Ways for you and your kids to digitally disconnect and get outside

Hooray for school holidays! If you are a parent in the modern-day world, you will most likely be well aware that children today are spending more time indoors, with evidence suggesting that increased contact with nature is important in supporting children’s social and emotional wellbeing.

We’re lucky to have Australia’s blue waters, red centre, tropical forests and lush bushland make it the unique one-of-a-kind landscape that we all know and love – so let’s get outside and enjoy it!

There are many different ways to involve children in activities to digitally disconnect and get outside to explore our beautiful Country, including outdoor activities that inspire imagination and citizen science projects that contribute to national and international data collection.

In fact, there are citizen science programs that are long established which have clearly demonstrated that the community are contributing to significant environmental initiatives.

Use holidays as a time to go hunting for containers!

It’s School holidays across most of Australia at the moment, and that’s a great time to try something new!

If you have not had the chance to participate in your local container deposit scheme for example Return and Earn in NSW or Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme, CDS Vic, now is the perfect time to get your kids involved in a litter reduction initiative that is great for the local environment, their pockets and has demonstrated benefits for the global environment!

“Let’s go on a rainbow container hunt!”

Clean Up Australia is an annual initiative in Australia, but it doesn’t need to be. Littered single use drink containers are a commonly found item, according to the organisation, and one of the primary reasons that container deposit schemes are now in place across all Australian States and Territories.

An easy way to get screen addicted children out and about in your local neighbourhood is to go on a rainbow container hunt. Ever played rainbow spotto in the car with your children? This is the same, but it’s about collecting littered drink containers that are all the colours of the rainbow!

We’ve played, so now what?!

Just like our little friend in the photo – once you have played your rainbow drink container hunt – let’s call it rainbow spotto as well! You should then look for your local container return point, take your drink containers there and obtain a refund of 10c for every eligible bottle, can and carton!

Some things to think about before you go drink container hunting –

• Take a reusable bag with you to collect your containers in, if you have multiple children, take a bag each so no one misses out!
• Are gloves needed for this activity to protect little fingers? We’ve been drink container hunting many times and been ok, but gloves are protective equipment that might be worth thinking about.
• Find out what containers are eligible before you take them to your local return point. Many of the container deposit schemes in Australia have a handy app that helps you check drink container eligibility. New South Wales Container Deposit Scheme’s Return and Earn app can be downloaded here and the Victorian Container Deposit Scheme West Zone app can be downloaded here. Check your state scheme to find out more.
• Before you visit your local refund point, make sure it is open and you are able to visit! The various container deposit scheme websites will be able to let you know how to find your local refund point and whether they are open. The app’s we have linked above will also assist!

We hope that you’re able to let us know about your rainbow spotto success stories! We’d love to see how you have gone by sending us a note and some photos, cu*************@****************om.au