Recycle, Reduce, Reuse.
Recycling- yes, that's simple enough...but for kids make it more fun! Keep a box of items like cereal boxes, toilet paper/paper towel rolls, etc that can be used for fun projects later. Not only does it serve as a great lesson in recycling, it's also a fun way to inspire creativity! A few of my son's recycled creations: Lego portals and telescopes from toilet paper rolls!!
Grow a Garden.
In a world of processed, convenience foods, teaching your children where their food comes from is an important lesson to be learned. Planting a garden is a great way to teach them. Make it fun by allowing them to choose a few of their favorites to plant or picking out their own kid-friendly gardening tools. Don't have the space? Try a small windowsill herb garden or hanging tomato plants. It doesn't have to be huge. In fact, this year we only successfully grew tomatoes- but my son still loved going out and picking the food that he helped grow!
Buy Green/Healthy Food Options.
Given the choice between an apple and a cookie, most kids are going to go for the cookie, right? Rather than packaged foods high in sugar, stock your home with healthy snack options like fresh fruits and veggies! Rather than chicken nuggets, offer them chicken breast! If you introduce your children and give them healthier options at a young age, they learn to appreciate those healthy, tasty treats and make better food choices.
Buy It Used.
Thrift shopping might not be the first thing of when talking about going green, but it makes sense. When you buy used, you have less packaging, meaning less waste. You are giving those items that may otherwise end up in a landfill a second life. Personally, I also find this a great way to teach your children the value of their money and to not put their value in material things. We may not be able to buy everything used, but we try to do what we can.
Lead By Example.
Perhaps the single most influential thing we can do to teach our children to lead more green lifestyles is to lead by example. I know I can personally TELL my son something 10 times and it goes in one ear and right out the other. Lecturing about living green? It's likely to be the same. Instead, by making efforts to live more green myself, my hope is that both of my children will pick up on these things and carry them on in their own lives.
What are your favorite ways to raise your children to be greener? Share them in the comments below.
Thrift shopping might not be the first thing of when talking about going green, but it makes sense. When you buy used, you have less packaging, meaning less waste. You are giving those items that may otherwise end up in a landfill a second life. Personally, I also find this a great way to teach your children the value of their money and to not put their value in material things. We may not be able to buy everything used, but we try to do what we can.
Lead By Example.
Perhaps the single most influential thing we can do to teach our children to lead more green lifestyles is to lead by example. I know I can personally TELL my son something 10 times and it goes in one ear and right out the other. Lecturing about living green? It's likely to be the same. Instead, by making efforts to live more green myself, my hope is that both of my children will pick up on these things and carry them on in their own lives.
What are your favorite ways to raise your children to be greener? Share them in the comments below.
Really nice tips, definitely great to introduce them now as spring has sprung. I think that cooking together can help them understand the importance of green living and sustainability.
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