„We need sustainability so that we can leave a livable future for our children!“ – We hear this often. But it’s even more wonderful to discover and experience sustainability WITH your child. When your little explorer grows up playing and learning alongside eco-friendly alternatives and habits, they’ll eventually become second nature for the whole family and no longer feel like an effort. Maybe you can even turn it into an exciting game or fun family activities. We’ve gathered a few inspirations for you here.
Shopping together
A large part of everyday life is shopping. Whether it's groceries, clothing, or toys, there are eco-friendly alternatives to discover everywhere. If you involve the whole family in shopping as often as possible, your child will naturally learn to look out for better options. For example, give your little explorer the responsibility of packing cloth bags and reusable shopping nets. Or send them to look for vegetables in the supermarket that come without plastic packaging. Maybe you can also occasionally run small errands by bike or on foot? Every small step helps on the way to a more sustainable weekly shop!
You can also start small when it comes to clothing: browse together at flea markets or thrift stores for stylish outfits! It's like a little treasure hunt for the whole family. If that's not really your thing, maybe a swap party with friends or at the kindergarten is an idea. Everyone brings clothes they no longer need, and then they exchange or sell them over cocoa, coffee, and cake. Your child learns in a familiar environment and with their playmates that clothing doesn't always have to be brand new.
Start sustainable projects
Children love taking responsibility for small projects themselves. You can tailor these to your family and your little explorer. Whether you create a raised bed together, set up a compost heap for your organic waste, introduce a worm bin, or craft something beautiful from our : involve your child in planning and carrying out the project in an age-appropriate way. This way, they experience firsthand the steps that lead to a more sustainable life.
Experience nature together
Your child learns best when they understand the connections. When it comes to sustainability, this works especially well through experiencing and discovering nature. Whether it's a walk in the forest, a trip to the lake, or a visit to the zoo: your little explorer learns about WHAT we actually need to protect. Many zoos and animal parks also offer exhibitions on the topic of sustainability, showing how trash and pollution affect animals and plants. With slightly older children, you can also organize a trash collection tour – pack trash bags, gloves, or grabbers and start a competition to see who can fill their trash bag first!
Find playful alternatives
These days, there is an eco-friendly alternative for almost every household item. Finding or making them can be an exciting game! Look for plastic-free products in the supermarket, make your own laundry and dishwashing detergents, or tear old textiles into dishcloths – all of this is fun for your little explorer and helps them experience sustainability playfully. With older children, you can calculate how much CO₂ you’ve saved by riding a bike or taking public transport, or, if you want a hands-on project, set up a rain barrel or solar collectors in the garden. This also helps you explain climate protection to children in a visual way. You can also gradually make the children's room more sustainable. You can find more inspiration in our article .
Give away secondhand
Gifts and souvenirs for children's birthday parties are often overlooked: there’s still an expectation to give something brand new. But why? Especially among good friends, you can agree that for the next birthday, only vintage or secondhand items will be given. If that feels uncomfortable for clothing or stuffed animals, choose ceramic or melamine children's tableware or plastic toys – these items can be cleaned easily and hygienically in the dishwasher. If you then use a nice fabric bag or cloth instead of wrapping paper, the gift is completely sustainable.
Sustainable living is a project that grows step by step, especially with children. At LILLYDOO, we know that no one can change everything overnight and that everything takes time. But every little bit helps, and if your little explorer learns and passes on awareness of our environment and how to protect it, they make a big contribution to a better future! We wish you lots of fun with it.
