Earth Day is tomorrow, and it’s the perfect occasion to teach kids about what they can do to preserve and improve our planet. In addition to talking about important lessons like reducing, reusing and recycling, consider doing some of these activities that prove just how fun it is to go green:
Ride your bikes.
Instead of driving to the grocery store or the movie theater, get out those bikes that have been in the garage all winter. You can exercise, enjoy the spring weather and reduce transportation-based pollution with a family bikeride.
Write a letter.
This activity is particularly great for older kids. Find the contact information for someone with legislative power (like a senator or representative) and write to them about a cause that you feel strongly about. It can be anything from recycling to forest preservation. It might not seem like much, but you never know when your opinion can make a huge difference.
Plant something.
Whether you have the space for a full garden or simply have an empty windowsill, kids love getting their hands dirty and planting something. It’s also a great opportunity to learn about the life cycle of particular plants, and it allows children to chart their garden’s growth over a period of time.
Upcycle with crafts.
Before you throw out that empty milk carton, see if there’s a fun craft project that would repurpose it. The Internet is filled with brilliant upcycling ideas, so spend some time picking out the perfect project with your kids.
Visit a recycling facility.
Several recycling facilities allow tours if you call ahead to schedule. The sorting and recycling process is fascinating, particularly in more high-tech centers, so you’ll likely learn as much as your kids.
Clean up litter.
Head to your favorite park to pick up trash. Putting in hard work to make someplace familiar cleaner and more beautiful is especially rewarding for kids. Just be sure to always wear thick rubber gloves and watch out for any sharp or dangerous objects.
Cook a meal using locally-sourced food.
Make a trip to your local farmer’s market to find ingredients, then head home to come up with the perfect meal. It’s a fun challenge to come up with a dinner using only locally-grown ingredients, and the results are guaranteed to be delicious.
