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Volunteer With Kids | 3 Ways to Make It Fun

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Idealist Guest

Group volunteers with kids to identify native insects at a wildlife center in the United States.

Show your children the joy of community service! Volunteering with kids at a young age introduces them to new experiences, helps them feel connected to their community, and fosters values like generosity and empathy. For younger children especially, the key is to keep volunteering fun and engaging.

There are so many ways to volunteer with kids, from helping out at local events to using crafts to connect with others. Here are just a few volunteer opportunities to try next:

Make It Educational

Look for volunteer opportunities where kids can learn something new, such as visiting an animal shelter, touring a food pantry, or exploring a local nature center while helping with a project. Framing the experience around discovery makes the volunteer activity more meaningful and helps kids understand why their work matters.

Make Cards or Art for Others

Creative projects are perfect for kids of all ages. They can make cards for seniors, draw pictures for hospital patients, decorate bookmarks for libraries, or create small crafts for community events. Volunteer opportunities like these are simple, hands-on ways to brighten someone’s day while letting kids express themselves.

Join a Community Garden

Community gardens welcome families to help plant, water, harvest, or tidy garden beds. Kids get to dig in the dirt, learn about where food comes from, and see the results of their efforts over time. It’s a great option for energetic children who enjoy being outdoors.

Activities like these can grow into family traditions. Over time, kids build lasting memories of contributing together and develop a natural sense of connection to the people and places around them.

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