Inspiring Kids to Make a Positive Impact

As dads, one of our top priorities is raising kids who are kind, responsible, and have a strong sense of community. Sure, we can teach them to throw a ball or fix a leaky tap, but the real magic happens when they learn the value of giving back. Nurturing their desire to help doesn’t just create stronger communities—it helps your family bond over something meaningful.

Plus, it turns out doing good is good for you too. According to a recent study published in Psychology Today, they "found that volunteering was associated with higher odds of excellent or very good health and flourishing in children and adolescents, and with lower odds of anxiety in adolescents and behavioural problems in children and adolescents."

Nurture Their Natural Desire to Help

You’ve seen it: that moment when your kid does something sweet, like comforting a friend, sharing a toy, or—dare we say—actually helping with the dishes. That’s empathy in action. Kids are born with a sense of kindness, and it's up to us dads to build on it. Show them that helping others isn’t just a good deed, but part of what makes them a decent human being.

When nurturing compassionate, community-minded kids, there’s no substitute for quality time and undivided attention. This means you need to make a conscious effort to unplug and be fully present when discussing volunteer work or community projects. 

Children are born with a sense of empathy, and a dad's job is to build on that desire to help so they grow into compassionate, responsible adults.

Inspire Kids to Make a Positive Impact

Want to build on your child’s natural kindness? It’s simple—praise them when they do something good. Big or small, let them know you’re proud. When they start showing interest in something bigger, like a social or global issue, give them the tools to think about how they can help. Ask, "How could we make a difference?" This shows them that their thoughts matter and empowers them to find ways to take action.

Get Involved with Community

When kids get involved in the community, they develop empathy, responsibility, and—let’s be honest—some serious social skills. Here’s how to get your kids started:

• Join a clean-up event

• Volunteer at a local food bank, nursing home, or animal shelter

• Organise a fundraiser for a cause they care about

• Mentor younger kids in school or sports 

• Help your elderly neighbours with yard work or other errands

Let your kid pick what they’re passionate about. Help them research local charities and events, and let them get involved. The best way to teach them about giving back is to make it something they actually care about.

Teaching your kids to give back isn’t just about making them feel good—it’s about raising responsible humans who can change the world (or at least their corner of it). So, get involved, lead by example, and watch them become the kind of people who’d hold the door open for others—and maybe even for you, one day.

DADDING IN ACTION

The next time your child expresses worry or sadness about a problem, sit down with them and create a list of small actions they could do to help.

RESOURCES:

Volunteering Australia is a website dedicated to helping volunteers access programs where they can make a meaningful impact. 

Backyard Buddies believes that change starts in the backyard and provides simple tips on transforming your yard into a safe and inviting habitat. Inside, you will find plenty of projects for you and your kids to get your hands dirty while reconnecting with nature.