If you have children, you can help develop their commitment to art and the world by incorporating your commitment to going green when they’re making crafts. Use the suggestions below to help your children learn about going green and green energy while making art projects.

Consider purchasing crayons made from soy or beeswax that promise to be more environmentally friendly than traditional crayons. Another way to consider the environment and show your commitment to the world is to donate older crayons to a school or daycare center or even a shelter that houses families that accepts such donations.You can also point out that an art project conserves family energy use by leaving time for computers and televisions to be turned off.

Use recycled paper in crafts projects to help familiarize your child with the recycled symbol and where to look for it on packages. Pencils that use renewable sources for wood are easy to find and are labeled with an FSC certification. FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council. Many pens are made from recycled materials. Markers that use recycled materials and nontoxic inks are available.

Reducing the use of plastics in art projects is a great way to promote your child to be green when doing art projects. From scissors with recycled materials for handles to using reusable lunch sacks instead of plastic bags, your child can learn about using earth-friendly products.

When you replace old electronic devices, show your children how to properly dispose of them. Many rechargeable batteries that can be used in your electronics qualify as greener alternatives to traditional batteries. You should also point out the energy efficient light bulbs you use in rooms where you do crafts to emphasize your household’s use of green energy.

Consider using felt made from recycled materials such as soda bottles instead of traditional felt used for your children’s craft projects.

You can reuse items in your home from magazine pictures to old cardboard as a great way to introduce your children to the idea of reusing old materials in a new way to create artwork.

Show your commitment to going green by having your children make some old-time arts and crafts projects, such as sock puppets or animals made from paper towel or toilet paper rolls. You can update the green elements of your project by including modern glues that are eco-friendly and by using paints that have environmentally friendly ingredients.

Consider purchasing beeswax alternatives to modeling clay that are considered cleaner and safer for children. You’ll probably pay a bit more for the beeswax modeling material but it can be a nice way for your children to have the experience of sculpting with a commitment to going green.

String and yarn made from hemp or a hemp and cotton blend is recommended as a more natural and eco-friendly way for children to use these materials than some other products on the market. The downside to these materials is that they are frequently more expensive than other yarns and string.

Use green cleansers for after-craft cleanup. Using environmentally friendly soaps and cleansers shows your children your commitment to the environment.

Helping your children understand your commitment to going green can be accomplished by choosing green craft materials for their projects. Use the suggestions above to incorporate craft materials that reflect your commitment to the environment and that will provide your children with fun in expressing themselves artistically.