--- title: Teach Kids the Importance of Protecting the Outdoors description: We take a lot from the earth, but how can we give back? There are things children can do to help the planet, Especially kids who value outdoor play. image: https://blog.swingsetwarehouse.com/hubfs/iStock-506912464_edited.jpg --- # Teach Kids the Importance of Protecting the Outdoors 5/13/17 7:35 AM / by [Swingset & Toy Warehouse](https://blog.swingsetwarehouse.com/author/swingset-toy-warehouse) ![kids in the outdoors](https://blog.swingsetwarehouse.com/hs-fs/hubfs/iStock-506912464_edited-1.jpg?width=789&name=iStock-506912464_edited-1.jpg "kids in the outdoors") There’s an old Chinese proverb that goes something like this. *“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”* The same is true about talking to your kids about the environment: It might be something that you wanted to bring up years ago, but it’s not too late to start. If they’re kids who value outdoor play, they might even be inclined to listen. Here are a few ways to get started. ## What to say when they ask, ‘What is the environment?’ A good answer is “Everything around us. The air, water, people and animals.” When we talk about the environment, we mean everything on the earth that affects our lives. ## Why do we need to protect the environment? The environment gives us all the things we need to live: air, water, food, warmth and shelter: - We get oxygen from the air. - Our food comes from plants and animals, and our water from lakes, rivers and rainfall. - We get shelter from materials that come out of the earth and from trees. - We get warmth from the sun. ## How can we help the environment? We take a lot from the earth, but how can we give back? It turns out, there are many things children can do to help the planet. - **Save water** You can do this by taking short showers instead of baths, water plants and flowers with a watering can instead of a hose, and making sure taps are shut off properly at home and at school. - **Save electricity** Switch off TVs, computers and video game systems when they aren’t in use, and turn off lights when you leave a room. Walk or bike whenever it is safe to do so. - **Reuse and recycle** Give away clothes you’ve grown out of, and recycle paper and cardboard. If you drink water from a bottle, hang onto the bottle and reuse it. Play with toys that can last awhile. - **Plant trees** Trees help clean the air we breathe, taking in carbon dioxide and giving off oxygen. And having one near your home can help keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter (when the leaves fall, it lets sunlight in). And when a tree gets big enough, it can be a big part of your outdoor play - **Don’t litter** The trash you throw away can end up in a river, which takes it to the ocean. Make sure you dispose of trash properly. Take part in a clean-up at the beach or your local park. - **Animals and the environment** Clean up after your dog when you take him or her for a walk. If you have a cat, keep it inside at night. It’s safer for the cat, and for small wild animals. And don’t kill spiders: they all eat insects and provide an important form of natural pest control. We care about the earth. [Outdoor play](https://www.swingsetwarehouse.com/why-swingset-warehouse/who-we-are/) is our business, and we want our customers to have a great outdoor play experience. If you want to encourage your kids to spend more time with the environment, we’re here to help. Check out our website or one of our [four New Jersey locations](https://www.swingsetwarehouse.com/contact/locations) to find a swing set,[trampoline](https://www.swingsetwarehouse.com/products/trampolines) or [basketball hoop system](https://www.swingsetwarehouse.com/products/basketball-systems) that will keep your child active and engaged in outdoor play. 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