Big Lessons from Small Acts: Volunteering as a Family
How can volunteering as a family teach our kids valuable lessons?
We can tell our kids that helping others and caring for their environment are important, but hands-on experience turns it from a thought into a real-life experience and ingrains the value.
Here are a few lessons kids will learn by volunteering:
Accountability for the welfare of their community and environment.
Time management and prioritization.
Kindness, empathy, and generosity.
Mentoring and coaching.
Spreading goodwill.
Working for free for a cause bigger than themselves.
The personal rewards of making a difference.
Inviting friends and others to join in.
In the process, they will learn other skills, such as planting a tree, organizing donations, and leading others.
Start by doing some research!
Which organizations would your family like to support?
What days and times are available for signing up?
Are there waivers that need to be signed, or other liability concerns for participating with your kids?
What are the ages restictions?
What does the job entail?
Do you need to bring tools or lunch?
Are there opportunities for kids who need community service to be regular volunteers?
Then consider a list of volunteer activities by age. Many of these activities can be for the whole family, but younger children may need help with tasks or need a sitter until they are older.
Preschoolers:
Make cards for nursing homes, first responders, or local hospitals.
Sort and donate toys and clothing from home.
Help pick out food at the store and take it to a food pantry.
Primary grades
Sort items for non-profits like food pantries or thrift stores.
Playground clean-ups.
Make care packages for homeless shelters and hospitals.
Participate in a sing-along at a nursing home.
Secondary grades
Help at animal shelters.
Help serve food in sandwich lines.
Work water stands at a community race or event.
Run a lemonade stand with proceeds going to a charity of choice.
Middle School
Tree planting and community clean-up.
Local library or recreation center events.
Help elderly or sick people in the neighborhood with yard work or snow shoveling.
High school
Find a non-profit tied to their interests to support.
Help with summer camps for younger kids.
Lead a school improvement project.
Help coach with organizations like the Special Olympics or YMCA Youth Sports.
Tutor younger kids or fellow students.
ALL AGES
Charity fun runs.
Nursing home holiday events.
Prepare care packages for the military or college students away from home.
Trail or roadside clean-ups.
Fundraising event preparation or cleanup.
Write encouraging letters to those in jail or imprisoned.
Stuff warm pairs of socks with snacks and toiletries for homeless people.
There are many organizations that are desperate for volunteers. Does your family have a few hours each month to help out? What lifelong lessons will your kids learn and take with them into adulthood?
Want more fun ways to mentor your kids? Check out these other posts!
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Winning or Losing: Tips for Mentoring Kids When Competing Emotions Take Over
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