Volunteering as a family is such a wonderful way to bond and to feel better overall. When we make others happy, we experience an amazing biological phenomenon called a “helper’s high” that is the result of our brain releasing chemicals called endorphins. We experience an energy in our body that is similar to the rush we feel after we exercise. These positive feelings make our kids happier and healthier by reducing stress and anxiety and feelings of sadness, loneliness or depression. It’s so important that we teach our children meaningful values like helping others.
Finding the right family volunteer activities can be overwhelming at times. You may feel uncertain about what is expected and question whether your children can participate. It is so important that your children feel comfortable where you volunteer, get inspired by the work you do, and enjoy themselves. Without these three components, our children won’t reap all the amazing benefits of volunteering. Plus, we want them to love helping others so they continue to do so for a lifetime.
When searching for the appropriate activity, consider the following priorities:
Project Focus
The first step is to brainstorm as a family to decide what types of volunteer activities you are interested in doing. Ask your children who they would like to help. Is there a particular cause they feel passionate about, such as feeding homeless people, making art for other children, helping animals, or visiting the elderly or sick? What interests, skills, and talents do your family members have? Do you prefer to be indoors or outdoors? Do you wish to work directly with people or do something quietly like painting or pulling weeds? The options are endless, so it is important to narrow down your choices and focus on projects that your family will get the most out of.
Organization’s Mission
Do your research before you sign up with a specific organization. Find out the group’s history and how it got started, the goals and mission, who its leaders are, and how it is funded. Check their website, search online for press coverage, and visit sites like www.charitywatch.org and www.charitynavigator.org. If possible, ask a current or past volunteer about the pros and cons of the organization. Getting a referral from someone you know is the best option, especially because your children will be participating.
Location
Next, you will want to make sure you search for projects that are close to home so you do not have to drag your kids far to volunteer. Use Eventbrite’s search tools to find the perfect places for kids to volunteer in your area. Also, if you’re someone that hosts events in your area and looking for new ways to raise money, check out Eventbrite’s fundraising ideas!
Cost Of Family Volunteer Activities
Although rare, check to see if there are any fees to volunteer. You may also want to consider any other costs involved like travel, equipment such as certain clothing required, or requested products or monetary donations.
Time Commitment
Decide how much time you have to volunteer. It could be once a week, once a month, or once a year. Start slow and gradually increase your involvement if the project is working out well. Or you may choose to volunteer with different organizations each time to expose your children to a wide variety of experiences.
Age Range Guidelines
Look for activities that your whole family can participate in. Before you commit to a project, check to see if there are any age requirements listed. It may take some hunting around, but you should be able to find age-appropriate options. Even babies can take part in nursing home visits, charity walks, and beach clean ups.
Activity Expectations
Before you show up, find out exactly what you will be doing. Will there be heavy lifting involved? Will you have to get down and dirty? Will the project be a boring and repetitive task that will make your kids annoyed? Make sure the activity is something that your kids will actually enjoy before you invest your time.
Safety
No matter what, safety needs to come first when children are involved. You may want to avoid going to activities in neighborhoods that make you uncomfortable. Your kids may be scared to talk to strangers, so consider starting with familiar people and places. As they get older, you can start to venture out and expose them to more mature situations.
Fun Factor
Finally, if it isn’t an enjoyable experience for your kids, then what’s the point? Choose projects that involve your children in a fun way, but also teach and inspire them. Avoid topics and activities that are too serious and sad for young children. Be sure to engage with them afterward and ask what they thought, and if they would be willing to do it again.
What type of family volunteer activities do you enjoy?
Thank you for this excellent guide. My family volunteers at the Walk4Hearing each year and it is always a wonderful experience.
Great guide. I love volunteering. I don’t have my own family yet. So all these are the things that interest me, but they are definitely kid friendly: volunteering at the Center for Puppetry Arts (playing with the children and help them make paper puppets), at the baby ministry (playing with the babies while their parents attend church service, at the Foundation for Hospital Arts (helping touch up paintings to be sent to hospitals all over the wolrd – No experience needed).
Kudos to you for volunteering in so many ways to help others.
I love these considerations, and that you are sharing them before we enter the season of volunteering. Another one to keep in mind is registering to volunteer. I know our soup kitchens around here fill up with volunteers during the holiday season. They have to turn people away!
Good tip. I may add that suggestion in.
Excellent tips. It’s so important to have the family together with a volunteer project. Great bonding experience.
I just wrote a post of volunteering, but didn’t include details on doing it with family. This is awesome! Getting kids involved early is so important. I think it’s really about making it part of your every day life and family traditions.
Feel free to share a link to your post.
We recently volunteered sorting gifts and it made me realize I need to make volunteering a priority throughout the year not just at Christmas. Glad I found your post to give me some more ideas and goals for the new year.
I’ve been wanting to get us involved in something and now I know how to do my research!
We’ve done a few things with the kids in the past but over the summer I signed us up to volunteer at the animal shelter. My husband and I aren’t huge cat fans but my kids love them so I though that would be a great way for them to get involved but also something I knew they would enjoy. Sadly, we learned my daughter is allergic to cats. We’ll have to stick to the dog rooms next time.
Great suggestions! We love to volunteer at food pantries throughout the year!
I think volunteering is a great experience. There are so many valuable lessons. I am actually looking into some organizations to volunteer in the summer. Thank you for the insights I will apply them.
Actively volunteering with your kids is a great way to connect with them while showing and living the benefit of helping others! So important to raise compassionate kiddos!
I have been looking for ways to get my family involved in volunteering. It’s hard with super busy schedules, different age ranges, and varied interests and motivation to volunteer among the 5 of us. Thank you for these helpful tips and things to consider. It is something you need to put some thought and consideration into.
These are great guidelines for choosing volunteer opportunities and a lot of good things to think about; thank you!
You have included some great tips here. I have volunteered since I was a teenager, and I have recently gotten my children involved. Definitely looking for some more fun opportunities to get involved with.
I love this guide! Thank you for sharing. My family and I just volunteered at a food drive over thanksgiving break. We will also be doing in over Christmas break.
These are great tips. Volunteering as a family is so important to teach our kids to love others! Thank you
Thanks for the resources! I’d like to do more volunteering, especially once things are back to normal, so this seems like a great place to start.
wow! this is a great post with valuable suggestions on how to choose a volunteering activity for your family.
love your tips.
thanks for sharing.