Clever Living: Celebrate Earth With Your Children

Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd. As we strive to make the earth a better place to live, there are many things you can do in your own home to make a difference and to teach your children about taking care of the world in which we live. Read on for fun activities, crafts, a yummy snack idea, a great EarthBall toy, a song and more!

Earth Day Activities (and beyond):
1. Plant a tree. Visit a local nursery and pick up seedlings (they’re often free) or a small sapling. You and your children can enjoy watching your tree grow from year to year. Measure it every year on Earth Day and talk about the difference you’re making in your world - one step at a time.
2. Teach your child about recycling. Involve your children in recycling your trash. Have them help separate the trash and talk about what types of items can be recycled and why it’s important. (Use recyclable bags at the grocery store, too!)
3. Pick up trash. Make a game of picking up trash on the playground, in the park or in a place that you frequent with your family. How much can you find?
4. Conserve water. Limit time in the shower, wash hands for a designated period of time (like the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday), wash your car less frequently, turn the faucets all the way off (don’t be a drip!), run dishwasher and washing machine only when they are full.
5. Save energy. Switch your inefficient incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs. You’ll save money on electricity bills, use less energy, reduce your carbon footprint and help stop global warming!

Earth Day Crafts & Fun Snack Idea:
1. Make leaf prints. Go on a scavenger hunt for a variety of leaves. Paint the leaves and then press them on paper. Talk about what you see.
2. Make a bird feeder. Cover an empty toilet paper (recyclable) with peanut butter and roll in birdseed. Hang with yarn.
3. Make Dirt! Have fun with your child making dirt and talking about the earth. Put some chocolate pudding in a cup, add crushed Oreos for gravel and rocks, and top with a gummy worm. (Watch for Vidcast #22 where two “experts” experiment with making dirt, then sing a song about the Earth.)

EarthBall:
Your kids will have the whole world in their hands with 16″ inflatable EarthBalls. EarthBalls are not only fun to toss around, they display NiteCities, allowing you to observe the world’s cities glowing brightly at night. Every EarthBall also comes with the 20-page Global Handbook that includes games, activities & resources for Earth adventurers of all ages. Visit ODTMaps for more.

Earth Day Song (borrowed from Henry’s preschool teacher - thank you Ms. Dorothy):
To the tune of ‘If you’re happy and you know it’
If you see a piece of litter pick it up
If you see a piece of litter pick it up
If we all pick up the litter
We will make the world much better
If you see a piece of litter pick it up.

Printables:
Visit Planet Pals for recycle kits kids can print, cut out and hang, plus a number of additional resources to help teach your children about the planet on which we live. www.planetpals.com