earth Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

Earth Day Word Search

Paula — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:44:00 +0000

Earth Day is an annual reminder that our planet’s health is a shared responsibility. But it is also a celebration of the incredible natural beauty surrounding us. From the rugged coastlines of our favourite travel destinations to the crisp air on a mountain peak, nature is the ultimate backdrop for our lives. Which is exactly why we need to care and take care of the planet. As we look toward more sustainable ways to live and explore, Earth Day serves as the perfect moment to pause, appreciate the environment, and recommit to protecting the ecosystems that sustain us. To celebrate this day this year, I have put together a little challenge. Sharpen your focus and see how many eco-friendly earth related terms you can find in the word search below. Whether you are a sustainability enthusiast or just looking for a fun way to engage with the day, this word game is for you. See if you can spot all the hidden words that define earth day in this Earth Day word search. Earth Day Word Game Earth Day Vibes Every Earth Day April 22 I recognize the value of the planet we live on. In fact, that’s a goal for every single day not just April 22. But at this time of year it helps to have a reminder that we can all do better. We can all recycle a bit more or upcycle/ renew what we have. It’s not hard to choose products and brands that are better for the environment. Maybe this is the year to take a moment to coordinate something active and outdoors. Perhaps that’s a neighbourhood cleanup or just you and your family going out to clean up your corner of the world. Around the world, over 190 countries recognize and celebrate Earth Day. Check your city or your local news to see what is planned in your area. Tree plantings, free trees, neighbourhood cleanups and events are often scheduled around here. Don’t Miss the free tree giveaway in London, Ontario. One year we got two gorgeous trees for the yard. One was ruined by an animal over the winter but the second is thriving in my front yard. Earth Day Facts The first ever Earth Day took place April 22, 1970 in the US. That event is often thought to have launched the modern environmental activism movement. To print this one out just click on the clean link above and save it. Print a copy or share with family. Don’t Get Caught Without Paper Test Drive this new printer if you want to print it out and have some fun. This post contains affiliate links as a service to readers. Products Needed: Don’t forget to order paper – HP Printer Paper and also be sure to use a good printer. This Epson Eco Tank Printer is amazing. It saves ink like nobody’s business. Don’t miss this Earth Day crack the code printable while you are at it! This Earth Day crossword printable for kids is also a simple and fun thing to do.

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Getting Kids Inspired to Help with Earth Friendly Cleaning Products

Paula — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 12:18:00 +0000

This Earth Friendly Cleaning products post has been sponsored by Earth Brand which means I have been compensated. My opinion is all my own and it is truthful. My kids are inspired to clean again. That’s a rare thing typically, but during the pandemic, cleaning has taken on even greater importance first of all because everyone has been trying to up their sanitation game. Second of all cleaning is actually fulfilling because we have found a fun and effective new lineup of earth friendly cleaning products. Cleaning with Good Conscience Obviously, during this past 15 months, and the many many lock downs here in Ontario, we’ve all had more time in our homes which means more messes. My typically tidy home seems to explode into disorder overnight. So, more cleaning is necessary. But it’s not all bad news. My teens, like many kids, have found the pandemic to be anxiety provoking, emotional and downright terrifying at times. WE have all coped with some of that uncertainty and emotional turmoil by doing a lot of different things. I have done a lot of walking and exercising. Sometimes the kids join me and sometimes they don’t. My one daughter spends way too much time getting lost on TikTok. My oldest does a lot of baking and cooking which is all well and good and yummy too. But that can be messy too, so more cleaning is involved after that mess. Payton, 19, has also been cleaning compulsively. There are definitely worse habits to have. In fact, a year ago my daughter launched into the pandemic with some manic Marie Kondo-ing of all her things, and over the months she has revisited that many times over. I’m not complaining at all. In fact, it has been helpful in some ways. Why Earth Brand? Earth Friendly Cleaning products from Earth Brand speak to all of us in my home. Earth Brand, a brand that clearly combines a little bit of science experiment, with pods that dissolve in the reusable bottles makes tidying up better for everyone. When Earth Brand arrived here, my kids were a little bit curious. The pods are separate from the bottles and they contain everything you need to get started. EARTH BRAND has a mission to remove single-use plastics from the cleaning routines of Canadians. That’s something we can all get behind. But interestingly it really resonated with my teens. I’ve been saying this for awhile now. Generation Z is committed to the environment and they are kind of fascinating to watch grow. They don’t back down on the causes that matter to them. They are passionate about brands that do better and they expect that. So, Earth Brand is a great fit for our family and for their future. Over 90% of plastic is not recycled – ending up in landfills, the environment and waterways. Each pouch of Earth Brand Pods can save three single-use plastic bottles from a landfill. They products are easy to use and fun with a fresh scent. Water represents over 95% of the weight of most cleaning products – and associated pollution as well. Did You Know? Canadians produce a lot of plastic waste; an estimated 3.3 million tonnes per year – with about 85%, or 2.8 million tonnes, ending up in Canadian landfills every year. Because of this, the Government of Canada has recently passed legislation that bans single-use plastics by the end of 2021. So, it’s time for all of us to start doing better. The Earth Brand pods and bottles are Green Seal Certified for sustainability, and are ensured 100% recyclable. What are Earth Brand Pods? Each Earth Brand Pod is a dose of concentrated cleaning solution in a fully-dissolvable, earth-friendly film. Once the pod completely dissolves in water, it provides 1 litre of safe but powerful and ready-to-spray household cleaner. It might sound silly but dissolving the pods in the bottles felt like a bit of a science experiment and we all enjoyed that. How are Earth Brand Pods different? Unlike some of Earth Brand’s competitors, these pods leave behind very little packaging waste so they are better for the environment. The pods completely dissolve in water, and the minimalist packaging is 100% recyclable. Further, you can use any bottle you have. There are no proprietary systems, just earth friendly cleaning. Where can I buy Earth Brand Pods? You can buy Earth Brand Pods on Amazon.ca and in retail locations across Canada. Have fun cleaning again and get the kids involved too.

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Embracing Nature with DK Canada on Earth Day

Paula — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 08:17:00 +0000

Embracing nature is something my family has always done. We love to go camping, hiking, skiing, and just generally be out and about, enjoying the earth. Unfortunately, that’s not really something we can do right now. That’s why I’m loving these books from DK Canada that are all about embracing nature. I received product for consideration here. There really couldn’t have been a better time for these books to arrive at our home. For a family who’s all about embracing nature, the social distancing scenario has been tough. That is especially true for the kids. I wanted to find books that would get them in touch with nature from inside our home since they can’t be outside. Embracing Nature Through Books The three books I picked out are all about embracing nature, from exploring its past to its present and helping to protect its future. All three of these books are filled with all sorts of great information and are thoroughly enjoyable for kids of every age and adults, too. Natural History: The Ultimate Guide to Everything on Earth Natural History is a detailed reference book that covers pretty much every part of the planet and nature. Kids and adults can embrace nature and learn about our planet’s history through the over 6,000 species featured in this book. From the DK Site: A landmark in reference publishing and overseen and authenticated by the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History, Natural History presents an unrivaled visual survey of Earth’s natural history. Giving a clear overview of the classification of our natural world-over 6,000 species-Natural History looks at every kingdom of life, from bacteria, minerals, and rocks to fossils to plants and animals. Featuring a remarkable array of specially commissioned photographs, Natural History looks at thousands of specimens and species displayed in visual galleries that take the reader on an incredible journey from the most fundamental building blocks of the world’s landscapes, through the simplest of life forms, to plants, fungi, and animals. Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia is another great way for anyone to explore the natural world. As they did with Natural History, the Smithsonian oversaw this visual encyclopedia aimed squarely at younger kids. I must add, though, that although geared toward the younger set, the photos found in this book will have anyone intrigued enough to turn the pages. From the DK Site: A stunning visual encyclopedia for kids, packed with stunning photography and amazing facts on every aspect of ocean life. From the Arctic to the Caribbean, tiny plankton to giant whales, sandy beaches to the deepest depths, our oceans are brought to life with astonishing images, simple, stylish graphics, and crystal-clear text explanations in Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia. My Zero-Waste Kitchen My Zero-Waste Kitchen is a book I got for the entire family. Embracing nature is about more than skiing or hiking. It’s about respecting our planet. The thing I love about this book is that is shows us all ways that we can reduce waste in our kitchen AND help the environment. It has all kinds of great information on everything from using all parts of our food to composting. Since this is an area that I feel we can all do better with, I am happily browsing this book for clues and tips. This Earth Day, I will strive to get better at the amount of waste we generate here. From the DK site: Live sustainably and embrace the three R’s: reduce, reuse, and recycle. In My Zero-waste Kitchen, find creative and unexpected ways to eliminate trash, save money, and give leftovers a new life. Plus, learn how to grow your own vegetables and herbs from scraps, and how to nourish your plants with compost. With 15 nutritious and versatile recipes in which nothing goes to waste, this guide shares the secrets to smart shopping, meal planning, and the nutritional value of often-discarded food products. Turn beetroot peelings into delicious falafel, pesto, or a melt-in-your-mouth cake. Revive produce nearing the end of its shelf life with “flexi” recipes-for risotto, stir-fry, smoothies, and more. Embracing Nature When We Can’t Be Outside I’m not going to lie. My family and I are chomping at the bit for the days when Covid-19 has been resolved and we can get back outside without worry. Until then, however, the books I got from DK are perfect for embracing nature even when we can’t get out there and roam. From learning about pretty much everything on earth to exploring the sea and learning how to reduce waste, we’re learning a lot from the books I got. Embracing nature physically might not be on the agenda right now, but with these books, we can still get our natural world fix.

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Five Things You Need to Know About A Solar Eclipse

Paula — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 09:47:07 +0000

A Solar Eclipse happens on August 21, 2017, and people are abuzz! While a solar eclipse is not an uncommon event, we won’t see another over Canada, the continental United States, and North America until 2024, so that’s a big deal. TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE FACTS: If you’ve never experienced a total eclipse, there are things you’ll see and feel that may be a bit unsettling. Understanding what’s happening and why will make viewing the solar eclipse all the more interesting. Anxious children might benefit from knowing what to expect in advance. The sky may look like it has a hole in it. When the eclipse reaches totality, meaning the moon is completely blocking the sun, it will create a big dark circle in the sky. The corona, the outermost part of the sun’s atmosphere, won’t be blocked. The corona is a beautiful ring of light that helps to create the illusion of a hole in the sky. The temperature will drop. The moment the sun is completely blocked by the moon, the temperature will suddenly drop. It happens because of the loss of light from the sun. The American Astronomical Society predicts that most of us watching can expect a significant drop in temperature. Traffic may be the worst you’ve seen. Experts say that the eclipse is likely to cause the highest traffic day many cities in North America have ever experienced! To avoid being caught in traffic, plan ahead. If you’re traveling to see the eclipse from somewhere else, try and get there a day (or more) early. If you don’t already have hotel reservations or a camping spot, don’t expect to find one now. Business as usual for you that day? Anticipate a slowdown to and from work. Definitely do everything you can to avoid being in the car when the eclipse happens. Drivers will be distracted watching the sky and may pull over, slow down, or stop altogether. Insects and animals will behave differently. Birds will suddenly go silent as the darkness indicates it’s time for them to settle down for the night. When the sun comes out of hiding they’ll think it’s morning and will happily sing and chirp the way they always do at dawn. As the world around you darkens, crickets and frogs will be as noisy as they are everyday at sundown, and many kinds of spiders will deconstruct their webs. Owls and bats, who only make their appearances at night, may show themselves. Wondering if your pets will react differently during the eclipse? It’s possible. Especially nervous pets should probably stay inside. In the event that they are going to be outdoors with you, it’s a good idea to leash them. Safe viewing is important. It is true you can harm your eyes staring too close. Solar eclipse glasses are for sale everywhere. They’re being sold online and in stores as protective eyewear and the packaging promises to keep your eyes safe. Sadly many of the glasses being advertised are junk. Companies are manufacturing and selling fake eclipse glasses with no regard to the severe and often irreversible eye damage that can be done. IGNORE many of THESE ADS. Never look directly at the sun without proper eye protection. Follow NASA rules here about ways to view the total eclipse. There are simple, no or low cost ways, to make a safe viewing device for the eclipse. No need to spend a lot of money. The solar eclipse can be educational: Those are five of the most important things I think you should know about the solar eclipse. Will you watch? Are your kids excited? What are your viewing plans?

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Planets and Constellations Word Search

Paula — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 09:13:40 +0000

You guys seem to love these word searches so I had my amazing helper build a beautiful new one that has some STEM learning in mind. When my kids were small there was a time when they were transfixed by the planets. In fact, they were as into planets as they were into dinosaurs for a few years. If your kids are at all like mine were then this Planets and Constellations Word Search will be perfect. Are your kids science junkies? Mine can be sometimes. It’s a good thing. Do you have a telescope? Are they budding astronomers? Then this Planets and Constellations Word Search will be just the ticket for them. One year my kids went to camp and all of the cabins were named for constellations. That sort of solidified their interest in planets and the universe in general. It was a great camp too for a few years. More Free Activities to Share In the event that your kids love printables here are a few great ones you might enjoy. And my Earth Day Word Search is one that gets downloaded a lot. Oh and don’t forget to visit my Pinterest Free Printables page for more to keep them busy all year round. FYI – if your kids are camp kids as mine are pack some extra letters to drop off at the front office of the camp they attend so that they get a note from home each day and they feel safe and happy. I add a little extra activity in their letters each year. Print out a couple of these free printables and colouring sheets and make sure to send some crayons and they will enjoy the surprise from home. Planets and Constellations Word Search In the event that you haven’t been here before here’s how you print the above Planets and Constellations Word Search. Right click the image and save to your computer and print it out. You may use this for your own family and for fun. You may not share on another web site. Looking for a gift for a small astronomer this season? Here’s a fun idea – > Constellations Star Ski night lamp. This post may contain affiliate links.

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Make a Simple Change – Take The Earth Month EnviroCare Challenge and Win

Paula — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 11:17:23 +0000

Earth Day has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean that your green habits need to stop. This spring we have been taking a lot of walks together; we have built that in as a new habit after dinner most nights and weekends. We are a pretty active family already, but walking is a good way to supplement our sports and activities. Our walks are also a chance to talk about things that matter to us. Depending on the night, I walk with one or both of the girls. We get exercise in. We use our own energy, instead of driving to the gym, and we take pride in and enjoy the trails and paths in our neighbourhood. Plus, we talk a lot when we walk, or hike, together. There’s no real downside to that. Surprisingly it really hasn’t been that hard to change this one habit.. In my capacity as a social media consultant I work with an increasing number of green companies. But on a personal level I often wonder what can we do to help? Earth Day, taking care of the environment, and making our family greener is a big, personal, goal. Sometimes even that feels a bit overwhelming. But this week, I got thinking what if making the change is as simple as walking is. What if changing one simple habit helped to make this family greener? What if it could be the same for you? How easy would that be? In this family we strive to make improvements where we can. That has meant we change habits one at a time to make an impact. First we switched our lightbulbs. Then we bought a few energy efficient appliances. We switched to washing clothes and dishes off peak hours and we use cold water for laundry. Of course we switch lights off, don’t litter and recycle. When we made the switch to the Nest Thermostat, that made a big impact on home energy consumption. And we are always trying to do a bit better at unplugging small appliances and gadgets when not in use. One habit at a time. That’s a manageable change for any family. Here’s another simple change that can make a big impact. Look for the EnviroCare labels on paper products from now on at the grocery store. How would that impact the environment for the better? Here’s another simple change that can make a big impact. Look for EnviroCare® paper products at the grocery store. How would that impact the environment for the better? What is EnviroCare® and Why Should I Look For It? Let’s talk a bit about what the EnviroCare label means. EnviroCare products are made with 100 % recycled paper products. And EnviroCare products have helped contribute to diverting 95,000 trucks from landfills since 2010. In fact EnviroCare is the official sponsor of Earth Day Canada. The EnviroCare family includes trusted brands like Cashmere® , SpongeTowels® , Scotties® , and Purex® , high quality bathroom tissue, facial tissue and paper towel. Challenge Your Family to Make the EnviroCare® Change This Earth Day One of the easiest things you can do to make an impact this Earth Day is buy 100% recycled paper products. Look for EnviroCare when you go shopping. That tells you the product is environmentally friendly and is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, international certification and labeling system dedicated to promoting responsible forest management of the world’s forests. Maybe you think you are too busy to look for EnviroCare when you are shopping. I mean you are already counting calories on the labels at the grocery store and checking for ingredients and sodium and sugar, right? That adds time at the grocery store. It’s maddening some days that it takes so long to get through the grocery store. But EnviroCare is super easy to spot. It’s a big green label on any of the brands mentioned above. So this month start choosing green at the grocery store. Pick the EnviroCare products and make a smart choice that benefits the environment. Win With EnviroCare You can enter to win weekly prizes over on EnviroCare’s promotional website. Just snap a photo of your receipt after you buy EnviroCare products. You could win your own Nest Learning Thermostat or a Grand Prize of a Banff, Alberta getaway. Contest ends May 31, 2017. Follow Scotties Tissue on Facebook, and SpongeTowels too. and Cashmere and Purex too. This post has been sponsored by EnviroCare® and as such I am compensated. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful. ®/™ Trademarks of Kruger Products L.P. ®’ Scotties is a registered trademark of Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc., used under license.

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Simple Earth Day Trash Or Recycle Game for Ages 3 and up.

Paula — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 09:33:45 +0000

It’s coming up to Earth Day. I don’t know about you but these days I feel more urgency than ever when it comes to Earth Day and changing some of our family habits. Are we greener than we used to be here? Yes, I believe so. Do your kids turn lights off, pick up litter and sort recycling? It’s never too soon to start teaching some of the recycling basics and this Trash Or Recycle game will help. The parent in me loves that schools in Ontario do a better job than ever of teaching energy conservation and environmental issues to kids. Frankly I still recall being a child when we started the recycling system in Guelph Ontario. It was a steep learning curve. But kids are the quickest ones to learn and adapt to change often. [tweetthis]Use this simple Earth Day Trash Or Recycle Game to teach the basics – ages 3 and up. [/tweetthis] This Earth Day, I thought it would be a great chance to share some fun printables for kids. This Earth Day Trash or Recycle Game is geared at younger children so even a preschooler at age of three can start learning how to care for the environment. To print this out just click on the image and save and print from your computer. Also if you are interested in more printables about Earth Day I have a few ready to be shared here: Earth Day word search and an Earth Day Crossword Puzzle too. And don’t forget to read the Earth Day Facts You Did Not Know post. I hope this simple Earth Day Trash or Recycle game in a matchup style will help your kids to categorize and make some sense of what we can do to help. What do you do to encourage recycling in your home?

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Earth Day Crossword Puzzle Printable

Paula — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 18:00:44 +0000

Earth Day is a great occasion to learn via this Earth Day Crossword Puzzle Printable. Earth Day is every April and this year, even more than those in the past, I feel like marking the occasion. I feel more passionate about climate change, the earth, and the environment with every passing year. Someone recently reminded me that when we talk about saving the environment we are really talking about saving people. The two go hand in hand. Our children seem to understand the need to protect the environment better than we ever did at that age. So, here’s an Earth Day Crossword Puzzle Printable to help get them more excited about being part of Earth Day and greening their habits for life. Are you kids great little recyclers? Are they conservationists? Are they aspiring animal rescuers like Diego and Dora once upon a time on television? My girls are pretty good about taking care of the environment and I am sure they will be doing many cool Earth Day activities at school. So I wanted to offer at least one or two potential Earth Day activities that are free for my readers at home here too. My kids love word searches and crossword puzzles. Do yours feel the same about word activities? I have an Earth Day series running this year so don’t forget to check out my other posts here as well. And I also have a free Pinterest printables board where you might find some fun colouring pages, printables, crossword puzzles, matching games and even gift tags. Earth Day word search and Five Earth Day Facts You Probably Didn’t Even Know. An Earth Day Crossword Puzzle: As always here is the PDF version of the above Earth Day Crossword Puzzle if you choose to access it that way. What will you do for Earth Day? Earth Day Crossword Puzzle PS

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Five Earth Day Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

Paula — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 18:55:06 +0000

Everyone should know a few Earth Day Facts. Climate change is a matter of great interest to many globally. We have been talking about the environment, the climate and Earth Day here for several weeks. One of my kids is working on an assignment that has an environmental component so this is top of mind. These Earth Day Facts are not well known to many, so they might be new to you too. Five Earth Day Facts You Probably Didn’t Know Earth Day has been around for a long time, (the 70s) but it seems like it just started getting major attention in the last decade. With everyone talking about climate change, elevated emissions, a push for decreasing fossil fuels, and generally reducing our footprint on the planet, Earth Day has become more of a nationally and often internationally recognized event. As it should be. Lesser Known Earth Day Facts 1: Climate Change was a Concern 45 Years Ago The first Earth Day was held in 1970. Peace activist John McConnell conceived the idea at a UNESCO conference in 1969. This was then championed by US Senator Gaylord Nelson, who had growing concerns about how humans were impacting the planet. Even way back then, people were concerned about our planet. 2: Earth Day was Suspected of Being a Communist Conspiracy Believe it or not, there was some major talk of Earth Day being a communist conspiracy. As it turned out, when April 22, 1970 was translated to the Gregorian calendar, the date was the 100th anniversary of Vladimir Lenin’s birth. The Gregorian calendar is significant because it was adopted by the Soviets in the early 1900s. Vladimir Lenin’s birth is significant because, along with Marx, he was a major figure in the communist movement. It’s an interesting little factoid but completely convoluted. 3. Earth Day Wasn’t Always World Wide Even though Earth Day is now celebrated in almost 200 countries world wide, it began as a strictly American day celebrating our planet and highlighting the need to make sure we keep it healthy. 4. The Purpose of Earth Day We all know Earth Day is a day that we all celebrate this planet and what we can do to help it. Did you know that Earth Day’s original purpose was to inspire real change? It still is, I suppose, but back then it was meant to start a movement. The senator who pushed for Earth Day was inspired by the increasing pollution in the environment and its impact on the planet. He was also inspired by the flower power movement. He could see that there was something more beneath the sentiment. 5. Earth Day has Two Official Anthems I’ll bet you didn’t know this one. It’s true. Earth Day has two official anthems. Abhor Kumar wrote the first one. His “Earth Anthem” has been translated into eight languages, including all the languages of the United Nations. The second anthem by William Wallace is set to Ode to Joy, which is also the anthem of the European Union. Pretty interesting, isn’t it? There you have it. I’m willing to bet you didn’t know all of these little factoids about Earth Day. I sure didn’t. What I find particularly inspiring about Earth Day is that from the beginning it was about our planet and what we can either do to it, or for it. Earth Day Facts Are Kind of Cool Earth Day is an important day to note and a time to recognize patterns of behaviour and how we can all improve. My kids are increasingly interested in the environment and taking ownership of it. In fact, Earth Day is a great day to talk about that as a family. This planet is all we have, and we need to take care of it. Here’s hoping these five facts have inspired you to learn more about Earth Day. I also have an Earth Day word search for little people.

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