Small Steps, Big Impact: Teaching Kids to Care for the Earth

Earth Day is a poignant reminder to honor the environment that sustains us every day. “Caring about sustainability isn’t just good for the planet; it’s often the best choice for us and our kids from a health and a development standpoint. For instance, reducing your single-use plastic usage is good for the planet, but also, doctors are finding microplastics in our brains and in the soil, where they affect the health of the plants that we eat,” said Bridget Shirvell, environmental journalist and author of the new book Parenting in a Climate Crisis.

2025 EARTH DAY EVENTS FOR YOUR FAMILY

Beyond teaching children to appreciate the beauty of their outdoor surroundings and working to preserve the environment for future generations, practicing sustainability has other valuable benefits. “If you want to reduce your plastic usage, it forces you to be curious about other options, flex your problem-solving skills, and adapt. Those are all important skills that as parents we want our kids to practice if they are going to thrive as adults,” added Shirvell.

TRY ADDING THESE STRATEGIES TO YOUR ROUTINE:

BUY THOUGHTFULLY AND THROW AWAY LESS

• Seeking secondhand items first is a great way to save money while keeping new resources and shipping emissions out of the equation. Great local stores focused on children’s items include Chatterbaux Children’s Shoppe (Pacific Grove) and Oh Baby (Salinas). The Marina Library hosts a kids’ clothes swap at their monthly Dads Read events. Search Facebook Marketplace or consider online resale sites. Clothes, toys, and books, many used only for a few months, are ideal to pass along to a friend, donate to a thrift store, or post on a neighborhood freecycle. 
• Keep batteries out of the trash, urges ReGen Monterey. “Help us stop fires: Please put batteries in plastic bags, then put on top of your blue recycling bin for pickup,” shared Eric Palmer, Senior Communications Coordinator for ReGen Monterey. Of special note: Many toys and other kids devices have batteries inside; do not throw these away in the regular trash with the batteries still inside.
• Borrow library resources. Beyond books and movies, libraries also loan out cool things like ukuleles and social emotional learning backpacks. Salinas Public Library’s Library of Things includes bird-watching kits, science kits for kids, tents, binoculars, laptops, and more. Swap bookmarks, recycle batteries, and trade seeds at the Monterey Public Library. 
• Choose recycled, green, or local goods at the store.
• Teach your kids about composting. “We really want to ask residents and parents to collect food scraps and put them in the green organics bin (instead of regular trash). This works for leftover food, kitchen food scraps, or food that rots in the fridge along with yard waste and then ReGen turns it into compost that goes directly to local farms and prevents methane, one of the most harmful greenhouse gases, from being released into the atmosphere,” shared Palmer. It’s easier than you might think: My daughter already insists on “compost” after she snacks on oranges and she’s not even two years old—I’m savoring this small win on the long road of parenting. 

CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

• Choose family activities that you can walk or bike to. 
• Join local beach cleanups with the Surfrider Foundation Santa Cruz or Surfrider Foundation Monterey County, which provide all the gear needed. Challenge your kids to see who can pick up the most trash!
• Use water conservation resources like soil monitors and visit local nurseries to learn about drought-resistant native plants.
• Care for plants and local areas while learning more about gardening as a family with organizations such as Volunteers in Parks.
• Read kids books about the environment, such as Nature Recycles: How About You? by Michelle Lord, recommended by the Pacific Grove Library’s Miss Mary. Parents will benefit from Bridget Shirvell’s Parenting in a Climate Crisis.
• Set time to explore California’s state parks and neighborhood gems like the Monterey Bay Aquarium to show your children how awesome nature is and why it’s so important to preserve and protect it. Bonus: State park passes can be borrowed from the Monterey, Pacific Grove, and other libraries. 

EAT AND DRINK MORE MINDFULLY

• Visit local farmers markets to choose seasonal produce and other food grown in our region. Not only does local food usually taste better, but you may save money and know that you are investing in your community while limiting the emissions used to transport goods from far away to the grocery store.
• Borrow niche kitchen tools such as an air fryer or waffle maker from the Pacific Grove Library for occasional use.
• Try more meat-free meals. Feature tofu, tempeh, eggs, and legumes to mix things up and minimize your resource impact.
• Carry reusable water bottles to refill.