We all, even our kids, have to start somewhere with everything. April is Earth Month which is a wonderful time for teaching little ones and teens how to care for this incredible place we all call home. It is never too early, but one day could be too late, so let’s lay the first building block toward a stable future and a healthy planet. Then, keep conserving and recycling while continuing to instill values that will make a huge impact on the world for future generations! Here are ways that you can teach your little ones about recycling and activities to match!
Repurposing
Seeing is believing, so showing your little ones how items can be repurposed will leave an imprint on kids! Pass outgrown clothes down to family and friends. Collect rainwater in containers and use it to water plants and gardens. Stretching items to add longer use is basically the same as stretching your dollars!
Activity: Remove the paper off of old crayons and melt them down in silicone cups to reuse and create new crayons! Each time kids reach for a color, they will remember the lesson!
Composting
Show kids how old food can continue to nourish and create rich soil for more food and healthy plant life. Set aside a container to collect vegetables, fruit peelings and inedible parts for enriching flower beds or vegetable gardens to make compost.
Activity: Plant a small garden with your kids. Amazingly, they will be more likely to eat the veggies they grow themselves!
Water Conservation
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American uses around 100 gallons of water per day, so how can we cut back and save? Use a rake or broom instead of water hoses to clean outdoor spaces. Turn water off while brushing your teeth. Put a timer on in the bathroom to shorten showers. You can even wear clothing more than once if possible.
Activity: Take a trip to an aquarium or a hike in the woods to show kids firsthand how animals depend on water for survival. Soon they will work up a thirst themselves that makes the struggle and the blessing of water truly hit home!
Litter Clean Up
Purchase a reusable grabbing tool, disposable gloves and trash bags and find a low-traffic area to make a big impact. As you clean up your surroundings, teach by separating the different types of materials and sorting them into piles. Glass in one bag, plastic in a different bag and paper in yet another. Foil and cans would also call for their own space. As an extra savings bonus, use old grocery bags to collect the trash.
Activity: Visit a local recycling center to get the big picture and dispose of your collection properly.
From Rags to Riches
When mittens and socks spring a leak, use them as handy, washable dust cloths. Got holes in knees of winter pants and jeans? Cut them off for many more miles as summer shorts. Has your glasses prescription changed? Many optometrists have donation bins for those that can’t afford new glasses. This list goes on endlessly with items that keep on giving and saving you money!
Activity: Make a list of all of the items that can continue to serve you and feel the contentment of using those instead of spending when you don’t have to!
A Profitable Breakdown
With all the online ordering these days, boxes can pile up in a hurry. Roughly 850 million tons of cardboard is thrown away in the United States each year which equals approximately 1.4 million trees! Teach kids how to safely pull off the tape, break boxes down, stack and recycle to make an impact on waste while protecting our forests.
Activity: Plant a tree, or several. Kids will understand and appreciate replenishing the earth with this hands-on way of giving back to nature. This activity book will add to all the learning fun!
Related: Do These FREE Spring Scavenger Hunt Activities With Your Family!