Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save Water and Protect the Environment

Our earth has limited resources, and we must all do everything in our power to preserve them. It doesn't matter if you're 4 or 40 years old, there are many meaningful steps you can take to protect the environment. Here are a few water conservation tips for kids.

Turn off the tap

It is great if your little ones are excited to brush their teeth every night, but make sure they are turning off the tap water when they do so and not leave it running. It may not seem like a lot of water is being wasted during this time, but even little steps can go a long way. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, if you turn off the water while brushing your teeth in the morning and at night, you can save up to 8 gallons of water a day! That comes out to about 200 gallons a month. Smart little steps like this add up quickly and are an important part of a household water conservation plan.

Wash the dishes correctly

Odds are your kids have a list of chores to do each day, one of those being doing the dishes. Make sure they're not wasting any water while scrubbing those dirty plates. Instead of letting the tap run, scrape the excess food into the garbage can first so your washing doesn't have to be so vigorous. If the food is stuck, fill the plate, pot or pan up with warm water, and let it soak for a couple of minutes. The hot water should soften the food and make it easier to clean. 

Shower, don't take a bath

Although your kids might be used to taking baths, bathing uses up to 70 gallons of water. A shower, on the other hand, only uses about 10 to 15 gallons. Do what's best for the environment, and opt for a shower for your little ones to save water.