In today’s fast-paced world, fostering a sense of eco-consciousness in our children is more vital than ever. By incorporating eco-friendly activities for kids into your family routine, you spend quality time together and instil a love for nature and a sense of responsibility for our planet. Let’s explore these nine eco-friendly fun activities for kids and parents.
1. Eco-Scavenger Hunt
Get Outside and Explore!
Embark on an exciting adventure with an eco-scavenger hunt. Create a list of nature-related items, such as leaves, rocks, or animal tracks, for your kids to find. Encourage them to explore parks, forests, or local outdoor spaces to find these treasures. This game enhances their observation skills and nurtures a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
2. DIY Composting
Learning Sustainability Together
Teach your children the importance of recycling and composting by setting up a mini composting station in your backyard or indoors. Involve your kids in collecting food scraps, leaves, and grass clippings. Explain how composting reduces waste and creates nutrient-rich soil for plants. This hands-on lesson in sustainability is a family affair that benefits the environment.
3. Plant a Kitchen Garden
Green Your Kitchen
Transform your kitchen into a green oasis by starting a small herb or vegetable garden. Let your children pick their favourite plants and assist in planting and caring for them. They’ll witness the magic of seeds sprouting and the joy of harvesting their organic produce. This activity not only promotes environmental consciousness but also encourages healthy eating habits.
4. Upcycling Crafts
Repurpose and Create
Encourage your kids to repurpose everyday items that would otherwise be discarded. The possibilities are endless, from turning old jars into colourful pencil holders to crafting unique artwork from scrap paper. This activity nurtures your kids’ creativity while teaching them the importance of reducing waste and finding new uses for items.
5. Nature Photography
Capture the Beauty of Nature
Take your children on outdoor adventures and introduce them to the art of nature photography. Encourage them to observe and appreciate their surroundings’ details, colours, and patterns. This activity enhances their observation skills and instils a sense of wonder and connection with nature.
6. Energy-Saving Challenge
Making Energy Conservation Fun
Turn energy conservation into a game for the entire family. Challenge each other to reduce energy consumption by turning off lights and electronics when not in use, utilizing natural lighting, and adjusting thermostat settings wisely. Create a point system or rewards to make it exciting. This activity educates kids about sustainable energy practices and reduces your family’s ecological footprint.
7. Go Wild Swimming
Connecting with Nature’s Water
Ditch the chlorine and crowded changing rooms. Explore nature’s abundance of rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and streams (not to mention the beaches). It’s a dreamy, refreshing experience for the whole family and entirely eco-friendly.
8. Reading
Learning Through Books
Reading is a fundamental activity for kids, so why not dive into books about nature and the Earth together? It’s an excellent way for kids to expand their knowledge while enjoying a good read.
9. Nature Treasure Hunt
Exploring the Great Outdoors
Write a list of things to find, from oak leaves to dandelion clocks, and set off on a nature treasure hunt. Teach your children the importance of respecting nature by leaving it in its place. Enjoy the thrill of discovery without disrupting the environment.
65 more Eco-friendly activities for kids
- Pick up trash at a local park (or on a trail, or in your neighbourhood, etc.)
- Set up a scrap paper reusing station in your home
- Use a cloth bag at the grocery store
- Set up a bird feeder (or make a DIY eco-friendly bird feeder)
- Go for a family bike ride
- Play in the water (lake, creek, beach, stream, etc.)
- Start a compost bin (and compost something!)
- Use a reusable water bottle
- Start a nature journal (or add to an existing nature journal)
- Make sculptures, art, or robots using items in your recycling bin
- Plant something (e.g. garden, flowers, vegetables, tree, herbs, etc.)
- Identify a new plant or animal (we love the Seek by iNaturalist app)
- Watch a nature documentary
- Check out books from your local library
- Make your DIY herbal cleaner
- Attend a local Earth Day festival in your area
- Go on a nature scavenger hunt
- Use a magnifying glass or pocket microscope to view nature close-up
- Go barefoot in the grass
- Create a mandala using items found in nature
- Donate unused seeds to a seed library
- Go screen-free for the day
- Wildflower bomb your yard
- Enjoy a meal outside!
- Visit a little free library (and leave a few books for others)
- Donate gently used clothes/toys/books to charity
- Make a terrarium
- Visit a local farmer’s market
- Recycle something
- Go for a hike (or even just a walk around your neighbourhood)
- Forage violets for color-changing syrup
- Make nature crowns (from leaves, flowers, shells, etc.)
- Build a fort in the woods
- Read an educational book about our planet, nature, or wildlife
- Make seed paper cards
- Build an insect hotel
- Turn off the water when you brush your teeth
- Swap out plastic containers for paper products
- Repurpose something you were going to throw away
- Shop local & small businesses
- Visit a national park and earn a Junior Ranger badge
- Eat a meatless meal
- Watch the sunset
- Turn off all lights in your home
- Do a nature-inspired STEAM activity
- Unplug devices you’re not using
- Make your own nature paintbrush
- Build your own rain barrel
- Purchase something second-hand (instead of new)
- Switch out 5 lightbulbs for LED bulbs
- Shorten your shower
- Visit an arboretum or botanical garden
- Carpool to an event/activity
- Grow your own herbs
- Reuse glass jars
- Eat ice cream from a cone (no spoon or bowl to throw away)
- Sign a petition online for climate change
- Donate to an environmental cause
- Write to your congressman about protecting the Earth
- Go geocaching at a local park
- Practice yoga outside with nature poses
- Display your nature finds in your home
- Use no single-purpose plastics all day
- Volunteer
- Visit a refill station for shampoo, soaps, etc.
Conclusion
Engaging in eco-friendly activities with your children is enjoyable and an opportunity to educate them about the importance of sustainability and environmental consciousness. Start small, and watch as your kids grow into responsible caretakers of our planet.
FAQs
When is the best time to start teaching kids about eco-consciousness?
You can start teaching kids about eco-consciousness from a young age. Simple activities and discussions can foster their awareness and love for the environment.
How can I make these activities more educational for my children?
Incorporate age-appropriate facts and discussions about the environment while participating in these activities to make them more educational and impactful.
What are some other eco-friendly activities for kids and parents?
There are numerous eco-friendly activities to explore, such as picking up trash, starting a bird feeder, planting trees, and going on hikes. The possibilities are endless.
How can I inspire my children to take an interest in environmental conservation?
Lead by example. Your enthusiasm for eco-friendly activities and a love for nature will naturally inspire your children to care for the environment.
What are some ways to make everyday activities more eco-friendly for kids and parents?
Simple changes like using reusable water bottles, reducing single-use plastics, and conserving energy at home can make everyday activities more eco-friendly and sustainable.