You’re never too young to start caring for the planet. Here are environmental activities for kids that help them learn about the earth, including eco-friendly DIY projects, word finds, coloring pages and more. Kids, please get permission before trying these activities or projects on your own.  Whether you’re young or just young at heart, learn or try something new about our amazing planet!  To find great games and activities, KMB Kids at the top of the page. 

As the school year ends and the summer travel season begins, it is important to travel eco-friendly. Whether you are taking a hike at Palo Duro Canyon State Park, swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, flying to a tropical destination, or taking a road trip, there are simple changes that can make a huge impact on the environment.

Transportation Tips

• Avoid idling if you’re taking a road trip. Save gas by turning off your vehicle when you need to make a stop. Idling longer than 30 seconds uses more fuel than restarting the engine.
• Remember to service your vehicle regularly and properly inflate your tires to improve gas mileage and ensure safety on the road.
• Take direct flights when flying and pack light, when possible, to reduce emissions.

Accommodations Tips

• Reuse towels and bed sheets. Ask your accommodation's housekeeping not to wash your towels and bed sheets daily to help save water and energy.
• Return plastic key cards when you check out. Many accommodations deactivate, sanitize, and reuse plastic keys. It can take plastic hundreds of years to decompose when sent to the landfill!
• Turn off the lights and turn down the climate control settings when leaving your room for the day to reduce energy consumption.

Outdoor Tips

• Follow ‘Leave No Trace’ protocols. This means that whatever you bring in with you should be brought back out with you, including all food and trash. Follow park rules. These rules are in place to keep our state parks beautiful and enjoyable for everyone.
• If you are washing dishes or your body outside, use biodegradable products to avoid altering the natural state of the area.
• Use flashlights and electronics with rechargeable batteries. When they run out of juice, be sure to properly recycle old batteries.

Beach Tips

• Use reef-safe sunscreen. When choosing a sunscreen, avoid ingredients that are harmful to marine life, such as Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, and Octocrylene. These ingredients can harm sea wildlife and the ecosystems of the beach.
• Utilize waste and recycle bins. Litter can blow into the Gulf of Mexico, which can be harmful to sea animals.
• Do not disturb wildlife and biodiversity. This means leaving shells, animals, and plants be.
• Pack reusable bags for shopping at the local flea market, farmers market, or shopping malls.
• Fill reusable water bottles for drinks to decrease single-use plastic and create less waste.
• Put health and beauty products in reusable travel-size containers instead of buying new products for each trip to reduce plastic consumption.