8 Green Websites for Kids

November 28, 2008

Eight web sites, in no particular order, with a green bias that will keep your kids informed and entertained.

1. National Geographic Kids
The National Geographic children’s site is a great resource, which focuses on topics like animal migration, the environment and how it affects the wildlife around us. There are plenty of quizzes, videos, games, stories and tips to bring your children closer to the nature around them. Check out the step-by-step guide to planting your own garden.

National Geographic

2. Kidsrgreen
This hands-on site offers plenty of advice to children who want to go green - both in and out of school time. You can hop on a spaceship for a round-the-world tour or go on a mission with ‘Trip the Drip’ to discover the importance of water to the planet.

Kidsgreen

3. The Greens
Meet the Greens is a website about an environmentally conscious family who are trying to do their bit for the planet. This US-based site features short animated adventures, which all carry an eco-message. ‘Tons of trash’, ‘birds need trees’ and ‘food rescue’ are just a few of the episodes on the site.

Meet The Greens

4. CBeebies Green Balloon Club
The Green Balloon Club stars four eco-warrior children and a dog, who live in a virtual green club house. The site is full of songs, videos, print and colour activities – and there’s a green star club where you can print out a chart and collect reward stickers for good green behaviour.

Green Balloon Club

5. Recyclezone
The Recyclezone is sponsored by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and is a great source of green information for school children. It’s bright, interactive and easy to use with a wide range of brain teasers, jokes and ideas – don’t miss Recycler the Rapping Robot’s musical debut.

Recycle Zone

6. Nature Challenge for Kids
Meet David Suzuki - he’ll challenge your children to follow a ten-step action plan covering topics such as food, travel, and the home. The idea is for children to gain better eco-awareness and apply it to their everyday lives. You’ll also find fun role play ideas and activities to encourage kids to express their views on nature and the environment.

Nature Challenge for Kids

7. Charlie and Lola - Look After Your Planet
This popular game is a fun way of familiarising your children with the process of recycling. The task is to navigate one of the Charlie and Lola characters to collect falling rubbish in the correct recycling bins. The fun graphics and illustrations make this a pleasure to play, and you can progress through the site to bigger challenges depending on your level of skill.

Charlie and Lola

8. Scholastic Explorers - Earthwatch Partnership
This educational site is a great tool for inspiring children to expand their learning skills, as well as their knowledge of wildlife and the environment. Find tips on discovering the eco systems in your garden as well as the chance to watch a wildlife video and submit a report on what you see.

Teacher Scholastic

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Grants for Green Energy

November 28, 2008

There are lots of ways to make your home greener, and not all of them will cost you money. But for the more ambitious projects, such as installing solar panels, it’s worth checking if you qualify for any grants.

People are turning to renewable energy sources for many different reasons. Energy Performance Certificates, which form part of the new Home Information Packs, are now compulsory when selling many homes. I just wanted to do my bit for reducing CO2 emissions.

Whatever your motivation, it’s worth checking to see if you are eligible for any financial grants from government, local councils and energy providers. [Read more]

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Building getting city's first 'green roof' - Louisville Courier-Journal

November 28, 2008

Building getting city's first 'green roof'
Louisville Courier-Journal, KY - 53 minutes ago
Chicago now boasts several hundred green roofs. Smith said Louisville has lagged behind other regions in green building design, in part because of ...