Taking the Kids: Celebrating Earth Day safely all spring

Shabbir Noor, who runs the health and fitness site Recycle Studio, suggests planting a garden — or a tree. Teach kids how they can turn food scraps into compost that will nourish their garden.

Tours by Locals Melhus adds that families should buy local. “By buying local products, local food, souvenirs and handcrafted items we are contributing to the development of the local economy,” he said.

Farmers’ Markets are always a great bet to teach kids about eating what is local and in season to reduce our carbon footprint. The Farm at South Mountain in Phoenix offers travelers a unique outdoor dining experience under the canopies of pecan trees and an organic-style garden with locally sourced ingredients, many from the on-property garden.

Learn about what harms marine life at an aquarium or places like the The Whale Museum in Friday Harbor in Washington state’s San Juan Islands, then spot them in the wild. The San Juan Islands are one of the best places in the world to whale watch for orca, minke and humpback whales.

Start a conversation with kids about endangered animals at a zoo, whether a local one or one you might visit when you travel, like the world famous San Diego Zoo or a theme park like SeaWorld, committed to animal rescue and rehabilitation.

As you begin to travel — or at least think about where you might go — consider that a growing number of resorts and destinations that have been recognized for their sustainability initiatives. Increasingly, you will find eco-oriented activities.

Anse Chastanet in St. Lucia has long been a leader in sustainability efforts and in encouraging guests to get involved with marine biology workshops and on-site sustainability tours for kids.

Grande Lakes Orlando, set on more than 500 acres, offers eco-tours from canoe trips and sunrise safaris, led by Florida master naturalists; There are falconry experiences to learn about these birds of prey, natural wildlife habitat and an onsite 7,000 square foot farm with a garden, chicken coop and more.

In the Ozarks, Big Cedar Lodge was Inspired by Bass Pro Shops Founder and Owner Johnny Morris’ commitment to conservation and education; Nearby, Dogwood Canyon Nature Park offers countless options for hiking, biking, fishing and more.

The soon-to-be-reopened Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda in the Dominican Republic’s El Seibo province, located in between rugged mountains and secluded beaches, is the first and only operating resort in the as-yet undiscovered region Learn about local ingredients, recycling, composting and planting at the on-site community garden, The staff uniforms are made from recycled plastic.

Wherever you go, Choose activities that enable you to explore the natural world — stunning rock formations in Utah; tide pools in Maine. Have you ever explored a bioluminescent bay? Puerto Rico boasts three of the world’s five and the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. forest system.

Happy Earth Day!

========

(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow TakingTheKids on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments. The Kid’s Guide to Philadelphia, the 13th in the kid’s guide series, was published in 2020, with The Kid’s Guide to Camping coming in 2021.)