Teaching your kids to be eco-friendly is important for many parents, but talking about the benefits of recycled roofing material or laundry detergent doesn’t exactly sink in for most children. However, there are some things you can do to teach your children to be eco-friendly in a way that allows them to really get involved.

Incorporate these 10 eco-friendly actions into your child’s routine to help them understand the importance of taking care of the planet from an early age.

1. Teach your child about composting. Composting is relatively easy to understand it also teaches your children about not wasting things that can be reused, even if they seem like they’re just trash.

2. Get involved in a community cleanup project with your child. No matter where you live, there’s bound to be an area that needs to cleaned up. Community cleanup projects can also be a great way for your kids to make new friends and broaden their horizons.

3. Let your kids know about eco-friendly products. Examples of eco-friendly products include everything from bathroom tissue to toothpaste to over-the-counter alternative remedies like those found at Amoils.com. Getting your kids started looking for natural products early on will be a beneficial habit for them later in life.

4. Have your children buy recycled materials for school. Everything from recycled binders to notebook paper is widely available. Doing this will teach your children the importance of using items in their everyday life that are good for the environment – something they’ll continue to do in their adult years.

5. Get your kids in the habit of keeping items like newspapers for other projects. Examples include craft projects or even household chores like cleaning windows, which newsprint actually excels at. Children need to understand that wasting items only to buy other ones for the same job isn’t good for the environment.

6. Work with your child to have an Earth Day party at their school or at home. Doing this can help you teach your child about the environment and help them make friends at the same time. Many schools already have eco-friendly programs, so consider working with them to make them more prevalent.

7. Show your kids how to avoid products that are made to be used once and discarded. Items like paper plates aren’t good for the environment. Teach your kids that a little work on their part — things like washing a few extra dishes – can be beneficial and worthwhile.

8. Gather clothing in your neighborhood for a recycling project. Not only will less clothing have to be made, you’ll be helping less fortunate people in your area and around the world. Make sure your child understands the benefits of doing good things for people along with the planet.

9. Get your kids in the habit of using natural products around the home. Examples include baking soda for cleaning the sink instead of abrasive cleaners that pollute the earth. You’ll also have less waste when it comes to packaging.

10. Show your kids the value of nature. You can do this through all sorts of activities – including day hikes, camping or even going to the beach. A healthy respect for nature and its value is important for distilling eco-friendly beliefs in your child.

When it comes to teaching your children to be eco-friendly, the best you can do is to be a good example. As a parent, getting your child to live an eco-friendly life doesn’t have to be hard. Leading by example is essential, and by telling your child why you do what you do, they’ll see the benefits.