Eco Go Greener Kids Activities

1. Make a Snake Draught Dodger

Time: 40 – 60 Minutes

Heat escapes through gaps in skirting boards, underneath doors and unsealed windows. Making a draught dodger is a great way save energy and stop heat escaping.

To make a draft dodger you will need the following

• A bright piece of rectangular material, at least 40cm in length.
• A snake tongue, ribbon works well.
• 2 Buttons for the eyes.
• Stuffing, beanbag balls, sand, rice, lentils or old cloths all work.
• A needle and thread.
• A pen and a pair of scissors.

2. Light Up To Energy Efficiency

Time: 1 – 2 Hours

Replace regular light bulbs with energy efficient light bulbs.

Find out about the different types of energy efficient light bulbs, then write a description and draw an image of each one.

Then carry out an audit of all the light bulbs in your home, count how many traditional light bulbs your home has and how many energy efficient ones it has.

Installing energy efficient light bulbs will help your home save energy.

3. Look at the Label

40 Minutes

Energy efficiency labels give each appliance an energy efficient rating on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).

Why not inspect all electronic appliances and make a note of each one’s energy efficiency rating.

4. Green Garden

Time: 1 – 2 Hours

Planting trees is a great way to battle climate change and help shrink your carbon footprint.

Have a look around and see if there is anywhere you can plant a tree. You can plant a tree for every birthday you have had, then year after year you can watch as it grows.

5. Watering Hole

Time: 1 – 2 Hours

Make your own water butt

Rainwater is free, it can be collected to water your vegetable garden and it will help you save energy.

To make a water butt you will need the following

• Select a container to hold the water.
• Find a drainpipe with plenty of room around it.
• Cut the drainpipe at the correct height and fit a diverter.
• Next cut a drainpipe sized hole in the lid of your water container.
• Fit your water butt with an overflow pipe so any excess water will drain away.
• Finally check everything is water tight and then all you need is a drop of rain.

6. Plug It Up

Time: 1 Hour

Did you know fixing a dripping tap can save as much as 5000 litres of water a year?

Save energy by plugging up any leaking taps. Make a note of any leaking or dripping taps around the house. Once you have checked the whole house ask an adult to see about patching up any l

7. Water Wisely

Time: 1 Hour

Save water and energy by installing water saving devices. Toilet flushing accounts for 30% of the daily water we use .

Many water companies now provide save a free flush toilet bag to local homes. These can be placed in the toilet cistern to help reduce water wastage.

If you are unable to get a free water saving device you can always place a heavy object into the toilet cistern to achieve the same effect.

8. Walk to School

Time: 1 – 2

Walk to School Week is a great way to encourage young people and their parents or guardians to make walking part of their daily routine. By participating in Walk to School Week you are helping communities by promoting a greener and healthier lifestyle.

9. Paper Recycling Centre

Time:1 Hour

Paper is a big form of waste. Why not set up a paper collection scheme by putting paper recycling bins somewhere in your home?

10. Plastic Recycling Centre

Time: 1 Hour

The UK uses over 5 million tonnes of plastic each year of which an estimated 19% is currently being recovered or recycled. Why not install a plastic recycling bin in your home?

11. Waste Not, Want Not.

Time: 1 Hour

You can help the environment by turning food waste into compost. Start by contacting your local council who may be able to provide a free compost bin for your home.

Gather any food waste from left over from dinner and if you have a garden you can add grass trimmings, leaves and other natural waste.

12. Design an E-Card for Christmas

Time: 2 Hours

In 2006 more than a billion Christmas cards were sent, that's enough to stretch around the world five times. Making a Christmas E-card is a great way to reduce waste, save money and share your creativity with family and friends.

Experiment with your E-card design, you can add Christmas images, sounds and videos.

Make sure you have gathered the email addresses of all the family and friends you want to send your E-card to. Then prepare for distribution, check the file size making sure it is not too big and send your e-mail.