School’s Out for Summer!

Looking for ways to keep the kids busy and happy throughout the summer months?  While you’re planning all the activities, why not try to incorporate some things that could be fun for them and at the same time awaken the next generation of animal advocates?  Kids are never too young to start learning about compassion, and animals can be among our greatest teachers when it comes to that. Some ideas:

• T-Shirt Painting Party
  Some plain white cotton t-shirts, some paints, and some sheets of cardboard to turn a shirt-front into a personal canvas – that’s all you need! Let kids use their imaginations to come up with catchy slogans and pictures that promote awareness and kindness.
• Phone Protest Party
  Kids + phone usually equals mischief (think of Bart Simpson giggling as he makes yet another crank call to Moe the bartender). What if kids started dialing numbers, instead, for a cause? They can call toll-free consumer numbers to ask corporations to stop animal testing. Under proper supervision, kids can hone their communication skills and also feel like, even at their age, they have a voice. They will learn that being a consumer means they make decisions about what to buy and not to buy – and that means companies will listen to them!
• Keeping an Animal Journal
  Have your child keep a journal about the family dog or cat or guinea pig – observing and writing about the animal’s behavior throughout the day. Kids can get creative with this too, by imagining what the animal is thinking at any given moment. You’ll be helping your child develop his writing skills and attention to detail, while also fostering a greater appreciation for the nonhuman family member. To make this a family affair, let your child share his journal entries with the rest of the family, maybe each night before bedtime. It becomes especially interesting if siblings are writing about the same animal to see what details each notices.
• Virtual Visit to an Animal Sanctuary
  Most animal sanctuaries limit visits from outsiders. Through the internet, however, many offer virtual visits. Let your kids visit animals who are living happily and freely in their homes. It’s an easy cruelty-free alternative to a zoo excursion (and less expensive). The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee offers a live-stream cam — The Elecam — and the sanctuary’s site also profiles each of the elephants. I guarantee you’ll be as mesmerized as the kids by these amazing animals.

You can find these activities (and a list of phone numbers for the protest party!) and more in Ingrid Newkirk’s book, 50 Awesome Ways Kids Can Help Animals. What I love about this book is that it’s written for kids – the little jokes and factoids are sure to hold their attention. And the best part about the book is that it’s empowering. Over and over again, the book suggests “What You Can Do” — it’s about what you can do now, not once you grow up.

Additional Resources on the Web:

• Share the World
  A free educational program that includes a super-cool video of amazing animal footage and follow-up activities. I’ve used this video and some of the activities when I’ve run a yoga camp for kids, for ages 6-12. It’s always been a hit. I also have STW’s DVD/activity program for older kids (grades 6-12) called Just Choices, which is a deeper exploration of social justice. The DVD presentation features a group of teenagers who offer their own perspectives — a very effective way of getting other teens thinking and talking.
• TeachKind
  I first discovered this site while I was teaching Literature to high school students but also wanting to promote awareness by having some stuff around the classroom to pique their interest. There are materials — – books, DVDs, posters, and magazines­­ — available for every age group here. In addition to free materials, there are free lesson plans – a great resource for home-schooling parents!

The best way to teach is to provide opportunities for kids to discover on their own. These simple activities make learning fun and will open the door for wonderful discussions between you. Just one more way to make this summer a memorable one for everyone. Enjoy!

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