Christmas charity activities for kids

[Calmestofallthechickens]

My kids are early primary age, and I’d like to do something with them over the Christmas period to give to charity. They’re a bit young for helping at food banks, and they don’t really have much of a concept of money so I’d ideally like something more tangible for them than us just donating money.

I’d ideally like something they can make a bit of a tradition of - we are normally pretty good with avoiding excessive consumption, buying second hand etc, but it all goes out of the window at Christmas (I’ve made my peace with this as their grandparents love to spoil them, and they love it) so I feel like we need to also give a bit of perspective about how lucky they are.

When I was a kid we did the Shoebox appeal (assembling a shoebox of gifts for a child) which was really lovely at the time, but turned out to have evangelical undertones, and we are not religious. If anyone has found any schemes that are good for kids to join in with them, I’d be grateful to hear about them.

There's various appeals for toys at Christmas, through radio stations, police, shops etc. Dunelm has started there's already (where you buy fir a specific person)

The last shoebox appeal I did was for homeless people in the city, so look around for a non-religious (maybe local) one.

Toys is a good idea. Your children could look through their own toys to see what they dont play with any more that are suitable for donation (aka a pre Christmas clear out) to a hospital/ play scheme etc.

Lots of the local charities round here organise gifts for children - they have trees up in shopping centres with tags on which say things like "5 year old boy, loves doll and dinosaurs" and you take one (or as many as your) and buy and wrap the gift. Similar shoe box appeals that aren't churchy.

Maybe I’m a bit early to the party, but the only one publicised that I’ve seen so far was for winter coats! I’ll take a look at Dunelm 👍🏻

No, youre not early. These schemes usually ask for donations in November up to early December, so this is the right time to start preparing.

Do your children believe in Santa? If so then giving toys to children might have them questioning.

I believe the Salvation Army do a toy scheme to get a present to child who would not otherwise get one.

Dunelm gift tree. Where I live there is a charity that does boxes for homeless and the elderly and women in shelters. I volunteer for a cat rescue and they are asking for shoe boxes for the cats…treats,toys, blankets etc

They do believe in Santa but Santa in our house is quite restrained, big presents come from their parents / grandparents, so I don’t think the concept of ‘some kids get less’ will let the cat out of the bag.

You need to teach your children about giving to charity throughout the year. Encourage them to choose a small item of food for the food bank when you are in the supermarket

Lots of churches have toy services where you take a new unwrapped toy which is donated to an organisation which gives them out to children in need.

We usually do a food bank Christmas shop at some point where we take an extra wheeled basket alongside our trolley and kids fill it with Christmas treats / food requested by food bank.

You could see if there’s any domestic abuse charities in your area - I’m sure the would
be grateful for some extra gifts.

weve done a few things over the years-

delivered food or bedding to local pet charities (Guinea pig/rabbit rescue, hedgehog rescue and cats protection shelter)

dunelm gift tree thing- 7 yo was very sad to see someone wanted a blanket as he can’t imagine having nothing to keep you warm and asking for that for Xmas. So it was good to open their eyes to how other people are not as fortunate.

shoe box appeal. I don’t mind that the one we support puts in a leaflet about Christianity. After all it’s Christmas you’re celebrating so why complain about Christ in amongst that? The people don’t need to attend services or accept Jesus as their saviour to get their box. They just get a leaflet with it.

donations to the food bank chosen by the children.

we also do talk about charity and support some on a regular basis. But my children are adults and teens now so this has been over many years. Grandkids now involved also.

One thing you can do is go through their existing toys now and donate them to a charity shop so that those less fortunate can then buy them for Christmas. Or, if they have any bigger plastic or wooden toys that you’re looking to get rid of, the local children’s hospice, hospital ward or HV might appreciate them.
Whilst they are too young to help at a food bank, they can choose some items in the supermarket now and over the coming weeks to donate to the food bank so that they can get to recipients in time for Christmas

We go to the supermarket and they have £5 each to spend on food that they put in the food bank collection which is on the way out of the shop once you’re past the tills.

If you’re thinking of supporting a food bank please consider doing something like a reverse advent calendar or a special food bank shop. Many food banks use the Bank the Food app to keep people updated on what they’re currently short of. And if it’s Christmas items you would like to buy, please deliver them in plenty of time before Christmas so they can be distributed.

Appreciate your kids are a bit too young anyway - but just for future reference, and for anyone reading this. Whilst the sentiment may be well meaning - expecting food banks to accommodate your children as volunteers at Christmas is unrealistic. Firstly children need supervising, volunteers need training, shifts at food banks are planned meticulously (especially at Christmas) and often regular volunteers have to give way to accommodate one offs (rarely do they see this as “day off” but a break in their routine and missed opportunity to see their team). TBH the amount of parents who have asked me and members of my team if they can “send my kid to you during the school holidays so they can learn how privileged they are” has gotten ridiculous; hugely lacking in appreciation of how food banks operate and bordering on poverty voyeurism. It’s not our job to teach your kids and it is more of a hindrance than a help to accommodate them.

Sorry - rant over. It’s always worthwhile getting in touch with your local food bank and simply asking “how can we help?”.

We did:

donated DD's old toddler books to a women's refuge
added 2 items for the foodbank when shopping throughout the year
pyjama appeal for a children hospital
toy appeal from our local shopping center. I normally got an age around DD's age so she felt she could look for something she loves
toy appeal from the church where her Scout group is based

I think Benson for Beds also has a scheme they run in connection with Magic Radio, at least in the last couple of years.

Thankyou for all the suggestions! I think they’d really enjoy doing the Dunelm gift tree.

I work in a sector where there’s a fair amount of ‘well meaning but ultimately not that helpful’ help, so I am keen to avoid being that person, while also balancing that with doing something that speaks to kids and makes them feel positive about giving to charity.

Definitely take on board the points about food banks etc - our local one says the most useful thing is cash, because it helps them ‘plug the gaps’ in what they have donated vs what people actually need.

Do you have a neighbour or two who are on their own, and might appreciate an invite round to yours for tea and a mince pie? Little ones could do table decorations, and provide the entertainment!
Possible take some dog/cat toys and food to your local animal sanctuary? Mine accepts donations all year round, and they do have an Amazon wish list advising what they need.

What about making some Christmas cards or decorations to take to a care home where some of the residents have no friends or family?