What's that? You're too busy changing diapers, chasing your toddler and paying bills to think about Earth Day activities?
Or perhaps you're thinking, "I love the planet, but my baby will be oblivious if I take him to a big festival or tree planting ceremony - so why bother?"
If these are your thoughts, no worries. These celebration ideas are about turning your normal activities into learning opportunities for your little one.
That's right, instead of trying to save the entire planet on Earth Day, you can start small by instilling an appreciation for the planet and modeling some earth-friendly habits in your daily routine. Here are a few ideas:
- Plant some annuals.
We're starting off with the fun stuff. Babies and toddlers love dirt. Besides, what better way to become acquainted with the Earth than to play in it? Pick out some colors you both enjoy, some non-toxic gardening soil and get your hands dirty.
Gardening earth day activities are great for bonding and relaxed learning. You can talk to your baby (regardless of their age) about what you're doing; and how the sun, soil and water work together to make the plants grow.
With an older baby, you can point out object names and colors and sing nature songs like "The Itsy Bitsy Spider".
To keep an older child engaged long enough to get the flowers planted, you may want to give them a big flower pot, dirt and some green, play gardening tools.
The key here is to have fun, relax and enjoy getting dirt everywhere!
- Pack up some gently used toys and clothing and deliver them to a smaller baby you know or a local charity.
Swapping or sharing gently used clothing can have a great impact on the planet. A wardrobe that includes some hand-me-downs reduces the poundage of cotton needed to clothe your baby.
Passed down clothing also helps make the air we breathe cleaner. Experts say about 1/3 of a pound of toxic pesticides are used to grow enough conventional cotton to make one t-shirt.
This Earth Day activity comes with a bonus for you and your baby - the good feeling you get when giving someone items that can use and enjoy.
Of course, the key to this reward is to honor your recipient with items that are still in usable condition. Stained clothing and broken toys should be discarded.
Giving away toys or a favorite t-shirt may tug at your little one's heart (and yours) because of the fond memories involved.
However, if your child has really outgrown it's use, this is a great time to talk to them about how letting someone else use the item is making room for something new and better to come into their space.
- Go grocery shopping and spring for some reusable shopping bags.
Perhaps you've been thinking about it, but just haven't acted on your urge to purchase some reusable grocery bags. Or maybe you have bought them, but keep leaving them in the house.
Either way, today is a new day. This is your chance to profess your planet-love to your baby and any fellow grocery shoppers who dare to stare.
Not only will your decision save the energy involved in the manufacturing and recycling of plastic and paper bags, but it can make shopping more convenient. A well-made fabric bag will hold twice as many groceries as the flimsy plastic ones. Therefore you can reduce the number of trips back and forth to the trunk of the car when putting up groceries.
Your little one may not have an understanding of the environmental impact right away, but she will soon enjoy pretending the bags are purses, potato sacks and peek-a-boo covers.
- Take your one of your reusable shopping bags and check out some books from the library.
Most of us can't, or don't, buy enough books to read something new to our children everyday, but we can borrow them. Your local branch probably has tons of picture books about nature, science and even Earth Day. You might also check their calendar for special story time talks and children's Earth Day activities.
It's hard not to do these days, but when you go to the library, you don't have to be in a rush. You can relax and enjoy your reading time inside, or take a blanket and do some reading outdoors. Who knows, you may meet some other eco-conscious moms and babies.
Not only does the library give you free access to an endless supply of stories and knowledge, but it is one green operation. Borrowing reduces the amount of trees used for paper, ink used for printing, and fuel used for shipping millions of books each year.
Finally, familiarizing your child with the library's treasures is a great way to instill the values of sharing, the importance of respecting other's property and personal space, and the thirst for knowledge that can empower them for a lifetime.
- Turn it off.
That goes for the lights in empty rooms, the TV's not being watched, the water that runs during toothbrushing, etc., etc.
If these are habits your family needs to break, take your toddler from room to room saying "lights off" while letting them turn it off if they are able. You might even add how it's good for the planet and your pocket book. You can do the same with the appliances and water faucets.
Turn this into a pre-nap or night time ritual, and you will have your little one practicing (and preaching) energy conservation in no time.
With an older child, you can make "lights out" time extra special, by reading or telling stories by candlelight.
I hope these Earth Day activities are fun for you and your baby. Furthermore, I hope they spark your ideas about how to turn your daily routine into an opportunity to raise your baby's eco-consciousness.
