Earth Day was established in 1970 to help raise environmental awareness in the United States and around the world. By making a few simple changes, your family can start living green. It not only helps the environment, it can also help your family save money. The phrase “recycle, reduce, reuse” can help in remembering the key points to helping the environment.

Recycling is one of the easiest steps toward green living. By teaching your children what things can be recycled, they can help sort things. If you live near a recycling center, your family might even take a tour and see how it works. When shopping, you can turn it into a game of “I spy” by trying to find the three arrow symbol on a product that shows it’s made from recycled materials.

Reducing is another important step in learning to live green. Most families use more water and electricity than they realize. Remembering to turn off electronic items and lights when they aren’t in use is one of the easiest things to do. Have the kids go around the house and see who can find the most number of things that are on that don’t have to be.

Water is another area most families can reduce usage. Make a usage chart and keep track of how many times a day people use water: drinking, showers, flushing, watching clothes or dishes. Try to see how much each activity uses and find ways to use less water. Shortening showers and adjusting the toilet tank are only a couple ways to save water.

Take a walk or bike ride with your family. See if you can spot ways that people are either saving or wasting resources in your neighborhood. By not driving, it reinforces using alternate means of transportation, which not only saves gasoline, but also reduces air polution.

Reusing is another way to help your family start living green. On Earth Day, why not plant a garden and start a mulch pile? Even if you don’t have a large yard, you can clear a small corner and plant a few tomatoes or cucumbers. By starting a mulch pile, you can show how nature can replenish itself by reusing organic materials. You also have the pleasure of raising vegetables, which are a healthy alternative to other snacks that your kids might pick.

Earth Day makes the perfect time to start teaching new earth-friendly habits. By putting the green ideas into practice now when they are young, they will be more likely to continue as they get older.

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Earth Day is an annual celebration of the environment and learning to improve our world. Taking some time as a family to celebrate Earth Day is not only educational, but fun as well. There are many cities that host Earth Day activities. Check and see what is offered locally.

Visit your local zoo and see the animals in their environments. The zoo will probably have educational programs planned, as well as fun activities for the entire family. It can be a great way to spend the day. Some zoos even offer free admission, or free admission if you either take public transportation or ride your bike to the zoo.

As you make your way through the zoo, you can talk about how the ecology of one area of the world affects another. Discuss with your family how we benefit from things like the plants from the rain forest and how important it is to preserve them.

Why not spend the day at the local botanical gardens? Not only are the plants beautiful, but your family can learn about how we benefit from the plants. Plants provide food, medicines and oxygen. They also provide ground cover that helps prevent erosion and flooding. After visiting the gardens, it might be fun to plant your own garden at home. Research the plants that will be the best for your climate. It will be a great family activity that will last beyond Earth Day and will be a reminder to help care for the planet as you care for your own garden.

Planning fun activities at home is also a great way to celebrate Earth Day, as you will be saving gas by not traveling. Reuse items from around the house to create clever crafts. Turn off the TV, go outside and enjoy the fresh air, weather permitting, and have a picnic in the yard.

There are many websites that give additional ideas for celebrating Earth Day. You can also find scheduled events for your hometown that can inspire other family fun that also helps the earth.

Normally one doesn’t associate the name “litter bug” as being something cute. However, that’s the case with this Earth Day craft. Making litter bugs out of recycling is an easy thing even your child can do. Read the rest of this entry