ML Interest Tag: volunteer

11 Ways to Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Los Angeles

by Jennifer O'Brien

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, discover MLK events, celebrations, and local volunteering opportunities for you and your kids around LA

Each year, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Americans unite to honor his legacy and tireless work as a champion of civil rights. So when is Martin Luther King Day? MLK Day takes place the third Monday in January each year. Fun fact: King’s actual birthday is January 15 (he was born in 1929). In addition to celebrating King’s legacy, this holiday has also become a National Day of Service—encouraging Americans to volunteer and do good in their communities. So whether you want to celebrate MLK at a parade or spend the day giving back to others, here are all the things to do on MLK Day in Los Angeles.

How to Celebrate MLK Day in Los Angeles

1. Long Beach Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Celebration

Jan. 14: This beloved event returns for its 35th year to celebrate Rev. Dr. King and the diverse community of Central Long Beach. Festivities kick off at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. and Anaheim St., followed by the park celebration from noon-5 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Park. The park celebration will include a main stage with live performances, a health and wellness area, youth area, and tons of food and vendors.
Martin Luther King Jr. Park
1950 Lemon Ave.
Los Angeles
Online: longbeach.gov

2. Santa Monica Symphony MLK Holiday Concert

Jan. 14: In partnership with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Westside Coalition, the Santa Monica Symphony honors the legacy of Rev. Dr. King with its annual MLK concert conducted by Gary Pratt. The concert opens with Coleridge-Taylor’s Danse Negre and Price’s rousing Symphony No. 1 and concludes with Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue with Jason Stoll on piano. The event is free, but pre-registration is required. Doors open at 2 p.m. with the performance running from 3 p.m.-5 p.m.

John Adams Middle School Performing Arts Center
1630 Pearl St.
Santa Monica
Online: smsymphony.org

3. Minecraft March on Washington (Virtual Event)

Jan. 14 & 16: As part of LA Works MLK Day of Service, this virtual event builds upon the anti-racism movement through an interactive march on Washington in Minecraft and an in-person event at LA Memorial Coliseum. Tour a virtual exhibit of the 1963 March on Washington and interact with civil rights leaders like Rev. Dr. King himself. The event takes place from noon- 9 p.m. on Jan. 14 and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on Jan. 16. Advance registration is required and closes at 5 p.m. on Jan. 11. Once you register, LA Works will email a link to attend the event. Access to Minecraft (Java or Bedrock edition) is required. Event details.

4. LA Works Martin Luther King Day of Service at LA Memorial Coliseum

Jan. 16: In 1964, Rev. Dr. King passionately addressed 15,000 Angelenos at LA Memorial Coliseum on the issues of race relations and human dignity. This year, LA Works continues Rev. Dr. King’s legacy by empowering LA volunteers to fight for food and climate justice. The day of service schedule starts off at noon-1 p.m. where volunteers will sample vegan food at booths hosted by local restaurants and learn about local activity to combat climate change. From 1:15 p.m.-1:30 p.m., there will be a keynote speaker, and from 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., volunteers will rotate through eco-action stations, including creating urban greening kits, assembling disaster preparedness materials, and making a climate action pledge. There will also be a family zone with volunteer activities designed with kids in mind. Register online to volunteer.

LA Memorial Coliseum
3911 S Figueroa St.
Los Angeles
Online: laworks.com/mlk

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5. King Day at California African American Museum

Jan. 16: From 10 a.m.-5 p.m., on Jan. 16, CAAM celebrates Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a day of festivities. This year’s theme of “MLK: A Legacy of Service” will include a performance by the Inner-City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, the King Study Group, and family activities provided by the LA Public Library. Admission is free, but attendees are asked to RSVP to the event ahead of time.

CAAM
600 State St.
Los Angeles
Online: caamuseum.org

6. Kingdom Day Parade

Jan. 16: Known as America’s biggest and oldest birthday celebration of MLK, the 38th Annual Kingdom Day Parade features this year’s theme of “America, The Last Best Hope of the World.” If you are wondering what time does the MLK parade start in Los Angeles? The parade takes place at 11 a.m. and provides a festive, family-friendly opportunity for the LA community to gather and celebrate the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. With over 250,000 spectators expected to line the parade route filled with floats, marching bands, and tons of fun, this is must-do event. It will also be broadcast on TV at 11 a.m. on ABC-7.

Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Los Angeles
Online: kingdomdayparade.org

7. A Walk to Remember MLK in Redondo Beach

Jan. 16: Join fellow community members in a Day of Service by walking to honor the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The walk begins at 101 W. Torrance Blvd. in Redondo Beach and ends at the MLK Jr. memorial located in front of the Redondo Beach Police Department. While the walk is free, event organizers ask all participants to bring a child or adult/teen kit filled with necessities (see website for specific needs) to donate at the event or any time prior to that at the RBPD. All kits will go to the RBPD Domestic Violence Advocacy Program. Attendees should meet at the Pier Sub-Station at 10:00 a.m.

Redondo Beach Pier Sub-Station
101 W. Torrance Blvd.
Redondo Beach
Online: eventbrite.com

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8. Big Sunday MLK Clothing Drive and Community Breakfast

Jan. 16: Big Sunday is hosting their 11th Annual MLK Day Clothing Drive and Community Breakfast on Jan. 16 from 10 a.m.—1 p.m. at 24th St. Elementary School. This big block party will feature a community breakfast, arts and crafts projects to benefit local nonprofits, entertainment from the Blue Breeze Band, a Civil Rights Exhibit, and Big Sunday’s Something in Common project. They will also be putting together 2,023 winter clothing kits for folks who are struggling. They are happy to accept donations of any new clothing or shoes, or you can sponsor a new clothing bag for $25. All ages are welcome!

24th St. Elementary School
2055 W. 24th St.
Los Angeles
Online: bigsunday.org

9. Leadership Long Beach MLK Day of Service

Jan. 16: For 13 years, Leadership Long Beach has coordinated the largest MLK Day of Service in LA County, bringing together thousands of volunteers to complete dozens of community service projects. If you have a project idea, Leadership Long Beach welcomes suggestions on their website. All service projects must be completed between 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Jan. 16 and be easy enough that volunteers can quickly jump in to make a difference. Projects must be completed within the cities of Long Beach or Signal Hill and have a dedicated leader who will guide and supervise volunteers to complete the work.

Online: leadershiplb.org

10. National Park System Free Entrance Day in Honor of MLK

Jan. 16: In honor of MLK’s birthday, National Park service sites will waive entrance fees for everyone on Jan. 16. Many national parks also host a variety of service projects that people can sign up for as volunteers, so be sure to check the park’s website for any opportunities.

Online: nps.gov

Related: Our Favorite National Parks within Driving Distance of DTLA

11. Martin Luther King Jr. Walk-A-Thon

Jan. 16: Join the African American Historical Society for a Walk-A-Thon in honor of MLK. This year’s theme is “A Legacy of Strength, a Future of Action.” The 5K walk starts at the Stratton Center and ends at the Main Library Breezeway across from the Civil Rights Institute with a stop at the Martin Luther King Jr. statue along the way. Early registrants have an opportunity to receive one of a limited number of commemorative coins to celebrate the grand opening of the Civil Rights Institute, as well as a family pack of tickets to an Ontario Clippers game at Toyota Arena. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. at Stratton Center and the walk begins at 10 a.m. Afterwards, there will be booths, entertainment, and performances. Proceeds from the Walk-A-Thon will benefit the Riverside African American Historical Society’s initiatives. Online registration prior to the event is encouraged, but on-site registration will available too. Tickets are $35 for participants ages 13 and up and include a t-shirt.

Stratton Center at Bordwell Park
2008 Martin Luther King Blvd.
Riverside
Online: raahsinc.org

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11 Ways NYC Families Can Do More on MLK Day

by Yuliya Geikhman

Find Martin Luther King Day events in NYC for everyone in the family, including those with little hands and big hearts!

The kids just got back in school, but another day off is on the horizon. The city (and the country) observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the third Monday in January, which in 2023 falls on January 16. The day celebrates the life and legacy of the civil rights movement leader, who was dedicated to ending segregation in the US and promoting racial equality. Today, his words of wisdom are as relevant as ever. Celebrate, remember and relax with the kids, both on that Monday and the weekend that precedes it. Join a commemorative celebration, learn about the man and his achievements, make themed crafts and edible treats, volunteer your time, and do more around NYC in honor of American hero Dr. King. There’s plenty to do for the holiday this year, which means there’s something for everyone here—and options in every borough!

Ways to Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day throughout NYC

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at NYC Parks

Volunteer to help make your parks more beautiful for everyone in the community with NYC Parks' Day of Service events. Learn about and care for the city's trees and plants with various family volunteering opportunities. Activities include cleaning up, adding and aerating mulch, providing off-season care to plants, and more ways that big and small hands alike can help. This event is held across a number of different parks, so you can look for ways to help out close to home.

Price: Free

Various times and locations
Online: nycgovparks.org

Volunteer with Repair the World

What better way is there to honor the civil rights movements than to give your time to volunteer as a family? Repair the World is a Jewish organization that serves communities in pursuit of equality and justice for everyone. There are a number of opportunities to volunteer as a family during this year's MLK weekend and Monday (and beyond!), which kicks off with a "We <3 NYC MLK Shabbat" event in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Help repair gardening beds, put together hygiene packs, or even help build a free food database from home. There are many ways to help and get the kids involved!

Price: Free

Various dates, times, and locations
Online: werepair.org

Martin Luther King Jr. Events at the NY Historical Society

The NY Historical Society has several events planned in honor of MLK Day. Join the museum on Sunday, January 15 for a special Sunday Story Time, featuring "Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem" by presidential inaugural poet and activist Amanda Gorman. Following the readalong, kids will make their own guitar crafts. Make Monday a day in and join the museum on Zoom for "Living History @ Home: Cooking for the Civil Rights Movement," which celebrates the contributions and shines a light on the roles of black women in the civil rights movement. Plus, bake a sweet potato pie! Finally, join the museum on Zoom again as you read along to "Martin and Mahalia: His Words, Her Song," written by Andrea Davis Pinkney and illustrated by Brian Pinkney, followed by a microphone-making craft.

Price: Virtual events are free and in-person events are free with museum admission

Various dates and times
NY Historical Society
170 Central Park West
Upper West Side
Online: nyhistory.org

Ways to Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Manhattan

MLK Day: All You Knead is Love Camp at Taste Buds Kitchen

While not specifically related to MLK Day, this camp for aspiring chefs will make sure the day off doesn't pass them by without some learning. Kids will learn to bake delicious bready treats at this school holiday mini-camp. Focusing on bread kneading techniques, children in attendance will learn to make chocolate babkas, savory flatbreads, and flavorful garlic knots. The class will teach kids what their kneading does to the dough, and give them skills they can use in the future. This mini-camp will be held in two sessions for different age groups (see below for details) and all recipes are vegetarian.

Price: $115 per child

Mon., Jan. 16, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. (ages 4-8) and 1-4 p.m. (ages 9-13)
Taste Buds Kitchen
109 West 27th St.
Chelsea
Online: tastebudskitchen.com, ages 4-8 and ages 9-13

Harlem Gospel Choir at Sony Hall

The world-renowned Harlem Gospel Choir at their Martin Luther King Jr. Day Matinee. The event is a tribute both to the legacy of the man, and to the founding of the Choir in 1986 by Allen Bailey, who got the idea for the Choir while attending a celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Things come full-circle! Note that when you buy tickets, you're only guaranteeing that you'll get seats, not reserving specific seats. Show up early to get better seats—they fill up fast!

Price: $36 and up

Mon., Jan. 16, 1:30 p.m.
Sony Hall
235 West 46th St.
Midtown
Online: ticketmaster.com

Ways to Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Brooklyn

Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. at the Brooklyn Children's Museum

Join the Brooklyn Children's Museum for a special long weekend celebration of Dr. King, featuring interactive performances, protest matches, community art programs, and volunteering opportunities. Throughout each day, you'll be able to make puppets with Nehpii Ameni and watch shadow puppet performances, design posters and hold mock protest marches with musician Fyütch, and contribute to the museum's "community dream cloud" in the ColorLab art studio.

Price: Free with museum admission

Sat., Jan. 14-Mon., Jan. 16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Brooklyn Children's Museum
145 Brooklyn Ave.
Crown Heights
Online: brooklynkids.org

37th Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at BAM 

The annual celebration at BAM kicks off with music, performances, and a keynote speech by civil rights lawyer and former President and Director-Counsel of LDF (NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund), Sherrilyn Ifill. This year's theme is an especially pressing one: Defending Democracy. Following the speech, watch performances by Allison Russell and Sing Harlem, whether you attend in person, or catch the livestream.

Price: Free

Mon., Jan. 16, 10:30 a.m.
Brooklyn Academy of Music
30 Lafayette Ave.
Fort Greene
Online: bam.org

Martin Luther King Jr. Day School Holiday in Prospect Park

The Prospect Park Alliance invites kids to take advantage of their day off from school by exploring nature in the park. The event will consist of three sections. Families can grab a discovery pack from 12-3 p.m., which is filled with activities and tools to make exploration educational and fun. From 2 to 3 p.m., the Audubon Center's Naturalists will be sharing information about the animals in the Center's collection at an Animal Encounter event. Finally, the Winter Wilderness Walk from 3 to 4 p.m. will introduce kids to discovering animal tracks in the snow, answer questions about how nature survives the cold of winter, and more.

Price: Free

Mon., Jan. 16, 12-4 p.m.
Prospect Park Audubon Center
101 East Dr.,
Prospect Park
Online: prospectpark.org

Ways to Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the Bronx

Freedom Quilters of Gee’s Bend at Wave Hill

Families can get together and create their own quilt from fabric scraps at this Wave Hill Family Art Project. The craft was inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s visit to Gee's Bed in Alabama in 1966. On this visit, he contributed to the founding of the Freedom Quilting Bee, which would go on to help fund the community's freedom. Learn more about the history and culture behind these quilts as you make your own with bright fabric squares and shapes, guided by Wave Hill staff.

Price: Free with admission

Sat., Jan. 14 and Sun., Jan. 15, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Wave Hill
4900 Independence Ave.
Riverdale
Online: wavehill.org

 

Ways to Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Queens

Annual MLK Day Celebration at Kupferberg Center for the Arts

Join award-winning singer and performer Samara Joy for the KCA's annual MLK Jr. Day celebration. The concert will feature Samara's jazzy renditions of well-known songs from the Great American Songbook. You'll also be treated to a keynote address, a recognition ceremony, and a reception following the show.

Price: $25 and up

Sun., Jan. 15, 3 p.m.
Kupferberg Center for the Arts
65-30 Kissena Blvd.
Flushing
Online: ticketmaster.com

Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Queens Botanical Garden

Take part in this community celebration with the Queens Botanical Garden. Visit to enjoy craft making, storytime, and a guided walk through the wintery grounds of the garden. This event focuses on promoting love, hope, and unity, and is recommended for ages 5 and up.

Price: Free, $5 suggested donation

Mon., Jan. 16
11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Queens Botanical Garden
43-50 Main St.
Flushing
Online: eventbrite.com

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8 Ways to Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in San Diego with Your Kids

by Aimee Della Bitta

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, discover celebrations and local volunteering opportunities for you and your kids around San Diego

When is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day? MLK Day takes place the third Monday in January each year, and this year, MLK Day is on January 17. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day for all Americans to unite to honor the legacy and tireless work of this champion of civil rights. In addition to celebrating King’s legacy, this holiday has also become a National Day of Service—encouraging Americans to volunteer and do good in their communities. Here are all the ways to celebrate MLK’s life and how your family can give back to your community, right here in San Diego.

How to Celebrate MLK Day in San Diego

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1. Minecraft March on Washington (Virtual Event)

Jan. 14 & 16: As part of LA Works MLK Day of Service, this virtual event builds upon the anti-racism movement through an interactive march on Washington in Minecraft and an in-person event at LA Memorial Coliseum. Tour a virtual exhibit of the 1963 March on Washington and interact with civil rights leaders like Rev. Dr. King himself. The event takes place from noon-9 p.m. on Jan. 14 and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on Jan. 16. Advance registration is required and closes at 5 p.m. on Jan. 11. Once you register, LA Works will email a link to attend the event. Access to Minecraft (Java or Bedrock edition) is required. Event details.

2. 2nd Annual MLK Community Day of Service

Jan. 14: Join District 1 Council Member Consuelo Martinez and the City of Escondido for a day of service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.. Volunteers will work together to remove litter and green waste from Washington Park and 2 miles of our community bike trail. Our park and creek trail are accessed by community members of all ages to enjoy riding bikes, jogging, walking, skateboarding, and giving access to many of the city’s parks and amenities. Event details.

3. 41st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade

Jan. 15: One of the largest celebrations of its kind in the United States in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The parade is filled with dazzling floats, phenomenal high school bands, drill teams, colleges and universities, fraternities, sororities, churches, peace and youth organizations. Coordinated by the Zeta Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., the oldest African American fraternity in America, founded in 1906. This event supports scholarship opportunities for the youth of San Diego. Event details.

4. WorldBeat Cultural Center's 33rd Annual MLK Day Celebration

Jan. 16: Join the WorldBeat Cultural Center in its 33rd Annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration celebrating unity in the San Diego community. In honor of Martin Luther King Jr, the free celebration a family-friendly festival with live music, dancing, vegan food, an outdoor cultural arts & craft vendors marketplace, and more. The event also includes multi-cultural performances and special guest speakers. Event details.

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5. 35th Annual All Peoples Celebration

Jan. 16: Alliance San Diego is excited to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with the 34th Annual All People's Celebration. The event will be held in person, however, tickets for the in-person event are sold out. You can join virtually through a live, dynamic program. There will be amazing performances and a powerful keynote from disabled rights activist Rebecca Cokley. Event details.

6. MLK Day Critter Camp at the Animal Center

Jan. 16: Kids can learn so much through interacting with animals. Most importantly, they discover that all living beings deserve compassion and understanding—a lesson Martin Luther King Jr. fought every day to teach. This year, in honor of MLK Day, Critter Camp at Helen Woodward Animal Center is focused on creating a more humane world. Campers will interact with a goat, Madagascar hissing cockroach, chicken, snake and guinea pig while learning how to be compassionate to all animals. Event details.

7. 15th Annual Interfaith Day of Service

Jan. 16: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously proclaimed, “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do…you have to keep moving forward.” This year, you and your family can partake in an event that brings people of different faiths and cultural backgrounds together for a wonderful morning of hands-on community service, fun and fellowship. Families are encouraged to participate together on this day of community work, suitable for all ages. Event details.

8. Create Your Own Day of Service with AmeriCorps

Looking for a way to volunteer with your kids but haven't found the right fit? Visit AmeriCorps to learn more about how you can create your own event and encourage kids in your community to volunteer and be of service—because serving others has a profound positive benefit on those who volunteer. Need extra encouragement to kick off your day of service? Kids who volunteer are three times more likely to volunteer as adults, and steady volunteering (even one hour a week) reduces negative behaviors in kids. Event details.

 

 

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Volunteering Opportunities for LA Kids—No Matter What Type of Kid You Have

by Jenifer Scott

Get ready to feel all the feel-good feels—volunteer opportunities are all over LA—the hardest part will be picking which organization you’d like to help out first

There are a ton of good reasons to volunteer with your kids—it helps provide a sense of purpose, a sense of community, helps you meet new friends and improves self-esteem to name a few. And thankfully, there are tons of organizations around LA that welcome little kids into their organization that appreciate all those extra (little) hands. So whether your little one is more into saving our oceans and cleaning up the beach or you have a talented artist who can make get-well cards for Children’s Hospital, there are plenty of ways to put those good intentions to work.

Volunteer Activities for Nature Lovers

Heal the Bay: Kids of all ages are welcome to Heal the Bay’s monthly Nothin’ But Sand Beach Cleanups. BYOB (bring your own buckets), snag some gardening gloves and get ready to have some serious family fulfillment oceanside. Be sure to register ahead of time as events tend to fill up fast!

Surfrider Foundation: The Los Angeles chapter of this national nonprofit hosts regular beach cleanups as well. Keep an eye out on their event calendar for upcoming opportunities.

TreePeople: Have a kid that doesn’t mind getting dirty? Nearly every weekend, this LA organization hosts local, mountain and forest restoration events open to all ages—check the volunteer event calendar for upcoming dates. Registration is required.

Volunteer Activities for Active Kids

volunteer opportunities for kids in LA

photo: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

St. Jude Walk/Run: Channel your kid’s energetic drive with a walk / run that helps raise money to cure childhood cancer. This nationwide 5K hybrid event, takes place in person and virtually so if you can’t make it to Griffith Park on Sept. 24, you can still participate.

Volunteer Activities for Kids Ready to Collect & Donate

Westside Food Bank: For food drives and donations check out Westside Food Bank. If you want to help seniors and the immunocompromised during COVID-19, visit alltogether.la for volunteer opportunities.

Baby2Baby: Teaching your children a lesson in philanthropy could be as simple as an overdue closet clean out! Get the kiddos to thin out those toy-stuffed cabinets or have little ones fill bags with brand new clothing that was barely worn. Baby2Baby also hosts outdoor volunteer opportunities during which participants can sort and organize donations or help assemble gift bundle bags for low-income kids and families in Los Angeles.

Related: Volunteer Vacations to Take with Kids

Volunteer Activities for the Pet-Obsessed

PAWS/LA: Have a kid desperate for a dog? Get them involved with this nonprofit organization, which helps low-income and ailing pet owners take care of their beloved animals. Insurance liability limits volunteer ages at shelters and kennels to those 18 and up, but kids (with grownups in tow) can assist by organizing and delivering needed supplies and food to homebound clients, fostering an animal for a short time, or even walking the dogs of people who are too sick to do so themselves. Find out more about the ways your little pet enthusiasts can help by contacting volunteer coordinator to set up an orientation.

Annenberg PetSpace: Help your young reader build communication skills and self-confidence by reading with adoptable pets or listening to a story. This in-space experience (weekly on Sat. and Sun.) includes a book reading, opportunity to meet an adoptable pet or critter ambassador, and craft demonstration with materials to take home and complete.

Volunteer Activities for Creative Kiddos

Best Buddies: Have a kid with a knack for writing? This group pairs children age 10 and up with intellectually and developmentally disabled counterparts (sharing like-minded interests). The goal? To create online pen pals in the attempts to decrease feelings of isolation. The long-distance friendships grow through weekly, private (anonymized) email communications, bridging differences and building understanding.

Related: 5 Easy Ways to Volunteer as a Family

Volunteer Activities for Future Entrepreneurs

iStock

photo: iStock

Big Sunday Lemonade Stand: Kids can set up a lemonade stand for a good cause with help from Big Sunday. The organization offers  downloadable signs and suggestions for how to make your stand a success. The money kids make will go to the Big Sunday Emergency Fund, which has helped displaced vets, families and more.

Volunteer Activities for Little Bookworms

Access Books: This group focuses on the redistribution of books, benefiting inner-city classrooms and school libraries. Little ones can go through their own shelves and select the gently used books they’ve outgrown to donate to others. Kids can also volunteer to help spruce up library spaces, as well as to organize book donations, librarian-style.

Related: 12 Ways Kids Can Give Back without Leaving the House

photo: One on One Outreach

Volunteer Activities for Social Butterflies

One-On-One Outreach: Have a kid who likes meeting new people? Once a month, volunteers (age 7 & up) gather to pack and deliver groceries to low-income families in South Central LA. Organized by a local businessman and an area resident, One-on-One Outreach also provides laptops to families so students can compete and succeed. Prepare for your kids to be inspired.

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7 Reasons Volunteering with Your Child Is a Great Idea

By Kara Reynolds

One of the most valuable things you can give is your time. Those who volunteer not just benefit those who receive the help, they’re benefiting themselves as well. 

As a parent, you want to instill values into your children. An excellent way to do this is by volunteering with them. There are so many ways to get involved, whether it be in your local community or beyond. 

Below, are all the reasons you should volunteer with your child, no matter what their age.

1. It builds relationships. Volunteering allows you to bond in a new way with your kids. Most volunteer opportunities are surrounded by teamwork, meaning you and your children can work together on a project.

Additionally, volunteering gets everyone out and into a new environment. You and your children get to explore that together. Plus, volunteering might be a new activity for you both to enjoy. Your children will value the time they get to spend with you just as much as you will love spending time with them.

2. It teaches social skills. Another reason to volunteer with your children is that you can help them build their social skills. Volunteers come from all walks of life. There may be some older adults there or even kids around your child’s age. When they’re able to meet new friends, they can engage with them over this similar activity.

They can learn how to better interact with others, boosting their confidence and helping them interact even outside of the volunteering group. Social skills are necessary for success, so by volunteering with your kids, you can offer that to them.

3. It expands friendships. Once you and your child work on social skills through volunteering, you can expand your friendships, too. Your child will no doubt make new friends through volunteering. This might be other volunteers or even people within your community that you’re helping.

Your child will make friends, and you can go and meet their parents to create friendships as well. This will help expand their friend group. They may make new friends of different ages, races and backgrounds. Every time you go back to volunteer again, you and your children will be able to spend time with your friends!

4. It offers a sense of community. Volunteering with your children also offers a sense of community. When children are exposed to the news through various media outlets, it can be difficult for them to distinguish what it might mean to be part of a community. They see things from throughout the world but may not have an idea of their own community, especially if there aren’t any children’s programs available to them.

When you take them to volunteer, they have the opportunity to ground themselves in the community. They can feel as though they’re making a difference in their corner of the world. When you go alongside them to volunteer, they’ll see that you also care about your community. Your children can learn about the people and places that have helped shape them. It’s easy to get caught up in your daily lives, but volunteering helps ground you both.

5. It inspires gratitude & empathy. It can be challenging to teach your young children about gratitude and empathy. However, volunteering can ease that challenge. Some volunteer projects may have you and your children working with those less fortunate than you. Your children will learn to be grateful for what they have. After a day of volunteering, have a conversation with your child about what they noticed about the people you helped.

Gratitude is something that is cultivated, and your children will experience that firsthand. Empathy is also something your children can learn through volunteering. Children often have a sense of wanting to help others. Once they see the impact they’re making on others in their community, it will further inspire them to continue volunteering throughout their lives.

6. It provides meaningful family time. With the busy lives that you and your children have, volunteering offers a chance to slow down. When you’re volunteering, you’re not on any sort of schedule. You go to offer your help, whether that be physical labor or just talking with others. Volunteering as a family allows you to spend meaningful time with one another.

After a day of volunteering, you can go home and discuss everything you did. This allows you to have meaningful conversations that go beyond your day-to-day lives. This world is full of distractions, but volunteering enables you to go without distractions and be in the moment. 

7. It provides great health benefits. Finally, volunteering provides excellent health benefits for both you and your children. Screens are a huge part of most children’s lives. A child tends to be in front of a screen for 7.5 hours every day, which can be detrimental to their health. This means their days are spent either sitting or staying in one place for an extended period.

Volunteering offers an opportunity to get children—and parents—away from the screen and outside. Volunteer opportunities often take place outdoors where you’re on your feet or at least moving around.

The next time you have a free day or weekend, use it to volunteer. Find a local project you and your child can participate in to better the community. You’ll enjoy getting to spend time with your child, and you’ll love seeing the impact you’ve made. 

RELATED STORIES:
5 Easy Ways to Volunteer as a Family, Even with a Busy Family Schedule
6 Fun Ways to Volunteer with Your Preschooler
 

Kara Reynolds is the Editor-in-Chief and founder of Momish Magazine.  A mom of four and matriarch to her big blended family, Kara wants nothing more than to normalize differences in family structures.  She enjoys peeing alone, pancakes, and pinot noir - but not at the same time. 

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10 Tips for Traveling with Teens & Tweens

By Gwen Kleist

Traveling with teens and tweens can present challenges, but it can also be loads of fun and great way to bond as a family. There are lots of ways to help make traveling with teens a lot less stressful. As the mom of a 15-year old, I’ve learned some tricks and tips! Here are 10 tips to help make your trip a rewarding and enjoyable experience for everyone in your family.

1. Include teens in the planning process. It’s a family vacation, so why not include the whole family when it comes to making the plans? Teens have definite likes and dislikes. If you engage them from the start of the vacation planning process – listen to their ideas, have them help research destinations and activities – they will feel empowered and get excited about the trip.

You can also enlist their help in planning the itinerary once you know where you are going. If they have a favorite type of food, let them research local restaurants. Have them look at the websites for the hotels you are considering, and let them give input on which one looks the best. The more your teen is involved in the planning process, the more vested they will be in having a good time on the trip!

2. Consider letting them bring a friend. If your teen is an only child or has siblings that are not close in age, consider allowing him to invite a friend! This will give your teen a buddy to talk and have fun with, and take the pressure off you (as the parents) being the only source of company for your teen while on vacation.

3. Visit a place they’ve read about. History comes alive when you visit the place something happened, and the same thing goes for literature. Kids read a lot of books in middle and high school. If you go to a place they’ve read about, that will bring a whole new appreciation for the book to your teen.

4. Make sure they get some free time. Traveling with teens is all about enjoying time together as a family, but too much of a good thing can get old for teens who are used to hanging with their friends. Make sure they have a little free time worked into every day so they can do their own thing. Whether it is going to the hotel gym on their own or having some downtime in the hotel room to text with friends or play games online, a little free time will go far.

5. Respect their privacy. Your kid may have had no problem running around a hotel room naked when they were little, but teenagers embarrass easily and are very private. Give them the respect they need. Don’t try to go into the bathroom to brush your teeth while they’re in the shower, and don’t say things that might make them self-conscious. In fact, the biggest favor you can do for a teen is leave the room for half an hour and let them take care of their business in peace!

6. Do a good deed on vacation. Vacations are a good opportunity to give back. Doing good for others is an awesome feeling, and a great value to instill upon your children. For this reason, I am a huge fan of volunteer vacations! But you don’t always have to plan your entire trip around volunteering; sometimes just a day or one activity on your itinerary can make a huge difference. If your goal is to leave a positive impact while setting out on new adventures, find a way to volunteer while you’re on your trip. It can be as simple as going to an animal sanctuary and leaving a small donation or participating in a charity event while visiting a new city.

7. Plan on some active activities. Even if your idea of a great vacation is lying on the beach 24/7, teens have energy to burn. Make sure you include some activities that will help everyone stay active and healthy on your vacation. Now, does that mean you have to go zip lining through the jungle or propel down a mountain? No, of course not! Active can mean taking a simple hike, renting bikes, or participating in some water sports at a nearby beach.

8. Let them pick the playlist. If your teen is into music, put them in charge of the road trip playlist. Or at least let them pick the radio station. My son and I made the five-hour drive to Vegas not too long ago and letting him stream the music he loved was actually a cool, unexpected bonding experience on the long trip. (Who knew he liked so many of the ’80s metal bands I listened to in high school?!)

9. Choose a hotel with free breakfast. Teens like to eat—a lot! When you’re away from home relying on eating out for every meal, the cost of food can add up quickly! Do your budget a favor and book a hotel that offers a complimentary breakfast. Even if it’s just fruit and some waffles, filling up in the morning until lunchtime will save you a ton of money in the long run.

10. Be flexible. My final and possibly most important tip is to be flexible! As anyone with a teen likely knows, they can be a moody bunch. Don’t schedule out every minute of every day when you are traveling with teens. If you keep your plans flexible, everyone in your family will have a good time.

Time goes by quickly and your teens will soon be adults. You’ll always be a family, but family vacations may look very different in the future. Enjoy the time you have together and be flexible and understanding to make sure the memories you’re making will be good ones for everyone!

 

 

 

This post originally appeared on HealthyTravelMom.com.

I am a travel writer, wife, mother and believer in all things happy and healthy. I created my family travel website, CaliforniaFamilyTravel.com, to share the best tips, destinations and experiences in California and beyond for active, healthy families. 

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How to Help Turn Kids into Philanthropists

By Michelle Moore

Kids have a natural empathy, especially for other kids. When kids see someone struggle, they automatically want to help. As parents, it’s up to us to encourage them into volunteering, by putting them in the right situations and circumstances (safely organized, of course). The camaraderie and energy developed during these projects build self-esteem and inclusiveness. It’s also fun to incorporate a cool activity with a volunteer project or trip that gives everyone something special to look forward to and builds amazing family memories together.

Here’s a shortlist of tips to get started modeling, teaching empathy, and giving:

​1. Be their example! Getting your kids interested in charity and volunteering begins at a young age, primarily through examples you set.
Anything on a large scale, like cleaning up after a natural disaster or traveling to a foreign country to assist in aid projects, is great, but not really the easiest place to start for most kids. Doing small meaningful things in your own community is the best place to start. And every parent knows if you model a behavior often enough, the little ones will follow. Be proactive with your own empathy by “adopting” families during the holidays (YMCA is a great place to find holiday requests), have children share part of their allowance to donate to their favorite charity, or organize an outdoor walk—a fantastic way to stay socially distanced, but also give back in a fun way!

My son organized the “Brooks’ Buddies” walk to benefit JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). He’s living with Type-1 diabetes and loves sharing his knowledge about diabetes with friends and family every year. This takes a little bit of planning, some social media outreach and signs around the neighborhood. The funds collected are then sent to your child’s charity of choice. Brooks got pretty creative with this project: he designed his own t-shirts and had an outdoor party after to thank everyone that participated. This initial drive to help friends understand his disease has helped to foster a philanthropic spirit in him.

2. Have them look at the world around them! Open your child’s mind for everyday opportunities to do good.
Do your kids write thank-you notes? Not just for gifts but for the kindness of others? If a family takes them on a trip or out to eat, why not acknowledge how fun it was with a note? What if a teacher helps through a tough spot, acknowledge their kindness. This manifests gratefulness and accountability.

Keep them involved in some sort of spiritual community. Take them out into nature and teach them not only to respect other human beings but also our world and the creatures in it. Encourage them to help clean up the community around them on Earth Day, or make it a monthly event for the neighborhood. Get outside: hike, camp, boat, travel, but don’t just do it, engage your kids into the experience and discuss what they are grateful for and how they can pay it forward.

3. Turn it into a philanthropy adventure!
The goal is to have fun together, learn a new culture, understand the bigger picture. Pick somewhere fun that coincides with and/or coordinates with a needed project. Helping can be rewarding in more than one way. The fun coincides with the work which then becomes a habit and lasting memories are made. This does not have to be overseas—there are great Habitat for Humanity projects in our country as well as clean-up opportunities in natural disaster-affected areas.

4. Keep it simple and make philanthropy fit the child.
Volunteering doesn’t need to be an all-consuming event, I suggest starting small. For example, if your kid likes sports, encourage them to support a disabled sports team. If they love to read, have them read to kids in the hospital or help with storytime at your neighborhood library. Even donating books to a local “little library,” will foster charity in children. Designating a box for toys to donate and then having your child help make the drop-off will give them a strong sense of pride knowing they are helping. Older kids can apply for service scholarships, which is another way to help them realize the fruits of their labor.

5. Help to build awareness.
Visit national and local volunteer websites. Many of these sites, like VolunteerMatch.org, are a great way to narrow down volunteer opportunities. Plan a family field trip to expose them to an important social issue, such as homelessness, animal rescue, or helping the environment to create enthusiasm for future volunteer activities. By showing your child who and what needs help, you’re building up their problem-solving skills and helping them tap into how they can make a difference.

Encourage your children to ask, “Who can I be a superhero to today?” Talk to them about the animals in shelters and what they need to feel safe. Bring them into your pantry and ask, “Who can we share food with today?” And then start to find activities that fit your family lifestyle. If you have older kids who can walk dogs at the local shelter, then set aside time on the weekends. If your kids are younger, ask them to help you pick up extra dog food to donate to the animals in need. Giving them a sense of ownership for their philanthropy is important.

When I ask my kids, “What inspired you most to be philanthropic?” Two things always stand out:

1. Watching mom create her own philanthropic mission.
2. The different unique family opportunities like hiking adventures and spending time in senior centers made it cool.

Giving should not be seen as a chore, it should be something everyone looks forward to and should be in context with a larger adventure vs. a thing to cross off the list. Let your children give back to the world in the way that resonates most with them and their empathy will take on a life of its own.

RELATED:

16 Ways Kids Can Give Back without Leaving the House

(Nearly) Effortless Ways You Can Help End Food Insecurity

18 Simple Ways to Teach Kids Gratitude

Michelle Moore is the mom of three boys and founder of Mother’s Grace, a nonprofit addressing the critical needs of mothers and children. Her book, A Mother’s Grace: Healing the World One Woman at a Time shares stories of 12 rockstar moms, setting the world on fire helping others.

 
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