Australia is home to some of the most unique wildlife and natural environments on Earth, from the Great Barrier Reef to the outback and lush rainforests.
But these beautiful places are under threat from a common pollutant: plastic.
Teaching kids about plastic in the Australian environment is an important step toward building a cleaner, greener future. And yes, it can be fun too!
🎨 Download our free “Plastic in the Australian Environment” Colouring Pages
Why Plastic Pollution Matters in Australia
Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental issues in Australia. Every year, thousands of tonnes of plastic end up in our oceans, rivers, and bushland. These plastics harm wildlife like turtles, seabirds, and fish, and they take hundreds of years to break down.
Kids may not see the impact directly, but they are the generation that can make a big difference through awareness, action, and creativity.
How to Talk to Kids About Plastic in a Positive Way
Talking about pollution doesn’t have to be scary. Here are a few tips for teaching your kids about plastic:
1. Start With Nature
Show kids the animals and landscapes that make Australia special. Help them form a connection with nature through books, documentaries, or local trips to the beach or park.
2. Explain What Plastic Is
Use simple language to explain that plastic is something we use every day, like in water bottles, toys, or food packaging, but it doesn’t go away easily. Tell them how plastic can travel from our homes to the ocean and hurt animals.
3. Make it Relatable
Show kids how they can help: using a reusable water bottle, picking up rubbish, or saying “no” to plastic straws. Even small actions matter!
4. Turn Learning into Play
Games, crafts, and colouring activities are fantastic tools for helping kids remember what they’ve learned and get excited about taking care of the planet.
Plastic Pollution Facts for Kids
- 🐢 Turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish.
- 🐬 Over 1 million seabirds die each year from eating plastic.
- 🌱 It can take over 400 years for a plastic bottle to break down.
- ♻️ Australia recycles only about 13% of soft plastics, so reducing and reusing is key!
Classroom & At-Home Ideas to Raise Awareness
Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or carer, here are some easy ways to raise awareness about plastic pollution:
- Plastic-Free Lunch Day – challenge your child’s class to bring lunches without single-use plastics.
- Beach Clean-Ups – join a local clean-up or organise your own.
- Trash Art Projects – collect clean waste and turn it into art!
- Storytime With a Message – read books like “A Plastic Ocean” or “Somebody Swallowed Stanley.”
Download Our Free Colouring Pages!
Ready to get creative while learning about the environment?
🎨 Download our FREE “Plastic in the Australian Environment” Colouring Pages
These printable colouring sheets feature Australian animals and scenes fun to help spark meaningful conversations with kids about plastic pollution.
By teaching kids about plastic in the Australian environment in a fun, hands-on way, we empower them to become eco-heroes for life. Start small, stay positive, and remember, every little action counts!
