Earth Day is approaching and it is the perfect opportunity to discuss how our choices impact the Earth. Start a conversation with your family and get your kids involved in making some changes that will benefit your household as well as the planet. There are many ways kids can help the planet! Here are a few tips to get you started.
What is climate change?
The energy we use to power our electronics, produce the products we use and make our cars run rely on energy sources such as natural gas, oil, and coal. When we use these sources of energy a gas called carbon dioxide (CO2) is released into the atmosphere. This gas becomes trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere causing our planet’s temperature to rise. This is called global warming.
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Small changes can have a big impact! Climate change from greenhouse gases is a big problem, but there are many little things we can do every day to help reduce the greenhouse gases that are produced.
How Kids Can Help At Home
Turn off your lights & unplug electronics when not in use
You will reduce the use of fossil fuels and save money by unplugging.
Turn off the water when brushing your teeth
You can save up to 8 gallons of water a day and more than 200 gallons a month.
Don’t forget to Reduce – Reuse – Recycle
Recycling materials mean less energy is used to produce new materials.
What Kids Can do to Help in the Community
Use reusable shopping bags
Plastic shopping bags use a lot energy and are very dangerous for wildlife. Let your child be in charge of grabbing the bags when you go shopping.
Pick-up litter in your community
Litter is bad for the environment and unattractive. Keep the Earth beautiful and clean by creating a community clean-up event with the neighbors.
Buy local goods Eat local food
Buying from local businesses and farmer reduces fuel consumption. Local farms also help our declining bee population.
How Kids Can Help the World
Plant a tree
Planting trees cleans the air, reduces carbon, and provides homes for animals. No place to plant – make a donation to The Canopy Project.
Create a bee garden
Bee are essential for pollination and they are currently endangered. Even a container garden can help save the bees by providing food.
Ride a bike or walk
Car pollution is one of the major causes of global warming and also has a major effect on our air, soil and water quality. When you can, ditch the car!
Let Your Child Be in Charge of Your Families Effort to Save the Earth
Call them the Earth Crusader, Planet Protector, or some other fun name, but the key is to get kids involved in making sure your family is doing its part to help the Earth.
- Have a light monitor who checks to make sure all of the lights are turned off before you leave the house and throughout the day.
- Teach your kids what items are trash and what can be recycled. Play a game and have them sort a collection of items into the appropriate bin. They can also play this Trash Compost Recycle sorting game.
- If you don’t do it already, start composting your food scraps. You can start with this small composting project for kids and then move on to creating a compost bin in your back yard.
- Make litter patrol part of your routine – each time you go for a walk pick up trash in your neighborhood, every time you go to the park each person picks up a few pieces of litter.
Print this free Save The Planet Checklist so your kids can help save the planet!
Fun Activities Kids Can Do to Help The Planet
– Make Seed Bombs
Materials
- Take a golf ball-sized chunk of clay and flatten it like a pancake
- If the clay is hard to work with, sprinkle with a little water
- Wrap the clay around the soil and seeds and start rolling and kneading until the clay and soil are combined
- Roll into a ball
- Let the seed bombs dry
- Toss them wherever you want wildflowers to bloom!
– Make a Bee Watering Station
Bees need flowers for food but they also need water. Create a bee watering station for your pollinator garden.
– Grow Your Own Food
Whether you plant a big garden plot, create container gardens for your balcony, or plant a few herbs in your kitchen, growing your own vegetables is educational and eco friendly. Try these fun gardening activities with your kids.
– Upcycled Art Projects
Find a new use for something instead of sending it to a landfill. Check out this collection of cute upcycled art project ideas.
– Decorate Your Own Reusable Shopping Bag
Learn how to make your own reusable canvas totes. They are perfect for gifts for grandparents and trips to the farmer’s market.
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