Volunteering at Any Age
National Volunteer Week (occurring in April every year) is a great time to start volunteering!
It’s never too early to start instilling a spirit of volunteerism in the next generation. The key is to match the activity to the child’s age and interests. Children as young as two can help pick up trash. Four-year-olds can help assemble blessing bags (with essentials such as toothbrushes and socks) for the homeless. Elementary school kids are becoming aware of the needs of others and may choose to volunteer at animal shelters or soup kitchens. Just remember to check the requirements of any organization you seek to support through your family’s volunteerism. The organization may ask you to volunteer alongside of your kids in order to supervise.
Getting the Whole Family Involved (Even the Littles)
Volunteering doesn’t have to start in high school — little ones love feeling helpful, and family projects can turn everyday moments into mini acts of kindness. Start small, keep it hands-on, and let everyone join in at their own level.
Toddlers & Preschoolers:
Tiny helpers thrive on simple, visible tasks. Try a “trash treasure hunt” on neighborhood walks, donate gently used toys together, or assemble easy blessing bags with snacks and hygiene items. Even decorating cards for seniors or hospitalized kids can brighten someone’s day — and your little one will be so proud.
Early Elementary Kids:
Kids in grades K–3 are ready for slightly bigger roles. They can help stock Little Free Libraries, sort food donations (with supervision), plant flowers during community cleanups, or make pet-care kits for shelters. Many nonprofits host family-friendly volunteer days perfect for this age group.
Upper Elementary Kids:
Fourth- and fifth-graders love taking ownership. They can join you at food banks, community gardens, and humane societies that allow youth volunteers with a parent. At home, they might even launch their own mini-drives for books, coats, or school supplies.
Make It a Family Habit:
Whether you plan a monthly “family service day” or jump into quick weekend projects, consistency builds confidence — and keeps it fun. Let your kids help choose the cause, talk about why it matters, and celebrate what you did together. Those small acts add up to a lifelong love of helping others.
High Schoolers & College Students can earn community service hours by volunteering in their communities or even dedicate a school break to traveling to another country to build houses or feed impoverished families. Many international nonprofits organize service trips.
During your 20’s, 30’s and 40’s, choose volunteer opportunities that fit in with the demands of work and family. For example, if your job requires you to act in a leadership role, you might choose to volunteer as a worker bee — fulfilling a defined task such as delivering meals to shut-ins or sorting food at the Food Bank.
If you have extra time, consider getting involved in the administration of a nonprofit as a Board Member.
Too busy to volunteer at all? You might consider supporting a favorite cause financially and sharing the organization’s mission through social media.
Once your 50’s roll around, as your schedule frees up through empty nesting or retirement, look to AARP for additional opportunities.
- Why not join the award-winning Driver Safety program, where volunteers become driver safety instructors, teaching the AARP Smart Driver classroom curriculum. AARP Driver Safety volunteers are trained and provided with curriculum materials. They report a high level of satisfaction from knowing that they are saving lives in their communities. Click here for more information.
- You can also change lives through the AARP Foundation Experience Corps, an intergenerational volunteer-based tutoring program designed to teach reading to children who aren’t reading at grade level. Many students who work with Experience Corps volunteers show as much as 60% improvement in critical literacy skills compared to their peers. Become a literacy volunteer by filling out the application here.
- AARP recognizes that a make a regular, long-term volunteer commitment does not work for everyone. That’s why they established Create the Good, a program that matches participants’ talents, interests and time with volunteer opportunities in their communities. Volunteers can complete a profile detailing their interests or just search the opportunity database by zip code. Nonprofit organizations that need volunteers can post their opportunities directly to the website. Whether you have five minutes or five hours, there is a match for you! Click here to create your profile and find opportunities in your area.
🙋 Volunteering can be a life-long pleasure. Simply choose the activity that’s right for you and go, go, go!
FAQs About Volunteering at Any Age
1. What is National Volunteer Week?
National Volunteer Week happens every April and celebrates people who give their time to help others. It’s also a great reminder to explore new ways to volunteer.
2. At what age can children start volunteering?
Kids as young as two can pitch in with simple tasks like picking up litter. As they grow, they can assemble care kits, help at food banks, or participate in supervised service projects.
3. Do organizations have age requirements for volunteers?
Yes. Many nonprofits require children to volunteer with a parent or guardian. Always check the organization’s guidelines before signing up.
4. How can teens get community service hours?
High school and college students can volunteer locally or join service trips through schools, faith groups, and international nonprofits.
5. What volunteer opportunities work best for busy adults?
People balancing jobs and families can take on task-based roles such as sorting donations, delivering meals, or serving during one-time events. When time is tight, supporting causes financially or sharing their mission online also makes a difference.
6. How can adults get involved in leadership roles?
If you have the availability, serving on a nonprofit board or committee is a meaningful way to support an organization’s mission.
7. What types of volunteer roles are available for people in their 50s and beyond?
AARP offers a wide range of programs, including the Driver Safety program, Experience Corps literacy tutoring, and Create the Good, which matches volunteers with hyper-local opportunities.
8. What if I can’t commit to a long-term volunteer role?
Short-term, flexible, or one-time opportunities are widely available. Programs like AARP’s Create the Good help match you with roles that fit your schedule.
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About the Author
Tara McAdams
Digital Marketing Manager, Content Strategist & Creator
Tara leads content strategy at SignUp and creates a variety of resources on a wide range of topics – including lifestyle trends, parent tips, prep for holidays, volunteer management, and event planning. More about Tara →
