“Green” kindergarten activities
Talking about sustainability with kids is incredibly important to do. However, it can be tricky to know where to start! First, we need to help kids to understand what sustainability is. While a broad concept, sustainability boils down to the understanding of the impact that we have on the earth, and what we leave behind for future generations.
We can teach children through hands-on activities and by involving them in acting sustainably as well!
Below is a list of 8 activities that will teach kids about sustainability.
1. Make recycle bins
Sorting out recyclables is a surprisingly fun project for young learners and it is an incredibly easy hands-on activity that your students can practice daily. You can do this activity by buying four or so different coloured bins, and labelling each one for a specific category. You can then let students decorate the bins with pictures of what should go in each one, for example, paper, plastic, cans, etc., depending on how the recycling is sorted in your area. The last step towards this activity would be to put their well-made project to use of course! By giving your students some items to practice their sorting skills with they’ll be sure to become eco-pros in no time!
2. Plant a garden
Giving back to the environment in its purest form! Gardening is a great way to engage students with the outside world, as well as teach them the importance of giving back to the environment. If you’re looking to begin this project, but aren’t exactly sure where to start, you might want to consider looking at some plants that would show quick results such as beans and peas. These sprout quickly, giving kids gratification for their hard work almost instantly. Sunflowers are a good choice for a flower garden, and as a bonus, their size makes them extra exciting for children! There are so many benefits to gardening with your students, and there’s always a way to do so!
3. Reuse items for crafts
We are all very familiar with the famous “DIY” tips and crafts, and many of us don’t often shy away from an opportunity to repurpose or upcycle our beloved belongings. So why not teach the kids in your classroom how to make a spectacular project out of something as seemingly insignificant as an empty bottle? These crafts cost almost nothing to make and your students can use materials from around their house or even school, like oatmeal containers, toilet paper rolls, aluminium cans, and more! The benefits don’t end here though, recycled crafts for kids can be a valuable tool, serving both entertainment and distraction.
4. Build a bird feeder
There's something magical about watching birds perch where you can see their vibrant colours up close, so why not welcome them with a DIY bird feeder? Whether students gather wood, or plastic bottles or use other items on hand, there's a simple, cheap way to make them into a feeding spot for our feathered friends. All they’ll need for this project is an empty container, some birdseed, and string. It’s as simple as attaching the string to the container and filling it up with birdseed, and voila! The project would be ready. Students can then see their creations being put to good use while doing some bird watching.
5. Read books about the earth
Children’s books on animals and nature are a great way to introduce kids to concepts such as environmental awareness and the impact that human behaviour can have on the natural world. Plus, kids’ books are fun with beautiful illustrations and whimsical words. To that end, here’s a look at our five favourite animal and nature books for kids.
• The Lorax by Dr Seuss
• Compost Stew: An A-to-Z Recipe for the Earth by Mary Mckenna Siddals
• 10 Things I Can Do to Help My World by Melanie Walsh
• My Friend Earth by Patricia MacLachlan
• Michael Recycle by Ellie Bethel.
These books are fun to read and would surely make a great impact on students during story time!
6. Make a compost bottle
Caution! Mother nature is at work. The Soda Bottle Compost experiment is a great way for kids to see composting in action. This simple kids’ science activity only requires an empty 2-litre soda bottle and some organic waste to teach kids how compost is made. The clear soda bottle is perfect for keeping an eye on the changes that are happening within the compost, and it’s a great way to recycle something that would have otherwise ended up in the bin.
7. Make a worm farm
They might wriggle and squirm, and they look a little bit slimy but they sure are amazing for our environment. So why should you encourage children to get their hands on worms? Well, the humble earthworm is a good example of how something small and seemingly insignificant can have a big role to play when it comes to protecting our natural environment and helping it thrive. Worms are fantastic natural recyclers that can convert food scraps from the kitchen into compost for the garden. All you’ll need for this project is a plastic bin, soil, water, newspaper, organic waste (excluding bones, oil and dairy products) and of course - worms! Once the project has been set up, it would surely be beneficial for gardening purposes and feeding the worms would be a really fun activity for kids, don’t you think?
8. Make a mini greenhouse
With this project, each student would have a chance to make their little greenhouses individually! Starting seeds and maintaining a warm environment with sufficient humidity isn’t always easy, so that’s when a mini-indoor greenhouse garden is called for. All that your students will need for this project is a clear plastic container with a cover, potting soil, seeds and a bit of water and they’ll be ready to go! They can start by filling their containers with soil and a bit of water, then add the seed at a finger-length depth and close the lid so that the magic can begin!
