„Dad, what’s sustainable?” – Seven ways to explain sustainability to your kids at home and on vacation

Whatever you exemplify, is what your child will emulate. You know this maxim, don’t you? It’s what we’re here to discuss today because what better way to teach little ones about sustainable practices than by setting an example? When we show our children right from the start how to do things in an environmentally friendly and socially responsible way in the little things of everyday life, it becomes a matter of course for them.

How do you explain the term “sustainability” to children?

At first glance, the answer to our title question seems complicated. After all, the topic is already difficult for us adults to grasp. Moreover, we confront our children with a world that in reality does not resemble the colorful children’s books and from which we want to protect the little ones as long as possible.

Nonetheless, we think it’s important to explain sustainability and give you a little incentive here. To put it simply, what sustainability means above all is that we should think about the future in everything we do. That was many hundreds of years ago when it was first used to describe not cutting down more trees than were growing back. However, today it also means much more, such as ensuring that our consumption of resources (food, raw materials) happens harmonizing with nature, that people are paid fairly and can work safely, and that we think about all the people, animals, and plants in the world, not just those on our doorstep.

Seven ideas for teaching kids about sustainable practices

Ready to dive into the topic with your kids? Well, we’ve collected five ideas for doing just that. They show that even small changes can have a big impact and raise awareness for looking at the world with open eyes. And best of all, many of them are easy to implement on vacation.

Sustainability at home

Where does your food come from?

When shopping for groceries, you can talk to your kids about where the food comes from. Long transport routes by truck or plane mean higher CO2 pollution, which is not good for the environment. You can also visit a farm together to learn more about how animals are kept, how vegetables are harvested, and so on. During such visits, children get a good sense of the fact that we as humans are dependent on farmers.

Of course, during the visit, you should also not hide the fact that the cute little calves or chicks will probably end up on the plate. Because that is also reality and sustainability. At the same time, it clarifies it that we have to treat the animals well, after all, they contribute to the fact that we have something to eat.

Everything to do with insects and bees is also a great introductory topic. Because without them, nothing or very little would grow in our country.

Second Hand is cool

Many clothing and toy production facilities are located in low-wage countries. That means that the people who make the things earn very little and often have to work under poor conditions. That’s the only reason we can buy cheap T-shirts here.

If you explain this to your children, then maybe it doesn’t have to be a new shirt after all, if the old ones still fit. And it helps to explain that second-hand (or the older sibling’s old clothes) is actually totally cool.

The same rule applies to toys.If something is no longer being used, you could give it to a friend or neighbor, or you could sell it at the next neighborhood flea market.

The garbage game

You can take a playful approach to the topic of waste separation. First, you explain which material belongs in which garbage can. In everyday life, you can then make an ongoing puzzle out of it: Whenever something is thrown away, you can ask the children in which bin they would sort the waste. With your kids, you can also consider which items in the home are made of plastic and whether you can replace some with an alternative. Shopping at the unpacking store is also a great way to pick up on the topic of (plastic) waste.

Environmentally friendly to daycare and school

Usually,children know from a very early age that car exhaust pollutes the environment. Including them in your own decisions about why you take the car for some journeys and the bike or public transport for others can raise awareness of the issue even more.

Walking to kindergarten or school, for example, is a great way to start a conversation about this. And by the way, you will perceive your immediate surroundings in an entirely different way.

Sustainability with kids on a family vacation
Nature instead of television, carriage instead of car

Vacation time, when there are no appointments on the calendar, is the perfect time for families to teach their children about sustainability. The Hotel Weihrerhof in South Tyrol is perfect for this. It is located in the middle of the Rittner nature on the shore of the Wolfsgrubner Lake. Here, your kids can immerse themselves fully in the natural kingdom while observing various animals, from frogs to dragonflies, or participate in farm afternoons or treasure hunts in the surrounding area via the local tourism association.

Zermatt’s two hotels, Bella Vista and CERVO Mountain Resort, are also happy to welcome you with your children in the midst of the Alps. The Swiss resort is completely car-free. There are carriages and electric vehicles, but you can also reach the village in 5 minutes on foot. Especially if you and your family live in a big city with a lot of car traffic, such a car-free experience is especially formative for children. And maybe for you, too.

Another car-free experience, but with a sea view instead of a mountain panorama, is the North Sea island of Juist. Every summer, the island hosts a children’s university on the theme of “sustainable living,” where children learn about the climate and climate change. And they do so vividly with experiments.

Get out and experience

The most valuable experiences children have been when they are out in nature and can feel and touch it. Because then they (and we) become aware of how valuable it is. At The Dreamer’s Club hotel on the Croatian island of Korcula, your kids can freely explore the garden with all its trees, plants, and insects. In addition, a small playground and a trampoline, guests are ready to romp.

For exploring in natural surroundings, Maslina Resort on the Croatian island of Hvar also offers a 7,000 square meter garden. You can also explore together where the food that ends up on your plates in the evening comes from, 😉 The hotel’s Kids Club also regularly offers activities that address the issue of sustainability.

To explore the islands without having to get into the car, you can rent bikes for you and your family in both hotels and make emission-free and sustainable excursions.

Children at the center

Brightly colored rooms and a family atmosphere make Eco Park Hotel Azalea a true sustainable family retreat. Guided children’s hikes in Val di Fiemme, children’s meditations or simply exuberant indoor and outdoor play: your kids are busy, and you can relax. At the end of the day, they will proudly tell you what they have experienced and learned.

By the way, the rooms at Azalea are named after flowers and even color-coordinated with the respective blossom. So, automatically you’ll all learn something new, and maybe you’ll rediscover the blossoms as a delicious detail on your plates at the vegetarian dinner 😉

The Naturhotel Outside is located in the middle of the Hohe Tauern National Park and thus offers an entirely different impression of the spectacular mountain world. Through the cooperation with the National Park Office, you can offer your children a profound insight into the Alps with its exceptional flora and fauna. For example, at the Forest-Wilderness Camp (two days) or with the Junior Rangers, who get to know the work of the National Park Rangers over several days.

Nature up close

At Hotel Klosterbräu, your kids can experience nature firsthand. In the daily Kids Club, for example, they make lavender syrup from their own lavender, which they will be proud to present to you in the evening. During the “witch hunt” over the parish hill, the children discover various hiding places and learn in passing what a great playground nature is. Crafting with natural materials also teaches appreciation for our environment. But an absolute highlight for young and old is the visit to Sigi’s pigsty, the farm and vegetarian farm that belong to the hotel. The rabbits, goats, donkeys and ponies make not only children’s hearts beat faster. Promised 😉

Still feel like sustainability is a difficult topic for kids? No? Excellent! Then together, let’s show our kids a sustainable way to interact with our world in a fun, creative way. So, they and their children and grandchildren can live on our beautiful earth for a long time to come!