In the thriving communities of Chicago, a quiet revolution is occurring—more families are beginning to rediscover family volunteering. I clearly remember the day my children first volunteered at a local food pantry, and they were able to sort through innumerable donations of food.
I could see a look in their eyes of intent focus that I have never seen from a day full of play dates or fun at the park. This certainly was not just another activity; it was the first time that my children were able to create true change.
Why Volunteer as a Family?
In general, children want to help. When parents redirect that desire into structured volunteering, children build empathy skills and see that helping others can validate that hope. Volunteering defines children’s sense of kindness in ACTION.
When my daughter, 8-year-old Zoe from Lincoln Park, worked at a shelter serving food and prepping meals, she understood hunger in a way that neither of us could have imagined in a class.
Benefits for Chicago Families
Beyond the warm fuzzies, Chicago families who volunteer at nonprofits together report stronger bonds and more meaningful conversations. The city’s diverse communities offer unique learning experiences you won’t find in textbooks. Taking the Brown Line to different neighborhoods for service projects teaches kids Chicago geography while breaking down invisible barriers between communities.
Animal Care & Shelter Opportunities
PAWS Chicago Junior Volunteer Program
PAWS Chicago offers opportunities for kids as young as 6 (with parents) in their popular Junior Volunteer Program! Kids participate in monthly sessions where they learn to construct enrichment toys for shelter animals and may even get to spend supervised socialization time with animals ready for adoption!
“My daughter talked about making cat toys for weeks afterward,” says Ravenswood parent, Miguel Santos, “She’s learning that even little things can matter to animals who are waiting for homes.”
Anti-Cruelty Society Family Days
For families with slightly older kids (10+), the Anti-Cruelty Society has monthly Family Volunteer Days. You and your family come in as a group to help the shelter with daily duties such as cleaning, laundry, and organizing.
The entire process is three hours long and is fun! These days also include educational workshops about animal care and animal welfare issues!
“We’ve seen kids who were afraid of animals come in and volunteer and then leave as animal advocates after just one session,” says the family day coordinator. “They go home and tell their friends how to responsibly be a pet owner, and we see a difference!”
Hunger Relief Initiatives
Chicago’s extensive food security network offers some of the most accessible options for young volunteers. The Greater Chicago Food Depository hosts special Kids Days where children as young as preschool age can help sort donations and pack meals. What makes this program special is their age-appropriate education about food insecurity, complex issues explained through interactive activities rather than lectures.
Nearby, Lakeview Pantry turns weekend grocery packing into family-friendly events for kids 8 and older. Their meal kit assembly competitions add a playful element while accomplishing serious work. When families race to prepare the most balanced meal kits, everyone wins—especially the pantry’s clients.
Environmental Stewardship
Friends of the Parks Family Corps
Chicago’s spectacular park system needs regular TLC, and the Friends of the Parks Family Corps makes it easy for even kindergarteners to pitch in. Their monthly events include tree planting, playground maintenance, and nature preserve cleanup. I’ll never forget watching my son’s pride when we revisited “his tree” at Humboldt Park months after planting it.
These events cleverly mix work with play through nature scavenger hunts that accomplish cleanup goals while keeping young volunteers engaged.
Shedd Aquarium Junior Science Scouts
The Shedd Aquarium has a long-standing commitment to the environment, sustaining its mission through the Junior Science Scouts program. Families with children 7+ attend beach cleanups along Lake Michigan, where they learn about aquatic ecosystems. Children collect information about the types of pollution that are found at the beach, which contributes to real scientific research, as well as safeguarding wildlife.
Creative Community Support
For kids who are interested in art, Project Sunshine runs craft workshops that allow kids to help brighten the days of hospitalized children, as well as isolated seniors. These drop-in workshops, which are open to kids of all ages, provide opportunities to decorate toys, make cards, or pack care packages.
The literacy organization Open Books provides a unique opportunity for older children (10-17) to read books to younger children during storytime events.
This peer-to-peer model of reading helps the older children build their reading confidence, while younger children benefit from hearing stories read aloud and the community connection.
Seasonal Opportunities
Chicago’s seasons bring special volunteer needs. Winter coat sorting parties with the Chicago Parks District help ensure no child goes cold while creating a festive atmosphere with hot cocoa for volunteers. Summer brings neighborhood decoration teams for Fourth of July parades—perfect for families seeking one-time commitments.
Tips for Safety and Engagement
Matching the activity to your child’s development stage is where the success lies. Five-year-old volunteers can do a little sorting and simple duties, while teenagers can handle responsibilities more independently! Regardless the age, keeping the excitement alive through a balance between service & reflection, and celebration, is important.
Many families develop special traditions around volunteering, such as stopping for ice cream afterward or keeping a joint journal. Nine-year-old volunteer Jayden shares his story: “I like writing down how many people we helped each time, it is like my superhero scorecard.”
Getting Started Checklist
Start your family volunteering journey by:
- Contacting organizations about their family orientation sessions
- Preparing kids with age-appropriate explanations of what to expect
- Creating a volunteer photo journal to document your impact over time
Chicago’s vibrant volunteer community welcomes helping hands of all sizes. As my neighbor’s daughter wisely said after her first cleanup event: “Grown-ups don’t own the city—kids need to help take care of it too.” With these opportunities, they absolutely can.
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