In the spirit of Martin Luther King Day, coming up on January 20th, why not suggest a family community service project? Sure, you might get some eye rolls at first, but volunteering has many benefits for kids, and it’s never too early to introduce them to the phenomenal ways they can help others in their community.
Here are just some of the positive outcomes of volunteering for kids:
- Sense of pride
- Enhance empathy
- Acquire job skills
- Gain a sense of responsibility
- Build leadership skills
- See that they can make a difference
In order for service projects to be most impactful for children, though, remember to reflect on the experience. Talk about the issue the project is addressing and how their work is helping, and allow them to process any feelings they may have around the experience.
Below you’ll find some kid-friendly service projects that will benefit your community and your family! Note: Before planning a service project that involves a local organization, be sure to contact them to confirm their volunteer needs, opportunities, and guidelines.
1. Create care packages for military men and women
Kids can write letters to service members and send them to Operation Gratitude to be included in care packages. Visit the organization’s website to view their wishlist of purchased and handmade items.
2. Create hygiene kits for the homeless
Purchase or collect donations of travel-sized toiletries and create hygiene kits in small plastic bags. Contact local homeless services, such as Bucks County Homeless Shelter or Family Service Association of Bucks County to inquire about donating.
3. Walk dogs, cuddle pets, or make handmade toys
Contact your local animal shelter to find out how you can help! Some shelters may require volunteers be at least 18 years of age to handle the animals, but may have other ways kids can get involved. For example, the Women’s Animal Center in Bensalem welcomes kids to create toys for shelter animals, assist with writing biographies of adoptable pets, and organize collection drives for shelter supplies and funding.
4. Make cards for nursing home residents
Work with a senior care facility, such as Anne’s Choice in Warminster, or organization that serves the elderly, to donate hand-written cards or visit residents.
5. Collect old toys and clothes to donate
This can be a collaborative project within your household. Have everyone go through their old clothes, toys, books, etc. and choose some items to donate. Allowing your child to help choose the organization to which their items will be donated may help them feel a sense of pride and investment in the project. Not sure where to donate? Check out this article with options for donating items in our area.
6. Clean up a park or playground
Contact your local parks department, or search online (see links below) for local park clean-up efforts. Or, just grab some gloves and a trash bag and start your own!
7. Help out at a food pantry
Kids can help stock shelves and sort food at your local food pantry. On the 4th weekend of each month, the Food Pantry at Penndel welcomes a family to work together stocking shelves, checking expiration dates, and sorting food.
8. Make blankets for a local children’s hospital or shelter
Follow these no-sew instructions and bring some comfort to children in need.
Doing good feels good! Want to do more? Search these websites for more volunteer opportunities:
Corporation for National and Community Service
