National Make a Difference Day is approaching on October 27th. Celebrated each year on the fourth Saturday in October, National Make A Difference Day is an annual community service event in which millions of people unite in the common mission to improve the lives of those around them. Whether you’re young, old, big, or small, you can make a difference in your community. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities for kids. Check out these 5 little ways your child can make a BIG difference this year on National Make a Difference Day.

  1. Clean up the community. Head out to the local park with your cleanup crew and pick up trash – you’ll be surprised at how much goes unnoticed! Make it a habit and encourage your child to pick up a few pieces of trash each time they visit the playground, making the world a cleaner, happier place. All you need are some gloves and a trash bag!
  2. Volunteer at a local nursing home, soup kitchen, or animal shelter. Not only will volunteering help teach your child about the importance of giving back to those in need, it will be a great way to bond as a family. Check out volunteermatch.org to find an opportunity in your local community!
  3. Donate gently used toys and clothes. Is it time for a playroom purge? Encourage your child to go through their toys and donate a few items that may be collecting dust to a child who will get more use out of them. Donate to a local children’s/family shelter, foster family organization, or children’s hospital, just to name a few.
  4. Host a bake sale, lemonade stand, or garage sale with all of the proceeds going to a local charity. Talk with your child about the various organizations they can give to and have them pick one that is near and dear to their hearts. This is a great way for your child to become acquainted with local charities and what they do, and also provide them with a sense of purpose by giving back!
  5. Donate time to a neighbor in need. If your child is old enough, encourage them to help out neighbors who might need some assistance. Whether it’s an elderly neighbor who needs help picking up fallen leaves, or a neighbor with young kids who needs an extra hand, community service for kids teaches them how to be helpful and they’ll feel good too.

There are many little ways kids can give back that make a BIG difference in your home, neighborhood, and local community.