Kids & Company Blog

Meaningful Ways to Teach Children about Giving Back During the Holidays

The holiday season is filled with excitement, celebration, and family traditions, but it’s also a wonderful opportunity to nurture kindness, empathy, and generosity in young children. Giving back helps little ones discover causes they care about, understand the importance of inclusion, and learn that even small actions can make a big difference. It’s also a great way to build early financial literacy skills as they learn about budgeting, saving, and donating. 

If you’re looking to introduce your child to the spirit of giving this season, here are a few simple, meaningful activities you can try as a family: 

1. Create Cards for Seniors

Help your child make or decorate a card for a local senior. Bright colours, stickers, and a simple message can spark joy, while helping children understand compassion within their own community. 

2. Donate Books to a Little Library 

At the front of every Kids & Company centre, you’ll find our own Lending Library—an easy place for your child to share books they’ve outgrown. Encourage them to choose a few gently used favourites to drop off during pick-up or drop-off. 

You can also turn this into a fun community activity by exploring your neighbourhood together to see if there are any Little Community Libraries nearby. Bring along a few books to donate and make it an outdoor adventure! This simple act teaches children about sharing, generosity, and giving items a second life. 

3. Shop Together for a Food Drive

A simple trip to the grocery store can become a meaningful lesson in kindness. Invite your child to help choose non-perishable items to donate to your local food bank. Let them pick out foods they enjoy or recognize, this helps them feel connected to the experience and builds their understanding of why giving matters. Talk together about how these items will support other families in the community, and celebrate the impact you're making as a team. 

During the holiday season, many Kids & Company centres also have holiday food drive or toy drive boxes set up, which can make donating even easier during your daily drop-off or pick-up routine. 

 

4. Support a Cause Your Child Cares About

Talk to your child about the causes they feel drawn to, whether it’s helping animals, supporting other families, or protecting the environment. Once you’ve chosen a cause or charity together, collect loose coins or set aside a small jar for donations. This not only supports a meaningful cause but also encourages early money-management skills. 

Building Holiday Traditions Around Kindness! 

By weaving acts of giving into your holiday traditions, you’re helping your child develop compassion, confidence, and an understanding of their ability to create positive change. These small gestures can leave a lasting impact, on both your child and the community. 

 

Posted on: Friday December 5th, 2025

Posted by: Kids & Company