Clean Up Your Act

ewww, it's gross, stinky, unsanitary and god only knows what else, but kids can get REALLY proactive about cleaning up trash at the beach or the park. 

it is a strangely shocking thing to see a person throw trash out of their car window. hopefully our children's generation will never act this way, what with all the things we teach them about the earth, global warming and blah blah blah.

RULE #1 and ONLY - do not forget the rubber gloves from under your kitchen sink and make everyone wear them!!!

so grab a bag, lots of hand sanitizer and go.

come up with a game to get it done with flair. make up stories about who the people were who dropped these items and why, count the pieces and make a race out of who can get the most into the garbage bag or sing a jaunty rendition of oscar the grouch's I LOVE TRASH.

the lesson: without freaking out the kinder, talk to them about the effects of trash on animals; how a bird could choke on it, a squirrel can't digest paper or plastic. also share with them the pride of taking care of their world.

***added bonus: cleanliness. i'd say that's a bonus. 

here's oscar in all of his filth and glory

"Lemonade...that cool refreshing drink"

when life gives you lemons (read: bored kids halfway through summer break), make a lemonade stand. 

what is more all american summertime fun than a lemonade stand? ok, maybe a baseball game, an apple pie or a run through the sprinklers or a - forget it, i could go on for a while.

here are the tools for the next gen socially conscience lemonade stand:

start with the whole foods 365 brand lemonade from concentrate. it's ORGANIC and perfect for mixing.

here

9 oz clear biodegradable cups made of corn (they look like plastic party cups).

50 cups for $7

treecyle.com

recycled napkins from seventh generation are brown and look uber-chic with your child's "logo" colored on the corner.

napkins here

serve it all at this post-consumer use cardboard stand to make it oh so very professional

greenpartygoods.com

bake some all natural thin mint cookies (i have already supported the girl scouts PLENTY in this category so i don't feel guilty usurping their ground)

thin mints

now that you are ready for business, talk to your kids about where they want to donate their hard earned cash. for ideas on this, browse "markmakers"or "youthgive" (both on this site in earlier posts) to see kid friendly explanations of causes and needs.

the lesson: your kids earning their your own coinage? priceless.

***added bonus: so thirst quenching!

Acme Craft - Hat's Off To You

children undergoing chemotherapy and radiation lose their hair.  not a news flash.  they feel embarrassed.  they get cold when they are going to sleep.  they are miserable with their appearance.  they are susceptible to sunburn.  as if they needed more heartache.

a great project to do with your kids (and their friends) is to decorate hats and send them to these deeply deserving little heroes.

the lesson: helping others who need support - even if we don't know them (more "do onto others" stuff).

***added bonus: spending an afternoon crafting with your beautiful and healthy children!

here's a link to head huggers

here's a link to ronald mcdonald house

here's a link to st. jude children's hospital

***here's a link for organic cotton hats