Getting Young Kids Involved in Volunteering

Family walks-for-a-cause welcome young children either as participants or along the way offering water and other refreshments. Other volunteer opportunities that are young kid-friendly include Meals on Wheels and similar programs that give children the chance to cheer up the elderly. Children this age can participate alongside older children helping to sort clothes or repackaging Halloween candy for holiday parties.

Don't give up on looking for opportunities where your preschooler will be able to accompany you, too. I know of a homeless man whose life turned around when he was given a homemade card of encouragement by a 4-year-old who was with her mom on a visit to the family shelter where he lived. He said it sparked something in him that encouraged him "to get it together." He eventually became employed by the shelter and became their "ambassador" to talk to local school groups wanting to reach out to the homeless.

• Do you do volunteer work at your kids' school? Take the poll.

• Having trouble finding the time for your kid to volunteer? Click here to see what our experts have to say.

• Check out our ages and stages guide to volunteering opportunities.