10 ways to get your kids involved in the community

Kids have a short attention span when it comes to volunteering. It's worse when you're competing with technology. Trust me, I would know. I have no kids, but used to run a local non-profit and often would use kids to volunteer at our events to help them get their hours for college. We didn't always have Instagram-worthy opportunities for them to share with their friends that qualified for the "#myweekendwasbetterthanyours" hashtag war.

So how can you get them to recognize all ages are needed to build a community? Here are a few ways that will have them SnapChatting their friends in no time.

1. Let them bring a friend

Because everything is cooler when my #bff is with me.

2. Allow them to pick the clothes they donate

When they are in charge, kids and teens take great pride in what they do. If you're donating a bag of clothing to an organization, let them decide what to give to another child who is in need. It will help them resonate with the project more.

3. Supermarket sweep!

Pick up a few items for your local food pantry in a hurry. Each of you take a list of items needed and the first one who gets to the cash register with all their items wins... and the loser buys ice cream.

4. Storytime

Find your nearest children's hospital or special needs school and have your tweens brighten someone's day by reading them a book. Everyone loves a good read and new visitors!

5. Pick a park or a monument to keep tidy

No one really LOVES cleaning, but by allowing your kids to choose where and what they are going to keep tidy in their community builds pride in their neighborhood.

6. Make a neighborhood e-newsletter

Kids and technology are inseparable these days. Put all that knowledge to good use by building a weekly newsletter for your neighborhood. Coordinate BBQs, neighborhood clean up or make special announcements. Communication goes a long way!

7. Help them start a "Random Acts of Kindness" (RAK) Club at school

Because let's be honest, who doesn't LOVE a good random act of kindness? Your son or daughter could lead a movement to bring a more positive environment to the classroom with just one RAK.

8. Find a run/walk to support a cause they love

5k or 10k runs are so much fun for kids (plus it gets all their energy out of the way early in the morning) especially if it is behind a cause they are familiar with. Educate them on why they are running so they can continue to know the importance of fighting illness or helping those in need as they grow older.

9. Do I hear $10? $20? - Art Auction!

Kids of all ages LOVE to make art. Host an art auction as a fundraiser for their school library or a fellow students who need school supplies. It doesn't have to be a painting. It can be made of wood, an old antique they fixed up for reselling, jewelry and more. Plus it teaches them to take ownership in their work early in life.

10. Find a community garden 

Teach your children the importance of food care by renting a spot in your local community garden. Take it a step further. If you don't need the fresh veggies, bring it to a family who does. The gift that keeps on giving. :) Mother nature!

All for now!

Kelly