Green Activities for Kids- SUMMER EDITION!

Green activities for kids just in time for summer break!

Here are a few ideas we have compiled to not only help you avoid the "MOM, I'M BORED!" syndrome, but teach your kids a valuable lesson on protecting the environment as well!

1. READ GREEN! Why not enjoy some quiet time as a family under the shade of a beautiful tree and a good book about keeping our Earth clean? Here are a few great ones to choose from:

-"The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein

-"Judy Moody Saves the World" by Megan McDonale

-"The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss

2. EAT GREEN! One of the best parts of summer is all the delicious fresh fruits and vegetables that are available! So, why not add some fun green activities for kids when it comes to picking their food? Here are a few ways to include them in the decision making:

-Create your own vegetable garden right in your backyard. Start planning and preparing now and let your little ones help! Or how about adding a special "KIDS ONLY" section to your garden where kids make all the decisions. They may even find helping you with YOUR side of the garden more fun when they have some control over their own side. Visit the GoGreen Web Directory for resources on how to create your perfect backyard garden.

-Make a regular trip to the local farmers market . Make it a goal to try one new food item each week. You will be amazed at all the different foods you can discover, and who knows, you may even find a new family favorite! Ask the merchants for recipe ideas using their food. We are sure most of them would love to help! Try creating a completely local meal at least once a week. Invite neighbors and friends to join you and make it a community affair.

-For a truly unique experience, take the kids to pick their own fruits and vegetables at a local farm and then head home and make a delicious dessert for after dinner or can them for next winter. What fun it is to sit in a warm house on a snowy winter day and remember the fun of summer and taste the delicious fresh fruit.

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Local and Green Living with Paula Keif, Founder and President of GoGreen Web Directory, airs every other Tuesday at 8:40 am on the Morning News Show with Rob Hakala and Lisa Azizian. The segment focuses on local events, ideas, tips, and information to help you improve the environmental sustainability in your daily life: from home energy, green building, home improvements, cars, food, waste recycling—and everything in between. "I'm excited about partnering with WATD. We both share a common interest in promoting local news and businesses. This is a fantastic opportunity for our GoGreen community" said Keif.

Tune into 95.9 FM or listen to the live stream.

The Reuse Marketplace is a free online service to facilitate the reuse of surplus and unwanted items. Membership is free for businesses, institutions, non-profit organizations, and governments from Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Registered members can post listings for materials, similar to a classified ad. Anyone can browse the listed items. Visit their website at www.reusemarketplace.org.

Mass Save provides programs and services to residential customers to help save money and energy. Visit their website at www.masssave.com.