Six Fun Ways to teach Kids about Water Conservation

February 11, 2020

 

If last year’s climate activism taught us anything, it’s that kids are just as interested in saving the environment as anyone. And why not? As they grow up in a world increasingly affected by climate change they are going to be the ones feeling the consequences and putting in the hard work to stop them. It might be a scary and uncertain time to be a parent of young kids, but living a more sustainable, eco-friendly life can be fun, rewarding, and a great opportunity to bond as a family. That’s why we’ve found six engaging ways to teach kids about water conservation designed to educate and entertain along with the way.

1. Tell a story

The best way to introduce them to concepts of water conservation is to make a story out of them. Firstly, global issues like water conservation or climate change can be so massive that young kids find them hard to grasp. Try making it relevant to them by talking about your own experiences. How did you get interested in the environment? Was it a particular memory, a TV show, a school trip? How old were you?

2. Get out into nature

Once they’re interested, give them context by showing the role of water in nature. If you can, go visit the spring or reservoir where your local area gets its water. If your kid needs some convincing, try starting out at an aquarium. “Most aquariums have child-friendly activities, and many will have events that focus on where water comes from and why it’s important to save it as much as we can. If you’re feeling more adventurous, go on a camping trip by a river or lake, where you can see how water brings nature to life,” says Hillary Adams at Paper Writing Service and Research Paper Writing. Memorable moments like these will help inspire the conservationist in anyone.

3. Daily routines

Build water conservation into your child’s daily routine in small, achievable ways. Globally we use around 4 trillion m³ of fresh water each year.

Making small adjustments early on in life is the best way to form environmentally conscious lifelong habits. Some ideas might be:

• When brushing your teeth, only turn on the water when you need it at the beginning and at the end to rinse.
• When waiting for kitchen sink or bath water to warm, collect the cold water for use in cooking or watering plants.
• Fill the sink rather than running the water when washing dishes.
• Wash fruits and vegetables in a pot of water rather than under a running faucet, then use that water on plants.
• Collect run-off rainwater to water plants or wash the car.
• Re-use water in cooking where possible; pasta water is good in sauces, water that once boiled vegetables makes a great base for soups.

Take a look at your kids’ routines and see how they can save a little water every day.

4. Garden tips

A great way to spend time outdoors and make water conservation relevant at the same time is to make a water-friendly garden with the kids. “A good garden has the possibility to teach kids about the water cycle, put their household water-saving skills into practice and to fully appreciate the value of environmentally-friendly behavior. If you can, work on making a water-friendly (or water-wise) garden, and if not, build little projects around collecting rainwater and re-using house water,” says Oliver Ivan, a journalist at PaperFellows and OXEssays.

5. Points mean prizes

If you’re finding it hard to engage kids with the storytelling of water conservation, harnessing their competitive side will make them into mini-environmentalists in no time. Who can shower the quickest? Who can collect the most run-off water? Whoever wins gets a prize! Finding little ways to reward eco-friendly behavior will instill positive reinforcement for positive actions.

6. Get creative: Leak Detective

Make saving water into a game and any kid will want to get involved. A popular (and practical) method is Leak Detective: scour the house to find any hidden leaks. First look for clues: sounds of dripping water, marks or spots on the floor. Drip colored die in the toilet tank and see if it runs into the bowl; if it does you might have a silent leak.

These are just a few ways to get kids excited about water conservation and instill some eco-friendly behaviors in them as they grow up. Follow these examples and saving the planet doesn’t have to be scary or a chore, but something they enjoy doing, and something that reminds them of family.

A creative writer at Dissertation Help and Essay Roo, Beatrix Potter has been a resume and cover letter editor for 5 years. She is also a writing teacher at Write My Essay.