5 Fun Ways Your Family Can Go Green for Earth Day

 There are so many great articles out there about how your family can make some simple lifestyle changes to Go Green for Earth Day (and every day). I like this one from Simple Mom.

1. Kill the Vampires. Play a game and have the kids go room to room looking for any appliances that are plugged in and running but aren't being used. That includes unplugging your cell phone when it is fully charged. In my office for example, we had a scanner, three printers, and three computers plugged in. These appliances were still sucking electricity even though they were in sleep mode. Turn them off! 

2. This weekend, or any Family Night, plan a No Electricity Night. Light a fire in the fireplace, add some candles, and then play board games by candlelight. The kids will think it is so cool. It’s a great way to spend some quality time together talking and playing games without all of the distractions. In today’s uber, fast-paced world, unplugging seems like a great way to relax and bond while also conserving energy. 

3. Bike Ride to Dinner. Plan on going out for dinner this weekend? Why not pick a restaurant that can be part of family bike ride. Save gas and burn off that dessert. Bonus!

4. Picnic in the Park. On Earth Day, April 22, 2012, The Nature Conservancy is asking people to get outside and join the world’s largest picnic celebration, Picnic for the Planet. Join millions of other families as they celebrate the nourishment the Earth provides us by picnicing outdoors. Check out their website to find picnics already planned in many major cities or plan your own. Here are my tips on how to plan a perfect family picnic. Remember to leave no trace in the park. Pick up after yourselves.

5. Spend an evening at your Local Library. Libraries are the original reuse and recycle centers! Everyone in my family loves to read but instead of spending a fortune buying new books that kills more trees, we enjoy going to the library and spending some time together discovering favorite books or new authors. We can sit on the comfy chairs in the library and read to the kids. For a special Earth Day treat, read The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. By spending time at the library, the lights are all off at our house, too.  

If you turn your Go Green efforts into FAMILY FUN, they'll probably get done more often and become a habit. Here are some additional tips on what families can do to protect the environment. Here are some cool craft and recipe ideas to celebrate Earth Day.

You Might Also Like:

• Celebrate Earth Day with the Kids by Exploring Nature

• 10 Family Activities Perfect for Spring

Sue Kirchner is a family fun coach, kids party planner, and weekly contributor to Patch.com. Sue and her family fun ideas have been featured on TV, newspapers, magazines, blogs, as well as her own family fun site ChocolateCakeMoments.com.