Energy Efficiency Activities

The Caucus and the University of Illinois at Chicago Energy Resources Center (UIC ERC) have compiled low-cost energy efficiency activities that your community can use for Earth Day or other community events. These activities are organized by age group. Feel free to use any or all of these activities, and let us know how your event goes!

KIDS

Energy Vampire Activity

First, define an energy vampire with the group (definition below). Once the kid(s) understand which devices act as energy vampires, provide them with a picture of a room and a writing utensil. Their task is to circle the energy vampires. The activity outcome is for children to recognize unnecessary energy being used by electronic devices at home and be more cautious to form better habits.

Take Home Activity: Provide students with bat images displaying “Unplug Me” or “Turn Me Off” (or sticky notes) and have them tag the items they think are sucking up power. Parents, then find bats (or sticky notes) and talk with your kids about how you can defeat energy vampires and save energy.

Energy Vampire definition: An energy vampire is any device plugged in and pulling power even when it’s off or not in use. Many of these devices have LED indicator lights, making them easily identifiable.

Supplies needed: Paper to print image of a room, printer ink, writing utensils, and sticky notes (either plain sticky notes or vampire/bat notes – option 1-bat, option 2-bat, option 3-bat silhouette)
Estimated cost: Less than $25
Possible restraints: Tables and chairs may be needed when children are circling the energy vampires on the image.
Website example of a room with energy vampires highlighted: Green Home Energy Efficiency Guides, Energy Star® Kids Activities
Optional add-ons: The person leading the activity could dress up like a vampire to make this activity even more memorable, if they have a costume or a cape. You could also have a raffle for an advanced power strip, which is a device that automatically cuts off power when energy vampires are not in use. In addition to a raffle, you could let residents know that ComEd offers rebates for advanced power strips.

Energy Coloring Sheets

The Department of Energy has a free “Get Current” coloring book online, which contains coloring sheets with the most common forms of renewable energy (e.g., solar – as seen at the right, wind, geothermal, etc.). The National Energy Education Department (NEED) website has the following coloring sheets: Saving Heat coloring sheet, Energy Auditor (near the end of the list, not in alphabetical order), Weatherization, Lighting (in the third column), and more. Create a coloring sheets booth for children to stop by and color, or these sheets can be given to children to take home.
Supplies needed: Paper to print the coloring sheets, printer ink, crayons
Estimated cost: Less than $25
Possible restraints: Tables and chairs may be needed when children are sitting down and coloring these sheets, unless this is given out as a take-home activity.

Energy Activities Booklet – Handout for Children

For additional energy activities at the event or to take home, print the Primary Energy Infobook Activities. The booklet contains several activities for children to learn about energy, energy sources, and recycling.
Supplies needed: Printer paper, printer ink
Estimated cost: Less than $25 (could also provide a QR code to attendees instead to avoid the cost of printing this booklet)

ALL AGES

Renewable Energy Origami

Wind origami

Participants construct origami paper into renewable energy examples that they can take home. Renewable energy examples include the sun, biomass, and wind. Printing the instructions is required for this activity.
Supplies needed: Printer paper for instructions, printer ink, origami paper
Estimated cost: Less than $25
Possible restraints: Tables and chairs needed for the activity.

Energy Efficiency Pledge

Give participants a checklist of actions they can pledge to reduce their energy consumption. The pledge should be completed after providing participants with information on steps they can take to conserve energy or after completing an activity.
Supplies needed: Printer paper, printer ink
Estimated cost: Less than $25 (could also provide QR code instead to avoid the cost of printing the pledge)
Website: Take the Pledge: ENERGY STAR

Energy Efficiency Games

In addition to these activities, go to the Energy Efficiency Games webpage to find out how your municipality can borrow energy efficiency games and receive free prizes for your residents.

Acknowledgments

These low-cost activity ideas for municipalities are made possible through the generous support of the Illinois Science & Energy Innovation Foundation (ISEIF) and with assistance from the University of Illinois at Chicago Energy Resources Center.

Energy Goals

The energy efficiency activities support local governments in achieving the energy goals of the Greenest Region Compact and the Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region.