This is a guest post by Melissa Stevens
In these modern times, parents are occupied with endless work-related duties and other activities that you often cannot find enough time to be with your children who have fast become teenagers. When you do grab a chance to spend a day with them, you want to have as much fun as possible. Even better, you can influence their ecological awareness by planning some green fun.
Out-of-City Experiences
Living in the city demands a near constant use of the car, especially when you’re driving teens to school or the mall. However, it is important to stress the importance of walking. Walk with them sometimes to the store or the local park.
Gather your kids, nephews and nieces and take them for a trip into the “wild” so that they are exposed to numerous miracles of nature that urban kids rarely witness. You might teach them how to recognize various trees or spot the difference between bird species. If you made such a trip in every season, your kids could see how the woods change.
What can be more fun than having a picnic in the woods? Bring sandwiches and healthy snacks for enjoying in the fresh air. Afterwards, explore the forest floor, collecting stones to create your own pendant necklaces later on.
Photo: Jim Voorhies/Flickr cc
In-the-City Fun
City living also offers green activities. You could go for a family bike ride, an activity encouraged by many cities with their extensive biking paths. Invest in an eco-friendly bike to make your experience even greener.
Discover your city or town through the eyes of a tourist. Art galleries, museums, historical sites or sports venues can be interesting both for parents and teens. Select interesting, teen-friendly exhibitions and plan for fun breaks at places your kids have shown interest in.
Kids like learning more about their parents, so consider a tour of places or activities you did when you were their age. If you live in or near the same town where you grew up, show them your old school, favorite hangouts or sites of memorable dates. Take your teens to shoot pool (newer generations tend to play it on Facebook) or scout out a pinball machine or roller rink. You can talk to them about your personal growing-up experiences while having great fun with your kids.
DIY Recycling
If you want to raise eco-aware children, introduce them to recycling at an early age — how to properly dispose of household paper, glass and plastic. Teens may be interested in learning how to reuse materials to create new stuff. Got an old cardboard box? Stuff it, seal it, get a nice cloth to lay over it and — voila! — a mini table for your teen’s bedroom. Decorating with eco-friendly habits such as these can be a fun hobby. Who knows? Maybe your teen will get hooked and discover a beautiful world of nature and imagination outside his computers and gadgets.
You can spend quality time with your kids while sharing your life with them and teaching them to respect nature.
About the Author: Melissa Stevens is a healthy and eco-friendly lifestyle enthusiast. The vegetarian mother of one cute boy, Melissa is interested in crafting, housekeeping, travel, green entertaining options and finding practical solutions for a simpler and more convenient life.
