Eco-kids, Earth Day and some good websites
As the school holidays approach, keeping children busy is always difficult, even for the most organised mothers. There are lots of sites to check out which will give you an abundance of ideas.
If you want to get them more involved in being more ethically conscious, now is a good time as there are no timetables or schedules to meet and you can introduce it to them slowly, showing them different ways to make a real difference to the planet.
Earth Day is also approaching on April 22nd, so this an especially good time to get them involved.
Here are some ideas for celebrating Earth Day with your children:
- Get them started by planting a tree.
- Leave the car behind and go for a bike ride or a long walk. You will be surprised how much you enjoy it.
- Send the kids out into the garden or park and hold a nature "scavenger hunt". Arrange them into teams to collect - or spot - various items on a list you have made.
- Talk about saving water when brushing teeth and saving energy by turning off the lights when you leave a room. Print posters and place in strategic positions around the house to remind them.
- Bake with your kids. Let them try making your favourite cookie recipe and then decorate with icing to look like the planet earth.
- Take the kids for a picnic and then have a family litter clean-up.
- Set up a recycling centre in your home or school.
- It is easy to find unwanted books lying around the house, encourage children to give them away via www.bookcrossing.com or your local charity shop or library.
- Make some eco crafts with your kids
Eco Friendly Kids is a terrific site, especially for activity ideas. Kids can learn how to:
- Do their own Energy Survey
- Keep an Eco Diary
- Go Rock Pooling
- Make their own paper
There is also a fantastic section on fun ways for kids to learn where their food comes from, because most kids if asked where apples come from would say ‘out of plastic bags’! Humm, food for thought!
http://www.ecofriendlykids.co.uk/MakingRecyclingFunActivity.html
Eco and earth-friendly books
Little Helpers (Green Start)
This earth-friendly series is made from 98% post-consumer recycled materials and is printed with soy-based ink. Each hardcover book's simple, non-fiction content inspires children to love and respect the natural world, and the parent spread at the back of each book shows how easy it is to practice (and teach!) earth-friendly habits right at home.
Kids will discover that little things we do every day can make a big difference to our world.
Any educational book should encourage a life-long love of books and reading, introduce new vocabulary, encourage imaginative thinking, and create an interest in a child's larger world.
If you are looking for some urber cool eco kids clothes, check out
http://www.barnyardkids.co.uk/ Their brands are either organic or oeko-tex certified, so are eco-friendly and good for your child.
