As we are starting to get into the warmer months of the year, thoughts begin to turn to outside activities – beachcombing, hiking, biking, etc. Inevitably, especially with small children, these excursions more than likely will include some kind of picnic or at least a snack! This is a great age to start teaching “leave no trace” principles – leaving an outside area, whether it be a park, the woods, or a beach, exactly how you found it. While this may seem obvious (who is going to litter in front of their impressionable kids?) this also applies to things like orange peels and apple rinds too. Make sure to teach your children why it is important to pick up after themselves (keeping a place beautiful for the next visitor, protecting wildlife, keeping waste out of waterways, etc.) and perhaps even set a good example by picking up trash when you see it.

This month’s eco-tip is about growing your own vegetable garden! While it might seem a strange time of year for this, if you would like to pursue this option with your children, winter is the time to start planning! The ecological ramifications are obvious – local food is much better for the planet, due to no carbon emissions being used in transporting produce (most produce in the grocery store has traveled an average 1,500 miles!), and you can grow them without using pesticides, fungicides, and synthetic fertilizers, which leaches toxins into our soil and water supply. You can’t get more local than your own backyard!

This is also such a great project to involve even young children in – and what better way of encouraging healthy eating habits? Children are much more likely to eat fruits and vegetables that they’ve helped plant, maintain, and harvest themselves. You can get children involved in the process early on, by getting their input on what types of fruits and vegetables they would like to grow, and letting them help in choosing a proper site in the garden (which can lead to a discussion on sunlight, soil, shade, etc.) There are several books at the library dedicated to specifically gardening with children.

During this time of year, getting a hot chocolate for the children while getting a coffee to-go for the adults seems to be a regular occurrence in our household. It recently occurred to me that, while my husband and I have stainless steel travel mugs for coffee or tea on-the-go, the children don’t and we end up throwing away more paper cups then I’d like to admit to. That gave me the idea to get little travel mugs for them when we make a special trip to get a hot cocoa. This could be a fun stocking stuffer too – not only do they get to be “just like Mom or Dad” with their own mug, but they’re also learning valuable lessons in wasting less and being environmentally-savvy!

Speaking of stocking stuffers, I am also trying to be more eco-friendly in my stocking stuffing this year by choosing gifts and trinkets that I know will be used and cherished. It’s tempting to just load up on dollar store finds that look cute for five minutes but will inevitably end up in landfill shortly after Christmas. Therefore, I am veering towards stocking stuffers such as art and craft supplies, little books, and stickers that I know will be used, not break easily, and bring enjoyment for some time to come.