Adopt a Tree

While taking a walk or hiking, have your child pick out a favourite tree in a park or forest and 'adopt' it. Essentially, your child will take on the role of being the tree's caretaker. Do bark rubbings with crayons and paper; leaf collection and pressing in the fall; and look for flowers and fruit in the summer. Each year, take pictures of you child standing beside the tree. You can even bring along a measuring tape to track the tree's growth. Kids can also research the tree on the internet: where the tree is commonly found, usual life span, height, etc.

Keep a Wildlife Journal

Have your child make daily notes of all the wildlife living in your neighborhood. They can even take photos, or draw pictures, and write down the times of sighting, habitats and behavioral patterns. It is amazing how many different species are living in your own backyard! Some examples are: racoons, squirrels, birds, frogs, ants, crickets, etc.

Clean Up the Earth

A good way to teach our children about taking care of our planet, and get some exercise at the same time, is to take bags with you when you go for a walk. While doing so, "clean up" along the way. You can pick up stray bottles, newspapers and discarded food containers. You can organize an "Environment Club" in the neighborhood or through your child's school. Make it a contest to see who can get the most items. Choose different paths on different days to clean up a wide area. Use the time to talk to your children about recycling and reducing waste.  (Kids can wear rubber gloves or bring a pointed stick if they don't want to touch any garbage.)

Environmental education for kids is more important than ever. Teaching your kids to care for the planet will bring you closer together and will give them life skills they can pass on to others. Look online for more environmental kids activities that teach kids to be 'green'. More schools are incorporating eco friendly policies into their programs, but when it comes to being green - there is no place like home.

Stephanie Browning is a conservationist and environmental educator. More information can be found at http://www.PlanetEcoChick.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephanie_Browning