Sustainability might seem like a big concept for kids, but we can still teach them about it from an early age. In this blog, we break down how you can teach kids to be sustainable in two key areas: fun, hands-on activities you can do with your kids, and how you can support their curiosity and learning.
Activities that facilitate sustainable habits
Enjoy nature with your kids
Helping kids foster a connection with nature will naturally help them want to be more sustainable. Whether it’s a walk through the woods, a trip to the park, or simply playing in the backyard, spending time outside allows children to appreciate the beauty of the natural world.
Help them observe the plants, animals, and trees around them, and talk about how important these elements are to the planet’s health. Little tidbits like, "These trees are so important because they give us oxygen" or "Birds help spread seeds to help new plants grow" will help them build a sense of awe and respect for the environment.
Sustainability habits to practice home
One of the best ways to teach your kids about sustainability is by getting them involved in daily tasks. Here are some things you can do with your children at home if you haven’t already:
Compost food waste: Instead of letting food waste go to landfill where they produce greenhouse gas emissions, compost them at home instead. If you don’t know how to start, read our guide on how you can start and the composting method that suits your household best.
Recycle right at home: Make sure you’re reading the bin guide for your specific local council to ensure that you’re recycling right at home and relaying the correct information to your children. Avoid making common recycling mistakes to help improve recycling rates.
Recycle beyond the household bins: Utilise specific recycling programs for items that can’t be recycled in your household bin like batteries. Involve your children in drop-offs or pick-ups for these items to help them learn that they can always do more to help the environment. Here’s our guide to help you with recycling hard-to-recycle items.
Make a recycling station: To help facilitate the above two points, you can even involve your children in making a special place to sort and store recycling. Get kids involved in making labels for each recycling bin and make sorting recycling into a game.
Start a vegetable or herb garden: Kids love the process of planting seeds, watching them grow, and eventually harvesting the fruits (or veggies) of their labour. This not only teaches them about the importance of growing food sustainably but also how sustainability can be rewarding.
Image: Child helping to sort waste
Other fun activities to do with your kids
There are plenty of engaging games, crafts, and activities you can do with your kids that focus on the environment. Whether it’s during the weekends, after school or during school holidays, here are some of our recommendations:
Visit farmer markets
Read fun and engaging books
Collect bottles and cans for container return deposit program
Participate in nature scavenger hunts
Participate in waste pick-up and clean ups
Plant a tree, produce or other plants together
Repair clothes and toys together
Participate in book or toy swaps
Supporting your child’s learning and curiosity
While hands-on activities are essential for teaching kids about sustainability, it’s equally important to support and nurture their growing interest in the environment. Here's some tips from us:
Simplify concepts and make them age appropriate
Sustainability can be a big concept for young minds, so it’s essential to break it down into manageable, age-appropriate pieces.
Focus on simple actions like reducing waste, conserving energy, and protecting wildlife.
Use relatable language, like explaining the importance of recycling with phrases like, “We recycle so we don’t waste things, and they can be turned into something new!”
Keep the conversation light and positive, and remember to adjust the complexity of your explanations as your child grows older and their understanding deepens.
Model sustainability in your everyday life
Children learn best by observing the adults around them, so make sure you are setting a positive example when it comes to sustainability.
If you’re using a reusable water bottle, explain how it helps reduce plastic waste.
If you compost at home, talk about how it benefits the soil and reduces landfill waste.
When you practice sustainable habits yourself, your child will see how easy and impactful these small actions can be and will be more likely to adopt them.
Focus on progress not perfection
Sustainability is a journey, and it’s important to show your child that small, consistent steps lead to meaningful change. Instead of focusing on doing everything perfectly, celebrate progress. If they remember to turn off the lights when they leave a room or use reusable bags at the store, praise those efforts.
Empower your kids to be sustainable
Building sustainable habits doesn't happen overnight. Enjoy spending time with your children and we hope this blog has given you some practical pointers on empowering your children with sustainable habits.