Raising Generous Kids: 5 Summer Activities that Encourage Selflessness
Summer is a time for sunshine, swimming pools, and ice cream—it’s also a perfect opportunity to nurture your child’s heart. While school may take a break, character-building never stops, and generosity is one of the most rewarding virtues we can help instill in our kids.
Here are five meaningful (and fun!) summer activities to help children learn the joy of giving and caring for others.
1. Host a Lemonade Stand for a Cause
A classic summer activity becomes even more powerful when it’s tied to a mission. Help your kids set up a lemonade or popsicle stand and choose a charity or community need to support. Whether it’s donating to a local ministry or raising money for a friend in need, they’ll experience firsthand how their efforts can make a difference.
Conversation prompt:
“Who do you think would be encouraged through this project? How does it feel to use your time and talents to help someone else?”
2. Make and Deliver Care Packages
Create small care packages with your kids to deliver to neighbors, seniors, or people in need. Items could include snacks, handwritten notes, sidewalk chalk for neighborhood children, or even hygiene essentials for a local shelter.
This simple act of kindness teaches kids to think beyond themselves—and to recognize needs in their community.
3. Volunteer Together as a Family
Look for age-appropriate opportunities to serve in your community—whether it’s sorting donations at a food pantry, walking dogs at an animal rescue, or helping with yard work for a neighbor. Let your kids take part in choosing the project so they feel ownership.
Bonus: Talk about why serving others matters and how it reflects God’s love and your family’s values.
4. Start a “Give Jar” or Generosity Challenge
Just like many families use “save, spend, give” jars, summer is a great time to emphasize the give category. Encourage your child to set a goal for how much they’d like to give away by the end of summer—from allowance, birthday money, or earned income.
Make it visual—track it on a chart, decorate the jar, or take a photo when they give. Celebrate not just the amount but the heart behind it.
5. Create Encouraging Notes for Community Helpers
Gather some cardstock and markers, and have your kids write thank-you notes or draw pictures for mail carriers, sanitation workers, teachers, first responders, or ministry leaders. A simple “thank you” can go a long way in brightening someone’s day.
Encouraging children to appreciate and uplift others cultivates both empathy and humility.
Final Thought:
Raising generous kids doesn’t require elaborate plans—it starts with simple, intentional moments. As you enjoy the slower pace of summer, look for small ways to turn everyday activities into opportunities for your children to love others well. Over time, these moments build a lasting foundation of compassion, gratitude, and selflessness.
Looking for more ideas to help develop wisdom and generosity in your children? Click here to explore Finances for Kids, where we provide resources to equip you as you help your children build a strong financial foundation.