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 children 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 children learn more about and grow to appreciate nature and our environment:

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

Use things such as leaves, flowers, twigs, or pebbles to make creative art projects, or have them draw their favorite things in nature or color nature scenes in a coloring book. You can also 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. 

3. Do fun 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

Have them help you plant flowers, trees, plants, fruits, or vegetables in your garden or in planters. Teach them about how plants grow, and have them help with watering and taking care of your plants to give them experience with taking care of nature. Watching their tiny seeds grow into beautiful plants is one of the best ways they can learn about the wonder of our natural world! Check out KidsGardening.org for other activities and educational resources to help get kids involved with gardening.

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. Bring a nature bingo card to help them discover new things in nature on their camping trip, and look for lightning bugs with them if you’re camping during the summer!

6. Teach them about animals

Learning about and encountering animals is a great way to help children develop a connection to the natural world. Take them to a zoo, aquarium, farm, beach, or forest 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 off the lights when they leave a room or turning off the water when they brush their teeth. Set a good example by showing them eco-friendly actions such as using reusable water bottles and grocery bags, or walking or taking public transportation instead of driving whenever possible. Teach them about how these actions can help protect the environment and their favorite things in nature, such as their favorite beach or favorite animals. 

8. Take them to a local park or nearby 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 waste. You’ll also help them learn about the importance of giving back to your local community.

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. You can also watch shows such as Our Planet on Netflix to expose them to the breathtaking creatures and landscapes that exist around the world. Check out the National Geographic Kids website or Raising Little Shoots for other environmental education resources.

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 our planet. Check out the tips in this blog post to help you through these important conversations.

12. Have them spend time outdoors and away from electronics as much as possible

The more time they spend outdoors, the more likely they are to develop a love of nature and feel connected to the environment. Encourage children to get outside and into nature whenever they can. Expose them to as many different natural settings as you can, such as beaches, lakes, mountains, forests, farms, gardens, national parks….the possibilities are endless!

These 12 activities can help kids develop a love for nature and grow up to be environmental stewards—which will ultimately benefit our planet.

Looking for other ways you can make a positive impact on the environment? One of the easiest and most impactful ways you can help protect our planet is by choosing 100% clean, renewable energy from wind and solar for your home—with zero fossil fuels. Learn more about how you can sign up today to help ensure a better environment and cleaner planet for future generations.