Times are tough for many people around the world, and it’s more important than ever to lift each other up.
(Plus, helping others is a natural way to boost you own happiness!)
Of course, it’s more of a challenge to serve the community when you have little kids in tow.
Here are some easy at-home community service ideas to try with them.
1. Create artwork for seniors.
Put all that artwork you’re making to good use! Did you know you can easily scan your artwork and uplifting notes using an app on your phone? (We use GeniusScan.) Then, you can email your creations to your local senior residential living community.
So pull out the watercolors, draw a springy scene, or scribble in all the colors of the rainbow! Whatever you create, you’ll be brightening the hallways and bringing a little more joy to our older neighbors.
2. Decorate your neighborhood with painted rocks.
Have you tried the melty crayon painted rock activity yet? It’s taking the MKE With Kids Instagram community by storm.
Collect some rocks outside, and heat them up in your oven for 15 minutes at 350 degrees. When the crayon hits the surface, it will immediately start melting and turn into a beautiful paint-like texture. (Careful, the rocks will be hot!)
Then, on your next walk, beautify your neighborhood with your colorful creations.
3. Make Sandwiches
Next time you’re at the grocery store, pick up some extra supplies to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or meat and cheese sandwiches. Many local homeless shelters and food pantries will take them.
4. Clean out your closets & playroom.
Clean out those closets and start a collection of items you can donate to a local non-profit organization. . Drop off food for those in need.
5. Chalk Your Walk.
Bring some sidewalk chalk with you on your next outside walk, and chalk it as you go. Draw colorful pictures and write uplifting messages, quotes, or poems. You’ll brighten up the day of the people who come after you, and inspire them to do the same!
6. Spruce up your home for passersby.
During these difficult times, there’s nothing like seeing bright messages of hope in people’s windows. Why not decorate your own windows, door, or driveway with large messages of love and hope? The people walking by your house will love it!
7. Brighten someone’s day on Facetime.
Do you have an older adult in your life?
Reach out and schedule a FaceTime call with them (a regular phone call work, too!). It’s a simple but powerful to life someone up.
8. Make a bird feeder.
It’s the perfect time to focus our attention on Mother Earth. Make a simple bird feeder and see who comes to visit! You can roll a pine-cone in peanut butter and seeds, fill an old orange peel, or use a pipe cleaner to hang the bird’s favorite snack from your tree. (Google is rife with DIY Bird Feeder Ideas!)
9. Open your wallet.
Local organizations are heroically continuing their work to help those who need it most in our community. You can support them with a donation big or small. Here is a list from Kids Impact Community of community partners who are providing food and resources to our neighbors who are food insecure:
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Riverwest Food Pantry –
- Mr. Bob’s Under the Bridge
- Street Angels
- Women’s Center
- United Way COVID-19 Urgent Needs Fund
10. Back Cookies or Write a thank you note.
Thank you notes are an easy way to lift people up in the community. Write a hand-written note to your teacher, local police officers, fire fighters, nurses, or doctors. They need to hear from you!
Looking for more ways to give back to your community? Check out our interview with Mariah Antetokounmpo, where she shares how her family has been making a difference through their support of the Milwaukee Diaper Mission. Read the interview here.
What other ideas do you have for at-home service ideas? Email us at hello@mkewithkids.com
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Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
