Adults may have trouble grasping the cascading impact of a multitude of seemingly harmless individual choices, so it should come as no surprise when children have trouble understanding their roles and responsibilities toward the health and well-being of the entire planet and all its inhabitants. When presented with the big picture problem, they may feel overwhelmed and helpless.
The following online games and activities can help kids understand large-scale global issues, such as climate change and environmental conservation, in child-sized portions. During game play, kids learn how their small choices can positively affect the whole planet.
Climate Change, Conservation, and Environmental Sustainability
- The EPA Climate Change Kids Club provides a collection of games, art activities, printable activity books, and information on the topics of air, water, plants and animals, energy use, garbage and recycling, sewage, pollution, and related allergies and asthma. The EPA Earth Day activity book shows kids twelve simple things they can do to make the world a better place.
- Meet the Greens is an online animated video series with games about caring for the planet.
- Keep Oceans Clean invites kids to learn about the ocean while cleaning up trash in the game.
- The National Park Service Junior Ranger Program invites kids to play over fifty games and learn about national parks. See Hiking With Young Children for tips on getting around in wilderness areas.
- The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides EEK!, Environmental Education for Kids!, an e-zine covering topics including critters, nature, our earth, and "green job" careers.
- The Conservation Education section of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forestry Service website includes a focus on climate change, along with other topics that help children understand the importance of conserving natural resources. Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl help spread the message.
Disaster Emergency Preparation and Humanitarian Response
- The World Food Programme's Food Force game sends players on missions to deliver food aide to areas in crisis.
- Fema for Kids provides information about the various forms of natural and other disaster and shows kids how to prepare for disaster and prevent disaster damage, through online games and activities, quizzes, stories, and videos.
When children understand how everyday actions can improve large problems such as widespread hunger, climate change, and endangered species, they can move toward making more and more important choices as they grow.
You might also enjoy:
Sara McGrath - Sara is a veteran homeschool mom of three, Usborne consultant, and the author of Unschooling: A Lifestyle of Learning.
Join the Conversation