The values we pass down often outlast the money we leave behind. Teaching kids about giving doesn’t require grand gestures—it starts with the little things: sharing, saving, and thinking of others. If generosity is something you value, guiding your children or grandchildren to grow into charitable adults is one of the most rewarding gifts you can give.
Here are some fun, meaningful ways to involve your children and grandchildren in giving, instilling generosity in age-appropriate, lasting ways.
Reinforce the Importance of Giving
When it comes to instilling important values in young children, repetition is key. Throughout their lifetime, you’ll need to commit to reinforcing the importance of giving, and doing so in ways that resonate with your grandchildren or children at different life stages.
At the beginning, for example, you may want to focus on forming positive characteristics. Teach empathy and kindness, and give them ample opportunities to practice these characteristics in real life, even if it’s just with friends and family.
As they grow a little older, give them choices for making selfless decisions. You could ask them if they’d like to donate a few Christmas presents, for example, or give a portion of their allowance to the animal shelter. If you have the chance, take them to the charity’s physical location (the animal shelter, soup kitchen, riverfront clean-ups, etc.) so they can see their donations in action. Seeing and experiencing the difference will likely have a bigger long-term impact on them than simply hearing about the importance of giving.
Make Giving Fun
There’s really no better way to get your kids and grandkids engaged in the giving tradition than to gamify it. Set up family challenges and make it a competition. See who can raise the most money over a certain period of time and come up with a fun prize or incentive for the winner.
Find ways to incorporate your favorite local organizations into your family traditions. Maybe once a month, the whole family visits the animal shelter to walk the dogs and play with puppies. Or, spend a couple of hours at the food bank sorting donations, followed by a family dinner. While there could be some resistance at first, you’ll find that over time, these moments of intentional giving will become ingrained in your loved ones’ lives and eventually, they’ll learn to look forward to them.
While your children or grandchildren are young, use these opportunities to make giving a joyful and positive experience. As they age, the focus may start to shift, especially as they start to understand the need for giving and the struggles others experience. But having a solid foundation of giving already established will help them stick to a lifetime of philanthropy and generosity.
Lead by Example
As your children or grandchildren get a little older, find opportunities to get them involved in your own charitable giving strategy. If you have a donor-advised fund, charitable remainder trust, or other giving strategy, for example, pull back the curtain and give them the chance to ask questions. Encourage open dialogue, and tell them why certain organizations are close to your heart. Consider also sharing any challenges you may have faced in the past.
Children are like sponges—they soak up so much more information than most people realize. They will watch the way you lead, give, and support others, and they will strive to do the same.
Ideas for Promoting Charitable Giving for Kids
Not sure where to start? It doesn’t take much to start practicing giving with kids, even if it’s not yet with a charity or organization. In fact, you can help your younger loved ones learn how to support others without spending a single dollar.
Here are a few ideas for getting kids of all ages involved in charitable giving projects:
Saving a portion of their allowance or birthday money to donate.
Giving away toys.
Donating clothes.
Helping out neighbors with odd jobs.
Cleaning up the local parks, beaches, or other outdoor areas.
Making cards to give to people living in care homes.
As a family, you could host toy drives at birthday parties or sign up for a charity run and raise money together. When you’re instilling charitable values in your youngest family members, it doesn’t matter how much they raise or what cause they support—these lessons will stick with them for life.
Grow Your Next Generation of Charitable Givers
While giving may feel second nature to you, you’ll likely need to help your next generation of loved ones understand the importance of philanthropy. What’s great about giving is that you can start teaching kids about it at a young age, much earlier than other financial concepts like budgeting and investing. From instilling positive character traits to making giving fun, there are plenty of ways to get kids excited and involved in your family’s charitable giving strategy.
Russell D. Rivera, CFA, CFP®, is the Founder and President of Voice Wealth Management, an independent financial services firm serving professionals, entrepreneurs, and families in New York City and beyond. Focusing on helping clients make informed decisions about saving, investing, and financial planning, Russell is committed to providing a customized approach that reflects each client’s unique priorities and experiences.
This material has been prepared in collaboration with Crystal Marketing Solutions, LLC, and has been edited with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools. The information presented is based on sources believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of publication. This material is for educational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views of the author, presenter, or affiliated organizations. It should not be construed as investment, tax, legal, or other professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation before making any decisions.