Organize a sustainable gift wrapping booth at your school using forest-friendly materials to create unique and memorable gifts
Grade Level: K-6
Learning Objectives:
- Name the 3Rs and explain how they contribute to protecting the environment
- Recognize how small choices that can create meaningful change
During this activity students will:
- Review the 3Rs and their connection to waste reduction
- Practice reuse by creating gift wrap with reused materials
- Share their creations with the school community
Instructions
- Discuss why sustainable gift wrapping is important and how it helps reduce waste, such as by reusing materials or using fabric that can be used again and again. Have students research which gift-wrapping materials can be recycled in your area, including different types of paper, tape and ribbons.
- As a class, plan a sustainable wrapping booth:
- Where it will be
- The date(s) and time(s) of the booth – around the holidays is great!
- Roles and responsibilities for each student at the booth
- Publicize your wrapping booth. This could be through announcements, posters, and/or visiting other classes. Be sure to explain the issue you’re addressing and share the dates and times the booth will be available. Create signage to display at your booth explaining the importance of sustainable wrapping.
- Gather materials for wrapping – it could be newspapers (comics are colourful), fabric (like old t-shirts or scarves), sheet music, magazines, maps, old artwork, or whatever else your class has on hand. Instead of plastic ribbon, use fabric, garden twine, or get creative with materials from nature, twigs, pinecones, or evergreen needles.
- Set up your booth and get wrapping! Be sure to thank your visitors for choosing to wrap sustainably.
- Once you have finished, debrief with the class about what they learned and how they will apply it in the future. Share the results and insights with the school community.