116 HAWAII PARENT January/February 2025 Encourage the use of environmentally friendly products and discourage single-use plastics. them compassion and the importance of reducing the amount of trash that ends up in the local landfill. Another fun and educational activity is to have the kids brainstorm ways to re-use household items instead of throwing them in the garbage. Instead of discarding a metal can, could it be repurposed as a pen and pencil holder? Sustainable Grocery Shopping For many families, the weekend is the time for grocery shopping for the upcoming week. Encourage the kids to join you and ask them to pack reusable shopping and produce bags to save on plastic and other non-biodegradable materials. While at the supermarket or farmer’s market, have them select loose fruits and vegetables instead of those pre-packaged and wrapped in plastic. When going for a hike in a nature preserve, explain the importance of staying on the trails and not disturbing the fauna or wildlife. If you’re having a picnic at the park, encourage them to clean up and not leave behind any trash that could endanger birds and other wildlife. If you have outside space, have the kids plant a small garden or fill planters using composted food scraps to enrich the soil. You can also have them help you set up a rain barrel so that they can water their garden or planters with the rainwater that they’ve collected. Perhaps take the kids to local shelters and charitable organizations to donate furniture, other household items, clothes, and toys that aren’t broken but that your family doesn’t need anymore. Have the kids decide which things to donate: it’ll teach “Explain the importance of staying on the trails and not disturbing the fauna or wildlife.”
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