Research on the Benefits of Volunteering for Kids and Teens

Can helping others also help your child feel healthier, happier, and more confident? According to this large U.S. study of more than 51,000 children and teens ages 6 to 17, the answer may be yes.

Researchers wanted to understand whether volunteering was connected to well-being and found that young people who volunteered were more likely to be in excellent or very good health.

They were also more likely to be flourishing, meaning they were thriving in their daily lives. The benefits extended to mental and behavioral health as well.

Teens who volunteered had lower levels of anxiety, and both children and teens showed fewer behavioral problems than those who did not volunteer.

These findings suggest that everyday acts of helping others, such as assisting with household chores, supporting classmates, or participating in community activities, may contribute to a child’s emotional development.

Understanding the Research

To better understand the benefits of volunteering, researchers used information from the 2019–2020 National Survey of Children’s Health. This was a large survey conducted across the United States.

The study included responses from parents of 51, 895 young people ages 6 to 17. This included over 22,000 children ages 6–11 and nearly 30,000 teens ages 12–17.

Parents were asked whether their child had taken part in community service or volunteer work during the past 12 months. Examples were helping in school, church, or community activities.

The researchers then examined whether volunteering was related to five important areas of well-being:

• Health
• Emotional growth
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Behavior

They also considered other factors that might affect the results, such as the child’s age, family income, religious involvement, and whether they lived in an urban area.

Note that because the study examined information from a single point in time, it can only show a connection — not prove that volunteering directly led to the positive outcomes.

Practical Strategies for Parents and Caregivers

There’s no limit to the opportunities children have to show kindness and help others. Volunteering does not always need to be something big. Moreover, it creates a ripple effect by inspiring others to do the same!

If you are looking for simple ways to get started, here are a few ideas I suggest for families and caregivers:

Let them explore a cause they care about

Children are more excited to help when the cause feels meaningful to them. Invite your child to choose something they care about. It could be helping animals, caring for the environment, or bringing comfort to older adults in the community.

For example, a child who loves animals may enjoy helping collect pet food donations, while a teen who enjoys nature might want to join a community clean-up activity.

Make it a family activity

Volunteering can become a wonderful family tradition. Doing it as a family not only strengthens connections but also helps children feel included in giving back.

Some volunteer projects you can do together include preparing care packages for families in need, planting trees in the community, or joining a neighborhood clean-up.

Turn it into a fun challenge

Sometimes volunteering can also be a great way to encourage children to step outside their comfort zone. A way to do this is by turning it into a fun challenge and inviting them to try an activity they have never done before.

The good thing about this is that it helps children discover new strengths. They may realize they are capable of making a difference in ways they may not have expected.

Let’s say your child is usually shy in group settings. They might try helping at a school event by handing out materials. A child who has never worked outdoors might enjoy joining a neighborhood clean-up or planting trees.

According to the authors, future research could show whether volunteering should be encouraged as part of public health programs for young people.

Want to continue building kindness, empathy, and positive life skills at home? Try our Character Education Worksheets for kids and teens.