Summer is a great time to go green! Step outside and look around at
all the glorious outdoor resources that surround us - colorful flowers,
lush foliage and wonderful wildlife. While you're out there enjoying the
weather, take time to share the beauty of our planet with the kids. It's
the perfect time to teach them how to be more aware of their
environment while you brainstorm ways to improve the planet. Here
are some fun-filled ways to go green and show the Earth we care!
Trash Contest
Hold a contest to see who can collect the most trash - and get a clean
neighborhood as a bonus! Gather the kids and give everyone a
decorated bag, in which to collect litter, along with a pair of garden
gloves. Then set your watches and go get 'em! Give everyone a prize
for helping clean up the environment, such as a green t-shirts, a
globe, a recyclable tote bag or a small plant.
Adopt A Piece of the Planet
Have the kids choose a local area to keep clean, such as a
neighborhood street, a nearby park or the kids' schoolyard. Then
gather once a week for a clean-up outing and spiff up the space. Set
up a sign that reads, "Adopted by The Warner Family," to let others
know about the adoption, and perhaps they'll find a place to adopt,
too!
Plant a Tree
Find a spot in the neighborhood or town that could use a little more
green, and get permission to plant a tree. Ask the local nursery for
advice on the best trees for the area. Dig a hole and place the tree
roots inside. Pack it with dirt mixed with mulch, and give it a good
watering. Water the tree often (unless the area already has a watering
system). Take pictures of the tree every month and keep a record of
its growth.
Take a Blind Walk
Pair up parents with kids, and have the parents guide the kids on a
blind walk through a nature area. Have the kids close their eyes and
use their other senses to appreciate the surroundings. Have them
notice how things feel (soft, prickly, furry), smell (floral, fresh, fruity)
and sound (birds in the trees, critters in the grass, wind in the
bushes). Talk about the experience when you're finished with your
walk.
Conservation Game
Find a shady spot to sit and play the Conservation Game. Take turns
thinking up how many ways you or your town could save water, keep
the air clean, use less gas and so on. When you're finished, implement
one of your suggestions at home.
Have a Summer Celebration Party
Invite the guests using e-vites instead of paper invitations. Use a
Balloon Time Helium Balloon Kit (recyclable cylinder) to decorate the
backyard with balloons (be sure to dispose of them instead of letting
them go). Make crafts using recycled materials. Go on a treasure hunt
for various insects (but don't disturb them); or a scavenger hunt for
nature items such as an acorn, a yellow leaf or a smooth stone. Eat
snacks grown in the garden on reusable plastic plates or
environmentally safe paper products, and toss them in the recycle bin
when you're finished. Have the kids bring a toy to exchange instead of
buying a new gift. Let the kids decorate and personalize tote bags and
take them home as favors or gifts.
Penny Warner has more than 25 years of experience as an author
and party planner. She has published more than 50 books, including 16
specific to parties. Additionally, Warner writes a weekly newspaper
column on family life, penned a column for Sesame Street Parents
magazine and has appeared on several regional and national TV morning
programs. Her latest book, HOW TO HOST A KILLER PARTY, debuted in
February 2010 from NAL/Penguin.
Balloon Time is the leading brand of consumer helium balloon kits
in North America. Balloon Time kits feature a helium-filled tank, latex
or foil balloons and ribbon, and are available at national retail
chains, party goods and grocery stores nationwide.