Tips to Get Kids Involved in Community Service

Volunteering for community service doesn't just help others; it offers many personal benefits, too. While adults may have an easy time appreciating this, sometimes kids need a little encouragement to get involved. But teaching children-whether, toddlers, or teens-to selflessly contribute to their community is a powerful lesson that can stay with them for life and be so rewarding in so many ways. 

Kids who volunteer get to meet new people, discover new interests, learn new skills, practice teamwork and problem solving, develop responsibility, gain valuable experience for college and job applications in the future, feel a sense of pride, and benefit in lots of other ways. It also instills the important lesson that one person can make a difference. 

Of course, most children aren't too proactive about these sorts of things. So it's up to parents, teachers, and other adults in their life to give some gentle nudges in the right direction.

Why Volunteer: Personal Benefits

Here are just some of the major advantages of taking part in community service:

1. Learn practical new skills and improve your existing ones
2. Enhance critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
3. Boost your communication skills
4. Build leadership and teamwork skills
5. Gain insights into your own strengths and weaknesses
6. Develop new interests and passions
7. Meet new people with similar interests
8. Make meaningful new friendships
9. Connect with professionals who may have opportunities for you now or in the future
10. Build your resume with valuable experience and proof of character
11. Build your college and/or scholarship applications in similar ways
12. Discover an unexpected career path
13. Enjoy a change of scene
14. Get some additional physical activity
15. Become more stimulated and engaged with life
16. Reduce your stress levels
17. Improve your mood, outlook, and general satisfaction
18. Feel pride and boost your self-esteem for doing some good
19. Experience a powerful sense of purpose
20. Find creative inspiration
21. Further causes you believe in
22. Encourage your own sense of social responsibility and social justice
23. Become a more informed voter and activist
24. Expose yourself to different people from different walks of life
25. See past stereotypes about other groups through firsthand experience
26. Build a more well-rounded perspective on life and issues
27. Gain genuine, well-deserved admiration while setting a positive example
28. Fulfill community service requirements for school
29. Get your friends and family involved and watch them enjoy similar benefits
30. Live in a healthier, happier, more supportive, and united community

Need some ideas and inspiration for how to start contributing to your community and experiencing these amazing benefits of volunteering?

Check out our article on some ways to get involved in community service!