Parents of toddlers can start early by encouraging their little ones to go green and develop earth-friendly habits by applying a few fun and simple green living tips and parenting ideas to family and toddler activities.

1. Gift Your Toddler a Reusable Shopping Bag

Toddlers, like mine, love to carry their own shopping bag when picking up groceries or produce. Reusable cloth bags are a must-have for green shopping. However, make it interesting for toddlers and give the regular cloth shopping bags a fun twist by personalizing them for your little one. Appliqué or paint your toddler’s name or initials on the bag or have him paint it himself. He can then use it each time you go to the market, for playmates or even, to the park.

2. Take a Trip to the Farmers’ Market

Toddlers love to look at fruits and vegetables. A trip to the local farmer’s market is a great way to introduce toddlers to fresh produce and teach them a little about farming, where veggies come from and how we must protect the earth so that we can continue to enjoy all these yummy fruits.

3. Encourage Toddlers and Preschoolers to Recycle and Reuse

Recycling and reusing are the basics of green living and it is quite easy to introduce toddlers to these two eco-friendly practices. Sorting is a favorite toddler activity. Have your toddler sort paper from plastic and put it into boxes or carton. However, it will be a good idea to stay close by to keep an eye on the little green enthusiasts and prevent them from putting anything into their mouths.

Toddlers can also be encouraged to recycle their old but usable toys and clothes by donating them to charity. It is easier than you think and if you turn recycling into a fun game and make it a regular family activity, your toddler will actually look forward to it and want to donate his toys and clothes without kicking up a fuss.

4. Reuse Newspaper by Making Paper Bags

A fun craft idea for reusing newspaper is to turn it into paper bags. Use the instructions in this article to make it along with your toddler. Let him then personalize the paper bags and paint or color them and then, gift them to friends and family members.

5. Organic Gardening with Toddlers and Preschoolers

Gardening can be real fun with toddlers and preschoolers. It allows them to get messy, play with mud and water and finally, see something they’ve planted blossom and grow. Start easy. Check with the local nursery for plants that are easy to grow and maintain. Even, if you don’t have a garden, you can start with container gardening and grow herbs and potted plants.

Green parenting can be fun and easy if toddlers are involved and encouraged along the way. Here are some more green living tips that are easy enough for the entire family, including toddlers Start simple and take green baby steps to instill an eco-friendly attitude in toddlers and preschoolers. Set up small rewards, use plenty of praise and set the right example as a parent. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy going green with your toddler.

Photo Credit:abbybatchelder