There was a time when I was that person: the one carrying a mason jar of compost, refusing plastic straws like it was a moral victory, and living a full-on zero-waste lifestyle. Years ago, I was involved on a personal level in environmental causes, and Clean Up Australia Day was my annual reminder that small actions can make a change. I knew how to concoct my own toothpaste (spoiler: it tastes terrible) and could fit a year’s worth of trash into a single jar.
And then … motherhood happened.
Let’s just say there’s nothing quite like a screaming newborn and a mountain of nappies to humble your eco-warrior spirit. Between sleepless nights and survival mode, reducing waste felt impossible. Convenience won. And for a while, I let go of my eco-dreams.
But lately, I’ve been finding my groove again ... baby steps, one nappy at a time. Clean Up Australia has become one of those tiny but mighty steps. It’s a chance to teach my 3-year-old that we can care for the world without being perfect. And honestly? It’s fun. Especially when you turn it into a game.
Further reading: Explore Volunteering Its Good For Improved Mental Health
What Is Clean Up Australia Day?
Founded by environmentalist Ian Kiernan, Clean Up Australia Day is the largest community-based environmental event where people come together. Since 1990, over 22 million Aussies and Australian families, schools, and community groups head out to parks, beaches, and neighbourhoods to pick up trash on land and in the water. For the past 35 years, it is held on the first Sunday in March. (The activity is endorsed by business.gov.au, but there's also a business clean up held last February.)
The best part? Anyone can get involved in this effort for the environment. You can join the official website or register your own initiative. It’s a hands-on program to teach kids about caring for the planet. (By the way, if you sign up, you receive a free clean up kit.)
And honestly, it feels good. There’s something powerful about seeing the immediate impact of your work on the local community ... especially when you’re doing it together with your kids. And it's just for one day of this month.
If you’re ready to get your kids involved, here are nine practical and simple ideas to turn Clean Up Australia Day into an adventure.
How to Get Kids Involved in Clean Up Australia Day
For Toddlers and Preschoolers (Ages 2-5)
1. Litter Treasure Hunt
My daughter loves a good treasure hunt. We grab a little bucket (one of her beach pails) and set out to find “hidden treasures”: plastic wrappers, bottle caps, and those mystery bits of garbage that seem to appear everywhere. If she drops something into the bucket, I cheer like she’s discovered gold. At the end, she gets a homemade “Eco Hero” badge, which she proudly sticks to her shirt like she’s won a medal.
2. Sort-and-Smile Game
Sorting rubbish is surprisingly thrilling for little kids. We set up three cardboard boxes. There's one for paper, one for plastic, and one for metal. When she finds something, she carefully decides which box it belongs in. It’s part tidying-up, part science lesson, and 100% adorable.
3. Weed Detectives
I call this our "detective mission," and it turns pulling weeds into an epic quest. We search for pesky weeds in the garden, and she loves “saving” the plants. Plus, I sneak in a little gardening while she’s on the case.
Getting Kids Into Clean Up Australia Day 2025 (cont.)
For Elementary Kids (Ages 6-12)
4. Eco Bingo
My friend Tina swears by this one with her 8-year-old twins. For 2023 and 2024, she printed out a kit of bingo cards with items like "plastic bottle," "chip packet," and "something blue." Once her kids check off five in a row, they win a prize (usually homemade brownies or extra screentime). It turns a boring task into a competitive (and delicious) game.
5. Trash Art Challenge
After a morning of collecting trash, why not get creative? Use clean, safe items — bottle caps, plastic lids, cardboard — to create an inspired sculpture. Tina’s kids once built a “Rubbish Robot” that stood proudly on their porch for weeks.
6. Clean-Up Relay Race
If your kids love competition, this is a winner. Set a timer and see who can collect the most amount of litter in five minutes. My daughter isn’t quite old enough for the racing portion. But she loves to help cheer on her older cousins while handing out gloves when the team reaches the base.
Activities for Clean Up Australia Day (cont.)
For Teens (Ages 13-18)
7. Social Media Clean Up Australia Day Challenge
Want to get your teen involved? Instagram. Tina’s 14-year-old, Mia, began a “Clean Up & Share” challenge with her friends. They took before-and-after photos of their local park and shared them with #CleanUpAustralia. Suddenly, saving the planet felt pretty cool.
8. Upcycling Project
Teens love a good DIY. Let them improve garbage into something useful. Mia once transformed an old top into a reusable bag. Another time, she came up with a bird feeder from a milk bottle. The projects provide trash a second life and keep teens entertained.
9. Lead the Path
Teens love a bit of independence, so why not let them take charge? Mia led a clean-up at her school oval last year and invited her friends. It gave her leadership experience and she felt proud seeing the difference they created towards a better world.
Final thoughts: How to Get Involved in Clean Up Australia Day
I’ll be honest: my zero-waste days feel far behind me ... for now. These days, I’m just doing my best. Some weeks that means cloth bags and compost bins. Other weeks, it means surviving on takeaway coffee and disposable nappies. And that’s okay.
It is a gentle reminder for all of us that everyone can make a difference in his own backyard. When my daughter proudly shows me the "treasures" she's collected, I remember that caring for the planet doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to start somewhere. And who knows? Maybe one day, 30 years later, she may refuse plastic straws, too.
Along with our kids, let's stick to treasure hunts and Eco Hero badges. For now, a simple pledge feels like a pretty great place to begin.
