We’re celebrating Earth Day this week so we’ll be sharing ideas on how to get the kids involved in respecting and preserving our planet, as well as simple things we can do as families to protect our environment.
Here are some ideas on how to talk and act upon the meaning of Earth Day.
Play: First and foremost, go outside and just enjoy the day. I just discovered the Go Explore Nature blog, which is a new favorite, and I love their idea and checklist for a Spring Nature Scavenger Hunt.
Another way to play and help is to purchase eco-friendly toys and support the manufacturers who are doing their part to save the environment. Some of our favorite eco-friendly toys, are the Green Toys Tea Set, Green Toys Recycling Truck, and the Totem Boys and Girls Recycled Construction Sets.
Plant: Head over to your local nursery and buy a perennial flower that you love. Plant it with your kids to help beautify your yard and the neighborhood. Read How to Teach Your Kids a Love of Gardening. Get your kids their very own Gardening Set so they get excited about spending time in the garden with Mom or Grandma. Here’s how to have fun with the kids on a Trip to the Farmers Market.
Talk & Teach: Give your kids an introduction in respecting the Earth with eeBoo’s Respect the Earth Flash Cards. Don’t just use them on Earth Day. Pick a card every night at dinner and talk about the tips on how to take care of our planet.
Read: My favorite Dr. Seuss book – The Lorax. How could you not want to save the Truffula Trees? Head over to the Lorax Project site where there are plenty of ideas on how kids can help save animals and the environment. I love this site!
I also love the Lost in the Woods Book and DVD to teach kids about the wonders of Spring and give them a love of nature.
Watch: Some of our favorite kids movies with a conservationist theme are Happy Feet, Fern Gully, and Wall-E. There are plenty more but we like these the best. (We love Robin Williams as the bat in Fern Gully. He also makes a darn cute penguin in Happy Feet.)
Help: Take a walk around your neighborhood and pick up any trash that you see. We all have a responsibility to make our planet healthy. Spend the afternoon at the local park and pick up trash. Plant some flowers in the field in your neighborhood for everyone to enjoy. Put out birdseed for the local wildlife.
How do you teach your kids to be responsible in conserving our planet?