Easy environmental awareness activities for kids? – Did we know, life will take a detour and we would be sitting inside four walls, watching the world in a standstill situation for over a year? No one imagined this, it was all like a part of some sci-fi fiction flick Hollywood made so proudly years ago. But, then here we are sitting inside our homes, working in an unconstructed 24/7 work-from-home situation. Relatively, in the same manner, no one knows what will happen when the environment starts reacting to our mistreatment.
It’s been a while, we (mankind) have been talking about sustainable environmental solutions, and a great amount of work has also been done in this domain. But is that enough? When we talk about “leaving a better world for the future generations”, we forget to involve the current younger generation in that crusade. I have listed 4 environmental activities for kids to teach them about sustainability.
1. Nature walks with Kids – Environmental Awareness Activities –
With my experience as a parent of a growing kid, I have learned any new teaching based activity should be easy and interactive. Keep it simple! Go on nature walks with your child, talk to them about plants, animals, environment, and the entire ecosystem in a non-shoving it on the face manner.
When you involve them in the discussion they will get equally interested and start gathering information about the topic. This means, research! Keep the discussion around the environment, starting from easier to difficult subjects. We kept it very easy and talked about soil quality, soil for plants, soil erosion, deforestation, etc. during our walks in the evening. Explain the need of acting now rather than just focusing on teaching them about environmental sustainability.
Read about Best low maintenance Indoor Plants for smaller places, here.
2. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Refuse –
We know the benefits of recycling used products very well, not just it saves cost but also brings a sense of responsibility to own up a part in the environment. Teach by example to reduce the waste generated, start composting the organic waste (if possible at home). Reduce buying stuff that is not essential, create a minimalist eco-system. Do not deprive them of genuine demands, but keep it realistic.
Reuse the old stuff by either recycling or switching to sustainable options. You may also get creative and add some DIY magic to reuse in the craft. Glass bottles instead of plastic pet bottles, steel tiffin boxes are much better than plastic ones, due to the non-invasive qualities of steel. Reuse kitchen water for watering plants or washing stuff, ask them to be part of this process.
Recycle – follow the symbol of recycled products and emphasize no single-use plastics in your household.
Refuse – I have introduced “to refuse” in our household to the items/urges that harm the environment. Say NO to the shortcuts, buy organic products with zero radicals, say no to plastic bags and carry your own cloth bag.
3. Calculating your Carbon Footprint Activity for Kids –
What is the carbon footprint? The amount of carbon dioxide released into the air, due to our energy consumption. We all are guilty of harming the environment, so why blame it only on technology and energy consumption. Ask yourself three simple questions, and check if you are energy efficient?
- Do you close all electrical appliances and switches that are not in use?
- How much water do you use throughout the day?
- Do you unplug the not-in-use power adapters?
Inadvertently, we all commit these mistakes, despite being conscious of the environment. Run a small quiz to calculate carbon footprint with your kids, here. Source – https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/
4. Grow your own Food –
This may not look feasible option for many, living in the smaller flats/spaces but in future it is going to be our reality. With open spaces dying a slow death every year, due to various reasons it is time to teach kids – basic farm activities. Start with simple indoor gardening, teach them the lifecycle of plants by introducing to different seeds and potting details.
We can teach kids anything only when we practice it ourselves, talking about the alternative ways to save environment is a right start. Keep communication simple and directed toward creating awareness and not push them change. The more you push, farther they go from the cause.
With this post, I have completed the 3rd chapter of the #CauseAChatter campaign by the Blogchatter. I absolutely enjoyed writing and researching about environment-friendly ways to live. It is possible, only if we wish to change. I have tried it, and pretty happy with my small acts of kindness to nature.
This post is also part of Blogchatter Half Marathon challenge.‘
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21 Comments
Dipika, what a simple and meaningful post! I can relate to it because my daughter does a few of these with her little ones. Thank you for sharing a few more sustainable ideas.
I agree with you Dipika we need to teach kids how to save our environment and your simple tips going to be so easy to let them understand the importance of the same.
Practice as you preach. Thats the mantra when it comes to teaching our kids any skill. There is a lot that we can do to save our environment. We don’t have to wait for something fancy. Basic habits can go a long way.
Absolutely agree, thank you
Loved all the ideas dear. most of these, I have done with my girls but calculating carbon foot print activity is really new to me. thanks for sharing about it dear. will explore more about it from my side.
Glad you like it, thank you
Very thoughtful post, Dipika. Teaching kids this ensures bringing up a generation that will care and nurture the environment.
Glad you like it, Mayuri.
Developing basic skills on time in kids is really important towards saving environment good to go topic.
Absolutely.. This is much need post Dipika. Shifted to my new house and making sure to plant now trees and my own kitchen garden and yes doing all of this with kids. Kids are more aware nowadays, infact they come up with great ideas.
These are some very relevant and easy points for parents to teach their kids about the environment and making it sustainable. I involve my son in taking care of his plants which are some veggies and he loves to see how they germinate from seeds and grow big.
I agree with every point mentioned here. Conservation of the environment is should be not just be taught but actually be explained to the kids. It should not just be our duty but an integral part of our lifestyle.
Glad you resonate with my thoughts.
I’m glad that this generation is talking about such things, thanks to teachers too who insist kids to behave responsibly. Excellent pointers, nature walks with kids increase their curiosity for varities of plants and birds too.
Wonderful ideas to make kids aware of the environment and its safety. I like the 3 ‘R’ concept also found the Refuse term very new and absolutely logical.
Our kids learn from our action. These are such simple yet very effective ways to aim for environmental sustainability. It is very important.
This is a very lovely post. And I am glad to see my kids are involved in few activities among all these. Last month they planted 3 small plants. They always switch off the lights. It’s good to see when kids are taking care of the environment. Though we need to teach more of it
It is really important to introduce children to environmental awareness and sustainability early on. They need to understand how important it is for us to preserve the beautiful Earth, and what we can do in an individual capacity. These are some really engaging activities that kids will have fun doing and also understand the concepts.
Absolutely kids should be taught about environment sustainability from beginning only. Calculating carbon footprint is very helpful activity
Given the fact that environment is getting polluted by us day by day. It indeed is important that we teach our kids to be aware of the environment and ways they can contribute to maintaining it. Even I am practising all this at home.
The next generation should be well aware with sustainable living, it is much needed to prevent wastage and also to maintain the resources. These are some very helpful activities shared by you