Fun ways to teach kids about wildlife

Whether it's playing in the park, visiting a zoo or just looking out a window, experts say there are plenty of everyday activities that can be used to teach children to respect the environment and wildlife around them.

The key is to make the lessons fun and to tie them to interests that children already have. For instance, if a child loves sharks, talk to her about oceans and how people can keep them clean.

Parents can also share these tips with their kids.

•Respect nature. Animals and plants need their space. When a child sees plants and animals, encourage them to look but don't touch. Instead, get a closer look at nature with binoculars or camera or make a drawing.

•Create a habitat. Create healthy and safe homes for animals right in the backyard. Help family and friends plant trees and flowers in the yard to serve as shelter for small animals or build and hang a bird feeder.

•Clean up a park. Everyone can work together to keep environments clean. Parents, children and friends can head to a community park. Give each helper a garbage bag and gloves, and send everyone out on a treasure hunt to pick up paper, cans and other litter.

•Reduce waste. Always turn off the faucet when brushing teeth and after washing hands. This saves water and energy, since it takes a lot of power to pump that water out.

•Transform trash. Children can learn to give paper, plastic and glass materials to an adult to be recycled. Or get creative with trash. Wrap a friend's birthday gift in the Sunday comics section or store crayons in an empty coffee can.

This story is provided by North American Precis Syndicate Inc.