Think a child or a family can’t make a difference? Not so. Little things -- like using a colorful cloth bag, or tossing potato peels and eggshells into the compost heap-- can help the environment. And if your child develops good habits now, they’ll endure as he grows.

Here are 10 ways you can encourage your kids to go green during Earth Day.

Reduce electricity
Explain to your children that lights, computers, televisions and furnaces use energy, and that energy is in short supply. Jessica Altman of Buffalo, NY, encourages her 3-year-old to always flip off the light when she leaves a room and shut off the TV when she’s no longer watching. Now the toddler even reminds others: “Turn off the light!”

Appliances like DVD players use energy even when off, so cutting the power totally is the only way to conserve. Go shopping together to buy power bars and plug your electronics into them (watch little ones closely so there are no shocks).

Take small steps
There are dozens of small things your kids can do every day to save energy and keep the world cleaner and greener. Your kids can:

• Shut off the water when they brush their teeth
• Walk, ride a bike or take the bus instead of traveling by car
• Take faster showers or baths in just a small amount of water
• Help hang clothes on the line instead of putting them in the dryer
• Choose products that are not over packaged