15 Community Service Projects Perfect for Kids and Cub Scouts

You can make a BIG difference in the world, no matter your age!

And while there are definitely service projects that await you in Scouts BSA, if you’re a Cub Scout or just a kid in elementary school who really wants to do great work for the community, we’ve got your back.

That’s why we put together this list of 15 service project ideas for kids like you!

Make sure to talk to your parents about how to safely accomplish these projects.

Here’s How Kids Like You Can Help Change the World

1. Pick up litter at a park. This is twice as cool if it’s a park you already enjoy. That way, you can give back to a place that gives you so much!
2. Put together a book drive for a local children’s shelter. Help kids like you have access to books you love.
3. Write thank you notes to local fire and police stations. You can thank them for keeping your city safe!
4. Plant trees or wildflowers. For this one, make sure you work with an adult to get your town’s OK to plant anything on public grounds.
5. Perform magic tricks at a retirement center. You can show off sleight of hand like this surefire card trick.
6. Collect old eyeglasses and donate them to an organization that recycles them. You can help make sure people who really need glasses can afford them.
7. Write letters to servicemen and women thanking them for their service. You’ll brighten their days and show your gratitude.
8. Collect nonperishable food items. You can participate in a drive like Scouting for Food.
9. Collect items like old towels, blankets and unopened pet food to donate to animal shelters. The kitties and pups will thank you!
10. Collect items for a time capsule. You can work with an adult or older Scout to make one.
11. Write greeting cards for a local nursing home. You can even write birthday cards and ask someone who works at the nursing home to distribute the cards on the seniors’ birthdays.
12. Spend time with seniors at a nursing home. Instead of performing for the residents, you can sit and talk with them. They have lots of great stories, and you can share your own stories, too!
13. Develop and maintain a recycling program at school. This is a great way to be a leader at school, meet new teachers and make new friends who can help you.
14. Donate clothing and toys to the needy. A lot of shelters for people in need rely on year-round donations. Work with an adult to find the right place to share the things you’ve hardly used and no longer need.
15. Write holiday cards, birthday cards, and notes for assisted living facilities, children’s hospital wards or Meals on Wheels. Some people don’t hear from anyone on holidays. You can change that. Think critically and consider holidays you don’t always think about. For instance, you can send Passover cards to a Jewish assisted-living facility. Or you can send a thank you card to a veteran who receives Meal on Wheels on Veterans’ Day.

Inspired to Volunteer?

Your next step is to talk with your parents or pack leader about what project you want to tackle!

What other great community service projects have you participated in? Is there one you haven’t done yet but would like to? Share in the comments below!