In the spirit of #GivingTuesday, you may be looking for tangible ways to teach your children the importance of giving back–instilling in them the idea that impacting the lives of others goes way beyond the holiday season.  We loved these ideas from Sunshine Momma–great ideas for kids of all ages! Let us know what you will be doing this holiday season to teach your children how to give back.

Support a Local Food Bank
In addition to volunteering your time at a local food bank, you can also donate money or items to these organizations. Click here for a list of items most needed. Have your child carefully pick out the items in addition to delivering them.

Create a Blessing Bag
Grab an old bag or backpack and fill it with essentials like toiletries, mittens, and small snacks.  Keep the bag in your car in case you happen to cross paths with a homeless person or you can take a couple of them to a homeless shelter.

Send Holiday Cards to Soldiers
Operation We Are Here has a list of resources to help you figure out how to do this. You can send letters to deployed military personnel, veterans, new recruits, and wounded warriors. There is even a program where you can send blank cards to soldiers so they have cards to send home to family and friends.

Assist a Children’s Hospital
Do a quick Google search to find out if there are any toy/gift lists for children are living at the children’s hospital in your area.  If you can’t find a list, contact your local hospital and ask what items may be needed.

Donate Winter Coats
There are numerous local organizations that offer this service, but One Warm Coat has a map with dropoff locations throughout the United States.  Have your kids help pick out some warm coats from youf closets and drop them off.