In this photo story, Hong Kong-based kindergarten teacher and sustainability advocate Murray Johnson shares some easy ideas on how to develop healthy, sustainable, and eco-friendly habits in kids and make green living fun and entertaining for the entire family.
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Held at the Lamma Art Collective on Lamma Island, Hong Kong, Sustainopia was a two-day event hosting art, DYI, and gardening workshops for kids and adults. The purpose was to bring together a community of people to reconnect with nature through slow, simple, and meaningful activities that are not only fun but also educative.
The Lamma Art Collective. Photo: Murray Johnson.
All workshops promoted the 3 Rs – reuse, reduce, recycle – and invited participants to think outside the box and find creating ways to live more sustainably.
In the art workshop, kids were introduced to the ancient Japanese art of Suminagashi – or “floating ink” – which refers to the ancient process of marbling plain paper with water and ink to transform it into something vibrant and colorful.
Kids learning about Suminagashi, the ancient art of Japanese marbling. Photo: Murray Johnson.
Suminagashi offers kids a unique opportunity to explore creativity, patience, and the beauty of imperfection. Through this ancient technique, kids learned about the principles of balance, flow, and mindfulness, as they create mesmerizing patterns on water and transfer them onto paper.
Kids loved observing the movement of ink on water, the delicate ripples, and the formation of intricate patterns. Photo: Murray Johnson.
Creating an eggshell mosaic was layered with meaning beyond simple fun and artistic expression. The workshop provided a hands-on and creative experience that promoted artistic expression, fine motor skills development, and environmental awareness.
But at its core, the activity was a reminder that most things we wantonly throw away end up in a landfill, packed away from our comfort and convenience but affecting us and our planet unbeknownst to us.
With some imagination, anything, including eggshells, can be reused in a fun and creative way. Photo: Murray Johnson.
By keeping our eggshells, dying them, and using them to create art, we defy a linear progression of trash and open up a conversation about the various ways to use food waste.
Check this out next: 7 Ways to Reduce Food Waste At Home
The soap making workshop was also awash with deeper meaning. Besides the measuring, melting and mixing the ingredients, there were a variety of textures to handle and scents to smell. A sense of fascination and pride as multilayered soap bars were produced.
DYI soap making is a fun craft that’s easy to master for kids. Photo: Murray Johnson.
This begs the question, what else can we make ourselves?
On Sunday, adults joined in for a gardening and plant propagation workshop. Using old milk cartons and yoghurt tubs, they planted marigold seeds that were taken from the garden. Strawberries were also planted to reinforce the concept of using your food wisely and, once again, reducing food waste.
Planting marigold seeds. Photo: Murray Johnson.
Of course, this workshop meant rolling up your sleeves and getting dirty. Did you know that worms and insects in the soil are a good sign? It means the soil is healthy!
And don’t forget to poke drainage holes at the bottom of the container so that extra water can leave and prevent the roots of your plant from rotting.
Plant propagation workshop using recycled materials such as milk cartons. Photo: Murray Johnson.
Propagating the frangipani was straightforward but required some muscle. Cut off the end and dip it in a honey and cinnamon mixture to help keep it healthy. Then plant it into the soil, deep enough so that it won’t fall over.
Propagating frangipani, a, a plant typically associated with Southeast Asia. Photo: Murray Johnson.
The workshop helped foster a sense of responsibility and environmental awareness as children and adults learned about the significance of plants in our ecosystem and the benefits of sustainable gardening practices.
Featured image: Murray Johnson.
Check this out next: How to Discuss Climate Change With Kids
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