Hello and welcome (back) to the blog for another eco-friendly craft Friday today in honour of Earth Hour.

Earth Hour takes place on Saturday March 26th, 2011 at 8:30pm (local time). According to earthhour.org, “Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. Only a year later and Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries/territories participating. Global landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, CN Tower in Toronto, Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour.”

In 2010, “a record 128 countries and territories joined the global display of climate action. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Asia Pacific to Europe and Africa to the Americas switched off. People across the world from all walks of life turned off their lights and came together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet.” Amazingly, 2011 looks to have even more participants.

Today’s craft is for a Lights Out door hanger to remind everyone to turn the lights off during Earth Hour and beyond. This craft is extra eco-friendly as it uses items you have around the house – cereal boxes will work perfect. Although the picture included in this craft is of a yellow door hanger, encourage your little crafters to make them their own.  This very appropriate Earth Hour craft comes by way of familyfun.go.com.

Tools and Materials:
Scissors
Scrap cardboard (we used a cereal box)
Glue
Marker
Ribbon

Instructions:

Cut a light bulb shape (about 3 1/2 inches wide and 6 inches tall) from the cardboard.
For the base of the bulb, cut out a cardboard strip (about 1 1/2 inches wide and 3 inches long), wrap it around the neck of the bulb, and glue it in place.

Paint the light bulb and, once it dries, use a marker to draw threads on the bulb base and to print your conservation message. For a hanger, tape a loop of ribbon to the back of the bulb.

Kids are going to love making this Lights Out door hanger and it will make them aware of conservation and responsible consumption. They can take pride in their eco-friendly creation while saving the planet at the same time. Make several and hang them on all inner doors around the house and anywhere else they may work as a reminder.

Enjoy and Happy Earth Hour – now Lights Out!

In Canada, you can pledge your support here
Visit earthhour.org to find your local Earth Hour website