Eco-friendly family activities to do at home

As winter continues on it can be a struggle to think of different things to do inside. Here are some eco-friendly ideas that the whole family can get involved in.

1. Turn old clothes into a new wardrobe for your dolls

Raid your clothing cupboards. Fix or donate what you can, but with those bits that are too far gone why not design and make some outrageous outfits for your dolls. Or even some wacky soft toys. Sewing isn’t a must, use ribbons, clips, staples and pegs to hold the clothes together.

2. Create a leftovers feast

Get the kids to design a menu from a selection of the foods from your fridge and cupboards that are on their way out. Check your freezer for any odd bits you’ve been meaning to use up.

Bananas often end up going mushy in our house. If I can see one on its way out I peel it, squish it down, pop it in a bag and freeze it. Then when I’m ready I use them to make banana pancakes or smoothies.

The Freezer Full has lots of great advice and ideas on saving food from the bin and having bits to hand for easy meal prep.

3. Host Eco themed film nights

Here are a few fantastic kids films that highlight the importance of looking after our planet and the animals we share it with:

• Wall-E
• Madagascar
• Boy and the World
• March of the penguins
• Fern Gully: The Last Rainforest
• Over the Hedge
• Happy Feet
• The Lorax
• Ice Age: The Meltdown

4. Switch off devices and have a games night

Dedicate one night a week to playing physical games and puzzles. These can be board games, kid’s puzzles or challenges that you set.

Here are five silly Taskmaster style challenges we’ve played as a family:

Bridge Over Troubled Water Challenge
Using a variety of materials (raid your recycling bin), construct the highest bridge. The bridge must support the weight of a potato or similar object you choose.

Tallest Tower Challenge
Build the tallest tower using things like spaghetti and marshmallows.

Draw Back Challenge
Hold a piece of paper on someones back, then draw a picture, without telling anyone what it is. The person your drawing on must recreate you picture on another piece of paper. 

Throw a tea bag into a mug Challenge
Throw a tea bag into a mug from the furthest distance away possible.

Make the best noise possible
This can be done using your own voice or body or things around the house. Before making your best noise, you must say: “This is my best noise” and then remain silent for 10 seconds after making the noise.