How Can Parents Make Summer Fun and Eco-Friendly for Kids? 7 Easy Activities from BAN Toxics

As summer vacation begins, environmental group BAN Toxics is encouraging Filipino parents to plan fun and eco-friendly activities for their children—especially in time for the 55th Earth Day celebration with the theme “Our Power, Our Planet.” The group emphasizes the importance of teaching kids to care for the Earth while enjoying their school break.

Discover more ways Filipino families celebrated Earth Day by exploring these Earth Day 2025 events in the Philippines you can join on-site and online.

“We should teach our children the importance of protecting and preserving the environment they will one day inherit. Summer vacation offers the perfect opportunity to introduce them to meaningful, toxics-free and waste-free activities, and it’s a great way to reduce screen time, too,” said Thony Dizon, BAN Toxics Advocacy and Campaign Officer.

Learn how BAN Toxics continues its mission to protect the environment by calling for stronger action on the 24th anniversary of the Philippines’ Solid Waste Management Act.

Here are 7 eco-friendly activities recommended by BAN Toxics:

1. Gardening

Let children connect with nature by growing vegetables, fruits, or flowers. This teaches them where food comes from and how to care for plants. Introduce organic gardening and explain why avoiding pesticides is good for health and the environment.

2. Eco Walk

Take kids on daily walks in the neighborhood or at the park. Make it interactive by picking up litter along the way. This simple activity teaches them to be responsible for their surroundings while getting exercise.

3. Nature Trek

Visit eco-parks, forests, or nature reserves. Kids can observe animals, identify plants, and discover how ecosystems work. These experiences build their love for nature and a desire to protect it.

4. Bird Watching

Encourage kids to spot and identify birds in your backyard or local park. This promotes curiosity, patience, and an understanding of bird habitats and conservation needs.

5. Beach Clean-Up

Turn a beach day into a learning experience. Help kids clean up plastic waste and explain its harmful effects on marine life. Give eco-friendly rewards like reusable bottles or plant-based toys to reinforce green habits.

6. DIY Upcycled Crafts

Get creative with upcycling. Use plastic bottles, cardboard, and old clothes to make planters, pencil holders, or bird feeders. It’s a fun way to reuse materials and teach kids about waste reduction.

7. Community Toy & Book Exchange

Organize a neighborhood swap of gently used toys and books. This zero-waste activity teaches children the value of sharing and sustainability, while also building community bonds.

“These are just a few examples of how families can make summer both enjoyable and environmentally meaningful. By choosing eco-friendly activities, parents not only create lasting memories with their children but also help instill values of responsibility, creativity, and care for the planet—one small action at a time,” Dizon added.

Want to inspire more green action in your home? Start with these simple yet powerful summer ideas and raise the next generation of Earth champions.

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