Simple Green Ideas for Generating Sustainability Interest in Kids

Looking for ideas to engage kids and stimulate their interests? Here are some ideas to get those gears spinning:

1. Mushroom Grow Kits

These kits are often a great way to explore the science of decomposition and how fungi can be grown in a controlled environment. It teaches kids about the environment, biology, and opens them up to a growing field of study, mycology. Mushrom grow kits are commonly some kind of Oyster mushroom since they are beginner friendly and palatable. Many people grow mushrooms for a living, so this could spur an interest that becomes a business idea in the future. Mushrooms in these kits also don't take long to grow, fruiting in about 2-3 weeks. The recommended grow kits for beginners are the Back to the Roots Organic Mini Mushroom Grow Kit or the North Spore Organic Lion's Mane Mushroom Grow Kit.

2.  Microgreens Grow Kits

Microgreens have become a health trend recently, and they make a unique ingredient to spice up many dishes. It is versatile and can be used in or as garnish. This is a simple experiment that shortens the length of growing something from start to finish, which is better for kids with short term attention spans. This will grow from seed to few leaves in about 2-3 weeks. Both these and the Mushroom Grow Kits are something you can watch and see the progress happen each day, making it a bit interactive as a mostly passive experiment. Don't forget to water them. 

3.  Propagating Plants

This could be a fun one if you are seeking to green up the indoor space, why not teach your kids a little bit about propagation and put some cuttings in a glass and let them watch the roots sprout out the bottom. This is a super low maintenance activity to engage children with as well as take the opportunity to educate them about plant care and plants in general. This is low cost and most people have plants that they can propagate somewhere around, making this accessible to most people. Sometimes, you may have a feline friend join in the fun.

4. Germinating Seeds

Germination is one of the first classic science experiments most kids do. Its usally beans in a paper towel. You can do it however you want, I think it would be of more value to see other things sprout. If you have the chance, try sprouting a lot of stuff to transplant into the garden later. Use some paper towel methods as a lesson as well as other seed varieties to show the commonality between seeds and how all seeds work.  Here are some seed choices for both versatility and multi-use:

1. Cilantro

2. Marigold

3. Sunflowers

5.  Citizen Science Initiatives

Participating in Citizen Science intiatives are a good way to create interest and help kids learn a little bit while having fun. Some initiatives explore concepts like gamification to encourage participation, but there is not a lot of development into making them "fun" games that other corporations create for profit. NASA's NEMO Coral Identification project is a good citizen science project to start with, and there are several others to try out as well!

6. Making Seed Balls

Creating seed balls is messy and because it's messy, the boys will probably like it. After the seed balls are dried, you can them go on a walk or hike with the kids later and let them throw them all over the area. After all, that is naturally how seeds get spread; by being carried and spread by land dwellers like ourselves.  

7. Putting Worms in Garden or Compost Bin

This is another activity that boys will probably like more than girls, but this is a great way to help build squeamish kids tolerances a bit. They can them later dig for them and learn more about how they. Red worms are recommended for compost bins, and Nightcrawlers are best for gardens. I use both in my garden and have had really good success. We have had good experience with Uncle Jim's Red Wiggler's and Uncle Jim's Nightcrawlers, and we recommend Uncle Jim's because they are reliable and honest.

8. Exploring Healthy Food at the Grocery Store 

For most people, this will seem impossible. If you can try to steer their interest to fruits and veggies at the grocery store to get their interest in them, this could help them develop culinary interests and just maintain a healthier diet in their life. Knowing more ingredients to choose from is like having a wider vocabulary to speak with, it just opens up a range of opportunities healthwise and otherwise. Try to make discovering new healthy grocery items exciting. Look at that beautiful organic Pink Lady Apple! Oh, whats this? This Dragon Fruit looks amazing! Want to try it?