4 Fun Ways to Encourage Our Kids to Be More Eco-friendly

Greta Thunberg, a young environmentalist from Sweden, said that - "No one is too small to make a difference, everyone can do something. I everyone did something that huge difference can happen."

This is true. In protecting our planet, every small deed can make a big impact. One eco-friendly habit can go a long way and it is everybody's responsibility to take care of our environment. 

Yes, everybody, even our kids. Our kids, how small they may seem, can still make a huge difference. 

As parents, it is our responsibility to raise environmentally conscious kids!

So how do we pass down these eco-friendly habits and make our kids love and care for the environment?

Here are 5 fun ways to encourage our kids to be more eco-friendly!

1.    Art and Recycling  

Superhero, robot, princess, animal, space-ranger – kids just love to play dress-up!  Kids are naturally imitative creatures and they love to wear different costumes and be who they want to be!

Check your shelves for old boxes, egg trays, tissue rolls, old newspaper, buttons, bottles and other stuff. With a sprinkle of creativity and a dash of patience, you can definitely make your kid’s very own costume!

  

I used to buy costumes for my kids and I would spend a lot for one costume. Later, I have realized that DIY costumes are not as difficult to make as they seem. It was actually fun!

 

For the online science fair of my 8-year old kid, we created a space suit out of an old cake box, egg trays, empty tissue rolls, old face shield, and some colored paper. I drew and cut the pattern and my kid helped in putting scotch tape. He also pitched in some cool ideas as to what his space suit should look like and he even drew the space gun that he would use. He was so thrilled with his space-ranger costume and 'twas a bonus when he was chosen as one of the "Best Costume" in class!

Making DIY costumes does not only help us save money or enhance our kid’s creativity, it also sends a very important message to our kids --- recycling is important! 

 

Through recycling, we reuse materials like bottles, egg tray, paper which reduces the amount of waste produced. We also show our kids that collecting recyclable materials help reduce pollution and help us protect our environment.

 

Re-use. Reduce. Recycle. This is one of the most important eco-friendly habits we need to pass to our children.

 

By mixing recycling with art, we show our kids that used stuff like bottles, paper and plastic can be turned into something useful and wonderful. Mixing recycling with art surely makes it more fun for kids!

 

Here are some websites you can visit which also make us of recyclable materials into art!   

                       

Want to try Bubble Wrap Painting? 

 Or if you have left over yard and cardboard, 

you can also do this Spring Activity, check this out!

https://www.facebook.com/Sunshine-Dayhome-106697648137405

 

 

 

 Do you have lots of empty plastic bottles

and you are looking for craft ideas, click this some easy and cool crafts using recylcled bottles!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0WgF6U8MoQ

 

2.    Gardening 

 

 

In school, kids learned all about photosynthesis and how plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen molecules. Kids also learned that carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and that too much of it can cause global warming which is really bad for our planet!

 

More plants, more trees equal more oxygen and less carbon dioxide.

 

Well, through gardening, we do not only reinforce what they have learned in science class but more importantly, we show that our kids can also help in reducing the greenhouse gas and thus help in stopping global warming!

 

To make gardening more fun for kids, let them play with soil and involve them in picking out plants or flowers to plant. You can also buy a watering can and gardening tools your kids could use.

 

Gardening is a good way to introduce nature to our kids This pandemic crisis makes it very challenging for us to go outdoors and take nature trips, but with gardening, our kids can still get in touch with nature.

 

Kids also learn to appreciate nature more when he learns to grow or take care of plants. Just like flowers, the interest and love for the environment will also blossom in our kids’ hearts. 

 

If you want to start a garden at home, 

and you need some ideas, check this out:

 

https://www.kidsdogardening.com/ 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sEKubBz9fA

 

3.    Nature Trip

Raising environmentally conscious kids is quite important in saving our planet. Our kids will be the leaders in the future. If our kids love nature, they will grow up to be nature-loving adults. These are the kind of leaders we need to help protect our planet.

    Taking kids to nature trips help engage their natural curiosity and   wonder. Through nature trips, we give our kids a chance to explore and learn more about the environment. We also give our kids a chance to appreciate and love the earth more.

Because of the pandemic crisis, traveling can be really challenging. As much as we want to take our kids to camping or to the beach, we hesitate because of the health crisis.

 

But you do not have to go far to take nature trips. You can visit the nearest park, walk in the woods nearby, or pitch your kid’s tent right outside your porch.

 

You can also buy your kids magnifying lens, binoculars, or telescope which can help as they explore nature. Or you can give your kids some paper and crayons and let them draw what they see outside such as butterflies, clouds, or trees. 

 

For kids who can already write, give them a journal where they can write all about nature! Or give them a camera and let them take photos of the flowers and animals they see. There are so many ways to make the most of your nature trips!  

 

In taking your kids to nature trips, be to follow the necessary health protocols in your area.

 4.   Simple Eco-friendly Habits at Home

Aristotle once said that “Good habits formed at youth make all the difference.”

Indeed, the habits formed in youth are often carried to adulthood and these habits make all the difference in their lives. As parents, we need to help our kids make good and healthy habits.

Having an eco-friendly lifestyle does not happen overnight. When eco-friendly habits are learned and practiced daily, an eco-friendly lifestyle is built. These habits begin right inside our very homes. Here are some fun ways on how to practice eco-friendly habits at home!

Watching television and using gadgets can waste a lot of energy.  Divert your kid’s attention to other activities. This way, kids learn an eco-friendly habit and help conserve  energy! 

 

When spring came, my husband cleaned out the porch and we put a table, 2 chairs, and a flower rack. It became our garden and our resting place. A couple of month ago, we started the "porch time" every afternoon.

Nowadays because of the health crisis, my kids cannot really go out and play so they spend a lot of time inside the house and watch television or use gadgets. Porch time became the no-television and no-gadget time. Here outside the porch, they get to read, play an instrument, draw, and eat their favorite snacks. For more than an hour, they actually forget about their favorite TV program and video game!

With their daily personal tasks or household chores, we can also integrate eco-friendly habits.

For instance, during brushing time, let your kids use a cup and remind them not to waste water.  When you go shopping with your kids, try to use an eco bag or reusable cloth shopping bag. By doing so, you teach your kids a practical and eco-friendly habit.

 

When having parties or get-together at home, use reusable straws and utensils. The eco-friendly bamboo straws are also becoming a trend nowadays! Try not to use paper plates or styro cups or other disposable utensils. This way, kids will grow up in being more environmentally-conscious.

 

You can also set a recycling bin and let your kids put the empty bottles inside the bin. When my eldest kid was about 5 years old, I let him put empty bottles inside the recycle bin and I let him count them out at the end of the week. When the bottles he collected are 10 or more, I stamp stars on his hand. He was so happy to put all the bottles inside the bin and earn his stars.

When doing household chores, instead of using a vacuum cleaner all the time, you can also use the broom.  I only use the vacuum cleaner once a week and most of the time; I use a broom to sweep the floor. I also tell my kids to use the broom to clean their study and play area. My youngest who is 8 years old love to clean with this small broom and his very own rag. He calls them his "cleaning tools."  

Always remember, even simple habits at home can make a lot of difference!

 

Want your kids to learn some songs about saving the planet or conserving energy?  Check this out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UodHxlcYG6k&list=PLygyp9jbHjo89gsZ-FHnwAyXd9m4Fc2Y4&index=29

http://www.pinellascounty.org/utilities/audio/?fbclid=IwAR3ykLa8PeUyvdECgzswbi9lmnU0d2S9Ppgth5Eh7IQ_d5aGGEw_k6VvibM

 

Here are more ways on how kids can help 

conserve energy at home:

https://blog.directenergy.com/8-ways-to-help-kids-conserve-energy-summer/

 

Raising eco-friendly kids can be challenging at times but it will be easier when you follow these 4 fun ways to encourage our kids to be more eco-friendly! 

Always remember,  

"No one is too small to make a difference!"