7 eco-friendly summer activities for kids

This story was written by Tehrene Firman and originally appeared on Brightly.

With the sunny weather and warm temperatures, summer is the perfect opportunity to get outside and enjoy all that nature has to offer.

Planning summer activities for kids is a wonderful way to cultivate their love for the planet and its natural beauty from a young age. By engaging in these eco-friendly pursuits, children will develop a deep sense of connection with the environment and a strong desire to protect it as they grow older. It’s also a great opportunity to spend quality time together. Whether you’re traveling to a National Park or working on a DIY project, you’ll create memories that will last a lifetime.

So what are you waiting for? Start planning some summer activities for kids today, starting with these can’t-beat options every little one is sure to enjoy.

7 eco-friendly summer activities for kids

1. Play nature walk bingo

Nature walk bingo is the perfect way to enable your child to discover all the wonders of the natural world. Print out the activity here, then have your kiddo mark off each item (bugs, acorns, animals, and beyond!) during your next hike or walk around the neighborhood.

2. Start a food scrap garden

Did you know you can regrow vegetables from food scraps? Create a food scrap garden with your child from leftover lettuce, celery, and green onions. Once they’re big enough to harvest, you can make a meal together using what you grew.

3. Clean up your local beach

You can teach kids about the importance of keeping our planet clean from a young age by spending an hour cleaning up the local beach. Grab some gloves and a trash bag and see how much waste you can collect together. Then celebrate a job well done by spending time in the cleaned-up space swimming and building sand castles.

4. Create a DIY bird feeder using upcycled materials

Birdwatching is a fun hobby for all ages, kids and adults alike. Share your passion for birding with your kids by creating DIY bird feeders using upcycled materials you already have on hand, from milk cartons to plastic bottles. Then hang it up somewhere you can keep an eye out for visitors together.

5. Make nature-based art

Encourage your kids to create art using materials they find at the park, on walks, or on hikes. There are plenty of nature crafts to try, from suncatchers made from flowers and leaves to adorable hedgehogs made from pinecones. With a little imagination, the options are endless.

6. Visit a national park

Summer is one of the best times to visit a National Park. Plan a road trip to one of the most jaw-dropping places in the country, from Yellowstone Nation Park‘s active geysers to the Redwood National Park‘s 300-foot-tall trees. Or see what’s nearby and plan a day trip.

7. Have an outdoor movie night

Set up a projector in your backyard and enjoy an outdoor movie night under the stars. And don’t forget the treats! You can make zero-waste popcorn in a reusable silicone bag (instructions here) or bake up some nature-based cookies together.

This story was written by Tehrene Firman and originally appeared on Brightly.