In this article I’m going to talk you through 35 fantastic eco-friendly activities for you to try as a family. Each one is a great way to become more eco-aware and live in line with your values.
These fun activities will help you embrace a more wholesome and thoughtful way of living, which is what I stand for!
What It Means to Be An Eco-Friendly Family
Becoming an eco-friendly family involves a holistic approach to life, where every decision is made with mindfulness of its impact on the natural environment. Integrating these practices into our daily allows us to create a legacy of environmental responsibility and healthful living.
Through these efforts, we model for our children how to live in harmony with the world, ensuring a brighter, more sustainable future for all.
Embracing eco-friendly living as a family means weaving sustainable changes into your everyday activities. It’s about more than just lowering your carbon emissions. It’s also about nurturing a deep respect for our natural environment and understanding the ripple effect of our daily lives on the planet.
By adopting the simplest ways to be more conscious of our consumption and waste, we teach our children the value of stewardship for the Earth.
Small changes in how we live, play, and work can significantly benefit human health and the world around us.
Whether it’s choosing non-toxic home products, engaging in outdoor activities that build a connection with nature, or supporting local eco-initiatives, every action contributes to a larger movement towards sustainability.
We need to make intentional choices that enhance our well-being and safeguard the environment for future generations.
Indoor Eco-Friendly Activities
1. Create Indoor Herb Gardens
Start by selecting a sunny windowsill and gather small pots or repurposed containers. Fill them with potting soil and plant seeds or starter plants of your favorite herbs like basil, mint, or parsley. Water them regularly and watch your indoor herb gardens thrive. It’s a simple way to teach kids about plant growth and the joy of cooking with home-grown ingredients.
2. Plastic Bottle Recycling Craft
Collect plastic bottles and turn them into creative projects under adult supervision. With some scissors, paint, and imagination, transform them into planters, pencil holders, or decorative art pieces. This fun activity not only recycles but also sparks creativity.
3. DIY Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Mix simple ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon to create effective, non-toxic cleaning solutions. Involve the whole family in making these concoctions, demonstrating simple ways to avoid harsh chemicals and reduce plastic packaging waste.
4. Upcycle Old Clothes into Reusable Bags
With basic sewing skills and adult supervision, transform old t-shirts or fabrics into reusable shopping or produce bags. It’s a practical craft that reduces the need for single-use plastic bags and gives old textiles a new purpose.
5. Start a Seed Swap
Organize a seed swap event with friends and family. Collect seeds from your indoor herb gardens or leftover packets, and exchange them. It’s a great way to diversify your garden and share resources within your community.
6. Build a Terrarium
Creating a terrarium is a fantastic way to bring a little piece of nature indoors and teach your family to observe the minute and incredible details in nature. Use a clear glass jar, vase, or bowl and layer it with rocks, activated charcoal, soil, and small plants or moss.
Once set up, this mini-ecosystem is easy to maintain and will teach kids about the water cycle and plant care.
7. Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapping Session
Gather old newspapers, magazines, and fabric scraps to use as gift wrap. Get creative with natural twine, leaves, and flowers for decoration. This fun activity encourages your kids to reuse materials and adds a personal touch to gift-giving, reducing the need for new wrapping paper.
Outdoor Eco-Friendly Activities
8. Craft Natural Bird Feeders
This activity involves making bird feeders using items you might already have at home. First, find some pine cones and tie strings around their tops for hanging. Spread peanut butter over the pine cones, then roll them in birdseed until well-coated. Hang these natural bird feeders outside on trees where your family can observe visiting birds. It’s a fun and simple way to engage with local wildlife and teach children about the importance of supporting birds in our environment.
9. Nature Exploration in Your Own Garden
Discover the natural world right in your backyard, or in a nearby park if you don’t have a garden. Encourage your kids to observe different plants, insects, and birds. This fun way to learn about biodiversity doesn’t require travel, and children can document their findings in a nature journal.
10. Hiking and Wildlife Spotting in a National Park
Plan a family hike in a nearby national park. It’s a great opportunity to breathe in fresh air, exercise, and spot local wildlife. Teach your children about the importance of preserving natural habitats while enjoying the great outdoors.
11. Start a Family Vegetable Garden
Dedicate a section of your own garden to grow vegetables. This not only provides fresh produce but also educates your family on sustainable food sources and the importance of soil health. Gardening together is a rewarding way to connect with nature.
12. Eco-Friendly Scavenger Hunt in Nature
Create a scavenger hunt list that includes finding various leaves, rocks, and insects. Explore a park or forest to find these items, fostering a deeper appreciation for the diversity of the natural world in a fun and engaging way.
13. Family Bike Ride Along Nature Trails
Choose a scenic route and enjoy a family bike ride. It’s a great way to explore natural habitats and travel with no carbon emissions, all while enjoying the beauty of the great outdoors.
14. Nighttime Star Gazing
Find a dark spot away from city lights and spend an evening stargazing. Use this quiet time to teach your children about constellations, planets, and our place in the universe. It’s a magical experience that highlights the wonders of the natural world.
15. Water Conservation Project in Your Garden
Set up a rainwater harvesting system or a simple water conservation project in your own garden. Teach your family about sustainable water use and its importance in maintaining healthy gardens and natural habitats. This practical activity can lead to meaningful discussions about resource conservation.
Eco-Friendly Lifestyle Changes
Reducing Household Waste
16. Composting Kitchen Scraps
Set up a small compost bin in your kitchen to collect food waste like vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells. Teach your family about composting’s role in reducing waste and enriching soil, which can be used in your indoor or outdoor gardens.
17. Zero-Waste Kitchen Challenge
Challenge your family to a week of zero-waste cooking, focusing on using all parts of the food and avoiding packaging. Plan meals together, get creative with leftovers, and discuss the impact of food waste on the environment. This activity encourages mindful eating and waste reduction in a practical and hands-on way.
18. Minimizing Plastic Use in the Kitchen
Spend an afternoon swapping plastic packets for glass or stainless steel options. For example, create pasta and rice jars that you can refill regularly. What we do in our home is buy a very large bag of rice (which uses a lot less packaging) and store it in a cupboard but decant the rice into a mason jar when needed. This small change can have a big impact on reducing your household’s environmental impact by cutting down on plastic waste.
19. Investing in Reusable Water Bottles and Coffee Cups
Replace disposable water bottles and coffee cups with reusable versions. Carrying your own can drastically cut down on waste and is a visible commitment to minimizing plastic use.
20. Supporting Zero-Waste Stores
Go shopping at zero-waste or bulk stores where you can fill your own containers with food and household products. This encourages a lifestyle that significantly reduces the reliance on single-use plastic bags and packaging.
21. Homemade Plant-Based Snacks
Creating homemade plant-based snacks with your children is not only a fun activity but also an excellent opportunity to teach them about healthy eating and sustainability. One delightful and easy recipe to start with is making your own energy balls. These snacks are nutritious, delicious, and involve no cooking, making them perfect for little hands to help with.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dates, pitted
- 1/2 cup almonds
- 1/2 cup oats
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Blend: Mix all ingredients in a food processor until sticky.
- Roll: Let kids form the mixture into small balls.
- Chill: Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Involve your kids in adding ingredients and rolling the balls. It’s fun and teaches them about healthy, waste-free snacks.
22. Reusable Water Bottle Decoration
Give each child a reusable water bottle to personalize with stickers, paint, or markers. This fun activity encourages them to carry and use their own bottle, reducing single-use plastic bottles.
23. Family ‘Swap Shop’ Day
Host a swap day where family members exchange toys, books, and games they no longer use. This can be a fun way to get new-to-you items without buying new, teaching kids about the value of reusing and sharing.
Energy Conservation
24. Energy Conservation Challenge
Encourage your family to participate in a weekly challenge to save energy. Simple actions like turning off lights when leaving a room, unplugging unused devices, and minimizing screen time can make a big difference. Track your progress and celebrate your savings together.
25. Insulation Investigation Game
Turn checking your home’s insulation into a game. Look for drafts around windows and doors and decide on the best ways to seal them. This is an excellent way to involve the whole family in improving home energy efficiency.
26. ‘Lights Out’ Night
Spend an evening without electric lights, using candles or flashlights instead. This can lead to fun storytelling, games, or stargazing, highlighting how life can be enjoyable without relying heavily on electricity.
27. Water Conservation Day
Focus on reducing water use for a day. Take shorter showers, collect rainwater for plants, and use the washing machine and dishwasher only when full. Discuss how saving water also conserves energy and reduces reliance on fossil fuels.
28. Energy-Free Cooking Challenge
Have a raw food day or prepare meals that don’t require cooking. Explore creative ways to make delicious dishes using fresh ingredients, teaching kids about energy conservation and healthy eating.
29. Create a Family Energy Pledge
Draft a pledge together that outlines specific energy-saving commitments, like turning off electronics when not in use or only using the washing machine with full loads. Display it prominently in your home as a reminder of your shared commitment to sustainable practices.
30. Green Energy Detective Day
Spend a day as “energy detectives,” identifying and documenting energy wastage in the home. Use clues to find hidden energy “thieves,” like appliances left on standby, and discuss creative ways to reduce their energy consumption.
31. Sustainable Transportation Week
Dedicate a week to using only sustainable modes of transportation. Walk, bike, carpool, or use public transport for all family outings. It’s a fun challenge that highlights the importance of reducing fossil fuel use and its impact on climate change.
Community Involvement
32. Participate in a Local Tree Planting Event
Join community efforts to plant trees, enhancing local green spaces and contributing to biodiversity. It’s a tangible way for families to help combat carbon emissions and learn about the critical role trees play in our environment.
In the USA the Arbor Day website is a great way to find local tree-planting events. In the UK you can find out more through the Woodland Trust.
33. Organize a Beach Cleanup Day
Do you live near a beach? Participate in or organize a beach cleanup to protect marine life from plastic pollution. It’s a hands-on way to teach kids about environmental responsibility and the impact of litter on ecosystems, all while contributing to cleaner natural spaces.
34. Earth Day Celebration Participation
Participating in an Earth Day event is a fantastic opportunity for families to come together and support environmental conservation in their local community. You can join existing events like clean-up drives, tree planting, or educational workshops at a local park or green space. If there aren’t any planned, consider organizing a simple activity, such as a neighborhood litter pick-up.
This not only contributes to a cleaner environment but also raises awareness about the importance of sustainable living. It’s a meaningful way to spend time as a family while making a positive impact on the planet. Earth Day is 22nd April (my birthday!).
35. Community Recycling Drive
Organizing a community recycling drive is a wonderful way for the whole family to engage in conservation efforts. Choose a central location and a date that aligns with a local event to encourage community participation.
Promote the event through social media and local community boards, highlighting the types of recyclables accepted.
This initiative not only promotes sustainable practices but also strengthens community bonds by spending time together for a common cause.
Eco-Friendly Activities for Families: Summary
There are numerous great options for families to make a positive impact on the environment through different ways of engaging in eco-friendly activities.
Whether it’s through indoor crafts, outdoor adventures, lifestyle changes, or community involvement, each action contributes to a healthier planet.
Through exploring these varied paths, you can discover enjoyable and meaningful eco-friendly activities that not only benefit the earth but also strengthen their bond.
Stephanie Simmons is an Anglo-American mum of two who is passionate about all things outdoors. She loves camping, outdoor crafting, and all outdoor activities.
Steph believes in getting the kids outdoors no matter the weather!
She created Wild Bloom Families to share her passion for the outdoors with other families.
Getting in nature can transform your physical health, mental health and happiness!
