Earth Day falls on April 22 and is a reminder to dedicate our time, resources, and energy to solving climate change and other environmental issues. Billions of people around the globe celebrate this event each year, coming together to encourage living in harmony with the natural world and halting the destruction of natural resources. Mini U believes in looking after our planet and our green views are at the heart of the work we do. Here are seven ideas of how you and your family can celebrate Earth Day together.
Discover the legacy of Earth Day together
Earth Day was founded in 1970 and is considered the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement. The first Earth Day inspired 20 million Americans — at the time, 10% of the total population of the United States — to take to the streets to demonstrate against the impacts of 150 years of industrial development on our environment. The campaign spread across the globe and is now recognised by over 190 countries worldwide. You can learn more on the Earth Day website.
Look out for local events in your community
Earth Day often inspires local groups to organise local events, including nature walks, litter picking and family fun days. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet with like-minded people and find out what’s happening in your area, and we find that kids love any activity that involves nature or getting muddy!
Go on a nature scavenger hunt
Even city dwellers can find a wealth of nature when they’re out looking for it. A nature scavenger hunt focuses your attention on the living world around you. Provide your children with a list of nature items to look for, such as leaves, rocks, feathers, and animal tracks, and head out to explore! Remember to be careful with wildflowers, as many are protected under British law, and to not disturb your local wild animals.
Grow your own food
You don’t need a huge garden to grow your own food or even green fingers. Even a sunny windowsill can deliver edible treats in as little as a week, and the kids will be delighted to dig into something they’ve grown themselves. Try growing quick-sprouting salad leaves or cress from seeds, or even try growing your own food from kitchen leftovers like avocado seeds and sprouted potatoes. Growing your own food is a fun way to get the kids involved with caring for plants.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
The 3 Rs are fundamental to sustainable living. We should aim to reduce the quantity of items that we use, such as buying multipurpose products for the home or choosing products where a little goes a long way, like our Golden Grapefruit Hand Wash. Try to choose reusable wherever you can – shopping bags, water bottles and face cloths are easy ways to start. You can also reuse items that would traditionally only get a single use, such as giving our shower gel bottles a second life as bubbly squirting bath toys. Finally, be sure to recycle appropriate items when you are finished with them.
Make homemade bird feeders
To make a homemade bird feeder, you’ll need a pinecone, peanut butter, birdseed, and string. Start by tying a piece of string to the top of the pinecone and then spread peanut butter all over the pinecone, covering it completely. Next, roll the pinecone in birdseed, pressing gently to help the seeds stick. Hang the bird feeder by the string in a tree or from a hook, then wait for the local birds to visit.
Have a look in your cupboards
We can all commit to helping our planet by making more sustainable choices when we’re shopping. At Mini U, we’re helping you by:
- Avoiding micro plastics
- Sourcing sustainable palm oil
- Using vegan formulations from naturally derived ingredients
- Choosing recyclable packaging
