Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose, Upcycle!

Celebrate Earth Day April 22nd!

What does upcycle mean?  It’s when you use a seemingly useless item and change it to into an extremely useful, and more valuable thing.  For instance, instead of throwing away your old wool sweater, use it to create  a sock puppet, pot holders, baby hat or whatever else you can find on Pintrest.    

KinderJam's Facebook page is full of ideas for reducing spending by reusing things you already own.  This type of repurposing is good for the environment as well as your wallets.  

You and your child can celebrate Earth Day on Aprill 22, by doing an upcylce project together.  Instead of buying a doll house at the store, work together and paint an old book shelf to look like one.  You can find the old furniture from your house, the thrift store, or (if you want to be really environmentally friendly) from bulk trash (available on base for many Military Housing areas around the world).  

Even if you choose a less complicated project, like covering cereal boxes and turning them into giant blocks, the more you involve your child, the better. Children love projects, especially when shared with their primary care giver.  Showing your children how to upcylce teaches them innovation, encourages creativity and may even feed their entrepreneurial spirit (goodbye lemonade stand. Hello pop top jewelry business!)

Another time honored Earth Day celebratory activity is to plant seeds.  Make a fruit and vegetable garden, plant a tree or simple potted flowers.  Don’t buy planters at local store.  Reuse water resistant cardboard like milk cartons, ice cream containers or juice boxes. Add scrap paper and old craft supplies to decorate your container, cover it with Modge Podge and Viola! You have a decretive planter.  Teach your child how to care for the newly planted seed and by Mother’s day, your child will have a great gift to present to you.

Don't forget to continue to repurpose things in your home long after Earth Day passes.  Practicing environmentally friendly habits everyday models good citizenship for your children. And that deserves a Woo-Hoo!