Being stuck at home with kids can be a challenge for everyone, especially when the boredom kicks in. Fortunately, there are abundant resources on the internet you can use for inspiration, and many of them are even educational and eco-friendly! Instead of spending hours rounding them all up on your own, use our handy list of suggestions below. Choose your favorite green activities for kids and beat boredom today!

Science

Try some simple science experiments and activities at home to show your kids how things grow and affect the world around them.

  • Plant a Garden – Start a vegetable or flower garden and teach your kids about seeds and how they grow. Show them how fun it is to grow your own fruits and vegetables.
  • Start a Compost Pile – Composting is a great way to show your kids how some things can be recycled naturally. Use old food scraps as fertilizer for new food in gardens.
  • Make Recycled Paper – Learn how to make your own recycled paper and talk to your kids about not using more paper than they need.
  • Plant a Tree – Find out if there is a park near you that will allow you to plant a tree there or in your own yard.
  • Butterfly Farm – Learn about the life cycle of caterpillars and butterflies with a kit just for kids. You can also grow frogs or get an ant or worm farm.

Art

Arts and crafts are a great way to keep kids entertained while social distancing. Try these crafty green activities for preschoolers and kids with items you probably already have at home.

  • Paint or Decorate Jars & Cans – Mason jars and tin cans make great vases, pencil holders, and more. Add some color, ribbons, or other fun items to make original creations.
  • Tin Can Stilts – Use tall, sturdy cans and carefully punch holes near the top (with the closed side up). String rope through the holes, making a long loop tall enough to grab onto. Kids can stand on the cans and use the ropes to lift their very own stilts as they walk. You can also decorate the cans as desired.
  • Milk Carton Bird Feeders – Cardboard or plastic milk cartons can both be used to create a hangable bird feeder. Cut out a hole to fill with birdseed, decorate, and hang in your yard.
  • Fairy Houses – Use plastic bottles or cardboard boxes and turn them into fairy houses with a little creative construction. Add flowers, paint, gems, and paper to create small houses fit for a fairy. Place them in your garden or display them inside.
  • Paint Rocks – Smooth rocks can be painted and used as paperweights, garden decorations, or games. Paint several rocks to look like strawberries and place them in your garden to teach birds not to peck at your plants. Or paint them with Xs and Os and play tic tac toe.
  • Learn to Sew – Teach your kids to sew reusable grocery bags or mend clothing.

Outdoor Nature Activities

Just because you’re practicing social distancing doesn’t mean you have to stay cooped up indoors. These outdoor nature activities for kids may be just what you need to stay sane while social distancing.

  • Go for a Walk Nearby– Heading to a local park, or even a walk around your neighborhood, will give everyone in the family enough space to get out any pent-up energy.
  • Bear Hunt – Collaborate with your neighbors and have everyone put a bear in a window or on their porch. Walk around the neighborhood and see how many you can find.
  • Family Olympics – Create a series of games and obstacles in your backyard and have family members participate for awards.
  • Bird watching – See how many different types of birds you can spot from your home, and make it a challenge! You might even make your own bird feeder to put in the front yard to attract more birds!
  • Identify Bugs – Get down on your hands and knees, turn over rocks, and find what insects are at home in your backyard.

Contact Kiwi Energy today for more great ideas and information about going green as a family. Find out how you can save energy, even while social distancing.