Children are reminders of our best and worst habits. For example, I can't stand it when I see anyone throw garbage on the road, in a park or anywhere but in a proper disposal bin. So I've probably made a few public scenes just by politely picking up someone else's mess. Kids can point out our worst habits. And taking that in mind we can actually teach them to value nature and work together in making the world a cleaner and safer place. Tell them and practice them yourself too to turn off the lights, computers, and air-conditioners when they are not in use. Other suggestions might take more effort, like cleaning and greening a neighborhood park or organizing a school car pool to save energy and reduce air pollution. These initiatives might take more time but they can also bring the added benefit of building a stranger community of friends.
Encourage questions about nature. Kids love to learn about plants, birds, bugs and trees. But parents can squash this inherent enthusiasm, instead of allowing children to enjoy and appreciate nature. This is an early mistake that can influence a child’s attitude toward the environment and lead to a deteriorating sense of responsibility for it. Exploring gardens, parks and science museums or by travelling around animal reserves will help them to recognize and understand its importance.
If you are out shopping together, show the kids that you can bring cloth bags from home instead of accepting plastic or paper ones from stores. Point out and buy products that have less packaging (or have materials that can be reused). Use less water. Show the kids how they can wash dishes without filling the whole sink. Tell them not to leave taps running. If they are helping to wash steps, terraces, driveways or floors, suggest that a washing bucket might do the trick. Try a bucket bath instead of long showers, or maybe just turn off the taps while washing hair or brushing teeth, for example.
Encourage the kids not to buy water in plastic bottles, but to instead use thermoses or reusable sports bottles to carry drinks to school or activities. Talk to your older kids about reducing their reliance on cars for transportation. Encourage walking, riding bikes or using public transport when possible. Car pools to school are another great idea to cut down on air pollution and energy waste. Use the other, blank sides of printed papers when possible, for rough drafts of schoolwork or drawings. Talk to your kids about getting their school involved in reusing paper, books and other supplies. Show your kids recycled products (like books and picture frames made from used paper or cloth, now available in many nice shops) and encourage them to consider using them or buying them as gifts.
If you have or know a spot where some trees can be planted, then this can be a fun and worthwhile activity to do as a family. Clean up a park, playground, beach, riverbank or any place that you like to spend time with your kids.