Talking about sustainability with children is really important, how will they learn to make good choices for our planet if we don’t teach them? But it can be tricky to know where to start. 

Helping children understand what sustainability is, is a great start. There are lots of useful videos out there to help make this easier for children to understand, Talking to them about the different things we can do to help our environment such as recycling, reusing and reducing our waste and plastic use will help them learn about this in comparison to their everyday lives.

Do as I do 

Children are like sponges, they are constantly taking information in – they will be watching how we act, what we do and say, even when we don’t realise it. If children see us recycling, re-using and thinking about the products we buy then they are much more likely to carry this on into their adult life.

There are many really tiny things that we can do to teach our children to be more sustainable, without either party realising that the learning is happening. Here’s some simple ideas to bring in at an early age –

• Make it part of your routine – look at the things you do to help the environment and make this part of your children’s routine too – when they get older it will then just be second nature to them.
• Litter pick – whilst out for a walk take a bag and litter picker and get the whole family involved. 
• Recycle – Create and label recycling bins with your kids at home, so that the process is easier for everyone.
• Compost – get the kids involved with the composting – get them helping with the meal preparations and show them how to compos the peelings and vegetable off-cuts
• Children learn from those around them, if they see you recycling, picking up litter and making sustainable choices then this will become second nature to them too. 
• Most kids love a sticker chart – why not add sustainable chores onto their charts or chores list?
• Make looking after the planet fun – create quizzes and challenges for them to complete or find out about – include litter picking days, tick lists, adding sustainable tasks to their chores list. 
• Sign them up to nature friendly subscription magazines such as Nat Geo Kids or the RSPB Wild Times – helping them with their reading and the helping environment too.
• Re-use items for crafts!
• Encourage outdoor play – This simple activity goes a long way in teaching sustainability. Appreciating a love of the outdoors will inspire kids to care for our planet.
• Collect rainwater – make a homemade rainwater collector buy a water butt – the kids will love helping to water the plants with the water they collected.

Making sustainability fun – here’s some ideas and things to do to get the little ones inspired:

• Planting trees
• Growing your own vegetables
• Planting flowers for the bees
• Litter picking day with challenges and stickers
• Taking them to more sustainable destinations – parks, nature spots or beaches where they can enjoy the outdoors
• Bug hunting and identifying – why not make your own bug house too?