Service Project Ideas

For children, organized by Category:

Activity

1. Plant a tree, vegetables and fruits, or flowers in a community garden for all kids to enjoy.
2. Organize a readathon, where older kids read books to younger kids at a local library or daycare.
3. Start a Pen pal program with senior “Grandfriends” or kids from other areas.

4. Paint over graffiti or create cheerful murals in places where children gather.

5. Paint a classroom, church, school, or fence to help improve the space for other children.

6. Clean up the trash along the side of the road, river, or park.
7. Bake cookies and share them with children in need or someone who could use some love.
8. Leave a small treat and note on people’s cars, doorsteps, etc.
9. Record audiobooks and donate them to libraries for kids who can’t read printed books.
10. Organize a day to rake leaves or shovel snow for neighbors who need help.
11. Start a surprise service challenge at home: after completing an act of kindness, leave a hidden star for the next person to find and continue the chain.
12. Create a "kindness wall" where kids write positive messages and drawings for others to see.
13. Start a "kindness journal" where children write down acts of kindness they see or do for others.
14. Host a story-writing session where children create stories to share with friends.
15. Plan a "buddy day" where older children help younger ones with a fun learning activity.
16. Teach children how to plant seeds in small pots and give them to other kids to care for.
17. Create a "kindness tree" where children write acts of kindness they’ve done or received and display it at a school or community center.

Art 

1. Draw pictures or create cards to give to children in shelters or hospitals to brighten their day.

2. Organize a crafting or toy-making session where kids create paper crowns, pipe cleaner flowers, origami animals, or other things to share with other children at school, in the neighborhood, or those in need.

3. Set up a finger puppet-making activity for kids to create puppets and use them in playful shows for other children.

4. Make "Get Well Soon" cards for sick children in local hospitals.
5. Decorate reusable bags for kids to use at food pantries.
6. Paint rocks with happy messages to leave at playgrounds for other kids to find.
7. Make friendship bracelets and give them to other children you know, or children in shelters or hospitals.
8. Make bookmarks for local libraries to give to young readers.
9. Decorate boxes for children to store their treasures or toys.
10. Sew or make simple fleece blankets to give to kids in shelters, orphanages, or foster care.
11. Write encouraging notes for kids starting a new school.
12. Design and decorate placemats to brighten mealtimes for residents in nursing homes.

Care Packages

1. Create simple care packages with small toys and snacks for kids in need.
2. Create and donate small hygiene kits with toothbrushes and soap.
3. Put together hygiene kits with your friends and donate them to children’s shelters.
4. Make small "busy bags" with coloring sheets and crayons for kids waiting at hospitals.

Collections

1. Collect gently used toys from friends to donate to local shelters.
2. Organize a book drive for a local children’s center or shelter.
3. Collect school or craft supplies, old clothes, toys or books to donate to children in need.
4. Organize a toy swap to help kids in need get new toys.
5. Organize a playdate where everyone brings an extra toy to donate.
6. Collect gently used sports equipment and donate it to children’s programs.
7. Organize a children’s clothing drive for families in need.
8. Collect extra Halloween candy and donate it to children’s shelters.

Event

1. Host an activity day at a care facility, offering activities like singing, finger painting, or painting nails with the residents.
2. Host a fun community event that brings awareness to a local cause.
3. Plan a neighborhood clean-up and encourage other kids to participate for a cleaner community.
4. Start a letter-writing campaign to cheer up sick children in the hospital.
5. Organize a game night fundraiser, donating the proceeds to a children’s cause.
6. Organize a community talent show for children to perform and have fun together.
7. Organize a park play day where kids teach each other new games or activities.
8. Set up a craft exchange where children make and swap handmade items like paper flowers or bookmarks.
9. Host a tutoring session where older children help younger ones with reading or math.