Teaching kids to be green from an early age can influence their behavior as adults. Some fun activities for kids:
Visit your local farmer’s market. A trip to the local farmer’s market can be fun for the whole family. Take a trip to your local farmer’s market and let them meet the people who grow our food. While there you can also enjoy the specialties of your local region and be introduced to some new and wonderful foods.
Sharing toys. Donating toys that kids have outgrown is a great way to give back and reduce waste. Instead of tossing that puzzle or game a child has outgrown, donate it to a local charity or hospital.
Plant a garden. Reuse a paper egg carton to plant some seeds and watch in wonder as the seeds grow. Replant in a garden.
Involve & evolve. Join the Captain Planet Foundation. The mission of the Captain Planet Foundation is to fund and support hands-on, environmental projects for children and youths. Their objective is to encourage innovative programs that empower children and youth around the world to work individually and collectively to solve environmental problems in their neighborhoods and communities. Through environmental education, they believe that children can achieve a better understanding and appreciation for the world in which they live. The website www.captainplanetfoundation.org delivers lots of fun and information for kids.
Organize the local troops. Plan a “clean up my park” day with other kids in the neighborhood. Getting a group of kids together to clean up their local park teaches kids about the results of littering and builds pride in their community.
Green Arts & Crafts.
Tin Can Herb Pots
Make these charming herb pots and watch them grow all summer long! This project not only recycles, it creates new life. Your child can watch her plants grow for months to come and be proud that she created the container that holds them.What you'll need:
- Empty aluminum can
- Screwdriver and hammer
- Liquitex Basics Gesso
- Acrylic craft paints in colors of your choice
- Flower stickers (optional)
- Acrylic sealer spray, matte finish
- Craft or popsicle stick
- Thin cardboard
- Pinking shears
- Black Sharpie marker
- 5-10 small rocks, stones or pebbles
- 1.5 cups Potting soil
- 4-inch potted herb plant
- White craft glue
- Water
How to make it:
- Completely wash and dry aluminum can. If necessary, sand off any rough edges from opening of can.
- Turn can upside down. Parent should use screwdriver or other pointed object to poke holes in the bottom of the can. Use a hammer to tap the end of the screwdriver to make the holes.
- Paint outside of can with one coat of Gesso. Let dry completely.
- Paint can desired color, repeat coats if needed.
- Decorate however you like. Use a thin paint brush for long lines, dip the end of the paint brush into paint for polka dots.
- Decorate with stickers if desired.
- Spray the outside of the completed can with acrylic sealer spray. Let dry.
- Place enough rocks or pebbles in the bottom of the can to form a single layer.
- Add enough potting soil to fill the can two-thirds full.
- Remove potted herb from its container and transplant into the can.
- Fill edges with remaining potting soil, gently pat down so that plant is firmly in the can but not compacted so much that it’s too tight.
- Place can on a plate (to catch any water drainage) and add some water to the newly planted herbs.
- Paint craft stick whatever color you like. Allow to dry.
- Cut a piece of thin cardboard into a small rectangle (about 1.5 x 3 inches) using pinking shears.
- Paint both side of the cardboard with Gesso, let dry.
- Glue the rectangle to the top of the craft stick.
- Use a black Sharpie marker to write the herb name onto the rectangle.
- Insert your plant marker into the soil, being careful not to crush any roots along the way.
- Place your new garden in a sunny window and remember to water them!
Tips:
- A 4-inch potted plant will be enough to make 2-3 vegetable sized cans (15 oz) or one larger tomato sauce type can (28 oz).
- This is a great project to teach kids about growing plants, especially edible ones. Take this opportunity to visit your local library and check out a book on simple container gardening or gardening with kids.
- Keep the kids involved, be sure they take care of “their” plant. Have them water their plant and show them how to check to see if the soil is too dry or just right by gently touching the soil surface with their finger.
- Eat these herbs! Your kids will light up when they get to pinch off a basil leaf to add to your spaghetti sauce.
(Source: www.kaboose.com)
