Thirty years ago who would have guessed that the PC would become as essential of a household item as a fridge? That a cellphone would become as important to grab every morning as your wallet and keys? Like the PC and cellphone “Green” is more than just a trend, it is quickly becoming central to the way people live.

While many parents are leading the green charge around the house, it is important to make sure that kids understand why it is important for them to get in on the act so sustainable living is a family effort. And educating the littlest family members is also a great way to help keep the everyone in the house honest when it is so tempting to just pitch that milk carton instead of heading out to the garage to the recycle bin.

Looking for a fun and engaging ways to get the kids excited about going green? St. Louis family favorite, The Magic House, has the answer. From now until January 17 the hand-on green learning experience “Super Kids Save the World” will teach our planet’s littlest citizens how to reduce, reuse, repair and recycle. The exhibit is based on the popular children’s book George Saves the World by Lunchtime, which shows how one family can make a difference with better day-to-day choices. The exhibit is free with the price of admission… and is a great companion to the hair raising static ball picture that is a staple in every St. Louis family album.

The Magic House St. Louis Children’s Museum is located at 516 S. Kirkwood Rd in historic Kirkwood. The museum offers hands-on learning experiences for children in science, civics, and much more. Their recent addition almost doubled the size of this beloved children’s favorite, including additional exhibit space for traveling exhibits like Super Kids Save the World, an outdoor children’s play garden, and a recreation of the Oval Office. You can find out more about the exciting new exhibits, hours of operation, and admission by visiting their website, www.MagicHouse.org. (Psst… every third Friday of the month families get in free from 5:30pm until 9:30pm)

 Remember the first time you built a Gold Certified, Custom Green Home? We sure do. 

After thirty years in the building industry you could probably write the book on it. St. Louis home builder, Matt Belcher a Certified Green Professional and owner of Belcher Homes, did just that. Last year he published the book, "Build Green and Save: Protecting The Earth and Your Bottom Line." In his book he talks about the cost and environmental savings that come along with choosing a green building professional for your home building project. We spoke with Belcher last year about his turn from builder to author:

Belcher's book discusses selecting green materials, green construction techniques, and more. It is a great reference for builders and home buyers who are interested in hammering, nailing, sawing and glueing their way to an ideal and environmentally friendly home.