Activities for the eco kid
Words Jo Perry
LAKids can go green not just on Earth Day, but every day by doing what they love to do: Playing with worms, making art, planting a garden, exploring on foot, basking in rainbows, splashing in fountains, playing games, or learning about trash.
Play with Worms
Kids love the alchemy of worm composting: With a little help from their footless friends, kids transform kitchen scraps, shredded paper, and dried leaves into a sweet mulch that will nourish plants and reduce the trash clogging our landfills.
Your kids will learn to create a worm composting bin at the Los Angeles County Arboretum’s, The Wonderful World of Worms: Vermaculture (Worm Composting) Workshop for kids and families. Kids are asked to bring a large, dark plastic tote (the Arboretum will supplies everything else). Workshop fees include admission to the Arboretum. Pre-registration required. For date and time, call 626.821.4623 or email colleen.biles@arboretum.org. LA County Arboretum. 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, 626.821.3222. http://arboretum.org
Worm-loving and composting kids will want to read: Composting: Nature’s Recyclers by Robyn Koontz, illustrated by Matthew Harrad (4-8 years) and Wiggling Worms at Work by Wendy Pfeffer, illustrated by Steve Jenkins (4-8 years).
Become a Connoisseur of Trash
Is trash day your kid’s favorite day of the week? Young “trashistas” will be inspired to lead your family’s efforts to reuse and to recycle after attending one of the Bureau of Sanitation’s District Yard Open Houses. Trash and trash-truck loving kids can get up close and personal with the people and equipment that annually collect 1.4 million tons of refuse from LA’s single and small multiple-family residences. Events include trash truck demonstrations, recycling activities, yard tours, games and prizes and appearances by LA’s recycling mascots, “Mr. Recycle” and “Robo Blue.” Million Trees LA will offer tree adoption opportunities, and the Bureau of Sanitation will distribute free mulch from its green waste program. Saturday, May 2, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., East Valley District Yard, 11050 Pendleton St., Sun Valley. Saturday, May 16, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., West Valley District Yard, 8840 Vanalden Ave., Northridge. Saturday, May 30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., North Central District Yard, 452 N. San Fernando Rd., Los Angeles. Saturday, June 6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. South Los Angeles District Yard, 786 S. Mission Rd., Los Angeles. Saturday, June 13, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Harbor District Yard, 1400 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro. Saturday, June 27, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. West Los Angeles District Yard, 2027 Stoner Ave., Los Angeles. For information on Bureau of Sanitation Open Houses call 800.773.2489 or visit http://lacity.org/SAN/.
Trashistas will want to read Trash Action: A Fresh Look at Garbage by Ann Love and Jane Drake, illustrated by Mark Thurman (9-12 years) and Smash! Mash! Crash! There Goes the Trash! (4-8 years).
