As UK schools close and send our little ones home for six weeks, it’s time for parents to keep something in their back pocket to keep the kids entertained when boredom strikes.
Chris Sharman, founder of Kidztivity and a leading expert in children’s activities, suggests some fun activities that you can show the kids that actively help the planet.
- DIY Bird Feeders
Birds are extremely important for the environment. They take the seeds they have eaten and disperse them through their droppings, bringing plants back to ecosystems that have been destroyed and even carrying plants across the sea to new land masses.
Birds have helped to shape the plant life we see around us – and around the world. You and your child can help feed these birds by building your very own bird feeder from recycled materials!
“A more hands-on and physical task, collect as many recyclable products as you can. Then, you’ll need to take inspiration from a custom-built bird feeder and recreate using your recycled products. Whether it’s a milk carton or cardboard box – get creative with it!
You will see your child express their creative thoughts in the form of DIY – whilst also building a passion for wildlife and the environment, knowing that what they are building will help create a safe-haven for birds and animals in their area”.
If you want to go the whole hog, you can even set up a camera and watch your creation become a new home to your flying friends.
- Beach Cleanups
This is a really important part of cleaning our environment. Unfortunately, beaches are the place where a lot of rubbish is left after thousands flock to the seaside, and it often ends up in our oceans causing harm to animals and wildlife. It’s sad, and it can be stopped with a more conscious effort to take our rubbish home with us.
Beach cleanups are typically organised by local communities, and taking your child down to the beach to not only enjoy the sea and the sand, but help the environment, is a great idea.
According to the Marine Conservation Society UK, the 2022 Great British Beach Clean saw over 5,000 volunteers across 30 miles of beach over a 10 day period, in which almost 4,000kg of litter was collected – roughly 141,048 pieces.
You can take part in a beach clean all year round, though – head to the MCSUK website and set up an event yourself, or join a beach clean near you.
- Gardening
The practice of gardening is one of human kind’s earliest chores – growing food from the ground using nature to our advantage. It’s still a hugely popular activity today, and you don’t even need your own garden to enjoy the benefits. Whether you have window boxes, balcony gardens, or are tending to an allotment – gardening in all its forms can provide plenty of enjoyment for you and the kids.
“Learning about plant life cycles, providing a habitat for local wildlife, saving money and keeping a low carbon footprint, are all benefits to maintaining a green-fingered lifestyle for children”.
Aside from the environmental impact, there are other reasons as to why kids will love to get out in the garden.
“Sometimes, playing in the dirt and getting stuck into nature can be highly rewarding, along with the idea of planting, growing, and then eating vegetables straight from source. It will inspire them to continue to maintain an environmentally-friendly lifestyle, whilst also helping them understand the negative impact that littering and other damaging practices can have on our environment and nature”.
- Plant a Tree
There are endless benefits to planting a tree, for both the environment and for society. By absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, trees help combat climate change, whilst also improving the soil of the earth and therefore preventing flooding and erosion. It’s known that a walk amongst trees enhances our mood, reduces stress, and improves our overall mental well-being. Green spaces also encourage social interaction and build a stronger sense of community.
As for the benefits of planting trees with children – what’s not to love?
“They immediately adopt a love for nature and the environment by getting their hands dirty, but also, a tree is a fantastic piece of nature to witness grow over time. Some trees live for hundreds of years, sprouting into giant beacons of the earth, vast in size and beautiful in character. Children will one day be able to look at the tree they planted and be proud they helped build the environment of tomorrow”.
Why is it Important to Raise Eco-Conscious Children?
Children’s role in helping our environment is crucial. There are so many factors that contribute to this, from learning and awareness, to policy and decision making, and everything else in between.
But how can we shift an age-old mindset and propel our children to the forefront of our battle against time to save our planet. Sounds dramatic, but is it?
“Children are like sponges – eager to learn. By educating them about the environmental issues we face, they become aware of the challenges – from climate change, pollution, and habitat destruction.
Children also tend to have a natural affection for animals, wildlife, and the environment as a whole, therefore teaching them about the importance of protecting nature fosters a deep emotional connection, motivating them to take action. Instilling habits early on in their development from childhood will mean they carry the passion into their teenage years and early adult life, meaning the eco-friendly practices they have been exposed to from early in their life will continue, ensuring they grow up becoming environmentally conscious and responsible adults.
Once they have that passion instilled in them, taking action is the next step. We can learn from child-activists such as Greta Thunberg, who is arguably the most famous climate activist of the 21st century. She began campaigning for a better environment from the tender age of 15, which has aided her cause – showing she is a bright, switched on and environmentally-conscious teenager who is passionate about securing her future in a safe and clean world”.
Another benefit that the children of today hold over previous generations is the technology at their disposal. Whether it’s researching the current challenges faced by activists, learning about key data to help plan their next decision or action, and also sharing around their cause on social media. The potential of the next generation of climate activists is stronger than ever thanks to the power of technology, and it can make their movement truly global thanks to the connectivity available at their fingertips.
In turn, it will become impossible for world leaders and decision-makers to ignore should millions get behind the cause.
And remember, this all comes from teaching our children basic practices in nature – whether it’s gardening, recycling/junk-modelling, or beach clean-ups. The potential of this generation of children should not be underestimated, so it’s time to play our part and help them become the custodians of our future earth.