If you’re like our family, I bet you’re going to be at a lot of parks this summer. We have little ones at home who love everything about going to the park - swings, slides, bouncy bridges,climbing, running, screaming and playing “chase the martian“ around the play structure. If there’s nothing going on, that’s an easy go-to for energy-busting summer fun.
But, have you ever noticed soda cans, fast food bags or other trash left behind at your park? I know we have - sometimes a lot of it. And while I’m doing so much better with my fear of germs, I’d really rather not touch other people’s trash in the park. But I don’t want it sitting there as a potential harm for animals or small children either.
Since we still have a lot of those plastic grocery bags from pre-reusable bag days, we keep some in the cars for just that situation. We use one to cover our hand with as we pick up trash, and one to collect it. Since the kids haven’t mastered the art of using a bag as a glove, I ask them to hold the collection bag and be the lookout guy.
For them, it’s a little adventure to scout out the trash. And a great lesson about not littering, helping keep our parks beautiful, and cleaning up - even when it’s not our mess (that’s a tough one for us at home!).
A simple idea that’s easy to plan for and makes an impact in many ways. Have an idea of your own? Tell us about it.
Comments