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Summer is on the horizon. Kids will be home from school. Parents are already exploring opportunities and experiences to engage in over the summer break. Finding meaningful ways for kids to engage in their local community during the summer can be both exciting and rewarding. Below, we’ll walk through a list of summer service project ideas for kids that provide an excellent opportunity for children and youth ministry groups to make a positive impact in the lives of others while enjoying the warm weather.
Whether working in a local park, supporting a local shelter, or assembling care packages, these community service projects help kids learn the value of helping others and giving back to their local community. Here are 11 creative and kid-friendly volunteer opportunities that will inspire young hearts to serve.
What Are Community Service Projects For Kids?
Churches who invest in their community may do a host of different service projects over the years. These community service projects allow people to give back to and invest in their local community. When involving kids and teens, the approach is going to look different than when only working with adults for a number of reasons.
One of the most obvious differences is that kids and teens need tasks that are age-appropriate. Children aren’t going to be able to lift heavy objects and may not be able to perform complex tasks. They don’t have as many hands-on experiences, so they may need a little more support in completing tasks.
Kids and teens also tend to have shorter attention spans, so you’ll most likely want to engage them in service projects that either have a shorter timeframe or are more easily broken into short, manageable tasks.
One of the biggest things to keep in mind when doing community service projects with kids and teens is that they should be hands-on. If a lot of sitting or listening is involved, especially if there are a lot of instructions, they may not stay engaged. When preparing a community service project that will involve kids, make sure there is opportunity for them to move and engage their bodies.
By designing projects with kids in mind, ministry leaders and volunteers can provide enjoyable and impactful experiences while fostering a heart for service.
11 Summer Service Project Ideas For Kids
1. Create Care Packages For Senior Citizens
Possible Supplies Needed:
- Small bags
- Toiletries
- Handwritten notes
- Small snacks
Planning And Preparation:
Reach out to a local senior center or retirement home to explain what you’d like to do and ask them how many people are in their care and if there are any specific needs that you could include in the care package. Supplies for these care packages can be collected through donations from the congregation or purchased directly from a store.
Project Explanation:
Take some time to decorate cards or write a little message to be included in each care package. You can help kids with what to say by giving them a list of ideas of things to include and allowing them to pick and personalize. Once cards have been written, it’s time to assemble packages! One of the easiest ways to manage chaos while assembling the packages is to create an assembly line where kids are in charge of putting in one or two items before passing the package on to the next person.
Once assembled, you can take this project to the next step by hand-delivering the care packages and spending time with the residents. This can make an even greater impact on both the senior citizens who receive the packages and the individuals who assemble the packages.
2. Start A Community Garden
Possible Supplies Needed:
- Seeds
- Soil
- Gardening tools
- Watering cans
Planning And Preparation:
Before gathering materials, it’s a good idea to figure out where this community garden is going to be. You could partner with a local community center, one of your schools, or have it right in your church yard. Once you have an idea of space, you can collect the supplies needed – either through donations or direct purchasing. Many people have gardens and may be able to share seeds or starter plants.
Project Explanation:
This is a great ongoing community service project because it goes beyond just a one-day experience. While teens and adults (and probably some eager dirt-loving kids) can prepare the soil, anyone can start planting the seeds. Once the initial work of planting is done, families and individuals can take turns maintaining the garden. This helps them to learn about responsibility while also giving them a life skill of being able to prepare their own food. You also have a great opportunity for additional community connections by sharing that produce with a local food bank or soup kitchen.
3. Park Cleanup And Beautification
Possible Supplies Needed:
- Trash bags
- Gloves
- Rakes
- Paint for benches (if needed)
Planning And Preparation:
Identify a local park that could use some extra care – this could be done by driving around your community or by reaching out to your local park district or city officials. Even if you identify a park on your own, be sure to secure permission from city officials or the park district before you do any work.
Project Explanation:
Working to make a park clean and pretty is a great experience for people of all ages! Kids can easily gather litter (with gloves on, of course!), pull weeds, and even plant flowers! Depending on the material in the park, you could lay mulch around trees or rake out the play material to provide an even landscape for play. One of the best parts about this community service project is that kids can take breaks or celebrate their hard work by playing on the newly refreshed playground or open field!
4. Make Encouragement Cards For Local Hospitals
Possible Supplies Needed:
- Construction paper
- Markers
- Stickers
- Glue
Planning And Preparation:
Contact your local hospital (or the closest one if you don’t have one locally) to see if they accept handmade cards for patients. Prepare a list of things that kids could write in the cards and gather materials.
Project Explanation:
Kids, teens, and parents alike can create and decorate cheerful encouragement cards. These cards can include Bible verses, prayers, and encouragement. You don’t just have to write cards to brighten the days of patients – doctors and nurses would always welcome encouragement, too! Before delivering them to the hospital, take time to pray over the cards and for the people who will be receiving them, as many will likely be going through a difficult time.
5. Host A School Supplies Drive
Possible Supplies Needed:
- Backpacks
- Notebooks
- Pencils
- Crayons
- Glue sticks
Planning And Preparation:
School supply lists are often readily available fairly early in the summer (much to the horror of kids). Find out what school supplies your schools need, and be sure to check across grade levels if you have the ability to do so! High school students are not immune to the need for pencils or notebooks! Gather supplies by sharing what items you need and setting up collection boxes at church or in the community. You can also reach out to local stores to see if they have any supplies they’re willing to donate.
Project Explanation:
As donations roll in, get kids involved by sorting and organizing donations. Then, start an assembly line where people are putting in 1-2 items into a backpack before passing them on to the next person. If your community has any back to school events, you can bring the supplies to the event and set up a booth to pass them out for free, or you can deliver them to anyone you know has a specific need, or just deliver them to your local schools for them to have on hand for children in need as the school year starts back up.
6. Create Snack Bags For A Local Shelter
Possible Supplies Needed:
- Paper bags
- Granola bars
- Juice boxes
- Fruit snacks
Planning And Preparation:
Many communities have a local shelter, soup kitchen, or food pantry where people who are hungry come to be fed. You can reach out to these local shelters and locations to get an idea of what types of snacks or easy lunch items may be most appreciated.
Project Explanation:
Paper bags are versatile and easy to carry. Kids can both decorate the outside of the bags and fill them with either snacks or even a light lunch to give to those staying in shelters or facing food insecurity. This is a great opportunity to help kids meet a basic need while sharing God’s love and encouragement. It’d also be a great opportunity to pray over the bags and for those who would receive them.
7. Organize A Free Lemonade Stand For The Community
Supplies Needed:
- Lemonade mix
- Water
- Pitchers
- Cups
- Ice
- Small table
Planning And Preparation:
Determine a location to set up a table to form a lemonade stand. Make signage so people know the lemonade is free! The stand should be in a safe area like a local park, your church parking lot, or maybe even a community summer event.
Project Explanation:
Nothing beats the heat like a nice, cool drink! Kids, under adult supervision, can measure out the lemonade mix and water and mix it together either in pitchers or a big drink dispenser. Then, instead of selling lemonade for profit, kids can offer free drinks to community members, first responders, or construction workers as an act of kindness. Encourage creativity in advertising the lemonade by letting the kids create sidewalk art. You could also bring a speaker along and play some uplifting music!
8. Make Pet Toys For Animal Shelters
Possible Supplies Needed:
- Old t-shirts,
- Tennis balls
- Rope
- Fabric scissors
Planning And Preparation:
Before making any kind of preparations, reach out to your local animal shelter or even animal control and ask them if they would accept handmade toys for the dogs or other animals they have in their care. Then, ask people to donate items that they probably already have lying around – old clothing that can be cut, lengths of rope, etc.
Project Explanation:
Pets often burn through toys quickly, so recycling old materials and giving them new life to perk up animals stuck in an animal shelter is a win for everyone! A t-shirt rope toy can be made by cutting a t-shirt into strips, tying one end, braiding the strands tightly, then tying the other end. A Knee-high sock can be knotted multiple times across the sock to turn it into a long chew toy. For older kids or adults, here is a great way to use a tennis ball and a t-shirt to make a ball tug toy. Once your toys are made, deliver them to the animal shelter!
9. Paint Kindness Rocks And Leave Them Around Town
Supplies Needed:
- Smooth rocks
- Paint
- Paintbrushes
- Paint markers
Planning And Preparation:
Collect your supplies and set up a space for kids to paint and let their creativity shine. You can do an internet search if you’d like to gather ideas or images that kids can paint on rocks. Especially if using paint instead of markers, be sure to encourage kids to wear clothes they don’t mind getting dirty.
Project Explanation:
The whole family can let their artistic side out by transforming rocks into bugs, turtles, encouraging words, and more. Using paint or paint markers, fill grey rocks with color, animals, words, etc. If you need inspiration, feel free to search “paint rocks” or “kindness rocks” on the internet and look at the images that pop up. Once the rocks are dry, kids can place their decorated rocks in local parks, community centers, or sidewalks to share messages of encouragement and brighten people’s days!
10. Organize A Neighborhood Clean Up
Possible Supplies Needed:
- Trash bags
- Gloves
- Rakes
- Mulch
- Small garden tools
Planning And Preparation:
Take some time to drive around your community and notice if there are any neighborhoods that could use a little TLC. This could be an area that has predominantly older people, a local low-income-housing section, or even your own neighborhood (which would be ideal for building relationships with those who live near you!). Once you find a neighborhood to help, take stock of some of the work that may need to be done (especially that kids could do), such as clearing leaves, picking up trash, pulling weeds, etc., and gather any materials you may need.
Project Explanation:
Sometimes, there are individuals or neighborhoods that need help with some maintenance and cleanup of the properties. Kids can easily help clean up leaves, pick up trash (with gloves, of course!), pull weeds, etc. They could even help spread grass if there are areas that are more dirt than grass or sweep walkways. Older teens and other older family members could potentially use power tools if there are lawns that need to be mowed or edging that needs doing.
11. Build And Stock A Free Little Library
Supplies Needed:
- Small bookshelf or weatherproof box
- Books
- Paint
- Brushes
Planning And Preparation:
This one requires a little more financial investment up front in order to build or buy a bookshelf with a door on it. Pick a location for the library because it won’t move once it’s set – you can work with a local school or community center, or you can set up the library on your church property.
Project Explanation:
Once the library is made, kids can decorate the library by helping to paint it in an array of fun, bright colors. Encourage kids to look through the books that they have at home and select some that they’d like to pass on to someone else who could use them. (Adults, you can give away some of your books, too!). This not only helps encourage reading in your local community, but it helps kids consider sharing something that they enjoy and show love to those around them.
A Few Tips For Positive Impact
As you prepare to do one (or more) of these community service projects, there are a few things you can keep in mind:
- Encourage Family Involvement – Many of these service projects are a great way to engage the whole family, including high school students and parents. While this list is geared towards encouraging kids to serve in the community, the best way to make it meaningful is for the whole family to get involved!
- Adapt to Group Size – Make sure projects can be easily adjusted for small or large groups. If flexibility is going to be an issue (because you need a certain number to be there or because you can’t expand if more people show up), consider having a sign up or rsvp so that you can plan ahead for what you’ll need (just be flexible in case someone signs up but doesn’t show or vice versa!)
- Teach the ‘Why’ Behind Serving – Explain how each activity benefits the local community and why it matters. 1 Corinthians 3:3 reminds us that, “If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” We aren’t serving just to check something off – we’re showing love.
- Make It Fun! – Feel free to add creative elements like music, games, or team challenges to keep kids engaged. Just be aware of the ages of kids or their energy levels if you add challenges in – you don’t want things to be destroyed or overlooked because they’re too focused on the challenge!
- Celebrate Afterwards! – Take time to recognize and celebrate the work you’ve done. Sit down and have a drink or snack together or recap what people experienced – giving an opportunity to share will encourage people to come back and others to join in the future!
Share Christ’s Love
These 11 summer service project ideas for kids are perfect for ministry leaders looking to create meaningful volunteer opportunities – whether it’s just for the youngest in your church, for the whole family, or across the generations. Whether planting a community garden, assembling care packages, or cleaning a local park, these projects help kids experience the joy of giving back and expressing the love of Christ through serving and encouraging others. By providing engaging, age-appropriate service opportunities, you can empower children to make a lasting, loving impact in their local community while also having fun this summer!
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