https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 17 Apr 2026 22:48:16 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering#post-2314247 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 20:01:55 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 2314247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A few other ideas - have LO help bake cookies and take them to your local fire/police station. Do something nice for one of your neighbors - shovel snow or rake leaves. Make packets with travel sized toiletries and a few snacks to give to the homeless. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering#post-2314236 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 19:55:54 +0000 babypugs 2314236@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winter_wonder: @looch: @yoursilverlining: Y'all, these are all wonderful ideas! I agree; the earlier the better, and these are opportunities that won't hinder anyone else. I guess I was worried about her being in the way or causing slow downs, but these are all totally doable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering#post-2314223 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 19:46:12 +0000 yoursilverlining 2314223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think any age is too young to volunteer! The more you do it, the more a normal part of life it is. LO and I have done a lot of animal involved volunteering since she was very little. Buying food for shelters (LO gets to pick out the food, we take it in together, etc), dog rescue transport together and more. We go through her toys and clothes to pick things out to give (works best to have her pick through things that no longer fit, are "baby" toys, etc). We also shop angel trees for toys, and LO gets to pick them out and "helps" me wrap them. We do similar for charity food drives - I tell LO what we need and she gets it off the shelf at the store, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering#post-2314217 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 19:44:08 +0000 looch 2314217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've brought my son to a beach clean up, he had a blast, he was around 2.5 at the time. </p> <p>You can do walk a thons, there are always things like that going on where I live. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering#post-2314195 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 19:28:46 +0000 Mae 2314195@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't volunteer as much now as I would like to in the future but I do charity shoots occasionally and when LO is old enough to be helpful for an hour (5 or 6 maybe?) I'll take her with me so she can see what I do and why we do it. Also when she's a bit older I plan to have her help me shop for toys for charity and drop them off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering#post-2314166 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 19:02:56 +0000 winter_wonder 2314166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This might not be exactly what you're thinking about...but, I think it's nice when younger people go visit and volunteer at long-term care facilities. Even just visiting/chatting can really go a long way to brighten someone's day!</p> <p>I also know that older adults tend to really enjoy this (oftentimes they rarely see younger people, especially children). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering#post-2314162 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 19:00:22 +0000 mrbee 2314162@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babypugs: We bought a little litter picker upper thing, kind of a robot claw sorta deal. I have my kids hold the trash bags and point out the trash, and then I grab it with the claw and put it in the trash bag of the kid who spotted the litter! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering#post-2314158 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 18:59:13 +0000 babypugs 2314158@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: That's a great idea! Kids already love picking up everything when they're walking... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering#post-2314144 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 18:51:34 +0000 mrbee 2314144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babypugs: The most success we've had is with picking up litter! We have to do it together though, because people throw some nasty/dangerous stuff on the sidewalk/streets around here!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering#post-2314140 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 18:48:37 +0000 babypugs 2314140@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My hometown has been badly affected by a flood, and we've been out of work all week. Almost everyone that has stayed safe and dry has spent most of the week volunteering (we have an awesome community!). I've seen lots of kids as young as 3 helping out. It got me thinking--what are some great ways that you can teach your kids about community and service? What are some service opportunities that you feel are appropriate for preschoolers or toddlers? How young is too young? </p>