If ever there was a time to turn your family into a clan of eco warriors, then this is it. Not only will the planet benefit, but you could also reduce your own workload
An environmentally friendly New Year's resolution for the family may take a lot of resolve but there are enjoyable ways of making it a part of your daily life.
The green star of the week
If you've already been through the 'terrible twos' with your kids, you'll probably be familiar with some sort of star system to help them curb their tantrums in return for rewards. Why not employ the same technique for keeping energy levels to a minimum in your home?Green stars can be awarded for switching off unnecessary lights, turning the television and other electrical items off at the wall and for recycling. This could save as much as £37 a year off your electricity bill.
Each week, allocate members of the family with a recycling responsibility, such as cans, glass or paper. Whoever has the biggest pile at the end of the week, wins a star.
Rewards must be worthwhile, so whoever has the most stars by Friday chooses one family activity for the weekend.
Council concerns
When recycling, one of the first calls you make should be to your local authority. They'll give you a comprehensive list of roadside recycling pick-ups and projects, which you can arrange your family recycling week around.It may mean you all load up the car and take everything for recycling to the local dump or you could get the kids to find innovative ways to get their pile of unwanted plastics and papers there. Wheelbarrow versus skateboard, versus dog-cart, and so on...
Nuts about soap
When you need to use the washing machine, put the powder back in its packet and opt for some soap nuts. They're allergy-free and are as natural is it gets. They're grown in Nepal and India from sustainable sources and you can just chuck them on your compost when they're exhausted.They're a bit of a secret so get your kids to spread the word. Not only do 1kg of soap nuts clean 100 loads of washing, but you can also get the kids to clean every inch of the house, car and even the dog with them! iVillage member cl-woodmaiden recommends www.inasoapnutshell.com
Get real as granny goes green
Next time the kids are round at Grandma's house, get them to ask her about her memories of the war, and stories that her parents and grandparents told her. Did her parents tell her to 'Waste Not Want Not'? How did she do it? This knowledge will equip them with much of what they need to know about green living.Then challenge them to live that way for a month. They can try out any number of things from eating everything on their plates, recycling unwanted woollies by re-knitting them into scarves, which they can wear them or send them to charity; walking to the local shops or farmer's market to buy only what is needed and even paper recycling.
The whole family can also get involved in composting and, if you've got the space, growing your own vegetables. Tips for composting can be found at www.recyclezone.org.uk. You can even build your own wormery - not everyone's idea of fun, but it is for the greater good and everyone will benefit.
Make do and mend
This will make Granny proud. The website www.lmb.co.uk has some wonderful ideas for re-using and recycling textiles. Instead of throwing out old socks, you can make a 'sock monster' and learn about how second hand textiles benefit developing countries.Draught-free dogs
Warm air literally goes through the roof - and under the door - so why not recycle your old clothes by making a patchwork dog door draught excluder? Help the kids make one for every door in the house, and a slimmer skirting-snake for any other draughty areas, taking £10-£20 off your heating bill each year.Monitor magic
If you make your kids aware of the plight of the planet you will probably find that they are monitoring your behaviour. Kent-based Howard and Carla Laughton's daughter Saskia has become the family's ethics and eco-monitor. She recently berated her mum for buying cosmetics made by a company which uses animal testing.Saskia nominated herself, but each family member should take it in turns, ensuring that all products that come into the home are environmentally friendly.
The monitor can be responsible for dishing out chores as well as being responsible for doing them on his or her week off. It's their chance to tell you what to do and take responsibility for their actions and the planet.
School run
Leave the car at home and either take your kids to school on foot, or if they are old enough to go without you, encourage them to walk with their friends.They'll feel more awake, will save you money on petrol, time in your day and will reduce harmful CO2 emissions.
Schools for thought
Get the kids to design and personalise their own containers to take their lunch to school. It's creative and helps you re-use old tubs. Ice-cream containers are great lunch holders and you'll be saving the pennies rather than splashing out on some plastic creation emblazoned with advertising.Don't cling to the cling film, it's a waste. If food's packed in an airtight container, the sandwiches won't need covering in cling film or foil. Buy fruit loose, not pre-packaged from supermarkets. Whoever creates the least waste from their lunch, is the winner.
Green Flags are awarded to schools which are eco-friendly, see www.eco-schools.org.uk. Any one of the ideas you and your kids come up with to make your home more environmentally friendly has the potential to help the school and the community.
Green fingers
You've got your composter and wormery and now you need to put them to good use, so why not set up an organic garden? www.gardenorganic.org.uk will be able to help you out.Use your green star to take the family somewhere like The Vegetable Kingdom in Warwickshire. For more information see www.gardenorganic.org.uk and contemplate a great gift for any upcoming birthdays.
Delivery decisions
If the gardening lasts less time than it takes to dig a hole and you find yourself famished and don't fancy walking to the local shops, then organic fruit and veg delivery companies offer some very good boxes.To encourage the kids to make the most of these, they can help you pick the selection and choose the recipes. This will give them an idea of how your time is used up, and perhaps inspire them into some home baking. It may give them inspiration to get back into the garden they left so willingly. See www.riverford.co.uk
Presents of mind
If you think your kids are budding explorers and environmentalists and you want to buy them a present that they'll enjoy all year round, you can't beat a subscription to National Geographic Kids, which will keep them well informed.To order a subscription, call 0870 423 0684 and quote code NGK12. Alternatively, visit www.ngkids.co.uk or email ngkids@servicehelpline.co.uk