Playtime: Little Green Heroes

For our green issue Sara Whatley discovers the joys of family litter picking, as they all become little green heroes on their very own doorstep 

Have you ever been litter picking? It may not be the first recreational activity that springs to mind when you are looking for somethingfor the family to do together but give it a go and the benefits will be revealed. These benefits are far reaching and include our health, both physically and mentally; the environment directly around us and on a larger scale; wildlife; and the lives of other people. 

Children especially love litter picking. What child doesn’t love using a contraption? You can get little pickers for little hands and larger ones for adults. The other equipment you will need are heavy duty gloves to protect your hands, and a strong bag to put the rubbish in. 

A bag hoop will make it easier to keep your bag open, and a high visibility jacket will keep you safer. Consider carrying hand sanitiser too. Set out somewhere local, maybe your nearest park or even just down your road and gather all the litter you can find – big and small – and fill those rubbish bags. Recycle where you can and think about how you dispose of the litter you collect. 

Children will relish the sense of responsibility it gives them and help them recognise how they can take control of their own lives and their environment. Seeing the benefits and instant difference they are making to their environment provides pride and satisfactionfor the litter pickers. Hopefully it will instil a sense of ownership towards the area they have cleaned and foster a responsible and respectful attitude. Once you have spent the time and effort cleaning up litter you are very unlikely to ever drop any again! 

Using the litter grippers is great fun for children, and the activity builds their fine and gross motor skills. Coordination is also tested by holding onto the litter and putting it into the bag, and health in general is boosted by all the walking and fresh air. 

Another parent told me how her two children are not keen walkers, but with litter pickers in their hands they walked for miles along the beach cleaning up all the rubbish as happy as can be. 

Litter picking can also be a very social activity. Many areas plan their own litter picking days where you can meet other like-minded people and clean up a large area together. 

A word of warning: Only pick up litter that is safe to do so. Look out for broken glass or sharp objects, needles, anything that is too large or heavy to carry, or potentially dangerous chemicals or oils. Contact your local authority if you find litter you cannot pick yourself.

Good luck and happy litter picking!

Visit www.keepbritaintidy.org for further information