Posts tagged Earth Day

Normally one doesn’t associate the name “litter bug” as being something cute. However, that’s the case with this Earth Day craft. Making litter bugs out of recycling is an easy thing even your child can do.

Most people think of “litter bugs” as people who carelessly throw their garbage on the ground instead of putting it in a garbage can. This habit is not only bothersome, but it also isn’t good for the environment. It makes the areas that have been littered look bad as well.

Instead of associating the term litter bug in a negative way, why not let your children make a litter bug out of recycled materials for Earth Day? It’s an easy craft to make and can be given to people who may be free with their litter. Perhaps they’ll get the hint that littering is wrong and change their own litter bug ways.

Here’s what your child needs to make their own litter bug for Earth Day:

* Paper egg carton
* Yarn
* Google eyes
* Bottle caps
* Tacky craft glue
* Newspapers

An adult may need to cut the paper egg carton in segments. Give your child one segment at a time so they can complete one litter bug before beginning a second or third.

1. Turn the egg carton segment upside down so the bottom is facing up. This will be the litter bug’s body.
2. Use recyclable items from around your home to decorate the bug. If you don’t have google eyes, why not use small caps from squeeze dish soap bottles?
3. Several twigs can be used for legs. Poke a hold in the carton to push the twigs through.
4. Use yarn pieces for hair.
5. A bottle cap can be glued on for a hat.

Another way for your child to create a litter bug for Earth Day is to use crumpled up newspapers as the base, or body, of the bug. Glue the various items you’ve found lying around your house onto the body. Give it hair, a bottle top cap, and eyes.

Let your child make several litter bugs this Earth Day. You don’t have to make them wait until Earth Day to try this craft. In fact, if you wanted, you could create a recyclable box for your child to keep items in for crafts. By doing this, not only will you encourage their creativity and fine motor development, you’ll also encourage them to recycle items rather than tossing them in the garbage.

If they learn to recycle now, even if it is merely for making Earth Day crafts like the litter bug made with recycled items, this may encourage them to continue reusing and recycling items in the future. That would be good not only for them, but also for the environment.

Children want to be a part of Earth Day and there are many ways that you can encourage that desire. One way is to provide them with the materials to make an Earth Day craft. Tin can herb pots are a great way to learn to recycle and learn about growing herbs.

What is a tin can herb pot, you might ask? It’s nothing more than a recycled tin can that has been washed out, decorated, and has herb seeds planted in it. There’s nothing difficult about the craft, but an adult may want to ensure the edges of the can aren’t sharp so that little ones don’t get hurt.

You may want plan ahead for this craft. Find one of the newer can openers that don’t leave sharp edges when used. These can be found at nearly any discount store for a couple of dollars. You might actually find that you prefer this type of can opener over the older type.

Why not make a number of these tin can herb pots? You can make one for any herb you might use in your kitchen. Chives, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and basil are good choices. They can be grown from seeds or you can buy plants for the craft, depending upon the amount of patience your little crafter has.

1. Save a number of aluminum cans of different sizes. If you didn’t use the newer can opener, you may need to sand off any rough edges to stop crafters from being cut.

2. Completely wash out the can with soap and water and then let it dry. Turn up the can upside down and punch some holes in the bottom of the can to allow for drainage.

3. Let your child decorate the outside of the can by using an acrylic base coat. They can then paint any design they like on the can. Be sure that any paints you use are safe for children. Next, the outside of the can should be sprayed with an acrylic sealer so the paint won’t come off.

4. Place rocks or pebbles in the bottom of the can and then add potting soil until the can is filled two-thirds of the way up the can.

5. Transplant a potted herb into the can and fill the rest of the can with potting soil. Gently pat the plant into the dirt, but don’t press too firmly. You want the plant to have some room for water to seep through. Place the can on a plate to catch any extra water.

6. If you’ve opted for seeds, fill the can nearly full with potting soil. Place a couple of seeds in the soil and then cover it with a thin layer of soil. Be sure to keep the soil damp, but not soaked.

One four-inch potted plant will probably make at least two, if not three, herb pots. Remind your little ones to take care of their plants. If you have more than you need, why not give them to a loved one this Earth Day? They’re sure to enjoy fresh herbs when the time comes to cook.

Every year people all over the world observe Earth Day. Celebrate awareness and appreciation of the earth by using any of these ideas. They may help you plan your own Earth Day festivities.

Earth Day began on April 22 more than 30 years ago when Senator Gaylord Nelson decided that it was important to teach everyone, especially children, about our environment. He wanted to be sure that people understood how important it was to take care of our planet.

Since the first Earth Day in 1970, there have been millions celebrating this date by helping to clean up their communities, watching or listening to speeches about the environment, and learning more about living green. Here are some other ideas for celebrating awareness and appreciation for the planet we call home.

* Learn about global warming and what you can do to fight it. You can find information about global warming at libraries or online. Both places will be able to give you ideas of what you can do today to help reduce the problem of global warming tomorrow.

* Protect endangered animals. Endangered animals live all over the Earth, but unfortunately mankind hasn’t always dealt with or cared for animals well. In fact, many more animals are endangered now but there’s something we can do about it. We can use our resources to help create endangered wildlife refuges. You can contact endangered animal organizations to see what else you can do to help.

* Recycling is another way to take care of the Earth, and it’s something you can do every day. You may be familiar with the phrase “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” This is a great way to include everyone in your family when you celebrate awareness and appreciation of the Earth on Earth Day.

* Plant a tree in your yard. You can also contact a local city park and find out if you can purchase a tree to be placed there for everyone in your community to enjoy.

* Support local and downtown businesses. If you purchase items at local businesses, there will be less need for your city to expand. This can actually limit the amount of open land that’s used for housing or industrial buildings.

* Refuse to use chemicals – on your garden and in your home. Buying natural products helps reduce the build-up of chemicals in our homes and on the foods we eat. There are many natural products you can find for cleaning. There are also natural products for gardening. Look at your local discount and home improvement store to find one that will work for you.

Earth Day may only come once a year, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t be aware of and appreciate the Earth all year long. Do whatever you can to help the environment. Learn ways to recycle items around your home, reuse items in a new way, or decide not to buy an item. Each of these ways will help you celebrate Earth Day every day of the year.