Summertime is here, and families now have a bunch of free time to spend with their children. Volunteering as a family not only allows you to spend more quality time as a family, but it also helps teach important values such as compassion and empathy to children. Want to volunteer but don’t have any ideas on what to do?

Here are 8 easy summer activities you can do together as a family:

1. Clean up your Neighborhood

One of the simplest ways to give back to the community is by helping to keep your community clean. You can start by going to your favorite local park, or even just by walking up and down your neighborhood street. Bring along gloves, garbage bags and spend a few hours picking up litter. Not only does this give you instant gratification as you can see tangible results right away, but you’ll also be able to teach your family the importance of preserving our nature and the adverse effects litter has on the local wildlife.

2. Volunteer at your Local Animal Shelter

For families who love animals, volunteering at your local animal shelter can be a great experience for the entire family. Shelters are always in need of people to help clean cages, feed the animals, and even play with the animals to help socialize them. Volunteering at your local animal shelter can be a great lesson for children as it teaches them about compassion and how to care for others. Want to go a step further? Why not sign your family up as animal fostering volunteers. This can also serve as a great way of seeing if your children are ready to take on the responsibility of having a new family pet!

3. Organize a Food Drive

Organizing a food drive is an easy but rewarding experience to do as a family. Go around your neighborhood and ask if they’d be interested in donating non-perishable foods to your local food bank. You can even create some simple flyers together as a family to put up around the neighborhood to get the word out there. Not only does organizing a food drive help address hunger in your community, but it also teaches your children about teamwork, leadership, and most importantly, the value of food.

4. Volunteer at your Local Public Library

Summer is a great time to kick back, relax and start finally reading the book that’s been on your reading list for a while. Public libraries would love to have volunteers who could help them sort and shelve books, assist with their summer reading programs, or even help with hosting book club discussions. This can be a great way to help foster an appreciation for reading, and help your children get back in the groove before school starts.

5. Participate in a Charity Marathon

For the families who love participating in sports, why not consider joining a marathon and help raise money together as a family. MS Canada holds North America’s largest fundraising cycle event in Ottawa and welcomes cyclists of all ages and fitness levels across Canada to help raise funds for research into ending multiple sclerosis. Not only will you be able to help raise funds for a noble cause, but you’ll also be able to have fun spending time with your family outdoors!

6. Help out your Community Garden

Community gardens are about more than just growing food. You can go down to your local community garden and sign up for a garden patch. You can tend to a garden patch with your family, water plants, or even help neighbors harvest fresh fruits and vegetables. Not only will you be able to interact with members of your community, but you’ll also be able to help out your local food bank by donating the excess produce you have!

Don’t know where your nearest Community Garden is? Toronto Urban Growers provides an easy-to-use map to see where your nearest community garden is!

7. Visit Senior Citizens at Nursing Homes

Senior citizens in our community often suffer from loneliness, particularly those who live in nursing homes or care centers. Volunteer to talk to senior citizens in nursing homes and bring along your children, even a few hours a week of visiting makes a lasting impact. Simple activities such as chatting with them, or just sitting next to them while watching TV together brings them a lot of joy and comfort.

8. Get involved with Community Events

Summer is filled with local events such as festivals and fairs, and many of them require volunteers to help set-up and organize. This can be a great opportunity for families to get involved, as not only will your children be able to learn more about different cultures, but they’ll also be able to help give back to the community simultaneously.

Why not make your free time count this summer by giving back to your community! Interested in looking for a volunteer opportunity? Sign-up today with Volunteer Success and start looking for your next summer volunteer opportunity today! If you have any other questions, we’re here to help! Contact us at support@volunteersuccess.com