Jenny Ringland, co-founder of Green + Simple, shares her tips on how to inspire your kids to care for the planet.
Inspiring and educating kids on why and how to be kind to the planet doesn’t have to be complicated. Shared experiences and everyday references, although simple, can be powerful enough to help them gain an in-depth understanding of the world around them and to help inspire change. Like most things to do with kids, getting them involved is the best way for them to learn. Whether it’s getting their hands dirty in the veggie garden, knowing to turn off the tap once they’ve finished brushing their teeth or encouraging them to chat to our local farmers’ market stall holder, we’ve collated our favourite tips on how to inspire the next generation to care for the world around them.
Explore your neighbourhood
A simple walk around the block, or to your neighbourhood park is one of the best ways to educate little ones about the environment. Talk about the plants and (if you’re lucky) the animals you see along the way. Pick up any rubbish you might come across and explain why it’s important to make sure it gets into the right bin. If they’re older, you can ask them if they think the items can be recycled. I also encourage my girls to touch plants, to feel the texture of the trunk of a tree or to notice how spongey the lawn is of our neighbour’s garden.
Grow something
Growing a plant, whether it’s an indoor succulent, a box of herbs on a window sill or an entire veggie patch is a great way to engage kids. Get them involved from the start by choosing seedlings then, show them how to plant and water them. And in the case of herbs and veggies, pick them then head to the kitchen to cook something together. Without realising it, they’ve actually experienced the entire farm-to-table lifecycle in their own backyard.