Ten Ways to Serve With Your Kids (Even Little Ones!)

Amazon Prime Days recently happened. I took advantage and did a little Christmas shopping. Yes, I said Christmas shopping. In October. As I was adding to cart, I started getting excited about the Christmas season which will soon be upon us.

I love all that comes with the Christmas season. I love the cookies, the family time the lights. I love remembering the reason for the season and making sure that my family strives to put that at the center of our Christmas enjoyment.

I also love presents. Giving and receiving. I don’t think there is anything wrong with that given we do put Jesus at the core.

I believe the Christmas season should be a time of giving and my heart is already called to start ensuring my family and I act on that.

If you are looking for ways to serve with your kids, even little kids, here are ten ideas!

Color a Smile
We recently did this at work and it was really fun. All you do is print out pages from this site, color and mail back. They are then distributed to anyone that needs a smile including senior citizens and troops overseas.

Letters to Elders
This site will take you to either nominate an elder or to view biographies and then mail a letter. I did this last year and it filled my heart.

Organizations with volunteer opportunities for young kids
Food Distribution Centers like NW Harvest (min age is 9) OR organizations such as Hopelink (minimum age is 7) are always looking for volunteers. Simply go online or call to get you and the family signed up.

Grocery Helpers
Take your kid to the local grocery store and have them help people by running carts back into the store, helping carry groceries to the car etc. One of my friends had her kids do this and said that people absolutely loved it.

Donate Toys/Clothes

GettyImages | netrun78

One thing I do each year before Christmas and birthdays is I have my kids clean out their rooms, play room and closets knowing the items will go to kids who needs them.

Adopt a Family (any time of the year!)
While this idea is more popular during the holiday season, you can adopt a family at any time of the year. If appropriate, take your kids with you to shop and deliver the items. They will get a glimpse into the lives of others less fortunate. Sources to find a family in need can include your church, employer or organizations through an online search.

Clean up trash

GettyImages | krisblackphotography

Grab some gloves and garbage bags and head out to clean up your neighboring streets and parks. Safety first, of course to ensure kids are not picking up anything dangerous.

Help a neighbor
Ideas could be using a dust buster to vacuum out their car or wipe down the seats with a rag and cleaner (even little kids can do that!), walk their dog or pick up their mail.

Put together and deliver “care kits” for the homeless

GettyImages | JulPo

Last year, my kids and I made up little “care kits” that we would hand out to the homeless when the opportunity arose. Socks, homemade bread, travel-sized toothpaste/toothbrushes etc are usually what we included typically just stored in a big Ziploc bag. I kept them in the car so we would have them on hand. My kids really liked this one.

Volunteer at church
While they may not be old enough to serve in a kids room/Sunday school, they may be old enough to stay with you and open the doors, greet people and/or pass our programs. My three-year-old is probably not going to find value in that but my six-year-old should learn that it takes lots of people to run a church and we can be a part of that.

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. (John 13: 12-14)

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)