With all of the environmental threats our planet faces right now, it is best to arm current and future generations with the knowledge and practical solutions to ensure our planet’s survival. Teaching our children about the environment can sometimes be difficult – but it’s necessary. However, getting and keeping their attention when you want to talk about easy ways to go green, to recycle, to save water and electricity, or go green and save money can be challenging.
However, if these lessons come in the form of something more appealing to them, it can make the job a little easier. And what is more appealing than a movie night?
Movies are a great way to learn about environmental preservation and inspire change. You get to spend some quality time with your kids while they’re learning valuable lessons while being entertained. Luckily, there are plenty of great eco-friendly movies out there that are perfect for families. Here are five of our favorites.
1. The Lorax
“Look, everyone here needs trees and you’re chopping them down! So, we’ve got a big problem.” – The Lorax
The Lorax is a fun and colorful movie based on the classic Dr Seuss book of the same name. The story follows a young boy named Ted as he tries to find a real tree to impress the girl he likes. Along the way, he learns about the importance of environmental conservation from the Lorax, a character who speaks for the trees.
The story itself is lighthearted, despite the Lorax being frequently portrayed as grumpy.
Its theme conveys a critical message about our collective responsibility to care for our environment; otherwise, we would be in a horrible situation, destroying our homes.
2. Wall-E
“I don’t want to survive, I want to LIVE!” – McCrea
This Pixar movie is set in the future and follows the story of a trash-collecting robot, Wall-E, who falls in love with another robot named Eve. Together, they go on an adventure through space and learn about the importance of taking care of Earth before it’s too late.
This movie is best for older kids and adults, as younger viewers may be unable to sit through its longer runtime. Still, it’s a magical film that emphasizes how important it is to go green, recycle and save the planet!
3. Over the Hedge
“Half of the forest is gone. The oak trees, the berry bushes. They’re just gone” – Verne
In this movie, a motley crew of critters from the forest infiltrate a suburb that was built in their habitat to steal food and fast-food dinners. Eventually, their insatiable appetites force them into a fight with a vengeful exterminator.
The (sometimes crude) humour and gags in this animated film don’t detract from the compelling message it sends against consumerism and the importance of conservation.
This is the ideal movie to broach topics such as changing shopping habits and food handling to help you go green, save money and the planet.
4. The Giver
“We really have to protect people from wrong choices” – Jonas
The Giver is set in a dystopian future where people have eliminated pain and suffering by eradicating emotions from their society. When Jonas, a young boy chosen to become the next “Receiver of Memory,” learns about the true cost of this emotionless existence, he must make a decision that will change his life—and the world—forever.
This movie explores heavy themes like environmental destruction, but it’s still appropriate for kids ages 12 and up. It’s also worth watching with your kids so you can discuss topics such as sustainable habits and be more eco-friendly.
5. Cars 2
“They’re not only racing across the world—they’re racing to save the world” – Cars
Cars 2 is another kids’ movie with an eco-friendly twist. It fuels the energy debate with a plot that turns on alternative-fuel-advocating heroes taking on big-oil villains. The second installment of the Pixar movie sets Lightning McQueen on a World Grand Prix circuit whose organizer uses a green alternative called Allinol to fuel the vehicles, forcing the bad guys to try to discredit the new power supply that threatens regular gasoline.
This movie lays a great foundation to teach your kids from a young age about alternative fuel and that you’re never too young (or too old!) to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle. The biggest lesson to learn here is that they should never underestimate their own abilities to help save the earth.
That’s A Wrap!
Your kids are never too young to learn about stewardship and make eco-friendly choices.
In this post, we’ve rounded up five eco-friendly movies that will help teach your kids easy ways to go green and save the earth – without making them feel like they’re in school.
From movies highlighting the severity of climate change to animated films showcasing the importance of renewable energy sources, these flicks are sure to entertain while educating. And best of all, they won’t break the bank! So grab some popcorn and get ready to watch some sustainability magic unfold on your screen.
If you’d like to learn more about going green, on a family budget, check out CreditNinja’s 60 Ways to Go Green and Save Money
