Green Summer Family Activities

Summertime can often stretch on seemingly forever for parents with children at home all day. But, this is the perfect time to have fun with the whole family while staying green. Take advantage of the warm weather to foster family closeness and learn about the environment.


Summer is the best time to get outdoors and get moving. Simple activities are often the most entertaining and educational. Here are just a few ideas to get your family thinking about being greener this summer! 1. Alternative transportation Ride a bike to the store to run errands or to go to the local park for a picnic. Use a car as little as possible in order to keep down emissions. Find out the local public transportation routes and learn with your children where you can go on the bus or train. 2. Learn about your own neighborhood Go for walks together and make lists of the animals and plants that you find that are indigenous to your area. 3. Make car washing a family activity But, make sure to use buckets filled with soapy water to do the washing. By running a hose while washing a car, 10 or more gallons of water are wasted every minute. 4. Water plants and lawns in the evening This is to avoid losing moisture to evaporation. Running through the hose or sprinkler in the twilight is a great way to wind up a long, hot day. 5. Make homemade soap bubbles See who can think of the most creative way to make bubble wands. Mix together 1 tablespoon of glycerin, 1 cup of natural liquid soap and 1 gallon of water to make the solution. Use pipe cleaners, old fly swatters and wire coat hangers to fashion the wands. 6. Toothbrush bracelets Don't thrown away old toothbrushes. Instead, remove the bristles and boil the handles for about 5 minutes until they are pliable. Coil them around a drinking glass or other round object and allow them to cool. You will have instant, recycled bracelets. The children can make them for their friends to show how recycling can be fun. 7. Build a bird or bat house Watch to see who moves in. The birds and bats will help keep down the insect population in your yard during the summer - including the mosquitoes! 8. Reuse tableware If you have a party, make sure you use reusable non-breakable dishes rather than disposable paper ones. 9. Plant seeds in clear glass jars The whole family can watch as the seed sends out its roots as it grows. 10. Get active Play basketball, football and baseball. 11. Watch what insects are doing through a magnifying glass Keep a journal of all that you see. Read and research together to learn about the role insects play in the environment. Afterwards see which activities you can observe them doing in your garden or park. 12. Recycle egg cartons Cut apart, fill with birdseed and hang from trees. Watch and see which birds will arrive for their feast. These are just a few ways to keep the family busy and playing together over the summer months. With a little imagination and creativity there are unlimited things to do together that will not negatively impact the world around us. We can all cut down on pollution by choosing to take advantage of natural options available to us.