How To Teach Kids To Be Energy Conscious
In today’s climate, it’s so important to teach kids to be energy conscious. Global warming and climate change are topics that are frequently in the news, and we now know that one of the best ways to slow the rates of these phenomena is through saving energy where possible. It’s vital that we teach children about the importance of conserving energy and talk about ways to conserve energy at home. Part of this is learning where energy comes from and what we use it for so that today’s kids grow into well-informed adults who take care of the planet.
The good news is that there are so many ways for kids to conserve energy at home. Why not use some of the great ideas below to come up with a kind of energy efficiency checklist for kids? By turning these activities into something fun, you can make sure kids are engaged and committed to the cause. What’s more, by incorporating more of these actions, your household can lower its energy usage (and your energy bills!).
Ways to teach kids to be energy conscious
If you’re searching for energy-saving tips for kids, we’ve got you covered. Check out the list below for some of the best ways to conserve energy at home.
1. Ride a bike where possible
Cars, and other private vehicles, are some of the main polluters out there. If you live in an area in which you can safely ride a bike, why not swap to this green mode of transport for some of your shorter journeys?
Many cities are becoming more bike-friendly, with new cycling lanes to make you feel more secure while you ride. What’s more, riding a bike can be a ton of fun, and it’s a fantastic form of exercise. This makes it an easy sell for kids!
2. Turn off gadgets for an evening together
How many times a week does your family sit in front of the TV, or spend the evening scrolling through social media? Turning off electronic devices for an evening, as an entire family, can be such a rewarding experience — and a great way to take a step back from the stressors of everyday life.
Switching off devices like TVs or computers will not only save you energy in the long run, but is also a great way to reconnect with one another and spend some quality time together.
3. Turn off lights in rooms not being used
One of the best ways for kids to conserve energy at home is to make sure everyone — children and parents included — turns off lights when they leave the room. If the younger members of your family are particularly forgetful, you can always put up gentle reminders above the light switches in each room as a helpful nudge in the right direction.
You’ll be amazed at how such a small habit can make a difference!
4. Learn about local energy sources
Try teaching your children about local energy sources so that they gain an understanding of where energy comes from and how it’s produced. This can also be an interesting research project for parents!
Going through some energy efficiency facts for kids, like the type of energy your house uses (coal, gas, electricity, solar, etc.), as well as the types that are used and produced in your local area, is an intriguing and often eye-opening activity.
5. Teach your kids how to do small practical tasks
One of the best ways to teach energy facts for kids is through a hands-on approach! Children generally learn by doing, and going through some household energy-saving tasks is an excellent way to make them energy-conscious.
For example, you could show your child how to change a lightbulb (under your supervision) to an eco-friendly LED option. You could also show them how to turn the central heating on and off, or point out the different “eco” cycles on your washing machine if this is applicable to your home.
Even small jobs like cleaning the filter of the air conditioning unit to increase its effectiveness can be a useful way to teach the value of energy conservation. These are all small ways to show children that minor practical tasks really can have an effect on the amount of energy your home uses.
6. Limit the lengths of your showers
It goes without saying that showers are much more energy-efficient than baths. But by taking shorter showers — ideally five minutes or less — you can save even more energy over the course of a year.
For a fun way to track time in the shower, try playing a short playlist of your child’s favorite songs. That way, when the last song finishes playing, your child knows that it’s time to turn off the water!
7. Close windows and doors when using heating or air conditioning
Whether you’re heating your home or cooling it down, it’s important to close doors and windows to be as energy-conscious as possible. If your child is constantly popping outside and forgetting to close the door, make sure to remind them that this is important.
Reducing the amount of outside air entering your home is the best way to ensure these systems work efficiently — more economical for you, and much better for the environment. (And of course, when the weather is mild enough, teach kids that it’s better to skip the heating and cooling altogether!)
We hope you’ve enjoyed this list of ways to conserve energy and that it’s helped you come up with a fun energy efficiency checklist for kids that works for you and your family. Remember, so many of the most effective ways to conserve energy start at home, and every effort counts!
For more tips and tricks on raising environmentally conscious kids, check out Teachers1on1.
