Teaching little ones about sustainability doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, you can help ensure we all enjoy a greener tomorrow by trying these fun activities for children, that are easy, green and educational. Just about every aspect of daily life can be enriched with sustainable activities. Below are 10 rewarding activities you can do with the kids at home to get them thinking about sustainability.
Fun Activities for Children to Learn About Sustainability
1. Determine Your Carbon Footprint
This is an effective way to introduce kids to the idea of sustainability and the impact we as a species have on the environment. Use an online calculator to get a clear idea of the emissions you as a household are currently responsible for. This will serve as the perfect way to introduce them to sustainable alternatives.
2. Get Them Involved with Recycling
Nowadays, there’s no excuse for not recycling. Getting little ones involved in recycling will ensure this household chore is always taken care of. Introduce them to different recycling symbols and what they mean. Not everything can be recycled, but you can’t significantly limit the amount you’re throwing in the garbage just by taking a moment or two at the trash can.
3. Start Composting
Rather than throw away food waste and paper products, think about using them as the raw materials for your compost pile. If you only have a small yard or are worried about pests, composting bins are something to consider. Kids will love getting to grips with the process, while the resulting compost can be used in your garden.
4. Plant a Garden and Grow Your Own Food
With your homemade compost ready to go, you can start overhauling your outdoor space. Rather than planting flowers and decorative plants, think about using your garden to grow your own organic produce. Lettuce, green beans, and carrots are all incredibly easy to grow and thrive in a variety of climates. If you’re strapped for space, think about repurposing a sunny windowsill as a growing station for herbs.
5. Plant a Tree
Planting a tree makes a powerful sustainability statement. Even a small backyard should be large enough to accommodate a silver birch or olive tree. If you don’t have an outdoor space to work with, investigate local tree planting projects in and around your neighborhood. Many local councils organize seasonal planting campaigns that you and the family can be part of.
6. Give Your Home a Sustainability Audit
Even small changes can have a big impact on the environment. Consider conducting a sustainability audit of your home and getting your kids involved in the process. Start with basics like checking the energy efficiency of your lightbulbs. You can also swap out conventional showerheads with low-flow alternatives. It’s also worth venturing into your utility closet to see how eco-friendly your everyday essentials are. If you can make little changes to lower your carbon footprint, do so.
7. Introduce Kids to Environmental Literature
If you’re struggling to talk about sustainability with little ones, working the topic into storytime can be helpful. Look for kid-friendly reading that revolves around environmental topics for a subtle introduction to the subject. Older children can be exposed to more direct literature, so think about ordering in some informative non-fiction.
8. Leave the Car at Home
The average family car spews several metric tons of CO2 into the atmosphere every year. To mitigate your impact, think about leaving the car at home when a journey can be completed on foot. Upping your daily steps also comes with significant health benefits. Furthermore, you’ll be able to take in the views of the neighborhood or enjoy scenic detours.
9. Change Your Shopping Habits
It’s easy to forget about food miles when shopping for groceries. However, the distance our food travels from source to shelf can be considerable and contribute a lot to our carbon footprint. Shopping locally is a simple way of overcoming this. If you must visit a supermarket, encourage your kids to check packaging and food labels for things like country of origin.
10. Volunteer Your Time
If you’re eager to make more of a difference, investigate what sustainability activities are being organized in your area. Many communities operate litter-picking and neighborhood cleanup schemes. Depending on where you live, you may also find wildlife and coastal conservation projects to volunteer for in your vicinity.
It’s Easy to Make a Change
As you can see, there’s no shortage of ways to get your kids thinking about sustainability. Start small with gentle conversations about carbon footprints and the everyday impact we have on the environment. Once kids are aware of how they affect the environment, they’ll be far more inclined to want to act to protect it. Many sustainability activities can be worked into daily routines, while others can be undertaken as long-term projects. When you’re ready to tackle sustainability outside of the home, explore ongoing projects in the community and further afield your family can get involved with.
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From beetles and butterflies, to puffins and polar bears, animals and habitats all over the world need our protection. In this beautifully illustrated book, children (and adults!) can learn about thirteen different habitats – gardens, hedgerows, heathlands, woodlands, highlands, wetlands, the coastline, freshwater, oceans, savannahs, jungles and mountains – and simple everyday ways to protect them.
Author: This article was written by Michael Dinneen of NYC Nanny Agency NannyCity. NannyCity is a leading Nanny Placement Agency with locations in both NYC & CT. Photography by: Caroline Hernandez
