It's that time again! Half term is here in the UK and many parents and kids around the country are looking for ways to stay entertained. Many activities for kids can be damaging for the environment - think all the plastic toys, long drives to far-off attractions etc. That's why we wanted to share some of our favourite half term activities that are not only kind to the environment, they are also free!
Plant your own food
Growing your own food in your garden or even on your windowsill is a great activity for kids! Planting vegetables, fruits and herbs is not only a great way to teach your children where food comes from, but it also encourages them to eat a more varied diet. It is also a great way to save money and reduce your own carbon footprint. If you're looking for more tips on getting the kids gardening, you can read our previous blog post here.
Make a bug hotel
Did you know, an average garden accommodates more than 2,000 different species of insect! For kids that love creepy crawlies, making a bug hotel is a great activity as they can spot all the different types of bugs and record them. You can use old wood, recycled plastic tubs, old egg cartons, stones and much more to create your bug hotel. The Wildlife Trusts have a great guide for creating your own bug hotel here.
Go on a scavenger hunt
Great for kids of all ages, scavenger hunts are an easy activity to keep them entertained. Make a list of things for your kids to keep an eye out for whilst you go for a walk or visit your favourite park. You can create categories like colours or ask them to find specific things like leaves. Children can even record the things they find by drawing them, taking rubbings or even collecting the objects themselves. You could even reward them with biodegradable stickers!
Recycled crafts
One of the greatest sustainability activities for kids is crafts using recycled materials. From something as simple as using recycled cardboard to doodle on to making musical instruments out of jar lids, there is a craft for every item in your recycling bin. There's plenty of inspiration online or you can just let your imaginations run wild!
Whatever you get up to, we hope you have fun this half term!