Shop UK Site 
Top 5 Ways to Give Back!
- Patria Lincoln Posted On Nov 26, 2018 | Parenting Tricks & Treats
Giving back almost seems natural to us adults. Creating donation piles or offering money to those who face hard times is like second nature. But much like everything else we do so well in our lives, it was taught to us. Now it is time to teach to give to our little ones! When our children watch us do good, it resonates. Leading by example starts right away. No matter the age, children can have a powerful impact on their communities, but it's up to us, parents and caregivers, to get them engaged and pointed in the right direction. When a child gives their time, talent, and treasures to charitable causes, valuable life skills are sure to follow. Learning how to work with others, take directions, and fine-tune organizational skills are just a few ways volunteering shapes a child’s philanthropic self. Developing empathy and compassion for those with unique struggles opens a new point of view for many children.
What is Giving Tuesday?
Giving Tuesday is always on the Tuesday after the American Thanksgiving holiday. Held this year on November 27, Giving Tuesday began in 2012 as a movement in response to the amplified consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Think of it as the day to respond to all the buying and spending with volunteering and charity. So what ways can our little ones get involved? Below are a few ideas to get them thinking about what they can do on Giving Tuesday and beyond.
1. Drive
Get the discussion going about hosting a drive. Drives are the easiest way to collect non-perishable food, coats, shoes, or even pet supplies, for those who need it most during the holidays and cold months. A simple phone call to a food bank or shelter will let you and your child know what its current needs are (i.e., “we have plenty of coats, but we need pajamas”), and your family and friends can begin collecting.
2. Feed the pig
Your child likely has a piggy bank, or maybe the family has a change jar set aside. With your children’s help, set up a charitable jar where your children can throw in change throughout the year. As a child receives money, like gifts or allowances, encourage them to make deposits. Decide as a family the best place donate all that adds up.
3. Volunteer
Soup kitchens, nursing homes, and hospitals are always welcoming places for helping hands. The holiday season is bursting with opportunities left and right. Involving children in deciding where to volunteer is a great motivator.
4. Holiday bake sales
Maybe make your Giving Tuesday even sweeter by hosting a bake sale. Help the children bake delicious treats and ask their friends to join in on the fun. Again, deciding where all the money should go makes kids feel like they are making a difference.
5. Think outside of the box
Animal shelters need towels, blankets, and food, too. Besides toys and clothes, children in need often need books. Perhaps the local public garden’s caretakers need new tools. As the parent, keep your ear to the ground on local needs and work with your child on making some of these wishes a reality.
Remember, a little by little, and a little becomes a lot!
With dozens of organisms living underground, what will kids find when they start digging? After a few minutes working through the dirt in the garden, the girls found plenty of worms and an insect they’d never seen before.Using the handy scooper, my eldest daughter carefully placed the bug in the Bug View jar.
With its handy twist top, the Bug View jar gives kids freedom and control to independently inspect their discoveries. The Bug View jar also has a built-in magnifying glass which means kids can examine and analyze what they’ve discovered up close and personal.We talked about what kind of insect we thought it was – most likely a Click Beetle larvae - and how it is different than other bugs we are familiar with. We also discussed the bug’s unique features and characteristics. Did it have eyes and legs? What other distinctive traits could we see?
First, we filled one of the plant pots with soil.
Next, we made a hole in the dirt larger enough to fit a clove of garlic. Then, we planted the garlic in the plant pot, making sure to pop the clove in the right way up.
After planting the garlic, we covered it up with fresh soil, then watered it.
Voila! The last step is to wait see what happens. How long will it take for the garlic to sprout?
First, we filled a big bucket of water in the backyard. Then we used the droppers and scoops to squeeze, squirt and spurt water. The toys can be used with sand too! Do sand and water squish and spray differently?
We found more than meets the eye as we explored our backyard. What new scientific discoveries will you capture, observe and create as you head outdoors?
