Earth Day Sites for Kids

The Importance of Earth Day Sites for Kids

Today’s generation of children is all about technology. They are inundated with the Internet and computer usage wherever they go, and children can be seen surfing the Net at home, school and even in public libraries. Many of today’s elementary schoolers already own laptops, and parents are continuously looking for a way to get them off of computer games and onto something of more substance and value. Earth Day sites for kids are a great way to teach your little ones important lessons, while making the learning fun at the same time.

Kids may have already heard about Earth Day from their teacher, but as parents we have a further responsibility to make sure they truly understand what this special holiday is all about. Books and in-class lessons may provide the basic knowledge, however it is the Internet that will keep these tech-savvy kids hooked, and home is the perfect environment for environmental discovery.

Celebrated worldwide on April 22, you can make Earth Day a special occasion year round by sharing the following websites with your children and reminding them about the importance of preserving the earth. After all, we only get one planet, and it is up to this future generation to take care of it!

Great Sites For Kids

The official website for Earth Day tends to be a little too dry for children; however, the government has not forgotten these important environmental citizens. Dig a little deeper and you will find a provided list of Earth Day sites for kids, both official and themed after the general sentiments of the holiday such as animal preservation and basic health care.

EnergyHog.org is an especially entertaining choice for kids who need to learn about how to conserve energy. With "No Adults Allowed!" emblazoned on its homepage, children become HogBusters – a group of environmentalists dedicated to squelching the Energy Hog’s efforts at destroying the earth. Kids will love the interaction and games found throughout the site, and there is a great resource page for parents and educators if you can get your kids off the computer long enough to let you read it.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a children’s version of their website, and kids are able to explore information and ideas about various environmental factors such as air, water, plants and animals. With whimsical artwork and plenty of click-friendly pages, this site is perfect for a younger crowd and will be sure to capture their interest.

Lastly, the US Department of Energy has set up Roofus’ Solar and Efficient Home page. Here, children will met Roofus the Dog, who has a home fully equipped with the latest in energy efficiency technology. From an electric meter out back to a solar car parked in the garage, children will learn about what all standard houses will hopefully look like someday, and they can even get ideas to encourage their parents to upgrade their current home to be more earth friendly.

Practicing What You Preach

If you plan on pushing your children in an environmental direction, make sure you’re ready to be there to support their small efforts. Celebrating Earth Day year round by recycling and unplugging appliances when not in use are simple ways to make a big difference. Your children will be watching you, and you’ll be surprised at just how many earth-damaging habits they discover you doing. Earth Day sites for kids are a great resource to teach a new generation about an age old problem; however, your backing is extremely important if an environmental difference is to be made.