Summer is a time for fun, relaxation, and spending time with family and friends. However, it is also important to consider the impact that our activities can have on the environment.
Ditch the glitter and toxic paints, there are many eco-friendly activities that kids can enjoy during the summer months. Let’s have a look at a few ideas, hopefully, there will be a few that you do with your kids this summer.
Eco-friendly summer activities for kids
Nature walks and hikes
Exploring the great outdoors is a great way to connect with nature and learn about the environment. Take a walk or hike in a nearby park or nature reserve and take the time to observe the plants, animals, and natural beauty around you.
Beach cleanups
Spend a day at the beach, but instead of just lounging around, organize a beach cleanup. Bring reusable bags and gloves and pick up any trash that you find. This is a great way to teach kids about the importance of keeping our oceans and beaches clean.
Plant a garden
Planting a garden is a great way to teach kids about the importance of sustainable living. They can learn about the process of growing food, how to compost, and the benefits of eating fresh, locally-grown produce.
Make play dough
Making your own play dough is not only a fun activity that the kids will love but the play dough won’t have any nasty ingredients in there! You could then head out into nature and find some nuts and leaves to use as stamps. Here’s our go-to play dough recipe.
Water play
Cooling off in the summer heat is a must, but instead of using water balloons or disposable plastic water guns, opt for eco-friendly water activities such as using water sprinklers or playing with tubs filled with water and cups.
DIY crafts
Encourage creativity and sustainability by making DIY crafts with recycled or upcycled materials. There are endless possibilities, from making birdhouses out of milk cartons to creating jewelry from old t-shirts.
Picnics
Instead of eating out or using disposable picnic supplies, plan a picnic using reusable containers and utensils. This is a great opportunity to enjoy nature and each other’s company while minimizing waste.
Community service
Get involved in your local community by volunteering for a cause related to the environment. This could be cleaning up a park, planting trees, or participating in a local recycling program.
DIY bird feeders
Encourage your kids to create bird feeders from recycled materials, such as cardboard or plastic bottles, and fill them with birdseed. Hang the bird feeders outside and enjoy watching the birds come to eat.
Outdoor yoga
Find a quiet spot in nature and practice some yoga poses with your kids. This is a great way to connect with nature and improve physical health.
Nature scavenger hunt
Create a list of items for your kids to find in nature, such as different types of leaves, rocks, and flowers. This is a fun and educational way to explore the outdoors.
DIY soap making
Make your own eco-friendly soap using natural ingredients, such as coconut oil and essential oils. This fun and creative activity teaches kids about the benefits of natural products.
Water conservation challenge
Teach your kids the importance of water conservation by challenging them to use less water in their daily activities, such as taking shorter showers or turning off the faucet while brushing their teeth.
Solar oven cooking
Build a solar oven with your kids using cardboard, aluminium foil, and glass. Use it to cook simple snacks such as s’mores or dehydrate some fruit.
Nature art
Collect natural materials such as leaves, flowers, and sticks, and use them to create art projects such as leaf rubbings or flower collages. This is a great way to appreciate the beauty of nature and encourage creativity.
Nature Collage
Take a walk in nature and gather various materials such as leaves, flowers, sticks, and rocks. Use them to create a beautiful collage by arranging them on paper or canvas.
Leaf Rubbing
Collect different types of leaves and place them under a sheet of paper. Use a crayon or pencil to gently rub over the paper, revealing the texture and shape of the leaves.
Mud Painting
Find a patch of mud and let your creativity run wild! Use sticks or your hands to create beautiful patterns and designs in the mud.
Nature Weaving
Collect long blades of grass or thin sticks and weave them together to create a unique and natural work of art. Use different colors of grass or sticks to create patterns and designs.
Make homemade popsicles
Use fresh fruit and natural sweeteners (such as honey and maple syrup) to make your own popsicles. Not only is it a healthier alternative to store-bought popsicles, but it’s also a fun activity for kids to get involved in.
Visit a farmer’s market
Take your kids to a local farmer’s market to buy fresh produce and learn about the importance of supporting local agriculture.
Build a birdhouse
Use natural materials to build a birdhouse and teach your kids about the importance of providing habitats for wildlife.
Make a Bug House
Collect various sticks and other items from nature to build your very own bug house.
Have a nature-themed craft day
Use natural materials such as leaves, flowers, and twigs to create art projects such as leaf rubbings or flower pressing.
Attend a community cleanup event
Look for local cleanup events in your community and participate with your kids to help keep your environment clean and healthy.
Make your own natural sunscreen
Use natural ingredients such as zinc oxide and coconut oil to make your own natural sunscreen. It’s a fun and eco-friendly alternative to store-bought sunscreens. We’ve used this sunscreen recipe, its easy and effective!
Go on a bike ride
Instead of driving, take a bike ride with your kids to a nearby park or nature trail. Not only is it a fun activity, but it’s also a sustainable mode of transportation.
Have a moonlight picnic
Why not enjoy the warm evenings by having supper outside under the moon? You can do this throughout the month and learn about the phases of the moon whilst you’re there.
Hit the beach
This one is simple but make the effort to get to the beach more often! Or to your nearest swimming hole. Not only is great to practice swimming skills but there are endless possibilities for nature and water play!
Host an outdoor movie night
If you have a projector and wall, then invite friends over for a movie and make some popcorn together. The kids will love it but it’s also a good opportunity for the parents to have some time to socialise too.
Go star gazing
If you’re in the city then drive out to a place that has fewer lights and look up at the stars. Make sure you download a star-finding app and learn about the stars and planets you can see.
Go fishing
Not only is fishing a great opportunity to spend time together but it’s also a good survival skill! Learning to catch your own fish is a great life skill to have and might even encourage your child to embrace fish as a food.
That’s a wrap on eco-friendly activities for kids
These are just a few ideas for eco-friendly summer activities for kids. By incorporating these activities into your summer plans, you can help teach kids about the importance of sustainability and taking care of the environment, all while having fun and creating memories!