Seven Eco-Friendly Habits to Teach Your Kids Year-Round

By Laine Seaton

It may sound crazy, but to this day, 50 years into life – I still feel a twinge of guilt on the rare occasion that I buy a box of sugary cereal. Yes, I’m an adult and can buy whatever I want, but that rule set by my mom so many years ago still stays with me. In hindsight, I’m incredibly grateful for the example that she set because she instilled in my sisters and me the good nutrition habits that we live by today. 

The same can be done for saving the planet. Setting a good example for your kids on how to live more eco-friendly is seriously powerful  and can help instill ‘green’ habits that go well beyond Earth Day to a lifetime of sustainable living. Here are seven simple ways to do it:

• Compost

Back in the 70’s when I was a kid, a neighbor of mine in New Hampshire had a compost pile, and at the time, I thought it was just plain weird and a bit gross. Today, composting is a popular way not only to reduce food waste in landfills, but also to generate nutrient-rich soil for your plants or a home garden. In a nutshell (excuse the pun), composting entails combining organic material such as fruit and vegetable scraps and yard waste (leaves, grass, flowers), with a bit of water and air, and letting it decompose, resulting in the perfect soil. Composting can be a fun activity for kids and parents to do together. If you choose to donate the soil, let your kids help research possible recipients.

• Buy Green Products

Growing up, eco-friendly products were hard to find, and those we did have were less than stellar (aka toothpaste that could pass for caulking). Luckily today, buying green is big business, with many sustainably-based stores and endless amounts of high-quality products, from food to house cleaners to cosmetics to choose from. For example, there are some great brands for cleaning countertops that use natural ingredients, oils, and fragrances that make your kitchen smell almost like a spa. Seeing what items you purchase can have a major influence on your kids’ choices down the road.

• Cook “Clean”

Setting good nutrition habits for your kids when they’re young is one of the best gifts you can give them. Be intentional about preparing healthy meals and buying organic, all-natural ingredients. There are multitudes of cookbooks out there for kids, so have them find one they like and create a week-long menu that you can cook together. Even better, make it a fun habit to shop at farmers markets on the weekends, not only to get the best produce, but also to introduce kids to the farms in their community.

• Reduce Waste

We all know the 3 R’s:  Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. But beyond the catchy phrase, this is truly an easy way to demonstrate sustainable habits to your kids. For example, you can ditch the paper towels for some nifty, reusable, and recyclable cloths with fun designs; or choose eco-friendly, reusable pouches for sandwiches and snacks at school. Switching to reusable products not only saves a ton of money but also reduces kitchen clutter and  –  better yet  –  decreases the amount of waste headed to our landfills. 

• Shop Second-Hand

Finding hidden treasures at local thrift shops and consignment stores can actually be a fun outing for kids, while simultaneously modeling the values of reusing and repurposing items to give them longer life. Take them with you to help find that perfect item for an outfit or for a unique gift for birthdays or holidays. Second-hand stores not only help teach the benefits of reuse, but they can also save you loads of money on housewares, books, decor, and more.

• Try Eco-Traveling

When planning that family vacation or summer camp, you now have many ways to make it an educational experience for you and your kids. Several companies offer unique, travel-with-purpose packages in the U.S. and abroad for your family to volunteer to participate in conservation projects or give back to the community while being immersed in different cultures.

• Rethink Your Transportation

Choosing a hybrid car is another tangible and practical way to demonstrate sustainability to your kids. Invite them into the process of looking at different cars and deciding on the elements you want. Beyond the car, find out if there’s a light rail in your community and explore how you might incorporate using it at least once a week. Better still, use your own power by biking. If your destination isn’t too far, opt for the bike and make it an outing with your kids. Not only is it fun, but it provides great exercise while leaving a zero-carbon footprint.