Respecting the environment is key in today’s world. There are many simple things you and your family can do that will make a big difference. Start by being a role model. In their own day-to-day activities, encourage kids to find ways to limit waste, Then it will be easy to get your family on board. Below are some suggestions you can try as a family:
Clean Shopping and Eating
Shop in bulk stores that do not have extra packaging. When shopping bring your own canvas bags and containers from home. That way you will minimize waste. Don’t buy processed foods. Eat fruits, veggies and as fresh as possible. For informative articles on health and nutrition, check out https://www.authorityhealth.com/.
Respect for the Outdoors
Help kids plant a garden or tree, all the while teaching them about the plants and flowers. Set up bird feeders, a birdbath, and birdhouses that they make themselves from recycled materials. Kids can clean out and refill the bath daily, and clean up the feeders. They can also rake up the leaves around the yard and learn to pluck weeds.
Recycle
Recycling is easy, and is totally worth it. Start by teaching kids about the concept of recycling, reusing items and limiting waste. Explain to them what sorting means and show them that items need to be categorized into separate containers/bins: one for plastic, one for glass, one for paper, and one for cans. They can help by making colorful labels, sort items and take the containers out to the curb for collection.
Don’t Buy Bottled Water
Bottled water is expensive and in most cases not any cleaner or safer than regular tap water. In fact, many bottles of water actually contain tap water that has been filtered. The water that comes out of faucets in homes in most of the United States is perfectly safe. Municipal water supplies are monitored and the test results are made public. So have your kids take water from the tap in reusable bottles. You can add herbs, lemon wedges or cut cucumbers to improve the taste.
Use Green Cleaning Supplies
Vinegar, baking soda and water is all you need to keep your home sparkling clean. These items are safer and less hazardous to the environment than most commercial products. Just a few examples will suffice: to deodorize carpets, sprinkle them with baking soda, wait 15 minutes and then vacuum; make a paste of vinegar and baking soda and leave on greasy spots in the oven for half an hour, wipe and rinse with water; pur baking soda, followed by vinegar, then hot water into drains to clean and deodorize them. Many stores even carry pre-made non-toxic eco-cleaner products for those who don’t want to make their own.
Community Outreach
Lend a hand and reach out to your community by helping to clean up a local park, playground or school yard. Not only will you be doing good for your community but you will also encourage your kids to empathize with others.
Toy and Book Exchange
Ask kids to gather toys and books that they no longer use or want for donations to local charities. You can also invite friends and have a swap-party where you exchange these items. You will breath new life into these much-loved and cared for items.
Conserve Energy
Remind kids to turn off the lights when they leave a room, power down computers, tablets and phones when not in use, and turn off the TV when nobody’s watching. Limit also the use of your car. Walk as much as you can or ride a bike.
Final Thought
Getting Kids to “Go Green” is easier than you think but you have to be willing to lead by example. Be a shining star in your kids’ lives by providing them with the tools they need to salvage this planet for their own children and theirs to come.
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