Make your own indoor golf game using recycled materials - so that your kids can enjoy a craft activity and the game afterwards! The instructions below are for a 6-hole game, perfect for younger kids, but of course you can make a full 9 hole golf course if you like. Finish it off by making your own special box to hold your game in for next time.

You will need:

6 x 1 litre ‘tetrapak’ (fruit juice) cartons
Paper in 6 different colours
Pens

To play: child’s golf set, pillows, cushions, towels etc (to make obstacles)

Instructions:

Cut the top off each carton so you are left with a piece about 3 inches high. Wrap each carton in a different coloured piece of paper. Cut a 6 inch square of each colour paper.

On each square draw a cross in the centre and write on a number from 1 – 6. Write the same number on the carton with the same coloured paper and decorate the carton with the pens.

To play:

Lay the cartons on their sides around the room. Put down the squares of paper (these are the tees). Scatter around some pillows, cushions and blankets to be obstacles. Starting on square 1 players take it in turns to try and put the ball in the number 1 carton.

The player who completes all 6 holes in the least number of strokes wins. If you like, you can use our score sheets to keep track!

Go to http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/indoor_golf_game.htm for more information.

Summer’s almost here & the weather has been beautiful. Do the environment and yourself some good & take a walk! Cars create pollution, so the less we drive, the healthier our planet will be.

Next time you need to go somewhere, think twice before you ask for a ride. Is it close enought to walk? Can you ride a bike? Encourage your parents to walk or ride with you. Remember wear your helmet!

http://www.50simplekids.com/

Thanks to Eve Tomaseck at Colonial Road School for setting up a Recycling  presentation for the students. We were very lucky to have a reporter & photographer from Patch.com there to cover the story for earth week.  The students were very informed & great to work with!

Kathy Arciero

Education Specialist

We had the pleasure of visiting St Marys in Denville on Monday 4/18 to kick off  Earth Week. The students were very excited & knowledgeable on the importance of recycling. We hope they keep up the good work! Thanks to Jaclyn DeMarzo for coordinating the presentation.

Kathy Arciero & Cheryl Macdonald

Make these charming tin can herb pots and watch them grow all summer long! This project not only recycles, it creates new life, and is a great Earth Day craft. Your child can watch herplants grow for months to come and be proud that she created the container that holds them.

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

1. Completely wash and dry aluminum can. If necessary, sand off any rough edges from opening of can.
2. Turn can upside down. Parent should use screwdriver or other pointed object to poke holes in the bottom of the can. Use a hammer to tap the end of the screwdriver to make the holes.
3. Paint outside of can with one coat of gesso. Let dry completely.
4. Paint can in the desired color, repeat coats if needed.
5. Decorate however you like. Use a thin paint brush for long lines, dip the end of the paint brush into paint for polka dots.
6. Decorate with stickers if desired.
7. In a well-ventilated area, spray the outside of the completed can with acrylic sealer spray. Let dry.
8. Place enough rocks or pebbles in the bottom of the can to form a single layer.
9. Add enough potting soil to fill the can two-thirds full.
10. Remove potted herb from its container and transplant into the can.
11. Fill edges with remaining potting soil, gently pat down so that plant is firmly in the can but not compacted so much that it’s too tight.
12. Place can on a plate (to catch any water drainage) and add some water to the newly planted herbs.
13. Paint craft stick whatever color you like. Allow to dry.
14. Cut a piece of thin cardboard into a small rectangle (about 1.5 x 3 inches) using pinking shears.
15. Paint both side of the cardboard with gesso, let dry.
16. Glue the rectangle to the top of the craft stick.
17. Use a black permanent marker to write the herb name onto the rectangle.
18. Insert your plant marker into the soil, being careful not to crush any roots along the way.
19. Place your new garden in a sunny window and remember to water them!

http://crafts.kaboose.com/earth-tin-can-herb-pots.html

Earth day is April 22, so something good for the Earth that day!

Plant a tree, recycle at least one item, conserve water & energy, ask your parents to walk instead of drive somewhere. Remember we only have one planet so be an earth warrior and lets keep it clean & safe for everyone!

Do you know your aluminium from your avocados? Do you know which bin to put your takeaway container in? This great recycling game can help you find out! Click the the link to play ……The Recycling Games

http://www.planetpatrol.info/games.html