Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in tucson, AZ

Tuesday List - Earth Friendly Projects

by Kara B

April 21, 2009

Wednesday April 22nd is Earth Day. This day is for celebrating our environment and appreciating our limited resources. In our fast food nation it is often hard to explain reduce, reuse, recycle. Lately my kids have enjoyed taking our recycling out to the large recycling can. They ask every night if there is something for them to take. Their enthusiasm makes me think twice about what I mindlessly chuck into the trash can. Here are some ideas for getting the kids involved in the spirit of Earth Day.  

1.) Let them design and color a recycling poster to hang on or above the inside recycling can.  If you don't have a can, you can always use a brown paper sack (also recyclable) or a cardboard box.  We are lucky to have free recycling pick up with one of the easiest systems I have come across.  If the kids are too young to design their own here are some printer friendly coloring pages.  

2.) Grow something.  Try making a fuzzy head with fast growing grass seeds.  Start with a disposable paper cup.  Let them decorate it with a face using markers or foam craft supplies.  Use potting soil and grass seeds.  Don't forget to water it while it is on a plate since you are using an earth friendly paper plate that may leak.  In a few days the face will have hair.  For something a little more practical, green beans are fairly easy to grow and are fun to eat right after picking and cleaning.  

3.) Feed the birds.  Try using items you can find around the house to make a bird feeder for your yard.  A cardboard tube from toilet paper can be coated in peanut butter and bird seeds.  Before you spread the peanut butter, punch a hole in both ends and tie on a piece of yarn.  Use the yarn to hang it from a tree branch.  A stale bagel with string through the hole works well too.   

4.) Make a "found" collage.  Take a walk through the neighborhood and let them pick up twigs and leaves from safe plants.  Remind them before the walk to point out their items to you before picking them up.  Use clear contact paper to make a nature pocket with the items between two pieces or break out the Elmer's white glue and let them make a picture story on cardboard, thick paper, or a disposable plate.  If you are feeling especially environmentally minded, take an extra grocery bag with you to pick up trash you find on the walk.  

5.) Use what you have to make a project.  Before you throw something out, think about what it could possibly be.  This is especially great for those long summer days when we are holed up inside away from the scorching heat.  Is that a cardboard tube? No, it is a star gazer or two together make binoculars.  Are those popsicle sticks?  No, they are puppet sticks for the creations you and the kids draw.  Are those plastic spoons?  No, hot glue a little yarn and add some eyes and a mouth for fun spoon people.

It is okay to let our kids be kids and still teach them about taking care of our planet.  Plan to do something together and the conversation will follow.