With Earth Hour happening tonight, you may be thinking of things to do with your family that don’t involve gadgets, tech, or anything that sucks up power. Green-minded readers, look further because we’ve crafted a list of fun activities that the whole family can enjoy during Earth Hour.
Earth Hour
Earth Hour is an annual global event where individuals, communities, and businesses turn off their lights for one hour to show support for the planet and commitment to addressing climate change. The movement began in 2007 in Sydney, Australia and has since grown to become a worldwide phenomenon.
Joining the Earth Hour celebration at home is an easy and fun way to show your support for the planet and take action against climate change.
The first step in participating in Earth Hour is to turn off all non-essential lights in your home for one hour, starting at 8:30 pm local time. Aside from this, you can also unplug electronic devices that aren’t in use.
Check out our list of eco-friendly family activities:
1. Play Board Games/Card Games
Take your family back to a simpler time when Yahtzee and Monopoly were a family’s source of fun! Kick it old school and play some great family-friendly board games! If you’re not a fan of board games or don’t have any, try playing some classic card games. There are tons of easy-to-play card games that are perfect for the family to enjoy sans electricity.
2. Fun with Flashlights
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Flashlights aren’t only for safety, parents. They can also be a great source of fun and entertainment. Try making some fun and silly shadow puppets. You can also start a fun and engaging round of flashlight tag or hide-and-seek (just make sure the coast is clear). Either way, you’re bound to have some battery-powered family fun!
3. Candlelit Dinner
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Have a relaxing, peaceful candlelit dinner with your family and friends. Have dinner prepared and ready to go before 8:30 PM and get ready for a dining experience that will knock your lights out! Just make sure to practice safety precautions when dining with candles and don’t forget to put them out before you go to bed.
4. Go For a Walk
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Take your family on a tranquil walk around your village or neighbourhood. The family gets exercise, plus you’ll get a chance to bond with them! Take your time to stroll the streets and enjoy the peacefulness of an electricity-free city while you can. Have a digital detox and turn off all electronic devices for an hour while you’re at it. Just don’t forget to observe safety measures when bringing the whole family outdoors.
5. Camp Out or In
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If you have a tent and an outdoor space, you can pitch up your tent and have a quick camping with the fam. If not, you can take the camping spirit inside your living room. Build a fort using blankets and pillows and tell stories (scary ghost stories or share your childhood memories) by candlelight.
You can also exchange fun dad jokes or ask each other “Would you rather” questions. If you want your kids to use their pent-up energy, have a family dance party with music played on a battery-powered or hand-cranked radio.
6. Eat Some Ice Cream
We saved the best for last! This is a great way to get your kids excited about Earth Hour. Your freezer will be turned off for an hour anyway. You might as well put that ice cream to good use and enjoy it with your entire family!
These activities are also a good opening for you to start the conversation on ways that your family can reduce its carbon footprint.
By participating in Earth Hour, you can make a difference and contribute to a more sustainable future. It’s not just about turning off the lights for one hour; it’s about raising awareness, taking action, and inspiring others to do the same.
So, join the millions of families around the world who participate in Earth Hour every year, and take a step towards a more sustainable future.
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