A German theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, is credited with first saying,
“The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children.”
And as our climate continues to change our planet, it can feel overwhelming to think about how to help—how to provide a healthy planet to our kids while so little progress is being made. And, it can be hard to know how to support young children as they grow in awareness of this climate crisis context.
Frustrated and uncertain though we may be, parents can help the cause every day. Each night, we all tuck in future protectors of the planet—the next Greta Thunbergs. And, each day, we can make a real impact by nurturing their potential. In lots of little but profound ways, we can help our kids develop a foundation in environmental stewardship, doing our part of growing a generation that will be empowered to fight for their planet.
Research tells us that this is not hard, and we play a key role in making it happen. For example, one study examined the lives of the most famous conservationists of all time. The analysis revealed key, shared patterns in their childhoods. They all: spent considerable time interacting with nature; had an attachment to a familiar, natural place; and benefitted from the modeling and influence of a family member. We can be that family member and provide our kids the same opportunities.
If we want children to flourish, to become truly empowered, then let us allow them to love the Earth before we ask them to save it.
— David SobelPassion is lifted from the earth itself by the muddy hands of the young; it travels along grass-stained sleeves to the heart. If we are going to save environmentalism and the environment, we must also save an endangered indicator species: the child in nature.
— Richard Louv
In short, our work is to make sure our kids can fall in love with their planet. All the while, we’ll deepen our love for it too. Now that is a gratifying way to fight for the Earth!
Here are 9 of our favorite, easy ways to get started with kids ages 1-8. For future activists at or under 2 years old, we invite them to join us, but let them explore alongside as they choose. You’re modeling great ways to connect. As a result, your wee ones are connecting as well, whether or not they join in each activity fully:
Cut out plastic
Much of the plastic we use and throw away ends up in our oceans, and animals like sea turtles can mistake the plastic for food get entangled in it. We can each help by finding ways to use less or even no plastic at home! Check out our Cut Out Plastic DIY Activity for ways that kids can really help!
One bag of trash
Wonder with kids, What would happen if every person picked up just one bag of trash? Then decide to find out! Enjoy these tips for picking up trash with little kids in tow, and join in the earth-loving, gratifying fun! Engage your circle of family and friends, too. Check out our One Bag of Trash DIY activity for tips and ideas.
Get inspired by young activists around the globe.
Watch Greta Thunberg's recent testimony to US Congress and feel energized by her story and tireless fight to get adults to listen to scientists and take action. Remember that, as parents and teachers of younger children, we have a wonderful chance to teach our young ones to LOVE their planet—the roots of all lifelong stewardship. If we succeed, they'll be ready to follow up and join the young people, like Greta, who are bravely taking charge of this issue and their futures.
Find an extra 10-15 minutes just to be outside every day that you can.
To us, “nature” is anywhere with earth, sky, and other living things. Get somewhere ten minutes early and hang outside before whatever you are supposed to do begins. Use as many senses as you can to notice and connect to what is around you. Close your eyes, breathe deep and feel the impact.
Leave as little trace as you can, and share your process with kids.
When you play, snack or spend time outdoors together, be thoughtful about the impact you make and take time at the end to clean up together. As you do, mention that you want to leave the natural space just like you found it—or as close as you can. Kids do need to make some impact on natural spaces in order to sense them, know them and fall in love with them. So, having a few easy rules that allow you walk this line can really help. Check out our Leave a Little Trace for some of our favorite ways to strike that balance.
Take off your shoes and walk barefoot.
Going barefoot in the grass, sand or, better yet, a little patch of mud. There’s no better way to feel grounded and close to the Earth. Read more about the many benefits of being barefoot.
Focus on the little things.
Get down on the ground and look closely at a single square foot of Earth. Marvel at what is growing, crawling and hiding in even the tiniest portion of our planet. Use all of your senses to explore a snowflake, a blade of grass or a piece of bark—whatever nature provides where you are. To a child, a small scale is accessible and still thrilling (and still can be for us big kids too).
Pretend to be some of the animals you see.
Scurry like squirrels. Fly like sparrows. Hop like bullfrogs. When children use their imaginations to “become” another creature, they develop lasting empathy and love for that creature—love that can extend to all creatures. Try out a lesson of our Tinkergarten Anywhere series. In each lesson we learn about, move like and pretend to be a different creature, learning about their remarkable superpowers as we play.
Befriend a tree.
Trees hold great meaning in human’s lives and give us a sense of place. Find a tree to love in your yard or park. Give it a name based on its best features (We still treasure our “lumpy bumpy tree”). Get to know it as you feel its bark, lay in its shade, and climb on its limbs. Collect its fallen fruits, leaves and sticks, and see what you can make out of them. Thank the tree for the raw materials, as you show her what you’ve made with her loose parts. Want more ideas? Check out our Befriend a Tree DIY activity.
Party like wild things!
Read Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are, make your own nature crowns and throw a wild rumpus fit for Max and his friends.
Focus on Gratitude
Give thanks or make wishes for the trees, the birds, the water in a pond—whatever your kids notice and treasure about your outdoor space. Genuine gratitude when cultivated and practiced regularly over time translates into happier kids and a lifelong calling to protect our planet. Want a list of ways to show gratitude for nature, try our Grateful for Earth DIY activity.
