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Environmental websites for kids

Many parents are concerned that their children spend too much time indoors on the computer. This time is put to good use, however, when children learn how to become stewards of their environment.

By Greg Seaman Posted Mar 5, 2009

There are a wealth of fun, creative and informative websites for children. Here are Eartheasy’s recommendations:

EekoWorld – A new PBS website teaches kids ages 6 to 9 how they can help take care of the earth. Animated characters use games and activities to present facts about ecosystems and pollution. Children can build their own “EekoCreature” and help it overcome environmental problems.

Nature Challenge for Kids – This David Suzuki Foundation website starts out with ten simple ways you can protect nature, followed by four challenge activities that offer first-hand experience with the natural world. The “Cool Links” page connects with other environmental websites.

Kids Planet – Species fact sheets, “wild games”, web of life, how kids can help defend the environment, even a Wildlife Adoption Center.

Eco-Kids – EcoKids is Earth Day Canada’s environmental education program for youth who care about the planet. It offers interactive, fun, educational games and activities that utilize participants’ willingness to learn. Children are encouraged to form their own opinions, make decisions, get involved and understand the impact their own actions have on the environment.

Kids Regen – A place for children to interact with other kids, play, and have fun while learning the important connections between healthy soil/environment, healthy food, and healthy people. Kidsregen.org is part of The Rodale Institute’s Youth Educational Program.

The Green Squad – This NRDC website shows how to identify and solve environmental problems. Explore a colorful virtual school room by room, and use the mouse to locate potential hazards. Site offers a wide range of fact sheets and environmental resources.

The Big Blue Bus – A fun way for kids to learn about protecting the world’s water sources. Kids ages 8 to 16 can sign up as Water Wizards, with a Small Fry Club for kids under 7. Cartoon characters introduce games and activities while teaching about “all things watery.” This site is put out by the Government of Canada.

Global Warming Kids Site – This EPA site explains what global warming is and what causes it, and what you can do to help stop it. Educational but not overwhelming, the site provides definitions of each scientific term used and features simple global warming-themed games.

Kids Go Wild – Wild news, wild animal facts, environmental games. KidsGoWild.com also gives kids the chance to get involved in conservation by joining Conservation Kids, where you learn about saving wild animals and the environment! Sponsored by The Wildlife Conservation Society, headquartered at the world famous Bronx Zoo.

I Buy Different – Empowers children and teens with the message: “You have the power to make the earth a better place becuase of what you buy.” This site offers a variety of tools and materials to help young people learn about the connections and actions that can make a difference.

Roofus’ Solar Home – At this site, meet a dog named Roofus who’s an expert on solar energy and energy efficiency. As you visit different parts of Roofus’ energy smart house, you’ll find energy saving tips and simple experiments to help you understand how energy works.

Recycle City – Click on any section of Recycle City that you want to tour, or click on the Dumptown Game. You can create your own Recycle City scavenger hunt or go to the Activities area and see other ways you can explore Recycle City. A great way for kids to learn the basics of recycling.

Planet Slayer – “Greena, the Worrier Princess” is an animated Australian teenager with a sense of purpose — to save the earth. Visitors will have fun watching cartoons about her environmental adventures and playing the Planet Slayer game.

Tunza – This U.N. Environment Programme magazine for young people focuses each month on a specific topic related to sustainable living. Read articles written by and for teens around the world.

Environmental Education for Kids – EEK!, an online magazine for grades four to eight, contains articles and activities about animals, plants and environmental issues.

EPA Student Center – Offers information on a wide range of environmental issues. This site includes a section on environmental careers. Or, click on “Fun Activities” to play environmental games.

Kids Saving Energy – Games, tips, facts and information for kids to learn how to save energy. Published by the US Department of Energy.

Field Trip Earth – Travel the world via interviews, discussion groups, field reports, essays, slide shows and educator resources. Start on the “Choose a Field Trip” page, and use the airplane cursor to select a wildlife conservation project you’d like to visit.

Children of the Earth – Promotes a greater understanding and respect for animals, plants, water, soil, air and energy systems. Helps children comprehend the positive and negative environmental effects of our actions.

Flying WILD – A bird education offering for middle schools giving students the opportunity to learn through researching, planning, and hosting a school bird festival. Flying WILD is an initiative of the Council for Environmental Education (CEE) Project WILD program.

Treetures – The “Treetures” are tiny guardians of the forest who teach about trees and how important they are to the environment. Try out tree-themed activities, listen to the Treeture theme song, or send a TreeMail message to your favorite character.

Web Rangers – This is the National Park Service’s site for kids of all ages. Activities are presented for three age groups (6+, 10+, 13+) in categories Adventure, Exploration and Discovery. Challenges, puzzles, games and activities designed to educte children about nature and stewardship.

Green Guide for Kids – Provides children, their families and teachers with information, projects and solutions to help keep the planet green. It also exposes readers to environmental issues around the world as well as right in their own backyard.

Earth Matters 4 Kids – Earth Matters correlates science with basic environmental principles, helping teachers, students (K-6) and community members gain a full understanding of how science works in natural surroundings, by bringing a virtual natural world into the classroom.

New Zealand Eco Kids – a cool site packed full of interactive games, comics, movies and activities, designed to get kids excited about protecting the environment.

Related articles:
Pesticides & Kids – why you should be concerned

Spending time in nature, a natural remedy for ADHD

How to get your child excited about nature

The Real Cost of ‘Virtual Nature’

Flying the Earth flag in no-man’s land

Researchers find simpler lifestyle builds fit children

Posted in Connect with Nature Tags children, Kids, nature, websites

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Comments

Posted by claire datnow

Dec 11, 2009 5:33 pm

I applaud your excellent website packed with useful information. I am also passionate about encouraging kids to become wise stewards of nature. My novel, The Adventures of the Sizzling Six with a strong environmental theme will, I hope, inspire young readers.

Posted by VeoliaES

Dec 13, 2009 11:35 am

I sat down with my daughter this evening to show her some of these websites. Her initial thought was oh Mum I just want to watch TV. Until she went onto the Kids Planet website. The games on here were really addictive and even I was trying to fight her off so I could have a go. The picture puzzles were the best. I think it is very important for children to understand about environmental issues. My son recently told me off for leaving the light on in the bathroom and through my embarrassment I was extremely proud he knew that I was wasting electricity and that this was bad for the environment (and my purse).

VeoliaES Waste Management

Posted by BSM

Dec 17, 2009 6:20 pm

you say at the top of this page, "…concerned that their children spend too much time indoors on the computer" – but then you have a photo of a small girl in beautiful outdoor setting staring at a laptop. Quite ironic. Would be nice if you used a better image.

Posted by Rias Pengantin

Dec 20, 2009 10:10 am

Thats great, the kids need access to a lot of information resource about nature.
Internet and websites is just exactly what they need.

Posted by Koko Jojo

Mar 4, 2010 11:26 pm

Hi I am a young teen and i am looking for some websites that talk about the enviroment, how to help, ect, that are age appropiate for me (not too young or above my head). It would be useful, because i am extremley concerned about the enviroment. THANX!