Children, with their boundless enthusiasm and energy, make fantastic volunteers. Discover the benefits of encouraging your children to make a difference by getting involved in voluntary projects designed especially for kids

Anyone who has had to put up with their children moping around the house and moaning about how bored they are can appreciate how frustrating it is. No surprise then that more and more parents are encouraging their children to volunteer.

Volunteering for kids isn't just about giving them something to do in the long holidays. By giving up time to engage in community-minded projects, kids can gain vital skills in working with other people, and experience first-hand the active role we all play in creating a healthy society.

How to sell it to them
The parenting guide Laying Down The Law by Ruth Peters recommends the softly-softly approach. Start small, perhaps by organising a garage sale and giving the proceeds to charity, or looking for a one-day project they can do.

Talk to them about what they could do and emphasise benefits such as meeting new friends, having fun and the shared exhilaration that comes from working towards a common goal. Make sure you come to an agreement about how much time they can spare - perhaps just a one-day project, a holiday, evenings or a weekend scheme.

The trick is to find something they're interested in. If they're lucky, they may even find their future career. Jess Sutton got involved in local hospital radio when she was 16 and is now embarking on a journalism degree course. 17-year-old Helen Leach volunteered as a peer mediator for the volunteer organisation Bully-Free Zone at her local school when she was fifteen and found it influenced her future career. 'The whole experience improved my confidence and taught me how to talk to people and control situations' says Helen. 'As a direct result I am now planning a career in youth work, as a counsellor or mediator.'

Give them an inch...
Anyone who doubts that children can make an active contribution should check out the Free the Children website. This inspiring Canadian organisation is run for and by children, and was founded by a 12-year-old boy when he first heard a story about child slave labour.

The fact is that young people can and do make a difference in the world. And by harnessing their interest at such a young age, you too could be making a positive contribution to society.

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Volunteering for kids