While you probably are aware of some of the damages we have done to our planet Earth, the future generation needs to learn about how small changes we make in our lives can become a positive influence. By encouraging sustainability in kids our actions can certainly benefit the environment. 

This life-style is called sustainable living, and now is the perfect time we teach our kids about making eco-friendly choices. Through little things we show them daily, they can grasp this concept quickly and put that into practise themselves! Depending on how you teach them to go-green, things they do to accomplish the goals of sustainable for kids can even enhance many skills that are important to have throughout their lives. Many parents have expressed that their children had major improvements in practical hands-on skills once they were taught to make smart, creative eco-friendly choices.

Here are some great tips on sustainability for kids that can make this learning progress fun for your kids. Make sure you scroll to the bottom of this page as some ideas might surprise you!

List of 10 easy methods of sustainability for kids

Transform the “rubbish”

Do your kids eat cereal in the morning? If so, keep the cereal box next time as you can tell them to transform it into a magazine holder. Even try to reuse cans and turn them into pen storages. These ideas will inspire your kids to come up with more ways to make rubbish into something useful.

Competitions

Children love to compete in activities, therefore set up competitions so they can truly engage. Some ideas include, for instance, who can pick up the most trash in the house, shower or cycle fastest, and even who can remember to bring a reusable bag for shopping.

Teach recycling

Recycling is important. Teach your kids about the local recycling system. Aside from that, try to include some background knowledge on why littering is bad.

Grow organic foods

Start by planting fruits and vegetables that your kids like to eat. They will like the process as it gets very practical! Growing your own garden can also teach them about how plants mature. This will also make them realise we should not waste any food!

Water pollution experiments

Collect tap water, rainwater and water from the nearest river. Have them sorted into 3 different clear labelled bottles. Ask your kids if there are differences in colours between the bottles and whether particles are observed. Then, add salt to the bottle containing tap water, ask them if they can smell any odour. From this experiment, they will learn about the appearance of water pollution. Also, the last activity can make them aware that not all pollutions can be detected by our senses.

Create your own household items

For older children, teach them how to sew. Some easy, kid-friendly sewing projects include napkins, boo-boo bags, teddy bears or even masks. This can certainly improve their hands-on skills while cutting down wastage and money!

Make a worm farm

Earthworms can certainly captivate children’s interests. By building a worm farm, not only will they be intrigued by these squiggly creatures crawling around, but your children can also learn about how worms break down your daily kitchen scraps in an efficient manner!

Plant a tree

Give your kids a few options with what type of tree to plant so that they feel engaged. Later, guide them into planting a small tree in the background! The slow tree growing process will also teach them patience and responsibility about caring for nature.

Play outside 

Kids love to run around outside. Giving them break times to leave the house is essential because they can appreciate Mother nature more if they do outdoor activities. Take them to zoos and aquariums when you have the chance. This can help build bonds between children and the natural world.

Have them watch Wall-E

Wall-E(2008) is an entertaining cartoon movie that sends a powerful environmentalist message to its viewers. Its background is set in an imaginative Earth that has been transformed into a ghost town due to pollution and mountains of trash that have made the planet unlivable. This film can make children more aware of the disastrous impacts that man-made pollutions have on the ecosystem.

Sustainability for kids is crucial to spread awareness across generations. Mother Earth needs to be nourished and taken care of. By living a sustainable lifestyle, we can help reduce the use of natural resources, slow down the speed of climate change and many other issues.

Did you like our 10 ideas on sustainability for kids? Check out our other blog post on how to teach your kids about making your home energy efficient.