Future Sustainability Through Eco-FriendlyToys

When we educate our kids about the environment, are we providing excellent examples of sustainability? This is obviously the best method to teach them since they are watching what you do and take that to heart over anything you actually say.

So starting there, you would then raise them in an environment of knowledge designed to gear them towards caring for the planet. To go one step further you should consider the toys you provide for them.

Are they made of plastic and do they break easily which means throwing them away rather than repairing? Consider the ideas around recycling or even re-purposing. That means doing a little research.

Don’t just pull something off the shelf for those special presents just because other kids have it or it appears to be popular. Think about what you are teaching by providing them with such a toy.

The ages of 3-7 are very impressionable and by making these the years when you drill down to find more thoughtful toys with a message, you are providing them with fuel for the future when they are grown up and making decisions.

Think about puzzles that concentrate on nature. Even the shows they watch on TV should be moulded to accommodate respect for wildlife. As they age, concepts of solar power can be emphasized with solar-powered toys or sets.

Emphasize treating the toys with care so they last, maybe even with thoughts of saving them down the line for their own kids when they are grown. Any form of educational sets that teach growing your own foods would be appropriate as well.

Helping your kids to learn about where your food comes from and how to be more self sufficient is also one of the best things you can do for them. Books will come in handy for teaching skills and concepts in a simple way.

Whatever you do, be conscious of your own footprint and what you are really passing down to your family. Work together on projects throughout their lives and make them more resilient as a result.