Editor’s Note: This week we are plugging in to all things Earth Day and thinking green as we work our way toward Saturday when we celebrate island-style with the Earth Day Family Festival.
Our Big Earth is running the Kids and Family Zone and, whoa, there is some seriously fun, green-ness on the schedule. Check it out:
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Community “articipation” living art installation. Come make your piece of the world and watch the installation evolve throughout the day.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Binocular and Nature Journal Making with Our Big Earth (plan for a NeighbourWood Walk too)
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Terrarium Making – Comox Valley Montessori Society
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Cooperative Board Games from around the world – Comox Valley Multicultural Society
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eco-kids Scavenger Hunt with Dawn Fizzard, Idle-free ambassador
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wool felting with Rebecca Watkin of Saltwater Waldorf School
10:30 to 11:15 a.m. – Liz and Kaz Razzmatazz perform their fun, lively kids tunes.
11 a.m. to Noon – Active Cooperative Games from around the world (all ages) with the Comox Valley Multicultural Society
11 a.m. to Noon – NeighbourWood Walking with Our Big Earth
Noon to 1 p.m. – Family Stories (for all ages) about the planet, our home, with Maureen Wagner of SD#71 StrongStart Program
1 to 2 p.m. – Kid Food Science (experiments and fun) with James and Angeline Street from Brambles Market
1to 2 p.m. – Active Cooperative Games from around the world (all ages) with the Comox Valley Multicultural Society
2 to 3 p.m.. – NeighbourWood Walking with Our Big Earth
3 to 4 p.m. – Active Cooperative Games from around the world (all ages) with the Comox Valley Multicultural Society.
So, get down to Simms Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. While you’re there, your kids can try the following eco-craft out with the OBE crew and then hit the trail for a mini NeighbourWood Walk to use all of that new gear. 
If there is one thing I am always trying to find interesting uses for, it’s toilet paper rolls.
There are stacks of them around here. Seriously, how much tp does one family need?:)
Enough to at least make some super cool binoculars.
These bad boys are seriously easy to make and majorly fun on the trail.
Here’s what you need:
- 3 TP rolls
– Two elastics
– A hole punch
– String
– Optional decorations
Directions:
1. Take a TP roll. Cut it open on one side.
2. Take two more TP rolls and put them inside that first TP roll.
3. Fit an elastic over each end to secure. Use stamps to decorate.
4. Punch a hole in the outside of each of those two TP rolls. Attach string.
Before you hit the trail, try busting out a mini nature journal too.
We made ours out of half paper bags that we had left over from making the NeighbourWood Walk nature journals.
Here’s what you need:
- 4 half paper bags
- Hole Punch
- String
- Stamps and crayons
Directions:
1. Put the four bags together and punch three holes in them.
2. Secure them together by tying string through the holes.
3. Stamp, draw and take the fun journal on a walk (you can tuck things into the bag along the way).
Have fun and see you on Saturday!!!
More Crafts Using Recycled Material
- Paper Bag Puppets
- Cardboard Cameras
- Check out the Marble Mech
- Lambs, Chicks and Bunnies
- Recycled Space Robot
- Homemade Wrapping Paper
- "Stained Glass" lanterns
Have you checked out the Naturebag? It is made by two Vancouver moms and is made of fair trade, organic and recycled materials made to help your little ones get out and enjoy nature. I am pretty sure their url is http://www.naturebag.com
I like the craft as well though.