1.
Educate
your kids about environmental issues. Watch documentaries such asDisneyNature’s Ocean and movies such as The Lorax with an underlying green theme. The more they know, the
more they’ll understand the need to reduce waste. For more suggestions,
including books, take a look at my kid friendly selection.
2.
Turn
down freebies. In our consumerist
society we’re pounded with free goods. But every time we accept a freebie, such
as a plastic party favor from a birthday celebration, we create a demand to rig
more oil and make more plastic party favors. Once home, these items quickly
break (making kids cry) and clutter our space and then landfills. Teach your
kids to think twice about bringing things into your home and graciously say no
to favors that they don't need and won’t last.
3.
Declutter
their wardrobes and toy chests. It seems natural to want to spoil our kids with stuff. Yet,
decluttering their space is a more environmentally sound thing to do, as it
puts precious resources back on the market for others to enjoy while decreasing
the depletion of natural resources. Teach them the benefits of decluttering vs.
accumulating. Living with less allows them to pick up their room quickly so
they have more time to play!
4.
Give
them the gift of experiences. Experiences don’t break and last forever. They also teach our
kids that being is more important than having. Consider activities
instead of stuff as presents. Examples include tickets to a movie, a show or a
museum, gift certificates to the local ice cream or pizza parlor, registration
to a skateboarding or dancing class etc.
5.
Shop
the bulk aisle with them.
Eliminating food packaging does not just make obvious environmental sense, it
makes financial sense (Did you know that when you purchase a packaged good 15%
of the price covers the packaging? That money could be used to fund an
experience). And it’s better for our kids’ health too -reducing their exposure
to processed foods and plastic packaging's toxic leaching. Let your
kids fall in love with unpackaged food by letting them explore the bulk aisles
and choose their favorite cereal and snack with you.
6.
Pack
Zero Waste lunches. Disposables are not
only a waste of resources; they’re a waste of your time and money shopping for
them. Keep your money out of the landfill (save it for a family trip) and pack
a waste free lunch for them: You probably already have all the reusables you
need! A reusable bottle and container, and a dish towel to wrap them in Furoshiki style. The cloth becomes a carrier, a
placemat, and a napkin all in one!
7.
Take
them on a tour of your local sorting center. Not only will they learn about what happens to
their recyclables once they leave the curb, but so will you. You’ll get to see
firsthand why plastic bags and shredded paper are a sorting facility’s
nightmare.
8.
Include
them in composting activities. There is a composting system out there for every family’s
living condition (whether you are an urban, suburban, or rural dweller) and
diet (whether you produce meat or veggies scraps). The worm bin in particular,
is a great way for kids to witness the cycle of nature: feed the worms and
watch them transform scraps into a rich soil amendment, which they can then
feed to your plants.
9.
Get
out. What better way to
teach the importance of conservation than going outside to enjoy nature and
understand the reason behind being green! Let your kids connect with the outdoors
through hiking, biking, picnicking, camping, etc. They can also participate in litter picking events or habitat restoration
projects: Their energy is always welcome!
10.
Have
Fun! Environmental
awareness should not make our kids feel scared about their future, but give
them the strength to want to do their bit for the Earth. Kids respond best to
our “lessons” through humor and play. We found that experiences provide a great
opportunity for both. Stay tuned for upcoming posts about our family most
recent adventures.
