Teaching your kids important lessons about the world doesn’t just have to take place in the classroom. You can impart wisdom and knowledge about things like sustainability and environmentalism by exploring the world and seeing the issues that face the natural world firsthand. By incorporating eco-friendly travel practices into your adventures, your kids will be able to get a sense of responsibility and respect for the environment in a far more valuable and engaging way than they would by learning from a book.
From cruises for a family travel to rainforest eco-adventures and off-the-grid stays, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a sustainable travel and share with your kids the importance of an eco-conscious lifestyle. Here are some of the best ways to help your children learn in an enjoyable way while on vacation.
Plan Together
Kids love to feel involved and will gain far more by helping you plan your trip than if you just present them with an itinerary already fully formed. Getting involved and taking responsibility for some elements of the organization can help them understand the importance of sustainable travel.
Start off by researching destinations together to find the best and most eco-friendly places to visit. Get them to make suggestions and explain why they’ve chosen them, whether it is their attitude to conservation, well-preserved ecosystems, or sustainable infrastructure projects.
It is also worth discussing the impact that different modes of transport can have on the environment, and deciding together how this will affect your trip.
Pack Sustainably
Thinking carefully about what to pack when you travel and involving your kids in the packing process can be a great way to educate them about various sustainability issues.
It is worth thinking about packing reusable items like water bottles, tote bags, and snack boxes, to reduce single-use waste, and you can explain the issues behind the three Rs to your kids at the same time.
Look for eco-friendly toiletries and reef-safe sunscreen, and teach your kids how certain chemicals can be harmful to the natural world.
Emphasize Responsible Consumption
Being responsible about what you consume when you are abroad is a great opportunity to teach your kids to be mindful of how their actions can have knock-on effects on the environment.
Look for locally sourced, sustainable food to eat, and encourage the whole family to choose independent, local restaurants rather than corporate chains. Encourage your kids to think about how much water they are using when they shower, and why this might be an issue. Finally, remind them to consider what they are throwing away, and think about whether they can reuse or recycle waste rather than putting everything in the general garbage bin.
Engage in Eco-Friendly Activities
Of course, a vacation with the kids needs to have plenty of time for fun and excitement as well as education. But it is perfectly possible to choose plenty of enjoyable activities that keep your kids fully entertained while also teaching them a little about sustainability.
Nature-fueled adventures are often the best option from this point of view, with nature trails, hikes, and wildlife expeditions offering a wonderful blend of fun, excitement, and learning. Kids can connect more deeply with the natural world and get a better appreciation for how to look after it while climbing mountains, exploring forests, or kayaking along rivers.
By incorporating sustainability and ethical travel practices into every aspect of your vacation you can offer your kids far more than just a fun trip away. Eco-friendly travel is a powerful way to instill environmental values in your children from an early age and ensure that they consider the planet and its wildlife in all of their decisions, both on the road and at home!
