Get Your Kids Excited About Earth Day

• Editor's note: This is the second installment in a series of three articles that presents tips for a healthy planet, in honor of Earth Day. The first story featured ideas for your home and workplace. The next will focus on how you can help the planet while at play and in the car.

In celebration of Earth Day this month, here are some eco-friendly and kid-friendly ways to give back to Mother Nature. 

And take a look at the fun participants had at the 19th Annual Earth Day celebration at Polliwog Park last Saturday. Energy-efficient cars, trees, owls, doodle art, Razors, art and crafts, games and music helped attendees learn about how to make the earth a better place. Manhattan beach Patch captured the action in photos and words.

Teach kids about conservation: By teaching kids how to conserve, you're creating lifelong sustainable partners with the planet whose actions will have lasting impacts. Check out websites with hints for parents on getting kids excited about Earth Day. A website called Energy Star Kids has lots of tips for kids to help conserve energy and build healthy habits for the environment. The California Energy Commission also has a website for kids.

Try packing “no waste” lunches: Think of the packaging as well. How much trash results from your lunch? Do you recycle or reuse materials used to package your lunch? Millions of plastic snack and sandwich bags are produced every year and most are thrown away. Use reusable containers and less packaged foods, rather than the prepackaged lunch items marketed for school lunches. A Manhattan Beach mom has created the trashless Go Green Lunch Box and it's for sale at shops such as Grow: The Produce Shop in Manhattan Beach.

Plan “recycled” art projects: Most art projects everyone remembers working on as a kid involved recycled materials. Cardboard tubes, empty jam jars, recycled paper and paper bags—all can be used to make a work of art that's good for the environment.

Play outside: Skip the video games and TV shows. Rather than having fun via electronics, try fun activities that use human energy instead of electrical energy. There is no greater power than imagination. But go ahead and make an exception and let your kids see the after-school screening of "Bag It" Friday, April 22 from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Information listed below.

Editor's Note: The City of Manhattan Beach and Transition South Bay are offering two free screenings of the award-winning plastic bag documentary, "Bag It." The film discusses marine debris and why reducing plastic pollution is a good idea.

There are two screenings. The second one is a full-length showing. Screenings will be held on Friday, April 22 (Earth Day) from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers at 1400 Highland Avenue and from 6 - 8 p.m. in the Police/Fire Conference Room at 420 15th Street. Both buildings are in the city hall complex across the parking lot from each other.

Reserve seats by e-mailing transitionsouthbayla@gmail.com.