Time

One way to get in involved in Giving Tuesday is dedicating your time to a cause. This can mean volunteering at a food pantry, homeless shelter or any other cause that interests you and your children. Volunteering at Growing Places Indy is a great way to introduce kids to charitable work. Your family can participate in outdoor gardening activities like weeding or harvesting crops.

Devoting your time to your local animal shelter is a simple and easy way to volunteer with kids. Friends of Indianapolis Dogs Outside offers opportunities to help supply their pet food pantry, mixing food or picking up donation supplies.

Service Sparks projects offer guides to activities that you and your children can take on whenever you have time. There are a variety of options based on themes — you can focus on the environment, art or helping neighbors. This resource introduces many options for dedicating your time to giving. The variety of choices will allow you to select projects based on your child’s interests.

Money

Another way to participate in this year’s Giving Tuesday is donating money to an organization. Supporting nonprofit organizations is important because the work is mission driven and is dedicated to serving the community. Your contribution will help support those charitable goals. You can talk to your kiddos and consider a charity or organization that interests them!

Educating children on the importance of philanthropic participation and giving is an important aspect when considering donating. Learning to Give is a resource that provides materials and information geared towards children with the purpose of explaining the significance of giving.

Treasures

Donating money isn’t the only way to get involved in this year’s Giving Tuesday. Donating treasures, like toys or clothes is a significant way to make a difference for kids and families who are less fortunate than others and need the extra support. If your child has long hair and needs a trim, consider donating hair! The process is straightforward and you can start by applying online.

The GivingTuesday Spark Global Youth Challenge provides additional ways to donate treasures. This challenge includes projects, which offer you the opportunity to give in any way that suits you and your children.