3 Christmas Community Service Projects for Kids

Community service projects are a great way for kids to get involved in the churches, communities and even the world. Christmas community service projects help kids learn the joy of giving to others. Just because kids are young doesn't mean that they can't have an impact on the world around them. Here are some simple, fun Christmas community service projects that any group of kids can do.

Easy Community Service Projects for Kids #1
Participate in an established project like Shoeboxes for Kids or The Giving Tree

The best part of the participating in a project like Shoeboxes for Kids or The Giving Tree is that most of the legwork and planning has already been done for you. These projects are usually done around Christmas time and are simple enough that any kid's group could participate.

With Shoeboxes for Kids, simply figure out how many shoeboxes your class will fill. Once you decide that, talk to the kids about what the project is and who will be receiving the shoeboxes. Have the kids bring in small items that they can fill the shoeboxes with - small toys, books, toothbrushes, etc. Give them several Sundays to bring items in and slowly watch the shoeboxes fill up.

The Giving Tree works in a similar way, except that you are usually buying a gift for one child instead. Have your kids bring in change every Sunday to raise funds to buy gifts for a child from The Giving Tree. Tell them you or the church will match the funds they raise. On a selected date, take the kids with you to Wal-Mart and purchase the gifts with the money you've raised. If you have a large class, have them select a gift from a toy or gift catalog instead, then purchase the gift yourself and have them help you wrap it.

Easy Community Service Projects for Kids #2
Visit seniors at Christmas

Christmastime can be lonely for many seniors who live in nursing homes or assisted living residences. Arrange to have your kids visit a nursing home or senior center sometime before Christmas. Have the kids bake cookies ahead of time to hand out to the seniors. You can also have them make Christmas cards for the seniors or even have them decorate the doors of each senior. You'll need to check with the nursing home ahead of time to see what is and isn't allowed.

Easy Community Service Projects for Kids #3
Plan a food drive for needy families

Have your kid's class plan a canned food drive in the late fall and donate the food collected to your churches food closet or to a local food bank. Decorate a large box and place it somewhere in your classroom where it can easily be seen. Explain that they can bring non-perishable food items each week and that you will be donating them to needy family's right before Christmas. You can even get the entire church involved by having the kids give a small presentation about their project during the service. Adults are usually more receptive to giving something if a kid asks them to.

There are many simple Christmas community service projects that your Sunday School class can participate in, but hopefully these ideas helped to spark the thinking process. You can also have kids vote on which community service project they'd like to participate in so that feel more ownership over it.