Sustainable Living

What does an apple taste like straight from the tree? What does a goat’s fur feel like? And can you hear the pigs squealing happily in the meadow? A visit to a farm shop is more than just a place to buy food – it’s a journey back to the roots. Surrounded by the scent of fresh herbs, warm bread, and crisp vegetables, you’ll learn where your food really comes from. Maybe you’ll even get to dig potatoes straight from the soil or eat fresh strawberries picked from the field. The animals on the farm watch you curiously – chickens peck at the straw, cows chew lazily on hay. Listen carefully – what sounds do you hear? Who will be the first to hear the rooster crow?

Have you ever watched a sunflower grow? It stretches toward the sky like a little sun. Or maybe you’d rather plant wildflowers and turn your garden or balcony into a buzzing paradise for bees and butterflies. By growing nectar-rich plants, you help pollinators find food and create a colorful space that changes with the seasons.

Get your hands in the soil – dig small holes, plant the seeds, and water them regularly. Then comes the best part: waiting and watching. Which will bloom first? The delicate blue bellflower or the climbing nasturtium, winding its way up like a tiny acrobat?

Skip traditional balcony plants like geraniums – most of them are useless to bees. Instead, choose wildflowers, herbs, or perennials that bloom from spring to autumn, offering a continuous feast for pollinators. And the best part? Some flowers are even edible! Have you ever tried violets or dandelion blossoms on buttered bread?

Here are some great sun-loving plants that will attract bees and butterflies:

• Clustered Bellflower (Campanula glomerata)
• Trailing Bellflower (Campanula poscharskyana)
• Round-Leaved Bellflower (Campanula rotundifolia)
• Reflexed Stonecrop (Sedum rupestre)
• Biting Stonecrop (Sedum acre)
• Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
• Mountain Mint (Calamintha nepeta)
• Rock Cress (Aubrieta deltoidea)
• Basket of Gold (Aurinia saxatilis)
• Round-Headed Leek (Allium sphaerocephalon)

Have you ever thought about growing your own vegetables? It’s easier than you think. Whether in a garden bed or a big pot on the balcony, you can grow your own fresh produce – crunchy carrots, juicy tomatoes, or peppery radishes. You decide what to plant. Dig small holes, tuck the seeds into the soil, and gently cover them up. Water regularly and be patient – soon, the first green shoots will appear. Make sure to grow only edible plants and check before tasting anything. And when your vegetables are finally ready to harvest, you’ll get to enjoy the freshest, most rewarding meal – one you grew yourself.

Put on your boots and grab a basket – it’s time to go mushroom foraging. In the damp autumn forest, mushrooms hide among the moss and fallen leaves. Some glow in bright colors, while others give off a rich, earthy scent. But be careful – only forage with someone who knows mushrooms well. Never eat anything you can’t identify, and don’t pick mushrooms unless you’re absolutely sure they’re safe. For that, you can visit the official mushroom checkpoints, which are distributed all over Switzerland. Sometimes, the best part is simply spotting their incredible variety without touching them. Who knows? You might even find a hidden cluster tucked under a tree stump.

Get ready for an exciting plant expedition! Bring a magnifying glass and a notebook, and start exploring the green wonders around you. Which leaves feel soft? Which ones have a unique scent? And how many plants can you already name? Draw or press leaves to create your own plant journal. Maybe you’ll even find a rare flower or a plant that floats like a parachute in the wind. With a little practice, you’ll become a true plant expert!

Looking for a refreshing treat? Set up your own lemonade stand and make the perfect summer drink. Squeeze fresh lemons or mix up a delicious berry lemonade. Don’t forget to add water, (sugar), and ice cubes for that extra cool kick. Get creative with ingredients like mint, cucumber, or elderflower syrup to give your lemonade a special twist. Bright straws make it even more fun! Set up a small table, make a colorful sign, and invite neighbors or friends to stop by. Who could resist a glass of homemade lemonade?

Today, you’re on a mission as an environmental hero! Grab a pair of gloves and a trash bag, and help clean up your surroundings. Whether in the park, at the playground, or in the forest, there’s always something that doesn’t belong in nature. Pick up plastic bottles, paper, or cans and dispose of them properly. Who knows – you might even find a hidden treasure among the litter! It’s even more fun with friends – turn it into a challenge! Who can collect the most? Who finds the weirdest object? But be careful – never touch sharp or unknown items with your bare hands. Stay safe, and make a real difference on your litter-picking adventure.

Welcome to your very own hotel – for beetles, bees, and butterflies! Build a cozy insect hotel using wood, tubes, pinecones, and straw, and place it in your garden or on your balcony. Make sure it’s in a sunny, sheltered spot so it lasts a long time, and check that the holes are smooth for the insects to safely nest inside. Before long, the first tiny guests will move in, and you can watch them explore their new home. But remember – an insect hotel alone isn’t enough. Without flowers, there’s no food. Leave some wild corners in your garden and plant bee-friendly flowers to help your new visitors thrive. Did you know that wild bees sleep in tiny holes? Or that ladybugs love crawling into small crevices? By building an insect hotel, you’re giving them a safe space – and learning a lot about them in the process.

Ready to take your skills to the next level? Build your own mini skateboard ramp with the help of an adult. Whether using wood, old pallets, or a slanted board, a little creativity turns it into an exciting project. Test different heights, practice jumps, and invent your own moves. But remember – safety first! Set up the ramp in a safe place and always wear a helmet and pads. Start small and work your way up to avoid falls. Now, let the ramp adventure begin!

Have you ever built a birdhouse? Grab a screwdriver, feel the wood in your hands, and get started. A simple piece of wood can become a cozy nesting spot for birds looking for a safe place to raise their young. Even though birdsong fills the air, many species struggle to find secure places to build their nests. With your own handmade birdhouse, you can give these feathered friends a new home. Who knows which bird will move in first – maybe a sparrow, a blue tit, or even a robin? Building a birdhouse isn’t just a fun project, it’s a way to support local wildlife and experience nature up close. You can find great tips and easy instructions from BirdLife, Vogelwarte Sempach and RSPB. When building, make sure the entrance hole is the right size: smaller holes for tits, larger ones for starlings. And one important rule – no perch! Otherwise, predators like weasels or cats could use it to access the nest.

Ready for some furry cuddles? Head outside and see which animals you can meet up close. But be careful – every animal has its own way of communicating. Maybe you’ll find a cat that loves a good scratch behind the ears, or you visit a goat farm or your neighbour, who has a rabbit that curiously sniffs at you. Who knows – maybe this encounter will turn into a little friendship. Always stay calm and gentle when petting an animal, and respect its space. Animals aren’t toys – they’re living creatures that need their own boundaries. If you’re wandering through the woods, be mindful of animals that prefer to be left alone. Don’t try to pet wild animals, only observe them from a safe distance.

Stop for a moment and take a closer look! These little snails, with their shiny shells, are true masters of exploration. Slowly but with unwavering determination, they glide across damp meadows, soft forest floors, or wet leaves after a rain shower. They leave behind quiet trails – tiny secrets etched into the earth. Watching them move at their own unhurried pace is mesmerizing, a reminder that there’s no rush to discover the world. Have you ever noticed their tiny feelers stretching out, curiously sensing the air? Always remember: a snail is a small, delicate creature, so handle it with care. Maybe you’ll even spot one gently shifting its shell forward or retreating into its cozy home. Who can find the longest snail?

Have you ever seen an ant up close? Or noticed how many shades of color a single leaf can have? A magnifying glass makes the world feel a little more magical. Look closely at a flower – can you see the tiny hairs on its petals? Or inspect a piece of tree bark – you might even find a little beetle hiding underneath. Maybe you’ll spot animal tracks that you’d normally miss. Snails with glistening antennae, spiders weaving delicate webs – there are tiny wonders everywhere. And who knows, maybe you’ll even discover a hidden world that only a magnifying glass can reveal!

Forget paintbrushes and palettes – today, you’re painting with nature. Did you know you can make your own colors using berries, leaves, and soil? Crush a few blackberries for deep purple, use turmeric for bright yellow, or rub leaves to create different shades of green. Try pressing them onto paper or painting stones with them. What would a postcard in natural colors look like? Maybe you can create a colorful flag out of leaves or decorate your hands with flower petals. A little wild, a little creative – and by the end, you might just be covered in color from head to toe!

Picture this: a hot summer day, the sun shining, and in your hand – the most delicious ice cream around. But wait, today you're taking it one step further: you're making your own. Just grab some fresh fruit, a bit of yogurt or juice, and with a little creativity (and patience), you’ll create your very own frozen treat. Blend the fruit, pour it into molds, and pop them in the freezer. In a few hours, you’ll be the master of your own ice cream kingdom. The best part? You can invent any flavor you love – from raspberry to mango, chocolate chunks to mint. Who says adventures only happen outdoors?