12 Ways to Teach Kids About the Environment

As we continue our efforts to fight climate change, it’s important that we all collectively help raise today’s children to be tomorrow’s environmental advocates. Teaching them about the environment from an early age can help ensure they will take care of our planet for decades to come. Here are 12 ways you can help kids learn more about and grow to appreciate the natural world:

1. Play nature bingo or do a nature scavenger hunt. This is a fun way to help kids discover new things in the outdoors they might not have noticed before, whether it's different types of plants, trees, insects, or animals. Check out our Pinterest for bingo cards and scavenger hunt ideas!

2. Make art projects with things you find in nature such as leaves, flowers, twigs, or pebbles. Make crafts from things such as paper towel rolls or empty tissue boxes that would otherwise be trash, and teach them about the importance of conserving resources. You can also have them draw their favorite things in nature or color nature scenes in a coloring book.

3. Do science experiments with them. Create a model ocean to teach them about ocean spills and pollution, make your own terrariums, or even cook your own s’mores using a solar-powered oven! Check out our Pinterest for more ideas and inspiration.

4. Garden with them. Plant flowers, trees, plants, or fruits and vegetables in your garden or in planters. Teach them about how plants grow, and have them help with watering your plants. 

5. Take them camping. Whether you spend a night in the wilderness or simply sleep in a tent in your backyard, spending a night sleeping outside can help them feel more connected to nature and the outdoors.

6. Teach them about animals. Learning about and encountering animals is a good way to help kids develop a connection to the natural world. Take them to a zoo, aquarium, or farm to see different types of animals, or set up a bird feeder in your yard and look at the different birds that stop by.

7. Teach them about actions they can take to help the environment. Help them develop good habits such as turning the lights out when they leave a room or conserving water when they brush their teeth. Teach them about how these actions can help protect our planet and their favorite things in nature, such as their favorite beach or favorite animals.

8. Take them to a nearby park or beach to pick up trash. Teach them about why littering is bad for the environment and for animals, and teach them to always make sure they find a trash can or recycling bin for their trash.

9. Take them to a local farm to see how food is grown. Have them try different locally grown fruits and vegetables, and try making different recipes with them to teach them about where food comes from and how delicious local fruits and veggies can be.

10. Read books and watch videos about the environment. Read Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax or other environmental children’s books to teach them about the importance of taking care of our planet. Watch shows such as Our Planet on Netflix to expose them to the beauties that exist in nature around the world. Check out the National Geographic Kids website or the YouTube series Global Weirding for other resources that can help them learn more about the environment.

11. Talk to them about climate change. Discussing climate change with kids can seem like a difficult conversation to navigate, but it’s an important way to ensure they will grow up to be responsible citizens of the earth. Check out the tips in this blog post to help you through these important conversations.

12. Simply get them outside in fresh air and away from electronics as much as possible. The more time they spend outside, the more likely they are to develop a love of nature and feel connected to the outdoors. Expose them to as many different natural settings as you can, such as beaches, lakes, mountains, and forests.

These activities can help kids develop a love for nature and grow up to be environmental stewards. 

Looking for more ways you can do your part to help the planet? Sign up for 100% clean, renewable energy from CleanChoice Energy today!