5 Ways Preschoolers Can Go Green

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When we think about “going green”, most of those tasks are left to adults. We’ve put together a list of 5 ways that your preschooler can Go Green, too!

Recycle

We’ve been recycling on a regular basis for the last five years. Charlie knows that the Recycling Truck comes on Mondays and the Trash Truck comes on Wednesdays.

You can get your preschooler involved in the recycling process by explaining to them what can be recycled and where it goes. While cleaning up around the house, have them help you sort: recycling and trash. Preschoolers love sorting things anyway.

In our area, all of the recyclables go into the same container. Check in your area for recycling solutions. Some will needed to be sorted even further, meaning even more fun for kids.

You can talk to your preschooler about what happens to trash vs. recycling. When I was younger, we took a tour of the local landfill. I need to see if that’s still an option because I know Charlie would love that.

Get Crafty

You all know how much Charlie loves doing crafts. Whenever Charlie finishes using something, anything really, he says, “We can make a craft with this”. Sometimes it’s just not possible, like an empty fruit snack bag he suggested the other day. But, sometimes we do make something from what would normally go in the recycling bin.

This now beautiful vase was a salsa jar!

I have been hoarding all those glass jars that spaghetti sauce, salsa and even baby food came in for months now. I just can’t bear to part with them. We’ve done a few crafts with them, but this vase is by far my favorite right now!

This is a craft that is perfect for Charlie to help with because there’s no way he could mess it up. He kept apologizing for not doing it right, but I reassured him that it was perfect and he was doing a great job!

You’ll need:

• a glass jar (any shape or size will do- totally up to you)
• tissue paper
• Mod Podge
• glitter (optional)
• foam brush

Instructions:

1. Clean your glass jar, but don’t worry if you can’t get all of the sticky residue off.
2. Cut your tissue paper into squares.
3. Place tissue paper onto glass jar and cover with Mod Podge.
4. Repeat until completely covered.
5. Allow to dry.
6. Add a second coat of Mod Podge.
7. Charlie wanted to add glitter to our vase, so we added glitter to our Mod Podge for the second coat.

These will make great gifts for Mother’s Day or birthdays for all the moms and grandmothers in your life!

We also made a planter using an empty milk jug! Of course, we had to decorate it a bit first!

Turn Out the Lights

For the longest time, we left a light on in the bathroom for Charlie. He’s big enough now that he can turn it on and off when he’s not in there. This is a pretty easy way to help your preschooler Go Green!

We make sure there is a stool in the bathroom allowing him to reach the light switch. In his room, he has a bad habit of turning the light on and not turning it off. I could go behind him and turn it off, but we’re working on having him remember to turn it off himself.

Just a simple reminder of of turning off the lights. Parents: lead by example here! If you walk out of a room, turn off the light.

Use Recycled Batteries

In a house with kids, we go through what seems like a ton of batteries! On a recent Walmart run, we had to grab new batteries for all those gizmos and gadgets that require batteries. Right at checkout, there’s the battery center. Perfect! I do not need to run to another end of the store to find what I need!

We grabbed the new Energizer EcoAdvanced batteries. These are the first battery on the market to use recycled batteries/materials! How cool is that?!? Most of our toys that need batteries require AA, but you can find these in AAA, too.

This is yet another way of taking something old and making something new! I explained to Charlie that these batteries were special because they used old batteries and other things that people threw away to make them. What preschooler wouldn’t be impressed with that?

And another reason moms can love them? They’re Energizer’s longest lasting alkaline ever! That means going through less batteries, saving me money and less waste!

You can follow along with Energizer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Use Less Water

If it were up to Charlie, he would use a different cup every time he had a drink during the day. This is a big no-no around here and we’re working to correct that. Have your preschooler pick out a cup that they’ll use all day (assuming they’re not mixing milk and juice or anything like that). If just drinking water, no big deal at all to just use the same cup. Independence is a big thing and allowing him to pick his cup is what will keep this going. Using less cups throughout the day means less dishes to wash later! That’s win-win! Less water usage and less work for mom and dad!

While brushing teeth, remind your preschooler to turn off the water. It may not seem like a big difference, but every bit adds up! Again, lead by example. If they see you brushing your teeth while the water is continuously running, they’re going to do the same thing.

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Check out BringingInnovation.net for more great ways you can Go Green!

How do you help your kids Go Green?