For the past few weeks, we’ve been focused on how to send the kids back to school with a fresh, green start. Everything from organic lunches, to organic clothing, to eco-friendly school supplies, we have searched the web to bring you some of the best options. But one thing that we know as parents is that activities with kids are more fun and last longer when they are done in a group. So what kind of group activities could you do to encourage the green movement among your kids’ friends and neighbors?
- Organize a massive recycling effort – Many towns have recycling programs set up. You could encourage your kids and their friends to scour their homes, looking for things that can be recycled. They could have competitions to see who collected the most cans, bottles, or newspapers to bring to the local recycling center. Teams can be organized so that no one is left out and in the end, rewards could be given to the kid who collects the most. See if your local school district has a recycling program or if your child’s teacher will allow an in-class recycling program.
- Have a clothing swap – Instead of buying new clothes and constantly letting old ones clutter up the closet, you should organize a big clothing swap among your friends and neighbors. This is a great way to de-clutter your closets, especially if you have older kids and no younger ones to pass the clothing down to. At the end of the swap, you can donate extra clothing to a local goodwill store.
Image courtesy of Worakit Sirijinda
- Plant trees/bushes– Nothing says you love the environment like planting a tree. Contact your local park and verify their guidelines in planting some trees or bushes; after all, you don’t want to plant a tree just anywhere. This is a great way to get both kids and parents involved in a big project that everyone can be a part of. If you would like to keep the planting close to home, raise seedlings inside using organic soil and plant them in your yard during the fall.
- Organize a walk/run – With fall right around the corner, the weather is turning cooler. It’s the perfect time to walk or run outdoors. Contact local businesses to sponsor the run. Most small businesses won’t say no and will want to pitch in for the event. Contact a charity or hospital nearby and make the whole event a charitable one. This way, you can get some exercise and do something positive for the community or a charity.
- Host an organic potluck – Nothing says organic more than food! Get some neighbors and organize a potluck dinner or lunch featuring just organic recipes. Choose your favorite organic food recipes or experiment with new ones that you have always wanted to try. Create a recipe swap amongst your friends and neighbors. It’ll help build interest among the kids, since they will see how many healthy and tasty options that there actually are.
Image courtesy of Victor Habbick
- Organic NFL Snack Time – If you have little ones that love to watch the big game with dad, organize a local football game with parents and kids. Parents in the neighborhood can host each Sunday a game before the game to keep your kids active. Now that football has started, you will find some great organic, healthy snack foods to take the place of the usual greasy snack foods.
