At a Glance
- Cami Teacoach created her own volunteer group after most organizations refused a 3-year-old.
- Families can find or create child-friendly projects such as packing groceries, playing bingo with seniors, or making dog treats.
- Stories from families show kids gain confidence, better behavior, and stronger family bonds.
- Why it matters: Parents seeking ways to teach empathy and teamwork now have concrete ideas and proven programs.
When Cami Teacoach’s son turned three, she set out to find volunteer opportunities that would include him. Finding none, she turned the challenge into an opportunity, founding VolunTOTs in Pittsburgh and inspiring families across the city.
Creating Volunteer Opportunities for Young Children
Teacoach reached out to many organizations, but most said no because of the child’s age. She replied, “Everyone was like, ‘A 3-year-old can’t do that,'” Teacoach said. “And I was like, ‘No, I swear, he really can if you would just give him a chance.'”
- VolunTOTs projects: packing 500 boxes of groceries for families in need, playing bingo with seniors in nursing homes, and making dog treats for an animal rescue center.
Family-Friendly Volunteering Ideas
“There’s a million different ways to help people and volunteer. So many families want to do this and literally just don’t know where to start,” said Polly Lagana, executive director of Volunteer New York!.
- Cleaning up litter at a park
- Sorting grocery boxes at a food pantry
- Delivering Meals on Wheels to seniors and medically frail individuals
- Making seed balls to promote wildflower growth
- Baking and delivering cookies to veterans
Case Studies: From VolunTOTs to Tough Cookies
Aviva Davis, now 17, and her brother Brendan began helping their parents deliver Meals on Wheels in Denver. “It definitely opened my eyes to what the world is like outside of our bubble,” Davis said. “We saw all sorts of different things and I saw not everyone lives the same way.”
Seth Davis, Aviva’s father, added, “It’s a great chance for us to catch up as a family.” Bonnie Davis, the mother, noted, “The older they get, the harder it is to get that time together.”
Michael Bernaba, 14, and his brother Matthew started “Tough Cookies,” baking and delivering treats to veterans. “Going up to the houses, it was very nice, because they’re mostly living alone. A lot of their family or friends died,” Bernaba said. Matthew added, “For the first couple of deliveries I was more to myself, and as we kept going, we talked more with the veterans and got to hear great stories from them.”
Bonnie Davis organized a drive for menstrual supplies and turned half of her son’s graduation party into a volunteer project assembling bean-soup kits. “It’s a win for everybody. You get quality time, you’re raising your children with what feels like good values, and people benefit,” she said.
| Volunteer Activity | Typical Age | Example Project |
|---|---|---|
| Grocery Packing | 3-6 | 500 boxes for families in need |
| Bingo with Seniors | 3-6 | Playing bingo in nursing homes |
| Dog Treats | 3-6 | Making treats for animal rescue |
| Meals on Wheels | 8-12 | Delivering food to seniors |
| Seed Balls | 3-6 | Throwing seed balls into forests |
Key Takeaways
- Parents can create or find child-friendly projects that build confidence and family bonds.
- Community groups like Volunteer New York! and New York Cares highlight many simple ways to involve kids.
- Real-world examples show that even very young children can make a meaningful impact.
In short, volunteering isn’t just for adults; with the right projects, families can turn everyday moments into powerful lessons of empathy, teamwork, and service.
