Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Washington, DC

Guest Post - Going Green on a Budget

by Beth Hoffman

April 22, 2009

Today's guest post comes courtest of Houston City Editor Julie Pippert. 

Rachael Brownell shares some of her and SuperEco's favorite ideas for how eco-friendly can be budget-friendly.

If you're like me, you probably wish you had less stuff (where did all this stuff come from? and why is it always all over my house making a huge mess?) and more money. Did you know that fulfilling this wish can be eco-friendly?

Rachael said the simplest way to go green and save is to focus on reduce, "Living frugally and simply is naturally living a more environmentally friendly life."

Rachael shared two ideas for incorporating reduction into your life:

1. Try a shopping fast (30 days with no purchase - can you do it?).

2. Buy nothing day -- make 2 days each week dedicated to not buying anything. Not one single thing.

When she said, "not one thing" she meant literally, "nothing," not even eco-friendly products. The idea is to consume less.

"We love dishing on luscious eco-goodness, from green blue jeans to motorcycles to kid stuff and gizmos. We like cool stuff, too. But there's a time and place for not adding to the pile," wrote Lisa Poisso in her article "Greener wallet equals greener Earth."

Most green initiatives seem to focus on recycling, even though the slogan is "reduce*reuse*recycle." I think the order is important, because reducing is the key.

Think beyond consuming as just buying things, and also consider how you consume resources, such as water and energy. There are many things you and your family can do that are easy and will save. It just takes a few minutes each day of thinking about what you are consuming (buying and using) and whether you can use it less (less each use, or less frequently) or even cut it out completely.

To start you off, here are a few ideas:

1. Today is National Hanging Out Day. This means hang your wet clothes out to line dry---yes, no using the dryer! Give it a try!

I don't have a clothes line---I am not even sure if my homeowner's association would allow it (probably, my neighborhood was built back when many still used clotheslines)---and my dryer is energy efficient, but using it is using resources. So we're going to give this a try using a drying rack and hangers. I already use Method fabric softener and vinegar in the wash so that the clothes I do hang will be soft (also I don't like the environmental effects of dryer sheets) and that really works. In fact, come to think of it, the clothes I value most I almost always hang to dry...so I'm reducing by preserving my clothes to last longer (probably). Most of all, I'm saving money on utilities
and using less resources, even if I don't do this every day.

Idea: Include your children in this by letting them drape their clothes on the low rungs of the drying rack, or help them hang their clothes.

2. Use less water. How can you reduce the amount of water you use daily? How do you use water? Do you water your lawn, for example?  Leave the water on while washing your hands or brushing your teeth?

We try not to water our lawn using a sprinkler. To help with water, we have a pond, but I know that's not realistic for everyone. If you do need to water your lawn, make sure to do it early or late, to increase absorption and reduce evaporation and water waste. Turn on your automatic timer, if you have one, and water manually to ensure you are only watering when you need to (for example, not on a rainy day or right after rain) and only using as much water as is necessary. I have a bad habit of getting absorbed in a new task and forgetting all about the sprinkler when it's on. To remember to turn off my sprinkler, I set an alarm. I'm using less by doing this and saving money.

Idea: Let your kids set out a watering can to collect rain water, and use that to water your flower beds or garden. Watering cans use water more efficiently and provide just the right amount of water to gardens. Little cans are just the right size for preschoolers to help you. If there is no rain in the forecast, go ahead and use the hose to fill the watering can instead of using a sprinkler. It's still better!

Idea: Make it a family project to turn off the water while washing hands and brushing teeth. In my family, we like rewards best, so I use what I call the Tip Jar when we're trying to change a behavior for the better. In one jar, labeled "Sending Out the Old," I put beads or pennies. Each time we use the new behavior, we move one bead/penny from the "Old" jar to the "Bringing in the New" jar. Once all the beads/pennies have moved to the new jar or we achieve a certain level (such as a line halfway up the jar) then we all get something special, such as dinner outside instead of the usual at the kitchen table or a movie or a kid-chosen activity. P.S. There are quite a few products you can buy for this type of reward system, but I reduce by reusing! I use recycled jars from jams and peanut butter. For more ideas about how to reuse those jars, read this great article.

Do you have any suggestions about how to reduce? Make sure to share them in the comments!

Tuesday List: Honor the Earth with Online Activities for Kids

by Leticia

April 21, 2009

In honor of Earth Day, here are some online activities that you can do with your children that will help reinforce the importance of being green throughout the year.

• Send a Tree Free eCard from Scholastic.  Choose from one of four environmental issues and select a fact to include on the e-card
• Tell your child’s teacher that they can download a free copy of an electronic version of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax from KidThing to share with the class on Wednesday.
• Grow your own digital garden with Marc Brown’s Arthur in his Groovy Garden Game 
• Create an original Earth Day-centered tale using Dot’s Story Factory and enjoy games and activities with environmental themes.
• Print the Earth Day Activity Book on the back of paper that has already been used to recycle.  The book contains11 pages of things you can do to make Earth a better place.
• Download printable signs, stickers, and door hangers to encourage others to be green from Scholastic’s Act Green site.
• Watch the new videos featuring favorite characters like Super Why, Sid the Science Kid, Clifford, and Curious George are available on the web-based Earth Day Channel.  Also look for new episodes premiering with Earth Day themed content on shows like Curious George, Arthur, CyberChase, Super Why!, Sid the Science Kid, Maya and Miguel, and more on your local PBS affiliate station.

Weekend Update

by Beth Hoffman

April 02, 2009

Here are some of the kid-friendly goings-on about town this weekend.

National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade:  Saturday starting at 10 AM.  It happens every year, it is a madhouse every year, and you will spend the day begging your children not to touch the cherry trees (it is bad for them, remind the tourists, would you?), but it is also the most beautiful time of year to be downtown and a heck of a lot of fun for the kids.  Alex Trebek is the Grand Marshall this year, there are musical guests that I have never heard of but who will surely delight the tween set, the DC Roller Derby Skaters, performances from two Broadway shows, and, of course, Elmo.  Take Metro, pack snacks, the kids will love it.

Rainforest Alive! at Discovery Theater:  Special family performance at noon Saturday.  Got a critter lover?  This live animal show features a boa constrictor, caiman crocodile, iguana, and other rainforest animals.  The Saturday show is followed by a reception with "Earth-friendly treats."

Our Ocean Planet at National Aquarium in Baltimore:  Saturday and Sunday 11 AM to 3:30 PM.  The Baltimore Aquarium introduces a new dolphin show this weekend with special events including games, face painting, and a "build a dolphin" activity.

Polar Weekend at the Maryland Science Center:  Saturday and Sunday 10 AM to 6 PM.  Tired of the warmer weather?  Missing the winter chill?  Check out the cold weather tents, displays of cold weather animals and a polar science fair at the Maryland Science Center.  Anyone else think they should have saved this for August?  Read more...

Kid Art Auction for Earth Day 2009

by Beth Hoffman

February 05, 2009

Our fabulous Being Savvy Denver City Editor, Aimee, has recently announced the second annual Kid Art Auction for Earth Day. This effort was started last year when Aimee's six year old son suggested that they hold an art sale in their backyard. Things being what they are, the effort soon made the jump to cyberspace and raised nearly $800 for environmental causes. The concept is  Read more...