Somewhere in between planning vacations and playdates for your family should come a time for giving back to the community around you. Performing acts of charity not only teaches your kids the importance of philanthropic endeavors but helping others can have a profound effect on mental health. Aside from just giving you a good feeling, you may become less stressed and have a more positive attitude — that’s something the entire family can get behind!

To help you get started, NextWave STEM offers the following tips.

How to Encourage Family Philanthropy

Before diving in, understand your motivation in order to create a plan that can positively impact your family and the organization you are choosing to help.

•  Focus on the positive aspect of what you’re doing, not fear or inadequacy.

• Talk about the importance of giving and volunteering, and demonstrate examples of both.

• If donating money is involved, use it as an opportunity to teach your kids responsible budgeting, planning, and checkbook and credit card management.

• Set up a giving account for each member of the family. Encourage your kids to regularly contribute a small portion of their allowance.

• Increase your community service hours and decrease time attached to electronics. Americans now average more time looking at screens than sleeping, so there’s plenty of time to give back if you just step away from your televisions, computers and phones.

Charitable Ideas

Choosing a variety of charities ensures you and your family are helping to make an impact in many areas. When creating a family giving plan, balance everyone's interest levels with global understanding and consideration — help your kids understand the importance of such relevancy.

1. Declutter and donate

Turn spring cleaning into an opportunity for the entire family to declutter their living spaces while donating to charity. Be mindful of things that could be categorized as more than gently used so you’re providing a quality donation. If you have a lot to give away, schedule a pickup with an organization that provides services in your area.

2. Organize a donation drive

When you want to think big, choose an organization in need and set-up a donation drive within your community (school, township, church, etc.). While it can take a substantial amount of work and time to pull this off, thanks to the Internet and social media, reaching a large audience is easier than ever.

3. Connect with animals

If your family has a shelter pet, then you’ve already done a charitable act. Regardless, it’s likely that your kids like animals, and while they may be too young to volunteer their time at a shelter (though sometimes it’s allowed if they’re accompanied by an adult), there are other ways to help a furry friend. Get crafty, and make toys or beds for shelter animals, donate supplies, don’t purchase any products tested on animals, and consider signing a petition against animal abuse.

 4. Environment

Learning doesn’t have to stop in the classroom. Teach your kids about important environmental issues — like concerns over the rainforests and oceans — while giving back. Closer to home, ask your local community if there are any clean-up programs you can assist with.

 5. Teach the true meaning of the holidays

It’s easy to get caught up in the holiday spirit without understanding the true meaning of the season. There are several organizations that specialize in giving impoverished and/or sick children the holiday season they deserve. Showing your kids that it’s not easy for everyone to have the same experience they have each year prompts gratitude and creates perspective.

 6. Random acts of kindness

Perhaps one of the easiest ways you can be charitable on a regular basis is with a random act of kindness. If they’re old enough, encourage your kids to help out a senior neighbor with lawn work or errands, walk a friend’s dog, pay someone a compliment, hold the door open — the list is endless. Consider also simply helping a senior neighbor shovel the sidewalk to his/her door, or clean up sticks around the yard. 

Establishing giving, volunteering and work-ethic standards early on can have a long-term impact on your kids when they become adults. Helping other people, places, and animals—on a big or small level—should be a regular part of your family’s life because it teaches humanity.