101+ Simple Ways Kids Can Celebrate Earth Day All Year Long!

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(Recycling all of mom's Sunday newspapers!)

My little boy LOVES trash.  That is not any kind of an exaggeration either.  Sadly, it may be an understatement.  I don't know why or when his love for all things "waste management" started exactly, but I do remember him crying hysterically as young as 6 or 7 months old when the garbage trucks would come down the street.  And then I soon discovered he was not crying out of fear, he was upset because he couldn't see the trucks!  So, I began taking him outside every week on trash day bright and early (sometimes as early as 5:30 a.m., but, hey, we were already up for an hour by then! *sigh*) and we would wait for the trucks to come rolling down the street.  Some of the drivers were very kind and would stop and say 'hello' or move the arm of the truck up and down for him.  And so it began...........

(He met the garbage man as we came home from school one afternoon and this guy has become the biggest super hero for my son.  He promised to look for my boy every trash day and stop and wave to him.  And sure enough, whether he's waiting on the sidewalk or sitting watching from the window, this driver always stops to say 'hello'!  How awesome that must be to a 5 year old?!)

(BIG Truck Day!  Fire trucks, police cars, race cars......and all he wanted to see was the Recycle truck!)

(We have a fleet of 24 countless trucks and are always looking to hire new drivers!)

Some kids took to fire trucks, or trains, or Hot Wheels, or action figures from popular movies.  Mine?  The garbage, recycling, and green waste trucks, the landfill, and Mr. Gilly, the greatest action figure of RRR kiddos everywhere. 

Trashy Town By Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha

(Side note: If you've got a RRR crazed kiddo like mine, or are just interested in the topic, head on over to YouTube and search "garbage trucks" for a video fest of all things waste management...from toys in action to the real deal on the streets of NYC! And check your local library for popular books and DVDs about trucks, visits to recycling centers, and landfills.)

(I don't know the how or the why.  We just go with it now.)

As my son got older, he took a greater interest in the "recycling center" we had set up in our home: the box for the papers, bottles, and cans designated for the large recycle bin outside.  He learned very quickly what was recyclable and what was not, what was acceptable green waste, and what was just plain trash.  We would talk about where all of the waste goes and what the recycling material was used for.  If we were out shopping or at the park, he would stop and pick up trash and put it where it goes.  It has just been a joy to see his interest in the environment grow and he has never, and I mean never, wavered from this passion for trash.

(Photo Op!  Found the recycling station at London/Heathrow airport!)

So, when Earth Day rolled around this year, I began to see more and more Early Childhood Development bloggers post ideas on ways children can celebrate Earth Day, and I have to say, I was more than a little dumbfounded as to why a majority of the projects were simply art or craft projects recreating what the planet looked like.  Fun, yes, but I like the idea of little ones getting out there and doing something hands-on to mark Earth Day today and every day, (after all, young children learn best by doing!).  It's that "everyday" celebrating that will help Mother Earth to live a long and healthy life!

So, here are our 101+ simple ways that kids of all ages can take an active part in celebrating Earth Day EVERY day!  Remember, every little bit helps and every little bit is important!

1. Set up a "recycle center" in your home for all those bottles, papers, and cans.
2. Use the backside of a used piece of paper for coloring or drawing.
3. Use washcloths instead of paper napkins.
4. Pass on the juice box! Use a refillable cup for drinks on the go.
5. Walk or ride your bike to the park.
6. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and wash your face.
7. Use a plastic grocery bag for picking up pet poops in the yard or the litter box.
8. Wear it again, Sam!  Make sure clothes are nice and dirty before you throw them in the wash.   
9. Use old yogurt containers for paint cups.
10. Take a plastic shopping bag with you on trips to the park or walks through the neighborhood and gather up any trash you spot along the way.
11. Turn off the TV and video games and play outside.
12. Go through old toys, books, games, and clothes and hold a yard sale.
13. Peel off the paper wrapping on broken crayons and use them for shading.
14. Fill the bathtub with just enough water to cover your knees.
15. Save the plastic tabs on bread bags for cool art projects.
16. Hang your bath towel to dry at night and use it several times before throwing it in the laundry basket.
17. Save your "bendy" straws and wash them for another time.
18. Use cardboard tubes from toilet paper or paper towels for pirate scopes.
19. Check out books from the library instead of buying new ones.
20. Use a reusable container or bag to carry snacks.
21. Save cottage cheese tubs, coffee creamer bottles, or lunch meat containers for fun sandbox and water table toys.
22. Use a refillable filtered bottle for water instead of buying one when out.
23. Save milk bottles, cracker boxes, spice containers, and other fun food packaging to use in play kitchens and grocery stores.
24. Visit a local farmer's market instead of the grocery store.  Local produce is cheaper and requires less transport.
25. Save envelopes, stickers, and other small papers from junk mail to play post office.
26. Save seeds from fruits and vegetables and plant them.
27. Turn off the lights in a room when you leave.
28. Use plastic grocery bags for messy diapers from little brothers or sisters.
29. Use a rake to gather up leaves, sticks, and other garden clutter instead of a blower.
30. Put the Sunday paper in the recycle bin after mom cuts her coupons.
31. Share the newspaper with neighbors, Grandpa, or take it to the local coffee shop, senior center, or church after everyone is done reading it.
32. Make pages reusable by using plastic page protector sheets and dry-erase or wipeable markers when writing in activity books.
33. Donate unwanted toys, games, books, baby clothes, diapers, etc to a charitable organization.  Mom and Dad can use the tax write-off too!
34. Turn off the garden hose after you have filled the water table.
35. Go for a nature walk in your neighborhood, at the park, the beach, or while you're camping.
36. Save old newspapers for painting and messy art and craft projects.
37. Turn off the water when you are washing the car.
38. Take in reusable cups, plates, bowls, and utensils for snack days at school.
39. Use a plastic grocery bag for lining the garbage baskets.
40. Save old toothbrushes for a Hot Wheels mini car wash or to scrub the dishes in your backyard mud kitchen.
41. Use old newspapers for pet messes or to line cages.
42. Use a broom to sweep up messes instead of plugging in the vacuum.
43. Turn off the lights when the sun is shining.
44. Have mom or dad refill ink cartridges for the printer instead of buying new ones.
45. Take snacks like apples, bananas, grapes, and oranges that don't require any packaging to throw away.  You can save the fruit "garbage" for your compost bucket.
46. Eat leftovers one night a week so mom and dad don't have to heat up the oven or stove.
47. Save the wooden sticks from Popsicle or ice cream treats for craft projects.
48. Make homemade Popsicles with fresh fruit juices and purees.
49. Collect leaves while you're out and about and bring them home for identification.
50. Missing puzzle pieces? Use the other pieces for art and craft projects.
51. Help mom and dad hang clothes to dry outside in the sun.
52. Put your scraps from cutting in the recycle bin.
53. Save the trip to the bakery (and all that packaging) and make your own birthday cake or cupcakes.  Tastes much better too!
54. Make your own bubble solution.
55. Save banana peels, egg shells, apple cores, grass clippings, and leaves and start your own organic compost pile for the garden.
56. Take off your socks when you're inside to save on laundry and holey socks!
57. Old magazines are great for learning to cut, making collages, and illustrating stories.
58. Turn off the night light when you wake up.
59. Start a family garden and grow your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs.  Plant tomatoes, basil, oregano, bell peppers, and onions and you have a "pizza" garden!
60. Have a grownup help you melt down old crayon bits into new crayons.
61. Ask mom or dad to make smoothies at home instead of driving to the mall for Jamba Juice.
62. Save the rubber bands from the newspapers for art projects or for closing up bags for crackers, pasta, etc. in the pantry.
63. Visit the local creek or waterways with a grownup.  Check out the wildlife and pick up any trash you may find.
64. Plant a flower seed in an old soup can.
65. Make fresh butter in a jar.
66. Eating out?  Bring your own "doggie bag" container.
67. Ask mom and dad to save the old coffee filters for some really great smelling art projects.  Don't forget to put the coffee grounds in the compost bucket!
68. Ask grownups in your family to cancel subscriptions for catalogs and magazines they don't read.
69. Unplug things before going on vacation.
70. Save the cold water from the bathtub (the water that's wasted while you're waiting for the hot water!) in a bucket and use it for watering the garden.
71. Save the plastic containers from store-bought cupcakes for a reusable homemade cupcake and treat carrier. 
72. Bring your own crayons to the restaurant or take home the ones the server gives you.
73. Make homemade ice cream in a bag.
74. Save your birthday candles for next year.
75. Keep plastic grocery bags in the car for potty accidents or car sick pukes!  YUCK!
76. Look for used toys, clothes, games, books, etc. at yard sales or thrift stores.
77. Plant a tree.
78. Bring your aluminum cans and plastic bottles to a local recycling center.  They'll buy them from ya!
79. Cut the plastic loops on drink can holders before tossing them.  This will prevent any little creatures from getting caught in them.
80. Ask mom and dad to bring a reusable coffee cup to the coffee shop.
81. Use a rag instead of paper towels to clean up big messes.
82. Use a plastic grocery bag for carrying wet swim clothes.
83. Eat a good breakfast at home instead of wasting gas sitting in the drive-thru before school.
84. Turn off the porch light when you wake up.
85. Pick up old newspapers laying in the street, gutters, lawns, and driveways in your neighborhood and recycle them.  Make sure they're old before you take and toss them!
86. Recycle old batteries in a marked recycle bin.  We have one at our local library!
87. Walk to school with a group of friends or a grown up.
88. Make your own pizza at home instead of ordering one in a cardboard take-out box.
89. Save paper and use a Magna Doodle to draw or practice letter and number writing.
90. Repair damaged books if possible.  If not, use the pages as gift wrapping.
91. Save brown paper grocery bags for craft projects or to cover school books.
92. If you're old enough to help with the lawn mower, ask mom or dad to get an old-fashioned push mower.
93. Watch a movie at home instead of driving to the theater or the rental store.  Better yet, put on a talent show in the back yard for family, friends, and neighbors.
94. Choose toys that don't require batteries or use rechargeable batteries.
95. Build a bird feeder with pine cones or fruit covered with lard, suet, or peanut butter and bird seed.
96. Remind mom and dad to bring reusable shopping bags to the market.
97. Save cardboard shipping boxes for race cars, forts, grocery stores, or art projects.
98. Use overripe bananas for smoothies, banana bread, or ice cream.
99. Don't pass it up, pick it up!  If you see litter anywhere, pick it up and make sure it gets to the garbage or recycle cans.
100. Picnic?  BBQ?  Skip the paper plates and cups and bring reusable dishes in an old school picnic basket.
101. Use reusable ice cubes for summer drinks.
102. Pass on the single-serving snack packages.  Ask mom or dad to buy in bulk and then put snacks in reusable bags or containers.
103. Skip the little condiment packets when you get take-out.  Use the ketchup, salt, and pepper at home.
104. Never put anything in the gutters or down the drains in the street except water.  All of that water flows right out into the streams, rivers, and lakes and can affect the wildlife. 
105. Trade in old video games for new or used ones or rent, share, or borrow instead.
106. Make sure the dishwasher is full before you turn it on.
107. Share with a friend what you know about Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling to help improve your neighborhood, the environment, and our planet!
108. And keep on LEARNING!  Ask questions, read books, watch videos, volunteer....   Knowledge really is power and that will lead to change and more conservation!

In the past year since this post was written, my boy has gone from being passionate about trash and recycling to composting, water conservation, and 'upcycling'!  Recently he asked the question, "Where does the water go after it goes down the drain?"   This is a fun video that demonstrates the flow of water from home to treatment facility to waterways and back home again!  

What ideas do you have to Reduce, Reuse, or Recycle?