Fun activities that can help to make your children more eco-friendly over
the holidays
As the summer holidays approach, it’s great to have a number of
arrows in your activities quiver for when you kids get bored. Combine
education with fun and make your kids more environmentally aware.
People power
Encourage your kids to help you reduce your family’s carbon footprint.
Use a carbon calculator to determine your current carbon footprint. Get
the kids to outline a plan for reducing this
carbon footprint. They can get everyone in the family to use their own volition to get places
rather than relying on the car. This means that your family should walk
or bike to destinations in your neighborhood. They can help you to switch
your light bulbs, install water-saving shower heads and use electronic
equipment less. They can work out how much they reduce their carbon footprint
and get some exercise too! You can set carbon goals with rewards to make
it more interesting.
Urban farming
Growing your own food is enormously rewarding and a really great opportunity
to educate your kids about the natural world. Dedicate a portion of your
garden or use containers to grow vegetables and herbs. Not only will you
save money, but you will have a carbon neutral source of locally grown
organic food all summer long. Making an
urban farm can be as simple or as complicated as you like. You can just grow a couple
of herbs in a pot, make a vegetable garden, build a green house or explore
hydroponics.
Internet research
There are tons of
green documentaries and
websites which are designed for the younger viewer. Make sure the content is age
appropriate, but get your child involved with issues that they care about.
They can sign petitions, help spread the word or raise funds for causes
that preserve our planet. Teens with a social conscience who get involved
with causes that they care about get to network with other like-minded
individuals, are more well-rounded and care about the world and community
that they live in.
Eco-travel
Many of the most beautiful natural places are being lost to progress and
climate change. You can take your kids to see endangered animals or habitats
before it’s too late. You can also take adventures that increase
your knowledge of the natural world or give you an opportunity to volunteer.
Volunteer holidays enable your kids to see other parts of the world and help to preserve them.
