Looking for a meaningful way to spend time together as a family? We rounded up some great volunteer opportunities around Austin that make giving back approachable for kids of all ages. Whether your crew wants to pack care kits, serve meals, spend time with seniors, or help out at a local animal shelter, there are plenty of ways for little helpers to get involved.
Volunteering together is a great way to teach kindness, responsibility, and community while making memories as a family along the way. Here are some of our favorite family friendly ways to give back around Austin:
Austin Allies organizes both in-person and at-home volunteer activities suitable for families. Upcoming events include food drive bag pickups, assembling birthday boxes, and community clean-ups. They also host a monthly book club for kids in grades 3–8 at BookPeople. You can find their calendar online, which shows several volunteer opportunities for the whole family.
The Food Bank welcomes youth volunteers aged 8 and up, accompanied by an adult. They offer various opportunities, including their Youth Ambassador Program, which engages children and teens in sustained efforts to combat hunger in Central Texas. To participate, you can sign up using their online registration system.
Generation Serve provides volunteer opportunities for youth aged 3–18, partnering with numerous local nonprofits. Activities range from meal preparation to crafting decorations for hospitals. They also offer teen programs like the Teen Advisory Board and Teen Service Days.
Visit the Generation Serve website, you’ll find an online activity calendar that offers different ways families can give back to the community. You can also sign up for their email list to be notified first about open volunteer spots.
Families can volunteer at Community First! Village, assisting with tasks like garden maintenance and meal distribution. Alternatively, help prepare and deliver meals through their Food Truck Ministry. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
— Meals on Wheels Central Texas
Deliver meals to homebound seniors and adults with disabilities. Children can accompany adults during deliveries, providing an opportunity to engage with and support the community. Check out this list of ways to get involved and look at this list of current needs to see if there’s a good fit for you.
Helping Animals
Volunteers aged 12 and up can assist with tasks like dog walking and kennel cleaning. Opportunities are available for both individuals and families.
Volunteers aged 14 and up can engage in direct animal care, community outreach, and more. They also offer a Community Service Restitution program for those needing to complete court-ordered service hours.
Teens aged 13 and up can volunteer in roles such as Dog Adoption Ambassadors or Cat Enrichment Volunteers, helping animals find loving homes.
Austin Beautification Projects
Participate in park clean-ups and maintenance projects suitable for families. Their biannual “It’s My Park Day” mobilizes thousands of volunteers to improve parks and green spaces across Austin.
Engage in activities like Adopt-A-Creek, street clean-ups, and the annual Keep Austin Beautiful Day each April. Their interactive volunteer map helps families find opportunities nearby.
More opportunities to volunteer in Austin:
- Learning Bridge| Learning Bridge pairs volunteer tutors with foster, adopted, and unhoused youth to help them succeed in school. Just one hour a week can make a big difference. Get more info here.
- Safe in Austin |Safe in Austin rescues and rehabilitates abused or neglected animals, giving them a loving home on their ranch. Families with kids ages 8+ can volunteer to help feed animals and care for their habitats. Get more info here.
There are so many local organizations seeking help from volunteers. If you have one in mind that isn’t on this list, drop it in the comments below!
Hungry souls is another great organization that you can volunteer with your children.
Upbring does great work in the community and is always looking for volunteer support! Upbring.org