I love the song The Three R’s by Jack Johnson from the Curious George CD. Of course, the three R’s refer to reduce, reuse, and recycle. This is a great message to remember and song to sing as we approach Earth Day this month.

Looking for ways to celebrate the Earth with your kids? Check out these fun and easy ideas:

1. If you don’t already have a bird feeder, purchase an inexpensive one, fill it with seeds, and watch the birds flock to your yard. It will be fun to see the birds eat their snacks and learn about the wildlife in your area.
2. Plant a tree in your yard or a row of tulip bulbs that will bloom each spring.
3. Clean up your neighborhood or a local park. Grab a trash bag and a pair of gloves, and go out on a trash hunt. You may want to organize this activity with other families in your neighborhood.
4. Visit an elderly neighbor’s home, and volunteer to pull weeds, cut the grass, and water the lawn.
5. Plant a selection of herbs in pots to place in your windowsill, and let your kids water and prune them. If you need one of the herbs when you are cooking, ask the kids to cut a few leaves to use. During the meal, ask your kids if they can taste what they have grown.
6. Give examples of types of materials that can or cannot be recycled. Test your kids’ recycling I.Q. by having them pick out what is and what is not recyclable.
7. Have a fun day in the dirt by letting your kids dig for worms. See what else they can unearth during their dig.
8. If it happens to be raining, head outdoors sans umbrella and delight in the rain. Discuss the water cycle and why rain is such a good thing for the Earth.
9. Do your kids help clean the house?  Use all natural cleaners, like lemons, to make your own squeaky clean housecleaner.  Smells fresh!
10. See who can take the fastest shower or use the least amount of bath water to get clean!  Water savings!  Better yet, track all of the water that you use in a given day and compare with one another.  How can you improve?

Earth Day is a time to come together, celebrate our great planet, and discuss how we can take care of her for generations to come. Enjoy bringing the day alive for your kids through simple activities and discussion.

By Lisa Kothari, Peppers and Pollywogs