Growing up near the Chesapeake Bay, some of my fondest childhood memories are tied to being in and around the ocean. Last year I revisited the Maryland coast with my family and noticed considerably more debris washing up on the sand, extremely overcrowded beaches, and far fewer fish than I remembered. This made me wonder if the children of the next generation would be able to enjoy some of the same things about the ocean that I was able to in my youth. What family doesn’t endure months of planning to spend a few days watching the waves crash closer and closer to the sandcastles their children painstakingly built? What if the tuna, shrimp and clams we put on the table for our families just aren’t readily available anymore? While not everyone has the time to organize a beach cleanup, or the resources to start their own environmental non-profit, there are some very simple, helpful things that all of us can do right from our homes that can go a long way to helping our oceans.

It is estimated that up to 12 million tons of plastics enter the earth’s oceans every year. Everyone can help reduce this amount by cutting down on single-use plastic items. If you don’t already, carry your own bags whenever you go shopping to cut down on plastic bags. Most places that serve beverages will gladly fill a beverage container that you provide; some like Starbucks even offer a small discount. Although many plastic containers these days are recyclable, the EPA estimates only 8% of plastics are actually recycled. If possible, choose non-plastic containers for items such as milk, orange juice and cream cheese. Try to avoid synthetic fibers in your clothing. Nylon, polyester and acrylic clothing shed millions of tiny fibers when washed that end up in our waterways and oceans.

Conserving water is one of the easiest ways we can make a significant contribution to the well-being of our oceans. The water that leaves our homes goes to sewage treatment facilities that can get overwhelmed, leading to harmful substances entering our waterways. If you have a yard, up to 60% of your household water use can be used for landscape irrigation. This excess water can pick up pollutants on the way to entering our rivers and oceans. Stormwater and urban runoff are the primary reason for beach closures around the country. We can help by turning off the tap when brushing our teeth or shaving. Promptly fix any leaky faucets and pipes. If you are familiar with your home’s plumbing system, turn off water to areas of your home that don’t use much water at certain times of year, such as outdoor faucets during the colder seasons. For those with a yard, redirect any rainwater from your gutters to your lawn or garden. Consider installing a rain barrel to collect rainwater throughout the warmer months. Compost or mulch in your yard will help retain rainwater longer, giving plants more time to absorb it.

If you are like me, you may have experienced a firm poke from your conscience when picking up that container of drain cleaner, you know, the one with the skull and crossbones on it. We may not be able to completely eliminate harmful chemicals from our lives, but we can all definitely find at least one or two items in our homes that will have effective, less toxic alternatives. Many glass cleaners and all-purpose cleaners have more natural options that won’t impact our ability to clean, protect and disinfect. Aside from the ready-made products, try baking soda to clean and scrub the bathroom and kitchen. White vinegar and lemon juice are also excellent cleaners and do a great job of cutting through grease.

Lastly, sign up for a cool specialty license plate for your vehicle that contributes to organizations helping to keep our waterways and oceans clean. Not only will you be helping a worthy cause, but you also get to accessorize your vehicle with a catchy plate that expresses your individual style. Check with your state’s motor vehicle webpage where usually all specialty plates are browseable. One word of caution – research the organization behind your chosen plate as not all of them are as reputable as their name might imply.

With efforts like these, a little can go a long way, and hopefully our efforts can collectively lead to preserving healthy rivers, lakes and oceans for generations to come.

Complete the Coloring Book

Expand vocabulary and imagination with the “Baby Shark” coloring book. The book features the video’s simple lyrics and fun black-and-white illustrations. Download the free PDF below. Print it out or keep it digital!

Complete the Activity Book

Work on letter recognition and creativity in the “Baby Shark” activity book, which includes an activity page and a coloring page. Download the free PDF below. Print it out or keep it digital!

Try Our “Baby Shark” Craft

Craft your favorite scene by following the simple instructions in our blog!

More Resources

We hope your family enjoyed these “Baby Shark” resources – browse even more free resources here! And as always, stay tuned for more updates.

Complete the Coloring Book

If you enjoyed the “Mermaid Song” video, try the coloring book next! Expand vocabulary and imagination by reading along. The book features the song’s simple lyrics and fun black-and-white illustrations. Download the free PDF below. Print it out or keep it digital!

Complete the Activity Book

Work on letter writing and creativity in the “Mermaid Song” activity book, which includes an activity page, a chords sheet and a coloring page. Download the free PDF below. Print it out or keep it digital!

Try Our Mermaid Craft

Try crafting your own Mother Goose Club mermaids by following the simple instructions in our blog!

More Resources

We hope your family enjoyed these “Mermaid Song” resources – browse even more free resources here! And as always, stay tuned for more updates.

Summertime provides the perfect opportunity to introduce kids to fishing. Boys and girls alike can experience the excitement from reeling in their first fish. Teaching kids as young as 4 years old can be a simple task that doesn’t require a ton of preparation or equipment. Here are some quick tips on how you can make your first family fishing adventure a memorable one!

Tip 1: Beginner’s fishing kits are easy and affordable

You can find kids fishing kits for as little as $30-$40 on Amazon – I like this PLUSINNO kit. Instructions are usually on the packaging, so you aren’t required to be a pro yourself…just good at reading!

Tip 2: Don’t overthink bait

No need to aim for a trophy fish the first time. Check your kitchen for a can of kernel corn or dice up a hotdog – both can work great as bait for sunfish.

Tip 3: Kids won’t always need a license       

Many states allow children under 16 to fish without a fishing license. But just be aware that if you want to fish alongside them, you’ll likely need to obtain one for yourself.

Tip 4: Bring the whole family

Pack a picnic basket or a frisbee, too. This way, everyone can still enjoy being outdoors and appreciate nature even if they’d rather not partake in the fishing! Fishing is also a great opportunity to have a discussion about the importance of clean water and conservation.

I took my nephews when they were 6 and 9 years old and they absolutely love it whenever we go now. If you are looking for something fun to do together with your kids this summer, give fishing a try. It’s a lot easier than you think!

This year’s UN World Wildlife Day celebrates “life below water”, making March 3rd a great opportunity to introduce your child to the spectacular world under the sea. Even if you don’t live near the coast, there are plenty of actions you and your family can take to help keep our oceans clean.

1. Reduce Disposable Plastic Intake

Single-use plastic items, such as dipsosable bags and straws, contribute to the massive amount of garbage entering the ocean every year. This garbage poses an extreme risk to marine animals. Cut back on your plastic use by bringing a reusable bag to the store, drinking your beverage without a single-use straw, or bringing your own travel mug to your coffee shop.

2. Cut Back Energy Use

The ocean absorbs much of the excess heat created by burning fossil fuels, which contributes to rising ocean temperatures and changing marine ecosystems. While we know it’s not feasible for everyone to eliminate car travel, there’s plenty of other steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint. Use energy efficient light bulbs and turn off electronics when you’re not in a room. When possible, use public transportation or ride your bike. And avoid setting your thermostat at extreme temperatures.

3. Make Sustainable Seafood Choices

Eating seafood may be tasty, but it can contribute to serious overfishing of wild populations. There are plenty of web resources that can help you make sustainable seafood decisions – we love this site from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch. There’s even a free app for environmentally-conscious decisions on-the-go.

4. Avoid Harmful Cleaning Products

All drains lead to the ocean, so be mindful of the cleaning products and chemicals you flush away. The US Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Choice website can help you search for household products that support a healthier environment.

5. Clean Up

If you have the opportunity to visit the beach, pick up litter that you see along way. Not only are you helping marine habitats recover from human impact, but you’re also teaching your child a valuable lesson about eco-responsibility.

6. Educate

Since many of us don’t have easy access to visit these amazing creatures and habitats, we’ve compiled a YouTube playlist that will help bring alive the wonders of the deep blue sea. Click here for a selection of kid-friendly videos from Mother Goose Club and some of our favorite, trusted digital creators, including Sesame Street, The Wiggles and Super Simple Songs.

Share With Us!

We hope you’ll share your family’s tips and tricks to support a clean and healthy environment for our children. Reach out on Facebook , Instagram or Twitter using #mothergooseclub!