The holidays are a great time to teach your kids that it's better to give than to receive, but it can be hard to figure out where to start. So we asked some experts to give us the lowdown on what parents should look for when seeking volunteer opportunities for kids.
At what age can children begin volunteering?
"Children who are old enough to understand some of the circumstances [and] benefits of what they are doing will obviously gain more from the experience," says Robert Rosenthal, director of communications for VolunteerMatch whose website helps match potential volunteers with opportunities from nearly 61,000 nonprofit organizations. "I think that even children as young as 2 can at least have a basic appreciation for the impact of their good deeds."
What are some of the unique or interesting opportunities open to small children?
Parents should try to find opportunities that match their children's skills and interests, says Mei Cobb, the director of United Way's Volunteer Engagement program, a global network that includes nearly 1,300 local organizations across the U.S. Plus, she notes that parents should be conscious of what is suitable for each child's age group. Mei suggests any of the following age-appropriate activities:
Ages 1 to 4
• play with other children at a children's center
• visit a nursing home with other family members
• join an older family member to read books at the library or community center
• go along for the delivery of meals prepared for those who are homebound or hungry
Ages 5 to 12
• participate in a read-a-thon project, in which students read to younger students
• collect used books and toys for a shelter for homeless families
• make cards or letters for military personnel
• perform plays and skits depicting community problems and their solutions
• rake the yard for an elderly person in the neighborhood
• help with a park or beach cleanup
• make holiday greeting cards and artwork for senior citizens who live in a nearby nursing home
• lead workshops on bike safety for younger children
Next Page: What should you look for in a kid-friendly non-profit organization?
