The holidays are a time for giving, and what better way to spread joy than by volunteering with your kids? Beyond the gifts and celebrations, it's the perfect season to teach your children the true spirit of kindness and community. However, finding opportunities where kids can actively participate can be tricky. That’s why we’ve gathered 15 family-friendly volunteer opportunities for this holiday season. From serving meals to baking cookies, there’s a way for every family to get involved.
1. Volunteer or donate to a Local Food Bank
During the holiday season, food banks are busier than ever. Help sort, package, or distribute food to families in need. Many food banks welcome children as volunteers, allowing them to see the impact of their efforts firsthand.
The FPC Food Pantry will be packing Thanksgiving bags on Monday, Nov. 25 at 7 pm, and volunteers can sign up to help through their Facebook page. If you'd like to organize a food drive, here’s a list of needed items: canned corn, mixed vegetables, 28 oz. canned tomatoes, cranberry sauce, 1 lb pasta packages, condensed soup, Jiffy cornbread mix, cake mix, canned gravy or gravy packets, stuffing, and canned beans (please, no glass jars). Donations are needed by Nov. 22.
Volunteer opportunities for Hands of Hope are posted on their website one month in advance at hohnj.org/take-action, where all volunteers aged 15+ can register via the POINT platform.
Highland Park Community Food Pantry accepts food and toiletries in addition to monetary donations. Email highlandparkfoodpantry@gmail.com to learn more about volunteer opportunities.
On Saturday, November 23rd, Replenish will be at two ShopRite locations in North and East Brunswick from 9 am to 2 pm. Volunteers can hand out flyers and collect donations or bring non-perishable donations. Replenish will also be at the Rutger’s Football Game Board Walk on Nov. 23 collecting non-perishable donations.
2. Deliver Meals to Those in Need
Helping to deliver meals to those in need is especially meaningful during the holidays when many people face isolation. Your family can volunteer with programs that bring food to homebound individuals, such as Meals on Wheels, or connect with local community centers or shelters that offer meal delivery services. By delivering meals, your family can provide both nourishment and a sense of connection to those who may otherwise feel alone during the holiday season.
3. Write Letters or Make Care Packages for Service Members
The holidays can be a tough time for those serving away from home. Writing cards and letters to active-duty military personnel is a simple way for kids to share holiday cheer and show gratitude, and it's something you can do from home. Operation Gratitude is one organization that collects letters, care packages, and homemade items for soldiers.
4. Collect Can Tabs to Support Ronald McDonald House of Central & Northern NJ
Kids can be heroes for families in need! For every pound of aluminum can tab tops collected, Ronald McDonald House Central & Northern NJ receives a donation to support families in need. Every tab top collected brings us closer to helping more families. Encourage your kids, their schools, or clubs to collect aluminum can tab tops and drop them off for recycling. The more tabs you collect, the more funds are raised to help families! Call 732-249-1222 to get more information about a DYI tab collection box.
5. Register for the Turkey Trot
The whole family can register for the Turkey Trot on Nov. 28 at 8:30 am at Raritan Bay Waterfront Park in South Amboy. Fit in some exercise early in the day, taking in the incredible New York skyline views before your grand meal.
 Yauwaluk-Boonta | Canva |
6. Bake for the It Takes a Borough Cookie Walk
The Metuchen Cookie Walk, launched in 2015, is a cherished holiday event with a heartwarming mission to support families facing unexpected challenges. Every year, families, friends, and businesses bake thousands of cookies, creating a delightful assortment for attendees to fill their boxes. Pre-ordering your cookie box is recommended because last year they sold out midday. Proceeds from each cookie box support community members dealing with life’s unexpected setbacks, making this not just a fun event but a chance for families to bond over baking for a meaningful cause. You can register to bake cookies using a family recipe or purchase cookie dough from select local bakeries.
 Antoni Shkraba | Canva via Pexels |
7. Volunteer at an Animal Shelter
The holidays are also a time when animal shelters need extra help. Whether it’s reading to dogs, playing with cats, or donating items on the shelter wish list, your family can make a difference for animals in need of love and care. Find your local animal shelters.
8. Participate in a Community Trash Pickup
The spirit of giving extends to caring for your community and the environment. Join a local litter cleanup event or organize your own! You can also make it a family habit to bring a trash bag along on your walks or hikes. Not only will you beautify your surroundings, but you’ll also spend meaningful time together outside as a family during the holiday season.
9. Donate Toys or Clothes to Kids in Need
The holiday season is the perfect time to teach children about giving by going through their wardrobes and toy boxes to find gently used items they no longer need. Encourage your kids to select toys and clothes they’ve outgrown to donate to local shelters, community centers, or organizations that support children in need. Many charities run special drives during the holidays, making it easy for families to give back and make a difference in the lives of other children.
10. Visit Elderly Residents at Nursing Homes
Many seniors feel lonely during the holiday season. Brighten their days by visiting a local senior center or nursing home. Whether it’s reading holiday stories, singing carols, or simply chatting, your visit will bring joy and warmth.
 Krzstof Chrostowski | Canva via Pexels |
11. Donate Hair to Help Kids in Need
If your child is due for a haircut this holiday season, consider donating their hair to an organization that creates wigs for children who have lost their hair due to medical conditions. Several nonprofits, such as Locks of Love, accept hair donations to make wigs for kids experiencing hair loss from treatments like chemotherapy or conditions like alopecia. It's a simple yet meaningful way for your family to make a difference during the holiday season.
12. Help Build or Support Community Projects
Many organizations, like Habitat for Humanity, host family-friendly holiday builds and special events to support those in need. Whether you’re helping to construct homes, repairing community spaces, or providing meals for volunteers, your family can make a lasting impact. These opportunities are a great way to get hands-on and contribute to meaningful projects this holiday season.
13. Promote Reading in Your Community
There are many ways to spread the gift of reading this holiday season. Your family could organize a book drive for local schools, shelters, or community centers, or even host a neighborhood book swap. Another fun option is creating literacy kits with books and reading-related activities to donate to children in need. Programs like Little Free Library are also a great way to share books by building and stocking a community library. Kids can help select books and decorate the space, making it a fun and creative way to give back.
14. Make Blankets for Those in Need
As the weather gets colder, many organizations — including hospitals, shelters, and community centers — welcome donations of handmade blankets to provide comfort and warmth to those in need. Creating no-sew fleece blankets is an easy, hands-on project that your family can do from home. Programs like Project Linus distribute these blankets to children in need, offering a simple yet heartfelt way to give back during the holiday season.
15. Crafting Kindness from Ancient Art
When children learn to crochet or knit, they’re engaging in a craft that has been cherished for ages and passed down from generation to generation. This experience is more than just creating something beautiful; it’s a lesson in patience, creativity, and connection to the past. By donating their work—whether it’s a cozy scarf, a soft baby blanket, or even a colorful hat—kids can see firsthand the impact their handmade gifts can have. They’re not only learning a new skill but also discovering how to share their talents to help those in their community. Email marisold@macaronikid.com for a list of community members collecting pieces for charities.
Make Giving Back a Holiday Tradition
Volunteering with your family is one of the best ways to embrace the true spirit of the holidays. Whether you’re helping at a local event or taking on a project at home, you’ll be making a meaningful impact on your community. So this holiday season, don’t just give gifts — give back.
Do you know about another family volunteer activity we may add? Email marisold@macaronikid.com.
This article was generated with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI.
