Earth Day
Whatcha Doing This Weekend (The Earth Day Edition)?
April 16, 2009
With Earth Day just around the corner, many of the best events this weekend have a "green" theme. Here is a round-up of some of the best things going on in Chicago this weekend.
Critters and Bugs at the Old Town School of Music. On Sunday, April 19th, get the kids decked out in their favorite bug outfits and enjoy an Earth Day-themed concert at the Old Town School of Music. Visit the website for more information and to purchase tickets.
Earth Keepers at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. On Saturday, April 18th, stop by the (always wonderful) Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum for their Earth Keeper seminar where kids and adults can sing songs and tell tales about Mother Earth.
Chicago Park District Clean Up at Humboldt Park. Why not show your kids what it means to celebrate Earth Day by getting out there and doing something to take care of our planet. On Saturday, April 18th, meet up at Humboldt Park to clean up, mulch, make a craft, and celebrate Earth Day with other like-minded families.
Even though Earth Day might seem like a cliche at this point, don't let this weekend pass you by without taking the opportunity to talk to your kids about the importance of respecting Mother Earth and her resources.
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Composting 101: Let Worms Eat Your Garbage!
April 13, 2009
Do your kids love dirt and worms? Are you looking for an eco-friendly family project to celebrate Earth Day? I have the perfect idea for you. Try vermicomposting with your kids.
Vermicomposting is the process of using worms to eat your kitchen garbage and turn it into nutrient-right compost material for your garden. The traditional composting process can be a bit intimidating, but vermicomposting is an inexpensive, straightforward process that any family can do (no matter how much space you have).
In order to get started vermicomposting, you need three things: red wiggler worms, a home for your new "pets," and the right kind of kitchen scraps. Red wiggler worms are available from a variety of suppliers. Check out the Urban Worm Girl for worms and other supplies. You can buy a "wormerie" or make your own. We use plastic bins with holes drilled in the lid. We added slightly damp, shredded paper and the worms along with some of the dirt they came with. We feed them kitchen waste including coffee grinds, fruit and vegetable scraps and eggshells. In a few months, we will have compost ready to sprinkle on our garden!
If you are looking for help getting your vermicomposting bin started, check out the upcoming "Fabulous Fertilizers" workshop at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum on April 18th.
For more details and additional local resources, check out my article in the April issue of Chicago Parent Magazine .
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Great Green Reads for Earth Day
April 07, 2009
Earth Day is coming up on April 22nd and books are a great way to introduce children to the idea of living "greener lives." Here are a few good choices for your Earth Day reading.
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. This is the original ecological warning book for kiddos. Dr. Seuss understood that we were headed down a dangerous path long ago. Start your reading here.
The New 50 Things Kids Can Do To save the Earth. This book educates kids about the threats facing our planet and gives them tons of great tips and projects ideas that they can do themselves. I like the empowering message of this book.
Curious George Plants a Tree by H.A. Rey. This book tells the tale of Curious George's overzealous efforts at recycling (stealing all of his neighbors newspapers from their doormats). Kids will love all of the things there are to love about Curious George and his mischievous ways and adults will love the tips and positive message about working together to help the environment.
What Can You Do With an Old Red Shoe: An Green Activity Book About Reuse by Anna Alter. This book is another great choice for empowering kids to get up and do something to help the environment. Projects include melting down old crayons into drawing cubes and reusing that old shower curtain as an apron.
Read about the challenges facing our environment, discuss how your family can make a difference and then put those plans into action.
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Celebrate Earth Hour with Your Kids
March 23, 2009
Can your family devote one hour to turning off all of your lights and powering down your electronics to raise awareness about global warming? In addition to being a chance to teach your little ones about conserving our earth's resources, you will also have an extra hour of quiet, family time.
On March 28, 2009 between the hours of 8:30 and 9:30 p.m., join with the thousands of other local houses and business that will be celebrating Earth Hour by going dark. Use Earth Hour as an opportunity to talk to your children about the importance of doing our part to conserve the earth's resources. While the lights are out, sit together by candlelight and play games, sing songs or . . . just talk to each other. Have a late night "snack" on a picnic blanket. Go outside and take a peek at the stars in the sky.
Visit the Earth Hour website for more information and to sign up to participate.
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Green Parenting (and Living) in Chicago
August 11, 2008
Do you count yourself among the thousands of local parents who are trying to live greener lives? We are working on this at our house too (but we have lots of room for improvement). The Chicago-area is home to many wonderful resources to help parents get started down a greener path. I chose resources that provide a realistic, one-step-at-a-time approach to living a more eco-friendly life Read more...
More of Our Favorite Activities and Things to Do in chicago
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Do, Re, Mi! Places to Hear, Sing & Play a Tune
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Run, Jump & Wiggle Outdoors
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Science & Nature Sites
Splash, Spray, Play! Local Spots to Get Wet
The Most Fun in Life Is Free!
The Best of... Our Top Can't-Live-Without Spots
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