Global thinking and environmental consciousness are big concepts that require a long term attitude adjustment from all of us – adults and kids. Good habits start early, so we’ve put together some fun ways to raise green kids by getting the whole family involved.
#1. Grab a sweater
Encourage kids to grab a sweater instead of turning up the heat this winter.
Set a good example in these cold months by knitting your family winter sweaters for chillier temperatures or go on a thrift store adventure and find some cozy woolies to cuddle up in when Jack Frost comes knocking.
Keeping the HVAC on low has been proven to save 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per home.
#2. Drive less, walk more
Speaking of carbon dioxide…you can save 20 more pounds of toxic emission when you walk or use public transportation instead of a gallon of gas to get your kids to their activities.
Show your kids how fun and interesting walking can be when you point out nature and the sights and sounds of the city along the way. Make it into a game by buying pedometers to track how far your family walked during the day. Give a prize to the person who walked the farthest!
#3. Use eco-friendly products
Every time we go shopping we’re making a choice with the items we buy. Set a good example by frequenting eco-friendly businesses and buying natural products. Be sure to explain the reasoning behind your purchases so your kids learn to make good spending choices now and in the future.
#4. Turn off lights
Dad was right. Turning off lights is important. The simple act of turning off a light switch is one of the most environmentally conscious things you can do. Fight global warming and save money. Ask your kids to go through the house and see what else they can turn off. TVs, radios, computers should all be turned off when they’re not in use.
#5. Cultivate a green thumb
Plant a tree. To put it simply, plants suck up harmful carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. Humans are producing more carbon dioxide than the plants can absorb so planting more trees helps offset the damage we’re doing to the planet every day. Think of it this way: 1 tree will eliminate 1 ton of carbon dioxide.
#6. Make personalized water bottles
Bottled water is a waste of money, plastic, and drinking water. Buy your family their own reusable water bottles and personalize them with markers, stickers, and glitter. Encourage your kids to refill them with filtered water and save on harmful plastic.
#7. Use their voice
These days kids of all ages are making an impact in their communities by getting involved in causes close to their heart. Explain how social media, video, and petitions can help them get their voice heard by decision makers. Show them examples of other kids who have made a difference and encourage them to form opinions and act on their convictions.
#8. Always Recycle
Teach kids the difference between throwing something away and recycling. Keep a separated trash bin in the house so the whole family separates trash into recyclable categories.
#9. Visit thrift stores
Turn shopping into a treasure hunt when you visit local thrift stores for clothing and furniture. Explore online options such as Craigslist, Ebay, and Etsy for repurposed, handmade items that support a spirit of community and global awareness. Get them involved when you donate old clothes and household items so they understand that their trash is someone else’s treasure.
#10. Turn celebrations into fun projects
Holidays, birthdays, and just-because parties are all great excuses to create decorations, online invitations, and presents by hand. Get their creative juices flowing with new ways to wrap presents (reuse phone book pages or found letters), make holiday decorations (foliage and repurposed objects), and invitations (graphic design, photos, and creative writing).
Don’t worry about getting the point across in every activity you do together as a family. Just lead through example in the small ways as well as big changes. Global warming is a big problem without a quick fix, but teaching our kids to take care of the earth puts us back on the road to global recovery.
What fun things are you doing with your kids to make sure they’re environmentally aware?