My kids used to be horrible at turning off the lights. Actually, we all were. When my son learned how to turn the lights in every room with a switch that was well lit up. It added to our electricity bill but it also wasn’t very earth friendly or green of us to have so many lights on. Teaching my children to conserve energy is something that is very important to me. Helping them to understand that we are wasting electricity and why this is such a big issue, is a hard concept to have them wrap their heads around. Most adults can’t even figure it out. This is why I’ve decided to make it fun. Here are some tips to greening your home and teaching your children about ways to conserve energy and be kinder to Mother Earth:
1. Play games that involve earth friendly concepts. If you’re going on a road trip maybe try to have the children spot windmills and explain what they are. Have them try to find a Hybrid and expain what a Hybrid car is.
2. Read children’s book that are centered around going green. I personally like, William is Going Green because my son loves trucks.
3. Involve your children in the household recycling and have them take an interest in helping. Take them to the local recyling facility to help them understand what happens when we recycle.
4. Encourage your children to choose some clothing from a resale shop. Maybe see who can buy the coolest stuff for the least amount of money. Make it a contest. Resale shops have great finds and it will save you money.
5. Start composting. The children will begin learning about the science of composting and you will reduce waste. For a great slide show to watch with your kids on composting click here.
6. Have your children help you turn off the lights and maybe assign someone to be the official light switch patrol man. The Green Parent offers this tip and several others.
7. Recycle your markers. Don’t just throw them out, use them again to paint with. Dip them in water and paint with them. They make a great watercolor painting.
8. Have a garage sale to benefit a charity. Let the children decide what charity or cause they want to raise money for and have them make the garage sale signs and organize the sale. This teaches them about giving to others, hardwork, marketing and money.
9. Have the children help reduce water consumption and brainstorm ways they can do this. Turn the water off when they brush their teeth, fill the bath with less water, use the bath water to wash the dog or water the plants. Children get excited when they have the opportunity to find new ways to do something.
10. Involve music. My personal favorite is the Funkees. Watch this video and you’ll see what I mean.
By Sommer
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