Raising Eco-Conscious Kids: Practical Ideas for Busy Families

I am one of those people who rinse out bread bags and hang them from the cupboard door handles so I can reuse them later. I procrastinate, but eventually rinse out the empty peanut butter jar, and our recycling bin is mostly a kid’s craft supply box that migrates throughout the house.

Like most families, we care about the planet. Like most families, we are busy, and the tasks of daily life can feel like a whirlwind. I get that the idea of living sustainably and teaching it to our kids to do the same can feel like one more task on a list of way too many.

The thing is, though, that you don’t have to be perfect to make a difference. Small changes, especially the ones your kids can participate in, really do add up to a lower environmental impact. Here are things I’ve learned that have helped me create a more sustainable household and an eco-conscious kid.

Make sustainability a small part of daily life.

The easiest way to teach your kids about sustainability and their environmental impact is to weave it into what you’re already doing. Don’t make it another project; build it into your family rhythm.

Recycling

Teach your kids what gets recycled and what gets thrown in the trash. Kids might have fun playing the WasteWise game on the City of Edmonton’s WasteWise app. It shows them what can go into the blue bag, what gets composted and what needs to go to the eco station.

Reusing

Unfortunately, a lot of stuff we ‘recycle’ still ends up in the landfill, so in my house we are big on reusing. Hence, the rinsing out of bread bags. But you can teach kids to reuse things, too. For example, they can turn a mismatched sock into a puppet or cereal boxes into a robot costume. We use old jars and containers as pencil holders, vases and LEGO sorters.

Fix it, don’t toss it.

To the best of my limited abilities, I will usually try to fix something before replacing it. For example, I’ll mend a ripped jacket, superglue a Hot Wheels track, and recently replaced broken parts on my dishwasher’s upper rack. My son sees me doing this and the hope is that he grows to model the behaviour.

Shop smarter, and not always newer.

Supporting the circular economy is one of the easiest ways to reduce waste sent to landfills. This is especially true of clothing. Shopping second-hand is a bit more work, but it will save you money and help the planet.

Before I buy something new for my son, like clothing, jackets or boots, we check out thrift stores and consignment stores. I like to shop at Once Upon a Child, as they only accept items that are gently used.  I’ve also had success finding quality items on Facebook Marketplace. Otherwise, head to Goodwill and start combing through those clothing racks!

You can also set up a clothing swap or connect with other families for ongoing hand-me-downs. This is very helpful, especially with younger children. Once you’re done with clothes, toys and books, pass them along so they can be used again.

Reduce food waste, together.

Food waste is also a problem. Not only is it bad for the environment, but everyone hates throwing out food they paid good money for. Here are some ideas to help your family reduce food waste.  

Plan a few “use-it-up” meals before grocery shopping. This ensures any vegetables on their last legs are cooked and eaten before they go into the compost. It also helps you use up whatever lurks in the back of your pantry.

Involve your kids in meal planning and brainstorm fun ideas for leftovers. That could include packing their favourites for school lunch or turning the ripe fruit into snack smoothies.

Store food smartly so you can eat it later. Label leftovers, get those extra portions in the freezer ASAP and keep track of those best-before dates.

When food goes bad, put it in the compost. The City of Edmonton’s composting program helps keep organics out of the landfill and provides residents with free garden compost each spring.

Connect kids to nature and they’ll learn to care for it.  

Environmental awareness grows naturally through time spent outdoors. When people connect with nature, they’re more inclined to care for it. The same goes for children.  Plus, spending time outdoors is good for our mental and physical health.

You can have simple outdoor experiences like going for neighbourhood walks, exploring the river valley or doing activities outside like ice skating or tobogganing. You can also foster connections to nature through the city’s outdoor adventure programs or programs offered at the John Janzen Nature Centre.

When I’m outside with my son, I encourage observing the details in nature that bring a deeper connection. Listening to birds singing, identifying trees by leaves and bark, studying the remains of a beaver-chewed stump, or a freshly fallen snowflake are things you can do with your kids to help foster connections with nature.

Make it fun and empowering.

Creating good eco-habits with your kids should feel fun, not like a chore or punishment. When sustainability feels fun and rewarding and gives them a sense of responsibility, they’re more likely to stick to it.

For example, you can find things around the house that are ready to be recycled or thrown out and do an eco-themed craft like making bird feeders out of milk cartons. Kids love the hands-on aspect.

Make those eco-friendly decisions fun for them, too. For example, ask them what you can bake together with the overripe bananas or if they’d rather bike or bus to the library.  Kids love being asked for input, and those little conversations can give them a sense of ownership and pride.

You can teach impact without being perfect.

As parents, we already know that perfection is wildly overrated. Sustainability is no different. The goal isn’t to do everything right; it’s to build on small changes and teach our kids why they matter.

You can lead by example. When they see you make environmentally mindful choices, they’ll start to connect the dots and see how our actions impact the world around us. Intentionally show them when you buy a product solely because it has less packaging, or try to fix something instead of throwing it out. Those are simple, teachable moments.

In our house, I can see these simple lessons sinking in. My son picks up litter on walks, constantly uses recyclables to make crafts, and asks to spend his own money at the thrift store. He is curious and comfortable in nature, and I love watching him connect with the outdoors.

I think that simple, earth-friendly practices, intentionally teaching environmental awareness, and a love for the natural world can help us raise eco-conscious kids who will make lasting change.