5 Service Projects Your Preschooler Can Do

Most parents can attest to the fact that young children thrive on routine. This is why we end up with nap schedules that are a dangerous bargain to mess with, lunch routines to live by and bedtime rituals that mean the world to us as a family. One of the best things about this fact is that we can use young children’s affinity for routine to build habits that are important to learn, form and take on as their own. At the most basic level, we know that, as adults, the more often and regularly we do something, the more it becomes ours. The exact same thing is true for children. This is wonderful news for us parents who are hoping to instill good habits in our kids! 

This is especially helpful when parents are focusing on building the habit of giving back. Not only are kids able and willing to help others—young children’s hearts are truly golden—but giving back regularly at a young age means that they’re forming the lifelong habit of giving back, which is an absolute parenting and community win!

In an article about changing habits, or more specifically, adopting good ones, writer Courtney Seiter wrote, “Good habits, it seems, are the crucial building blocks of a better, healthier, happier way of life.” Most of us can relate to this topic—change is hard. But the good news is that instilling the habit of giving back in young children means that this is one good habit they will already have as they get older and will probably thank you for, and this makes setting aside the time to form and solidify this habit in young children so very worth it.

So here are five great ideas for projects that even the youngest of children can participate in that will help them form the lifelong habit of giving back:

1. Pack lunches for the homeless. Young children are famous for their “I can do it myself” attitude. We can use this wonderful gumption in our volunteering efforts. Children can help make simple sandwiches to take on a planned outing to pass out to people who need it or even pack lunch bags filled with nonperishable items such as water bottles and granola bars to keep in cars or strollers to hand out when they happen to see someone who needs it. The children will benefit from the powerful “I did it myself” feelings as well as the positive feelings that come with giving back and doing good in their own community.

2. Create a “giving jar.” Art projects and giving projects really and truly can go hand in hand. Young children can decorate a giving jar to be filled with spare change, found coins and even portions of allowance or gift money. Once full, a family can engage in a conversation as to where and who to give the money to, and then deliver it. This is a wonderful ongoing project that instills the continuing nature of giving.

3. Play with animals at a shelter. Children and animals go hand in hand for cute photo opportunities and for being our world’s bright spots. Many animal shelter cats and dogs need cuddlers in their lives, and many shelter workers and volunteers welcome young children to fill this loving role. It is important to call in advance to make sure that children are welcome and to talk to kids about being kind, gentle and careful with the animals, but when this “volunteering-with-young-children” opportunity works out, it is a memorable one.

4. Be Mother Nature’s lil’ helper. Children love to help; it seems almost instinctual to them. This includes picking up garbage and wanting to participate in taking care of our earth. Informally going to a park to pick up garbage or on a “clean-up walk” to do the same, garbage bag in hand, is just as fun and meaningful as participating in school or community events to do the same thing. So take your pick and commend your little helper for being the change!

5. Visit a retirement center. Bonus: make cards! Cross-generational volunteering has so many benefits for all parties involved. Make a regular “date” to visit a retirement center to play games or read books with residents. Some facilities will even allow volunteering children to perform for them talent show-style, giving young kids a chance to sing, dance or play an instrument—this is something that most parents of preschoolers will tell you their young children love to do! Another way to extend this giving outing is to have children draw pictures or make cards for residents.

There are so many ways to involve young children in giving back to their communities. The benefits are truly satisfying for all involved, starting with the fact that this helps our kids build the lifelong habit of giving back.

This article was written by Galit Breen on the Progressive blog. For more info on the author, click here!