Celebrate Earth Day With Your Kids

Ella, 5 years old

I like the month of April for several reasons. I like the awakening of nature after a long and cold winter. My daughter was born in April. And for an eco-conscious person I like the celebration of Earth Day.  However, I like to think of Earth Day as an everyday celebration. I hold something against made up, mandatory, one day holidays. 

Let’s use this chance and teach our kids about Earth Day and give them tips on green living. Children always imitate us, they are eager to help and they are fast learners. It’s never too early to cultivate green living concepts. Teach them to love our planet and be eco-friendly. 

It all started in 1970, when Gaylord Nelson organized an environmental demonstration and nearly 20 million people took part. Now, it’s a worldwide celebration and it’s a global event. Many people are becoming more aware and doing good deeds small and large around the globe but it’s never enough. What we get from our planet and what we give is not nearly a fair game. 

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.

-- Native American Proverb

Do something! Take an action. Every little thing counts. You CAN make a difference! We can make a difference. 

There are hundreds of ways to simplify life and practice green living but today I want to share some tips that can be shared with kids. 

A Few Tips on going green with kids 

-Switch to cloth napkins.

-Take shorter showers.

-Use reusable shopping bags.

-Drink filtered, tap water and bring your own water bottle.

-Don’t wash your bath towels after every use.

-Start a garden. 

-Recycle and recycle properly.

-Teach kids not to be wasteful.

-Repurpose things.

-Make playthings from empty containers, boxes, jars etc. 

-Use paper on both sides. 

-Make you own things instead constant buying, for example homemade playdoh. 

-Plant a tree with your child. It could be one of the most enriching experiences of his life. 

He that plants trees loves others beside himself.

-- Thomas Fuller

-Switch the lights off. 

-Buy green school supplies.

-Don’t use air fresheners.

-Conserve water.

-Make your own household cleaners using baking soda and vinegar.

-Don’t toss half used crayons, sharpen them or melt them to make new ones.

-Don’t over buy.

-Donate your kids outgrown clothes and toys.

-Get out there and pick up the trash at your favorite playground. Keep your neighborhood clean. 

-Educate them. Read books and watch videos.

Think about how you can re-use or re-purpose the things you already have. Involve children in this-they are so innovative and creative. You would be amazed at what they will come up with. 
Remember, change comes with awareness. The more you learn the more alarmed you become about our planet Earth. 
Engage your kids, talk about our precious planet, its resources, where food comes, read books, explore the nature, ask them to draw or write about their observations, collect things from nature and use them in your craft projects. 
Teach your child to love our planet and care about it. 

Make Earth Day a part of your family traditions and celebrations and turn every day into an Earth day by doing something green. Every small step counts. 

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We are going to plant a couple of trees in our favorite park for Earth Day. 

What are you going to do?

How do you celebrate Earth Day? How green are you? What are your green living tips? Please, start a conversation and share your stories and tips. 

Thank you and Happy Earth Day!