Volunteering is all about giving back to your community. It’s something you can do by yourself, as a family with your kids or for tweens and teens to do by themselves. Volunteering and doing good is something that will give kids an opportunity to learn and grow, according to Success Magazine.
Helping others will encourage kids to learn empathy and altruistic acts will benefit them as well as the people they help. No matter what their ages are, children will benefit from helping others.
There are a myriad of things for families and children to do on Good Deeds Day (GDD), the global day of volunteering and doing good Now in its 18 th year, GDD was founded by philanthropist and businesswoman Shari Arison in just one country and went global in 2011. GDD grew to millions of people from 110 countries participating and you can to on April 14, 2024.
Your family – or older youth – can join an existing GDD project in your community or plan one of your own. Here are eight volunteer ideas that kids can do on GDD or any time of the year.
Read to Shelter Pets
One activity that even younger kids can do is to read to shelter pets, according to Parents. Many Humane society shelters welcome kid volunteers. Reading to the animals is a good way for kids to practice their reading skills while they interact with pets that are waiting to be adopted. Older kids can volunteer to walk the dogs or they can organize a pet food drive.
Help in a Park or Beach Cleanup
You can assist your child in planning a park, playground, or beach cleanup with their friends. This is an easy way to pick-up trash and spruce up these public places. Many GDD activities include painting community spaces and tree planting. Your kids will be helping their community and the planet at the same time.
Contribute to a Little Free Library
Kids can go through their books and pick out ones they have outgrown to give to a Free Little Library in the neighborhood, suggested Success Magazine. If you don’t have any nearby, organizing your own little library is a great family project. You will need a waterproof cabinet, books, and some publicity to get started.
Mow a Senior Neighbor’s Lawn
Teens can help older or disabled neighbors by mowing grass and doing yard work for them. In the winter, shoveling snow is a great way to help out. Youth can participate in the 50-lawn Challenge that encourages them to help their communities.
Visit Local Nursing Home Residents
Visiting seniors in nursing homes is a great way for kids to give back, stressed Success magazine. They can bring homemade cards or baked goods and spend some quality time with people who may not have frequent visitors. If your child is musical, they can play an instrument or sing for the residents.
Collect Toys for a Children’s Hospital
Your child can organize a toy and book drive for a local children’s hospital. Collecting gently used toys can brighten the life of a sick child. Or start a collection for toys, books and even art supplies to a homeless center or day care center.
Make Sandwiches for Homeless People
Older kids can make sandwiches that can be distributed to homeless people. Tweens and teens are old enough to start a food drive or to volunteer in a food pantry. Feeding the hungry is one of the greatest ways to help others. There are many communities that have organized GDD projects that youth can join or there is still time to plan one for April 14.
This article was originally published on Goodnet and appears here with permission.
