Raising children who are civically minded isn’t easy. But you can expose your child to volunteerism and encourage your preteen to give back in a number of ways. When kids volunteer, good things happen. By volunteering or by helping others, your child learns valuable life skills, but he also learns how important it is to support organizations he cares about, and causes that interest him.
There are many ways your child can make a difference. Start with projects that he or she can incorporate into a preteen’s busy schedule, and then add bigger projects that require more time. You might also want to consider volunteering together. That way you can spend quality time together, and set a great example for your preteen.
Below are a few ideas for kids volunteer opportunities or community projects. Some your child can tackle at home, others are for school, your neighborhood, or the community. Have fun picking your projects and know that your child is learning a lot about helping others and making a difference.
Kids, Volunteer Opportunities and Tips
Below are just a few suggestions for kids volunteer ideas.
Volunteer Ideas for Home
Help younger siblings clean their rooms, brush their teeth or finish their homework
Play with younger siblings when they are bored
Volunteer to make a parent or a sibling lunch for work or school
Help a parent finish a chore, such as snow shoveling or raking leaves
Make cookies or brownies for a sick relative
Turn the backyard into a sanctuary for birds, butterflies and other wildlife
Feed, groom and care for the family pet
Write a letter to an elderly relative
Be responsible for cleaning up a bedroom, playroom or a family common area
Do things without being asked, such as hanging up your jacket or changing the cat’s litter box
Kids, Volunteer Opportunities and School
Before your child tackles a project for his school, be sure to have him ask his teacher or the school principal for permission, advice and suggestions.
Help teachers set up their classrooms at the beginning of the year
Help teachers pack up their classrooms at the end of the year
Be a patrol guard at a bus stop or on the school bus
Help the school librarian shelve books or assist students when checking books in and out
Make safety posters to display around the school
Organize a school supply drive for students who cannot afford to buy their own
Tutor younger children when they need it
Bring assignments to friends or classmates who have missed school due to illness or a family emergency
Volunteering at Church
Watch younger children during the church service
Assist adult volunteers at a vacation bible school
Create and decorate a bulletin board display
Send welcome cards to new church members
Organize a supply drive for the Sunday school teachers
Bake cookies for the church staff
Help maintain the church gardens
Volunteering in the Community
Organize a food and toy drive for the local animal shelter
Help stock the local food pantry
Volunteer to help a younger neighbor with homework
Make Valentine cards for the residents of a retirement home
Participate in a local clean-up day
Make brownies for new neighbors
Join a local service organization
Ask for donations to a local homeless shelter rather than gifts at your next birthday party
Donate proceeds from a lemonade stand to a charity of your choice
Purchase gifts for a needy family during the holiday season
