23 Kid-Friendly Service Ideas

Teaching your children how to serve and look outside themselves is one of the best cures for loads of different problems. It can help fight anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, can help your children avoid being spoiled, and it improves the community you’re serving. There are so many service ideas to get your children out there and involved, and I hope that this list gives you an idea of something that will work for your family!

These 23 service ideas are just a start! Take a look and let me know what else you come up with or have done with your kids. It’s fun to see them learn and grow from serving others: 

1. Take baked goods to a friend

2. Rake leaves for your neighbor

3. Visit a nursing home (call beforehand to find out the best time to go)

4. Send thank you cards to family, teachers, friends, local leaders

5. Host a play date to allow other parents to have some free time

6. Help with cooking a meal to give

7. Make snack bags for the homeless

8. Make artwork for grandparents

9. Take an elderly friend out for ice cream 

10. Go to one of their friend’s sporting or other events to cheer them on

11. Teach them the value of smiling at people and saying “Hi!” Practice it with them!

12. Let them pick out toys for another family for Christmas

13. Help them say a prayer for a specific person

14. Host a spa night with an elderly friend and have your child paint their toenails

15. Have a free lemonade stand (think of other “stand” ideas as well, i.e. popsicle, hot cocoa, etc.) Click the link here to see ours!

16. Write thank-you cards to people in the military

17. Donate clothes and have them help pick out which ones to donate

18. Donate food to a homeless shelter and have them help prepare food or choose what to buy

19. Donate/Volunteer at Children’s hospitals (call and ask what is needed/wanted)

20. Donate books to a local daycare, school, or other donation center

21. Clean someone’s house

22. Involve them in yard work

23. Have a car wash for neighbors

I’d love to hear from you. Let me know your favorite ideas!

With love,

-Whitney