Kids Global Warming Activities: Get Them Involved!

Here’s a list of kids global warming activities to help get your family started. No matter what their age, it’s never too early to start learning about our environment and how to protect it.

Plan a few camping trips throughout the year. Discuss the seasonal changes and note the behavior of animals during the different seasons. Take hikes, fish, bird watch, whatever turns on your kids. The most important thing is that they connect with their environment and learn to be present to all the forms of life that surround us.

If camping trips are not an option, find an unspoiled mile or two in your area and go on regular nature walks. Many local nature centers offer year round learning programs, including global warming activities, for kids of all ages as well as guided nature hikes. The key here is repeated and regular exposure to the wonders of nature. How can our kids respect that which they don’t understand?

2. Clean up the neighborhood. Believe it or not, my kids both loved our weekly trash walks. We’d set out, trash bags in hand, and travel through our town picking up litter on the streets and in the parks. Whoever filled their bag first ‘won’ (to avoid losing the point to competitiveness, there were no prizes other than a big hug from me :)

This was a great learning activity for the kids to help them become aware of their environment and become present to the impact of apathy and carelessness where nature is concerned. It was also a great time to connect with the kids! Walking and talking go together like peas and carrots.

3. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Gather together a collection of recyclable material, household items that you’ve been meaning to get rid of, and anything else you can’t seem to find a use for and….create! Have each child brainstorm an idea (with your help) and plan a week or two for designing and constructing their inventions, sculptures, etc.

The great thing about these global warming activities is that they can chose an artistic project, a new science invention, perhaps even a new cooking utensil. The possibilities are endless and I’m positive your kids’ creativity will astound you. Find a special place to display their creations and discuss with your kids the benefits of re-using and finding new solutions to our trash problem.

4. Plant a tree…or three! As cliché as it may sound, the simple act of planting a tree with your children can be a valuable learning experience. Help your kids research how trees and plants help clean our air and produce oxygen.

Spend time reading with them on the effects of de-forestation. Then go together as a family to purchase a sapling and let them pick the spot to plant it. As they watch the tree grow and thrive, their understanding and appreciation of our fragile ecosystem will be reinforced.

The point of all of these global warming activities for kids is not only to teach them about their environment, but to teach us more about our kids! Through spending unplugged time with our children, we will all benefit from a new appreciation of our environment and our families. Our goal of raising healthy, well balanced children is well under way!