Green & Grubby Summer Fun

Summer vacation is right around the corner, and many parents are already wondering what they will do with the extended hours of togetherness that the break from school provides. Not that we don't want to spend time with our kids, but times are tight, and in some households it can be tough to choose between being eco-conscious and keeping little ones occupied for long stretches of time when flipping on the television or Wii is such an easy alternative. Here are a few tips that will not only help to keep your youngsters (from tots to teens) happily busy for hours, but will also keep eco-aware (and cost-saving) parents from the inedible guilt that comes with turning to the television remote for easy answers.

Potato Plastic - For the scientific-minded or mad scientist type kids, there is never a dull moment with this fun experiment of creating your very own eco-plastic using ordinary potatoes. Think this sounds implausible? Check out the video by Ravi Carlson as well as other fun green crafts on The Green Parent.  

Observation Book - Is your child a fan of The Spiderwyck Chronicles or perhaps The Great Fairy Rescue? Know what those two movies have in common? Both feature a book, a "field guide" created of observations made in the natural world. To a child, the world can be a magical place full of fairy houses, toadstools and goblin trees. Encourage your child's imagination while helping them to discover all that is wondrous and beautiful in the natural world by supplying them with blank journal to record all they see. Make a habit of taking morning or evening walks with them and pointing out how things change through the seasons such as the colors of the leaves, caterpillars becoming butterflies or new and strange shaped mushrooms popping up around damp logs.

Become a Star! - Is your child a natural ham? Perhaps your house is where all the neighborhood kids hang out.  Instead of watching entertainment this summer, encourage them to become their own entertainment and yours too by creating their own plays, talent shows or movies. Once finished invite the neighbors for a special performance/screening. This not only encourages community togetherness but will foster eco-friendly group activities among your neighbor's.

Box yourself in - If you have boxes lying around the house, let the kids give them new life as a playhouse, robot, ice cream truck or space-age car. Take a look at this wonderful article on NatureMomsBlog for some great information.

Got a great green parenting tip? Add your comment below and join the conversation! 

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