Earth Day doesn’t need to be limited to April 22 for you or your children. You can make Earth Day everyday by trying one of these six activities that start conversations about bigger topics.

“What are we going to do for Earth Day this year?” I wondered to myself. While we try to embrace a sustainable lifestyle all year long, I wanted to make Earth Day a little special. It’s one of my favorite holidays, after all!

After poking around on some local websites, I found an event at the local nature center. But if you don’t have any organizations putting on Earth Day events, there are still plenty of options. Best of all, these ideas can spark new patterns to help you make Earth Day every day.

Shifting the Family’s Lifestyle

Conduct an energy audit as a scavenger hunt

A home energy audit is the best way to assess how you can save energy and money in your house. While a professional assessment is the most comprehensive, a do-it-yourself audit can help you prioritize changes or upgrades.

Although energy audits aren’t most fun thing, turning it into a game can make it more enjoyable for parents and kids alike. Finding all of the energy-inefficient lightbulbs and dragging dollar bills through doors to check for leaks can provide an interesting twist on a traditional scavenger hunt.

Bike, walk, or take public transit to a destination

It’s easy to assume the way that we normally get to a place is the only way.  But it’s worth trying out some non-motorized alternatives.

Pick a fun destination – like an ice cream shop – and discover how you can bike or walk there together. Use local bike maps and the bike/walk function on Google Maps to find routes.

If you have public transit, try getting somewhere new by bus or train. As the mother of a two-year-old and four-year-old, I can attest toddlers and preschoolers see riding the bus or train as a particularly special treat.

This activity can help you reduce how much you drive, which is a substantial contributor to the average American’s carbon footprint.

 

Support Wildlife and Habitats

“Adopt” an endangered species

My first act of advocacy was convincing my third grade class to adopt a manatee after I visited Florida’s Homosassa Springs State Park. “Adopting” a specific animal gave our donation a personal connection and encouraged us to learn about a particular species.

If you aren’t into manatees, the Sierra Club, National Wildlife Federation, and World Wildlife Fund offer similar programs for a variety of species. Most programs come with a certificate, a photo, and even a plush animal, a perfect hook to engage little ones. I thought the endangered rabbit we gave our four-year-old as a Christmas present got lost within the excitement, but out of nowhere he referenced it the other day.

Create habitat in your backyard

One of the best ways to teach children about wildlife is to observe animals in your own backyard. Seeing live animals in their native habitat is exciting in a way that nature movies aren’t.

The five major things you need to provide habitat are: food, water, somewhere for animals to hide (cover), places to raise young, and sustainable practices. While you don’t have to register your backyard as a certified wildlife habitat, the National Wildlife Foundation has a great checklist for creating habitat in your yard.

Reconsider Playtime

Play like kids in other countries

While electronics like smartphones are popular, non-electronic games save energy, get kids outside, and provide physical exercise. To mix it up, have your children try some activities from other cultures.

In Sweden, they play a game called Kubb that involves throwing wooden pieces to knock down the other team’s blocks. In Nigeria, kids play Fire On the Mountain, a group game that seems to be similar to musical chairs, but with human partners. Japanese children play Hanaichimonme, a cross between Red Rover and Rock-Paper-Scissors. Indigenous children in Brazil make tops out of tree seeds that “scream” when spun.

Relating to other cultures can help children connect to others around the world. Considering different ways of living is essential for developing a broader environmental and justice-oriented ethos.

Build a toy out of recycled materials

Americans spend more than $350 per child annually on toys. As any parent knows, a large number of these are quickly discarded. One way to combat materialism, encourage innovation, and minimize the use of resources is to create your own toys out of recycled materials. The Global Cardboard Challenge invites children to play by building toys out of simple materials. Hopefully, the next time your child sees the New Shiny Thing on TV, their experience building their own toys will provide an important counter-narrative.

From changing how kids play to helping making your entire family’s lifestyle more sustainable, these ideas can spark new ideas that go beyond just a day’s worth of activities.

For more on living sustainably, check out 10 Big Ways Your Family Can Accumulate Less Stuff. To join in other parents in living green, check out our Green and Sustainable Parenting Facebook group!