Kids & Company Blog

7 Tips to Green Your Family’s Fall Routine

Fall is a great time to bring more eco-friendly habits into your family’s daily life. With the change in seasons, there are plenty of opportunities to reduce waste, save energy, and teach children simple ways to care for the planet. Just as important, these moments are a chance to talk with your children about why these habits matter, how composting helps create healthy soil, why donating clothing keeps items out of landfills, or how turning everyday household items into crafts gives new life to things that might otherwise be thrown away. By connecting the actions to their impact, children not only learn simple ways to live sustainably but also grow up understanding the impact they can make in protecting the environment. 

Here are a few ideas to get started! 

 1. Practice composting  

With leaves falling and more meals cooked at home, fall is the perfect season to start composting. Raking leaves can become a fun family activity, especially when children get to jump into the piles they’ve helped gather. Once the fun is over, those leaves don’t need to go to waste. Pair them with food scraps from your kitchen and start composting together. Children can learn how organic matter breaks down and turns into nutrient-rich soil, while also seeing how their everyday actions help reduce waste. Check with your local municipality to see if compost bins are available and make it a seasonal tradition. 

 

2. Implement small changes to conserve water and electricity 

Small changes make a big difference over time. Here are some small tips you can follow to help conserve water and electricity in your home! Involve your children by putting them in charge of one of the habits, like being the “lights captain” of the house! 

• Turning off lights when leaving a room 

• Unplugging small kitchen appliances like toasters and blenders when not in use 

• Switching off the tap while scrubbing dishes or brushing teeth 

• Taking shorter showers to save water and energy 

These small steps help children build lifelong eco-conscious habits. 

3. Reusable crafts  

Fall crafts can be fun without creating extra waste. Use materials you already have around the house such as jars, cardboard, or fabric scraps. Crafting with recycled or reusable items sparks creativity and reduces unnecessary purchases. 

When trying out a project, like this recycled water bottle activity from our Kidco at Home Family Resources, take a moment to explain to your child why you’re reusing something instead of throwing it away. You might say, “By turning this bottle into a craft, we’re giving it a second life instead of adding more garbage to the planet.” This helps children understand that they can have an impact themselves, and can (and should!) help to protect the environment even at a young age. Plus, it shows them that caring for the planet can be creative and fun! 

 

 4. Encourage sustainable transportation 

Before the snow and ice arrive, enjoy the cooler weather by walking or biking when possible. It’s a healthy choice for your family and reduces your carbon footprint. Plus, children will love the chance to crunch through leaves on their way to school or activities!  

5. Get creative with leftovers and snacks to reduce food waste 

Leftovers can easily be turned into something new! Roasted vegetables can become a hearty soup, and overripe fruit can be blended into smoothies or baked into muffins. Get your children involved in the process by brainstorming fun ways to use up ingredients together. This not only reduces waste but also teaches them to value food. Find new recipes to try from our very own Kidco Kitchen! 

 

6. Mindful shopping for the colder months 

As temperatures drop, resist the urge to buy new items right away. When preparing for colder months, start by looking at what you already have. Hand-me-downs from siblings or friends, clothing swaps, and trips to thrift stores are simple ways to refresh wardrobes without buying new. Pre-loved clothing not only saves money but also keeps clothing out of landfills.  

7. Donations 

As you pull out fall and winter clothes, involve your children in the process by creating a “donation pile”. Encourage them to try on sweaters, coats, and boots to see what still fits and what’s ready to pass along. Make the choice to donate these items to local shelters or community programs, your gently used items can make a big difference for another family while reducing waste. You can talk about how these items can help keep another child warm through the winter and why giving is important. 

 

This fall, try weaving a few of these eco-friendly practices into your family’s routine. Each small change helps create a healthier planet and sets a positive example for children to follow for years to come. Small actions, whether it’s composting, reusing materials, or reducing food waste, add up over time. More importantly, they give children the chance to see that caring for the planet is part of everyday life. This season, try making sustainability a family habit that carries on beyond fall. 

 

Posted on: Tuesday September 30th, 2025

Posted by: Emily Burrows