Turkey & Togetherness: 10 Ways to Give Back as a Family on Thanksgiving.

Keep Warm While Volunteering With Beanies For All.

Hey, Mama! Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to cherish family, share moments with your little ones, and create wonderful memories. Read along as Rey to Z, an adorable custom hat brand for kids, helps us to explore ten amazing ways to volunteer and make a difference with your kids this holiday season. So, put on your comfiest Rey to Z gear and let’s dive into some casual and family-friendly Thanksgiving volunteering ideas that will warm both hearts and heads, with cozy beanies for the whole fam (or give some to kids in need!). 

Serve Up Some Love, Soup Kitchen Style

Why not give a helping hand at your local soup kitchen? It’s a heartwarming way to teach your kids about empathy and the importance of helping those in need. Your little ones can participate by handling simple tasks like handing out utensils or filling cups with water. It’s a valuable lesson in kindness and giving back.

Food Drive Fun

Organize a food drive in your community and involve your kids in the process. Not only will you be helping those in need, but you’ll also be teaching your children about the power of sharing and giving. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to encourage a sense of community in your little ones.

Park Cleanup and Play

Participate in a park cleanup event with your children and make local green spaces even more beautiful. It’s an opportunity to show your kids that doing good looks great on everyone. You can also involve your children in the cleanup process, perhaps by giving them a grabber tool and a bag to collect trash (under supervision, of course). This activity instills a sense of responsibility for the environment.

Toy Drive with Heart

Collecting toys for underprivileged children is a wonderful way to give back during the holiday season. Organize a toy drive and ask your kids to help choose toys to donate. Take them shopping and let them select toys for other kids. It’s a lesson in generosity, gratitude, and the joy of making another child happy. Another great idea is to have your kiddos go through their own toys that they no longer play with and help package them to be delivered to kids in need. 

Brighten Up a Senior Center

Visiting a local senior center with your children can be a heartwarming experience for all involved. Spend time with elderly residents, play games, and bring some joy to their day. It’s an opportunity for your kids to learn about respect for the elderly, empathy, and the importance of companionship.

Helping Furry Friends

Volunteering at an animal shelter is not only a noble act but also a chance to make new, four-legged friends. Your custom Rey to Z gear will keep you stylish while you cuddle, walk, and care for furry friends in need. If the shelter allows, have your child interact with animals under supervision, such as gently petting or playing with kittens and puppies. It’s a great way for your kids to learn about kindness to animals, empathy, and the importance of taking care of our furry friends.

Lend a Hand at a Shelter

Consider lending a hand at a local shelter for the homeless. Serve meals, assist with clean-up, or simply offer a friendly conversation to spread warmth and hope. Let your kiddos help set up or serve food at the shelter. They can assist in simple tasks like handing out plates. It’s an opportunity to teach them about homelessness, compassion, and the value of sharing resources.

Join a Community Garden

Participate in a community garden project and get your hands dirty planting and growing fresh produce for those in need. Invite your littles to plant seeds or water plants, and teach them about the life cycle of plants and the importance of nurturing them.

Reading for a Cause

Volunteer at your local library or school to help children improve their reading skills. Encourage a love for learning while encouraging your family’s commitment to giving back. Let your child read to children at the library or school and encourage them to bring a favorite book to share with others. It’s a fantastic way for your child to learn about the joy of reading, the power of education, and the importance of helping peers.

Neighborhood Beautification

Team up with your neighbors to beautify your community. Paint murals, clean up streets, or plant trees to make your neighborhood more welcoming. Let your kiddos help with simple tasks like painting rocks or planting flowers in your community garden project. This activity teaches them about teamwork, community pride, and the role they can play in making their surroundings beautiful.

10 Ways Volunteering Helps Kids Grow Up To Be Better Humans 

1. Empathy in Action

When kids volunteer, they get to see the world from different perspectives. Whether it’s helping those less fortunate or caring for animals, volunteering nurtures empathy. It teaches kids to understand and share the feelings of others, making them more compassionate individuals.

2. Building Stronger Communities

By volunteering, kids learn that they have the power to make a positive impact on their communities. They become aware of the issues around them and realize they can be a part of the solution. This sense of responsibility helps build stronger, more connected communities.

3. Valuing Gratitude

Volunteering often exposes kids to individuals facing challenging circumstances. This firsthand experience instills a sense of gratitude for what they have. They come to appreciate the little things in life and learn not to take their blessings for granted.

4. Enhancing Social Skills

Through volunteering, kids interact with a diverse group of people. Whether it’s fellow volunteers, those they’re helping, or mentors, these interactions improve their social skills. They become better at communication, teamwork, and understanding different personalities.

5. Boosting Self-Esteem

Seeing the positive impact of their actions on others can be a significant confidence booster for kids. It shows them that they are capable of making a difference, no matter how small. This newfound self-esteem can positively impact their self-worth.

6. Developing Responsibility

When kids commit to volunteering, they learn the importance of showing up, following through, and being responsible. These skills translate into other areas of life, from schoolwork to chores at home.

7. Learning New Skills

Volunteering often involves learning new skills or honing existing ones. Whether it’s organizing a food drive, planting trees, or working at a shelter, kids get a chance to explore their interests and abilities, fostering personal growth.

8. Encouraging Lifelong Giving

Volunteering at a young age sets the foundation for a lifetime of giving. Kids who volunteer are more likely to continue helping others as adults, making them socially conscious and empathetic individuals throughout their lives.

9. Resilience in Adversity

Volunteering can sometimes present challenging situations. Whether it’s seeing someone in distress or dealing with a tough project, these experiences teach kids resilience and problem-solving. They learn to persevere in the face of adversity.

10. A Sense of Purpose

Volunteering provides kids with a sense of purpose. It shows them that they can be a force for good in the world. This feeling of purpose can help them navigate life’s challenges and decisions with a strong moral compass.

Thanksgiving is not just about indulging in turkey and mashed potatoes. It’s also about giving back and spreading love. By involving your kiddos in volunteer activities, you’re not only setting a great example but also teaching them important life values such as kindness, empathy, gratitude, and the joy of giving. These experiences can help them become compassionate, socially aware, and responsible individuals as they grow. So, Mama, throw on your trusty Mama Hat and get out there! 

We have something for everyone in your cute fam! Pick up Dad one of our baseball hats for men. Mama  needs one of our cool baseball caps for women. The kiddos will rock our Letter Hats and Sibling Hats. Create lasting memories this fall with adorable baseball caps from Rey to Z. 

We see you and we know you are doing your best. That’s why we do our best to provide every style you can imagine and make it customizable for you and your unique family. We also always offer 15% off your first order when you sign up for texts and free shipping on orders $60 or more. Also, if you love us as much as we love you, we offer a Refer a Friend Program , you and your bestie get $5 off your orders.