We all know the Earth is important, but it’s easy to let the busyness of daily life push thoughts of being eco-friendly to the back burner. Being aware of the planet and making small changes is easier than you think.
Earth Day is the perfect opportunity to remind kids how to appreciate and take care of our planet. Raising earth-conscious kids has never been more important than it is today. The earth provides us with a place to call home, food, water, clothing, shelter, and even medicine. Fostering a love for our planet helps all of us live longer and healthier lives, and it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Start small by trying one activity a month—or go all in and try all of these fun activities with your kids today.
Plant Something: It doesn’t matter if it’s a tree, a flower, or a seed. When we grow new things, it helps the earth. Trees help replenish oxygen and keep the planet cool, flowers can help endangered species like bees, and growing your own food helps reduce the amount of food transport needed. Plus, it can be a lot of fun to plant and grow something together as a family.
Find a Local Farmers Market: Supporting local farms and growers is a great way to keep the earth healthy and support your local community. Plus, you can find tasty new foods for your family to try.
Visit a National Park: Did you know the U.S. has 62 national parks and almost all have virtual tours? Helping your kids fall in love with these treasures will grow their appreciation for the planet.
Recycling Challenge: Teach kids to look for recycling symbols on packages and to recycle as much as possible. At the end of the week, assess how much you recycle compared to how much you throw away. Try to get your recycling output to beat your trash output.
Make a Recycled Craft: Use some of those recycled items to create something. You can think of a theme or let everyone create whatever they want. This is a great rainy-day or too-hot-day craft!
Give It Away: Instead of tossing things you no longer want or need in the trash, have a household collection day. Once your family gathers some items, make a family trip to the local donation center or give things to another family that could use them.
Make a Birdfeeder: Gather pinecones or large sticks to use for the feeder. Cover them with a layer of peanut butter and roll in birdseed. Hang outdoors for birds to enjoy.
Get Inspired: Watch the video of young poet Amanda Gorman reciting her poem, “Earthwise.” Kids and adults will be inspired to treat our planet well.
52: In honor of the 52nd Earth Day, commit to taking 52 hikes, walks, or bike rides this year. Bonus points if you replace what might have been a car ride with a walk instead!
Just One Thing: Swap out one plastic item for a more sustainable option from your household per month. Try reusable water bottles, travel mugs, straws, shopping bags, or even glass alternatives to bulky plastic containers.
Leave No Trace: Do a little research about Leave No Trace and then have a fun family challenge. On your next outing see if you can cover your tracks and leave no trace that you were even there.
Get Outside: The best way to help kids take care of the earth is to fall in love with it. Spending time outside, enjoying the beautiful creatures and landscapes is great for fresh air and exercise as well as learning to love this great big beautiful planet we call home.