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Tips for Greener Children and a Brighter Tomorrow

Green Hour

Schedule a time for unstructured play and interaction with the natural world; this can take place in a garden, a backyard, the park down the street, or any place that provides safe and accessible green spaces where children can learn and play. (NWF, 2008)

Plant a Garden

This is a perfect way to connect children with nature. Through the nurturing and care of a garden, not only do they get their hands in the dirt, they can experience the growth of life and the bounty of the earth.

Participate in community clean up

Get children involved in a local park or creek cleanup. This will not only teach them the value of caring for and being part of a community, but will also show them what can be accomplished when we all work together.

Trips to the farmers’ market

Turn an ordinary moment into a learning moment. A trip to the farmers’ market can be an eye-opening experience. Let them experience the colors, smells and the tastes of fresh and local produce. Encourage them to ask questions… “How do you grow your green beans”… “Was this a good year for peaches, and why or why not”

Take it outdoors:

There are several indoor activities that can be taken outdoors:

• Story Time — Create a reading circle, get out the camp chairs, or spread a blanket on the ground.
• Nap Time — lay out a blanket under a shady spot, or lounge in a hammock. As the children nap, you can get to that book that you have been planning to read, or you, too, can catch on some much deserved R&R.
• Play time — Bring those inside toys outside. Toy cars and trucks can take to hand-built dirt roads; have a dress-up garden party, bring art to the outdoors with coloring books, sidewalk chalk, and water paints.
• Form a marching band — get out the instruments and fill the air with songs. March around the neighborhood, or your own yard with whistles and drums or pots and pans. Get the other neighborhood kids involved.

Take it old school:

Remember the fun we had in the summer playing lawn games? Share these memories with your children and help create new memories for them to keep. Pull out the horseshoes, volleyballs, bocce sets, croquet, badminton, frisbees, and jump ropes — let the stories flow and memories be created.

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Reference: National Wildlife Federation. (2008) Greenhour. Retrieved June 30, 2008 from http://www.greenhour.org