With the influx of environmental information permeating the web, it’s no surprise that sites targeting kids are popping up all over. Plenty of organizations are creating niche websites that get kids involved with the environment and sustainability, using bright colors, games, links, and activities geared. Here are three of the better ones, that are well worth clicking around (even big kids!)
The EPA’s Environmental Kids Club website is strong on science, and there are plenty of activities for kids if you poke around. There’s a downloadable activity book, an online coloring book and a cool game exploring recycling. Their Climate Change website is a great resource for explaining global warming to kids, although their tips for how kids can fight global warming are kind of unrealistic (what kid has the resources to get solar panels for their home?). There’s also a link to info for teenagers. This site is well worth a look if you need activities for your children.
PBS’s EekoWorld is very cool. Kids can explore different ecosystems, and there are cute cartoons that discuss recycling, solid waste, pollution. I loved the “field trip to the future” where kids see what the planet might be like if humans continue to live in an unsustainable manner, and the Eeko House feature is a great way to teach kids how to make sustainable choices. Kids “tour” a house and click on different dilemma’s where they must decide which option is more sustainable. When washing dishes with your mom, do you dry with paper towels or a rag? It’s a great way to introduce kids into consciousness about their actions.
The Rodale Institute‘s kids website, KidsRegen is probably the most extensive of the three websites I’ve mentioned as far as diversity of information. There are pages for gardening, farming, and food (including kid-friendly recipes), three areas I noticed the other sites for kids often omitted. There’s also a section on health and fitness with different outdoor activities to get kids up and moving; I particularly appreciated the scavenger hunt checklists and the extensive curriculum for teachers of elementary-aged children. Really, this is my favorite site of the three because of the sheer volume of content and the site’s more holistic approach to green living.
Many of the sites have links for parents and teacher with resources for activities and lesson plans to use in the home or classroom, so check them out, particularly if you homeschool. Even adults can find things to appreciate here. What other green sites for kids do you use?
[This post was written by Kelli Best-Oliver]
William b says
DEAR CHILD’S PLAY.
We respectfully ask for and would greately apperciate any thoughts you might offer on this idea.
Do you think the world ECO KIDS could be brought together ?
There are literally millions of kids and adults in over 160 countries, recognized and affectionately called ECO KIDS,
kids that participate annually in the World’s Earth Day celebrations as well as many other organized year around activities.
The name ECO KIDS has become synonymous of kids and the environment – ECO KIDS, together in name, different in ways but common in goals helping save our world. That is why we thought the ECO KIDS groups, schools, clubs, organizations, etc. of the world could and should be brought together by common efforts medias like: a world ECO KIDS newsletter, a true ECO KIDS Magazine, TV, radio, ECO KIDS.com Web site, etc. The ECO KIDS are already there, they just need to be brought together creating a single huge effective and influsing global none profit organzation as they surely would be if they had a main place to communicate, exchange information and ideas, like an ECO KIDS.com World Headquarters, a rallying point so to speak, a place at this moment being only an idea, but the time has never been better for this possibility. We think. with the one and only recognized and respected great name like ECO KIDS along with eager sponsorship and helpful idea input, they would become a needed practical reality one that could bring together a very large worldwide Eco army of young, true eco messergers The ECO KIDS.com a none profit World Headquarters could be the world supplier of all things ECO KIDS, in membership paraphernalia, ect. provided through a world interactive ECOKIDS.com web site. The Pope, now called the green Pope, has just held an ECO rally, asking over 500,000 kids to help save their world as only they can do and most surely will do as ECO KIDS . , together under one banner and in one voice saying “Come join us, TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE”. There can be no better need or deed than saving our earth. The following is only one idea for a way of bonding the world’s ECO KIDS.
Schools, Groups, Clubs,Organizations Come Join Us
Become a WORLD MEMBER of ECO KIDS
ECOKIDS.com
ECOKIDS.com World Headquarters, SOURCE STORE, complete membership paraphernalia, supplies, products for all levels.
(A) Tee shirts———————————————
(B) Sweatshirts——————————————
(C) Hats—————————————————-
(D) Welcome member certificate———————
(E) World membership ID——————————
(F) Eco kids world mission video——————–
(G) Web site membership contacts——————
(H) Achievement awards plaques——————-
( I ) World pin, or necklace—————————-
(J) Jackets————————————————
(K) Sports suit—————————————-
(L) Backpack——————————————–
(N) Member ink pen————————————
(M) Hand squeeze torch——————————
(O) Hand crank radio———————————-
(P) Small Eco tent————————————–
(Q) Member Water bottle—————————-
(R) School group Flags——————————
(S) Patches———————————————
(T) Banners———————————————-
(U) Event signs—————————————–
(V) Magnetic vehicle signs————————–
(W) Vinyl window stickers————————————–
(X) Water Container Pk.——————
(y) Newsletter
(Z) Recommended ECO KIDS, Magazine & Book
Junior member kit
A C D E W X———————————————
Senior member pack
AB C D E F N Q U TX———————————-
World Member
School, clubs and organizations——————–
A B C D E F G H I J K L N M O P Q R S T U V W X Y
And a planetary variety of sponsored, recommended Eco friendly products.
Just an Idea
William b
ECOKIDS.com
Please excuse this message if not of your interest.
Alternative Energy says
Loved these websites. Will definitely visit again with my kids!
Alternative Energy
ifpaenergyconference.com