holidays as a way to introduce meaningful, everyday phrases that stick.
Each holiday introduces a few words, and they don’t disappear afterward—they stay in your home, building over time.
By the end of the year, you’ll have hundreds of phrases woven into your daily life—just by adding a few at a time.
Want to keep going? Grab our first free lessons and start building Spanish into your home, one phrase at a time! 🎉
Click below to download your Earth Day printable for FREE!
🌿 French
✅ “Éteins la lumière.” (Turn off the light.)✅ “Ramasse ça.” (Pick that up.)✅ “Allons dehors.” (Let’s go outside.)
🌱 German
✅ “Mach das Licht aus.” (Turn off the light.)✅ “Heb das auf.” (Pick that up.)✅ “Gehen wir raus.” (Let’s go outside.)
🌍 Portuguese
✅ “Apaga a luz.” (Turn off the light.)✅ “Pegue isso.” (Pick that up.)✅ “Vamos lá fora.” (Let’s go outside.)
🌎 Italian
✅ “Spegni la luce.” (Turn off the light.)✅ “Raccoglilo.” (Pick that up.)✅ “Andiamo fuori.” (Let’s go outside.)
No matter which language you’re learning, these simple, everyday phrases will make it part of your home—starting today!
Want more? Our Holiday Series introduces everyday phrases with each celebration so you can naturally add them into your family’s routine all year long.
Start small, stay consistent, and watch the language grow! 🌱
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