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5 Ways to Teach Kids to Give Back

January 28, 2014 By Kelly 5 Comments

Sponsor

We all know volunteering is good for our heart and soul, but getting kids involved can seem challenging. As a mother of four, and longtime volunteer, I’ve learned some tricks to get kids involved in giving back to others.

teach kids to give back
1. Start ‘em Young
If you introduce the concept of giving back to others early on it can be easier to make it a habit for kids as young as two! Start with simple things they can easily grasp like giving extra toys to kids in need (Toys for Tots), or spending time visiting a retirement home. Once they are introduced to volunteering you’ll be surprised how creative they can be coming up with ideas to give back.

Take Action: Read Jessica’s series on how she encouraged giving back with her three year old and links to other great ideas.

2. Make it About Them
As kids get older they gain interest in various activities. Whether it’s a sport, dance, academics, or any other hobby there are countless ways they can give back by doing things they love to do. For instance, a child who has a knack for art may create cards for our armed forces who serve overseas (A Million Thanks). Another child whose passion is dance may offer to help out at her dance school with the toddler classes.

Take Action: Talk to your kids and ask them what they would like to do.

3. Find places they can be Included
Many volunteer organizations restrict their volunteers to be over a certain age limit, but if you spend sometime digging you will be able to find places that allow kids to tag along or even organizations that encourage young volunteers. (Cradles to Crayons)

Take Action: Create your own opportunities by organizing a drive, cleanup day at your local park, or go shopping with your kids to create outfit packs for kids in need. 

4. Keep it Simple
We’re all busy, and adding another thing to our and our kids schedules can seem like too much, but by keeping it simple you’ll be able to encourage your young volunteers.

Take Action: Consider ways you can keep it simple such as growing extra veggies in your garden.

5. The Family that Volunteers together…
Being a family that gives back means spending more time together as a family, and that can only lead to being happier and healthier. I spoke with a father once who said their family has 3 things they center their family around: education, giving back, and family. If you frame giving back as a family value and everyone ‘walks the walk’ it will be easy for your kids to come up with ideas on their own.

 Animal House

Help Feed Pets in Need
Toyota generously offered us some funds to give back to our local community, and we’ve added our own funds to make a bigger impact. In total we’re donating $200 of pet food to Animal House-a charity that helps pet owners who are struggling financially to keep their pets by providing them with food. This keeps pets out of shelters and in their loving homes. This Saturday we will be delivering our donations, and providing a hand in packaging and handing out food to those in need.

Take Action: I would love if you would help too. You can visit AnimalHouse.org to learn more, create your own donation drive, or visit Animal House Wish List on Amazon and send them a donation. 

Kelly

Disclosure: Toyota generously lent us this vehicle to drive and share with readers and a small stipend to help fund our adventures. All opinions are my own. To learn more about the 2014 Sienna visit Toyota.com, and check out the various 2014 Sienna models here.

 

About Kelly


Kelly Whalen is the founder and editor of the Centsible Life. She started the blog in 2008 as her family faced a mountain of debt and the fixer upper they purchased became a FIXER UPPER. The website was born out of her desire to share what was working (and what was not) on her family's journey to financial security. Kelly lives in Minneapolis with her family.

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Filed Under: Good Causes, Kids, Sponsored Tagged With: chairty, giving back, Kids, Sponsored, toyota


Comments

  1. Lauryn says

    January 28, 2014 at 10:14 pm

    Kelly, these are great ways to give back. I loved reading Jessica’s post. This is something that is so important to teach from the very beginning!

  2. Lindsey Renninger Schuster says

    January 28, 2014 at 2:13 pm

    What a wonderful concept… and yes, starting the plant the seeds young is key! Love your tips!

  3. Devon says

    January 28, 2014 at 11:31 am

    If nothing else, I hope my kid(s) grow up to give back. Whether we’re talking about WHY we put a toy in the Toys for Tots bin or I explain WHY I would pay for the Starbucks drink for the car behind ours, giving back (and paying it forward) is something I have tried to involve Lily in since she was tiny. Great tips!

Trackbacks

  1. 10 Ways to Give Back Without Spending a Dime says:
    March 13, 2014 at 10:40 am

    […] For ideas on how to get kids to give back check out this post–5 Ways to Teach Kids to Give Back. […]

  2. 8 Ways to Teach your Kids the Value of Money says:
    March 6, 2014 at 9:01 am

    […] Get them involved:  Teaching kids to give back can help share your values, but it also allows kids to see how fortunate they are when they […]

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Hi! I'm Kelly Whalen, writer, frugality expert, debt slayer, and money nerd. Welcome to the Centsible Life, my corner of the internet, where I help women live happier, healthier, and wealthier lives. My goal is to help you save time + money, so you can spend both how you want.

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