Living green has become almost a catchphrase these days. Everything is green and eco-friendly. It’s easy to overlook it, but it is far too important to let green pass like any other marketing trend.

Teaching kids some simple conservation techniques and incorporating some green-minded projects will instill in them great habits for a lifetime. There was a time when it was taught that our actions would affect the world seven generations after our own. Simple lessons in ecological awareness help support this invaluable daily wisdom.

It is also a great opportunity to educate your kids about awareness, ecology, cause and effect, you name it. National Geographic has an excellent tool called quite simply The Green Guide that you can consult for inspiration.

There are many learning opportunities through simple daily actions and environmentally sound solutions. Today we’ll start with water, lights and windows.

Are you aware of how much water you use each day? A great tip is to keep a bucket next to your shower, anywhere from 2-5 gallons. Have your kids place the bucket under the faucet while heating up the water for a shower.

This reserved water can be used to water the garden or mop the floors. Have them do this daily and tally up the amount saved at the end of the week. Just think how many things you can do with that water!

We use energy even while we sleep. Just turning our appliances off at night isn’t enough, they are still drawing power. Put all of your appliances on energy efficient power strips and turn them off at night or have your kids set the clocks on timers and keep track.

Make sure to unplug chargers and turn off lights when a room is not in use for more than 10 minutes. This saves you money and helps the environment by lessening energy drain. Appoint someone to do a walkthrough of the house to check that lighting is not being wasted on empty rooms.

Heating and cooling is also a big cost. We have all heard about insulation, but what about a living curtain? If you have any windows that get consistent sun exposure, it also means you are paying more to cool that area!

You can plant containers outside the window with creeping vines, anything from morning glories to melons, mount a trellis in front of the window and you have a living shade.

You can also do it from inside. Create an espalier inside your window frame using picture hanging wire and grow creeping vines from small pots lining your sill, peas & other legumes work beautifully.

You can also hang plants like philedendrons from the top of your window casing for a beautiful living energy efficient window covering.

Talk to your kids about energy efficiency and living green and find all the wonderful ways you can work together. There are so many ways to make a lasting impact and you can start today.