There are many values I hope to instill in my children as they grow up. Honesty, kindness, compassion, and empathy are all at the top of my list along with another that I believe should be taught and nurtured at a very young age: Generosity.
In particular, generosity through giving to charities. While it’s easy for us, as parents, to see the good in giving to a charity, whether through volunteer support or monetary means, it can be a trickier concept for our children to understand. However, if you go about it in a kid-friendly manner, I think you might be surprised (and heart-warmed!) at just how generous kids can be.
Asking your son or daughter to give up their allowance money or Christmas cash to a charity might not get you too far, but getting them involved personally with a charity, especially involving children or a local cause that hits close to home, can be a wonderful way for them to understand the positive impact they’ll have in not only in your community but reaching across countries, continents, and beyond.
If you’re thinking about getting your kids involved in giving to worthy causes, here are a few kid friendly charities that will help children to see the good they can do in our world, simply by being generous and sharing what they have with others!
Toys For Tots: For kids who are privileged enough to open gifts on Christmas morning, the idea that other children will receive nothing can be shocking. During the holiday season, having your child pick out a gift for someone their own age is a powerful way to connect with the act of giving. Have your child imagine just what that little boy or girl will be thinking on Christmas morning as they get to open a present made possible by their kindness! This is an incredible gift in itself!
World Wildlife Fund: If animals are dear to your child’s heart, then they will jump at the chance to “adopt” a tiger, koala, arctic fox, clown fish, and many others from the WWF! There are so many ways for your kids to learn more about the amazing world that the World Wildlife Fund does and just as many options for supporting their cause!
Kiva: This revolutionary charity allows you to give a loan to people in need all over the world, who in turn use the loans to grow their farms, start small businesses, improve their living conditions, and so much more. This personal connection gives your children a chance to search for, and choose, a cause to fund and the ability to follow its progress. As these loans are paid back, you and your kids have the option to fund even more projects in the future! A true gift that keeps on giving.
Make A Wish Foundation: The mission of this wonderful charity is to grant the wishes of children facing life-threatening illnesses “to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.” We want the very most for our own children and to make their dreams come true throughout their life. For children whose time on this earth may be shorter than others, time is truly precious and the ability to help make their wish come true is a gift. Teach your children about the different they can make in the life of a child by exploring this charity with them!
There are so many kid friendly charities all around the world that your children can connect with and learn all about. The more we expose our children to charitable giving at a young age, the more I believe they will grow up into adults who continue to give and will truly make our world a better place. Charity begins at home, moms and dads! Let’s set our children up for a generous future!