Fun Family Ideas to Get Outside and Celebrate Earth Day!

If you stop and look around, this planet we live on is pretty dang amazing! Amidst all of the craziness of our daily lives, I think we tend to take for granted the beauty and magnificence of the earth. I love that Earth Day makes us all pause and celebrate taking care of this beautiful planet. This year, I’m determined to enjoy the sunny skies and nice weather we have here in Arizona and to bond with each other and the outdoors. I hope you will join with us, step away from the TV, and turn off your iPad! There’s a whole world out there to be thankful for!

We’re on a quest to have FUN, get outside, and enjoy this spectacular place we call HOME. Here are a few small things you can do with your kids on Earth Day to make an impact for GOOD in your corner of the world today!

Get your nails dirty:

There’s no better way to get your kids invested in Mother Nature than by showing them all of her beauty by planting some fruits and veggies or even herbs and flowers. NOTE: I definitely do NOT have a green thumb, so don’t feel intimidated by any means! It’s more about spending time together and seeing the possibilities of what we can grow than showing off high-level gardening skills! If you take your kids to a local greenhouse, they’ll see great plants in some of their best stages and you’ll be supporting a small business. That’s a win-win in my book…and let’s be honest, I have no time for seedlings!

Bonus: If you don’t have a backyard, a container garden will absolutely do the trick, not to mention there are tons of different flowers and vegetables that can thrive indoors. Another great kid-friendly experiment?sure to blow their minds?is growing your food with veggies like lettuce or celery (think of it like indoor composting).

  • Save the base of your store bought celery or lettuce (the bit you’ve chopped off)
  • Place it in warm water in a sunny window.
  • After 5-7 days, fully plant it in soil (an indoor pot will do) except for the top leaves that have started growing.

Even after a week, your kids will be stunned by how much growth they see, and maybe they’ll even eat more greens! What a great way to celebrate the Earth by reusing resources you already have to grow MORE!

Get Outside + Walk It Off

Outdoor play is a sure way to get your kids excited about the outdoors, especially when the whole family is involved. Our family LOVES to hike, and we are SO blessed here in the valley by amazing mountains and scenery. There are numerous hikes within driving distance of our house, so we are definitely going to take advantage of this on Earth Day!

While we are lucky enough to have great trails right in what feels like our own backyard, you can find a trail near you?here! We’ve been taking the kids on hikes since they were small (look at baby Ruby), so this is definitely a go-to activity on Earth Day and every day!

Plan an Outdoor Picnic

Head to your local park (or even your backyard) for a picnic. Not only will you save a couple of bucks while treating your kids to something that feels like eating out (hey, you’re outside, after all), but you can take this time to chat about why it’s important to pick up your trash and show them the importance of recycling. It’s these small and easy lessons that make a big difference for our kids as they grow up, and they show them how important it is to take care of the planet by recycling!

Make an Earth Day Family Pledge

I love this one because it costs nothing and is filled with goal setting and intention setting! Have your family sit down and make a pledge to do things such as:

  • Recycling more
  • Starting a compost pile
  • Walking or biking short distances instead of driving
  • Taking shorter showers to reduce water usage
  • Turning off lights when leaving a room
  • Eating locally and organically to reduce your carbon footprint

These pledges can be for a year or a month?whatever works best for you. The best part about these pledges is that they make you and your family more aware so you can live in the moment and be happy and confident about your choices.

At the end of the day, just get your booty outside! Small changes like this can lead to new traditions and memories with your family. What are your favorite ways to spend Earth Day? Just remember that every little bit helps. Now get outside and enjoy nature’s beauty!

xo,

Related reading:

National Take a Hike Day!
A Perfect Summer Day Series: The Powell Pack in Arizona
5 Spring Break Activities for a Fit Family
Making Summer Night Memories

4 Responses

  1. My question is how to get rid of that lower stubborn pooch especially after children.
    ??it is that very last bit. Feel the muscle underneath the small pooch. I feel like I have tried eveything!!??

    1. Hi Karla: Unfortunately, you really can’t spot reduce. Any extra fat will leave our bodies in its own unique way. However, if you follow a sound nutrition and workout program, eventually any stubborn areas should get better. You can get some great tips and tools in this post: https://heidipowell.net/9060, and you might also want to check out Chris and Heidi’s app: http://thetransformapp.com Both can definitely help you achieve your transformation goals!

  2. This picture is so sweet. I love that the background is the grounds of the Mesa LDS Temple. I am LDS myself and our Temple is one my mine and my children’s favorite places to go and walk around! It is incredibly beautiful and peaceful and inspiring! Nothing like a picnic lunch on the Temple lawns!

  3. I love taking our two little ones outside. The fresh air, running and playing, and fun family time feeds my soul! My Dad plants new trees every year and it’s fun to take our little ones through the groves to see how well Grandpa’s trees are doing 🙂 Chad Crystal Froemming on Facebook.

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