Get Your Kids Excited About Earth Day

Editor's note: This is the second installment in a series of articles full of Earth Day tips. The first featured . 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.

Teach kids about conservation: By teaching kids how to conserve over their lifetimes, you're creating lifelong sustainable partners with the planet. 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 hosts 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.

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 fun with electronics, try fun activities that use human energy rather than electrical energy. There is no greater power than imagination.