Happy Earth Day, 2012!

This year marks the 42nd annual Earth Day! Hopefully the weather is cooperating wherever you are so that you can go outside and really appreciate that earth!

For ideas on ways to celebrate on Earth Day and every day, visit http://www.earthday.org/2012

Chimpanzee – A Movie with a Good Cause

In honor of Earth Day being this week if you see Disneynature’s new film, Chimpanzee, a donation will be made to the Jane Goodall Institute to help protect chimpanzees and their habitats during the week of April 20-26th.

The movie follows, Oscar, a playful baby chimp, in Africa after he’s separated from his family.

For more info, visit the film’s website at http://disney.go.com/disneynature/chimpanzee/

Take a Walk in the Park Day!

Who knew that we needed a day to recognize taking a walk in the park?! Research shows that kids spend, on average, two hours less per week outside than they did 20 years ago. How about we prove that research wrong by celebrating March 30th with a lovely walk in the park? Visit www.walkscore.com where you can type in your address and explore your neighborhood to find the least and most walkable routes in your area.

Enjoy the outdoors!

 

Grow Something with Your Kids!

As spring has sprung upon us lately here in NYC, we thought we’d encourage everybody to plant some seeds. Coming from somebody with only a windowsill to grow a few spices on, if you have some green space, take advantage of it! Here are some tips for those who might be first-time growers and/or green-thumb-challenged!

1) Start simple! Get a seed catalog such as Burpee’s and research how much space you need for each plant.

2) Select an area in full sun with access to water. If you lack a spot that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day, try growing leafy veggies like spinach and lettuce, which can grow without as much sunlight.

3) Now you need to set up your garden space! You can get kits to build them from www.cooksgarden.com or any garden shop.

4) Fertilize your soil! A simple homemade compost will work wonders – kitchen scraps, dry leaves, etc.

5) Be patient! And get your recipes ready!!!

 

Eco Message Pillow

Hopefully your kids understand the importance of being green, but how about this cute accessory that promotes that message?! This was designed by a 12 year old girl named Phoebe.

Phoebe was the winner of Pottery Barn Teen’s  “What will YOUR pillow say?” contest at the 2010 AllyKatzz Tween Summit in NYC, where entrants were challenged to design their own PBteen pillow with an inspiration and empowering message.‬

http://www.pbteen.com/products/dream-wish-forever-pillow/?pkey=e|eco%2Bmessage%2Bpillow|209|best|0|viewall|24||70&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-

Bronx Zoo Lego Masters!

Consider taking a trip to the Bronx Zoo this summer. Not only would your kids get to see the animals, but perhaps BUILD some too!

• Help a LEGO Master Builder construct a giant crocodile out of LEGO bricks on July 16–17.
• Get tips from LEGO Certified Professional Sean Kenney to create your own wildlife-themed LEGO sculptures on August 20–21& September 17–18.
• Enjoy African crafts and music-making activities with the Museum for African Art on July 16–17 & August 20–21.
• Watch interactive Wildlife Theater shows at Wild Asia Plaza, performed daily.

Sarah Connor Saves the World one Lemonade at a time!

How inspirational is this girl?!

Sarah Connor wasn’t just your average 5 year old when she started having a local lemonade stand every Memorial Day and Cow Harbor Day, (Northport, New York’s annual celebration of the village’s history). The parades for both events pass by her home. Sarah has already raised a total of $4,000 for disaster relief for UNICEF and the American Red Cross, as well as for organizations like the American Cancer Society and March of Dimes. Four years ago, Sarah pledged to focus on eco-minded causes, and last year, she was the youngest person to win the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Quality Award! How amazing is that?!

This Earth Day marks the two-year anniversary of her website, www.ProjectLemonAid.org, which teaches kids how they can help save the planet. She has also won awards for “Beauty Is Disappearing,” her short film about species that are becoming extinct. Currently, she is in the process of launching an eco-themed blog. “Saving the earth is important. If we don’t, there are going to be really big consequences that us kids will have to deal with,” says Sarah. “If we all work together and do a little bit every day, then we can help the earth heal itself.”

So when your kid wants to have a lemonade stand this summer . . . . you never know where it could lead!

Volunteer with Your Kids

Teaching children the importance of giving back to their community is so important. But also so challenging to find the time, and not easy to find ways they can do it by themselves. Did you know that many volunteer organizations have family volunteering opportunities? Make it a family event on a regular basis – once a month, once a year, around the holidays – whatever you can manage. You could make a difference and teach your kids such a valuable lesson in the process. One organization that we love in NYC is called New York Cares. One adult member of the family has to attend a simple orientation meeting and the rest is easy! There are countless opportunities all over the city for family groups. You can sign up and search projects on the NY Cares website, and even cancel up to 24 hours in advance if life throws a curve ball your way. Projects range from soup kitchens to helping out in a community garden to animal adoption events.  Find a project that inspires you and your kids and make a difference as a family!

For more info, visit: http://www.newyorkcares.org/