
Volunteer Opportunities for Kids Around Philadelphia
It can be tough to find local volunteer opportunities for kids, so we've compiled a list of places around Philadelphia that allow families with younger children to participate.
Volunteering at home is a wonderful solution for families who want to make a difference, though there is nothing quite like helping out in your own community.
Has your family tried any kids volunteer opportunities around Philadelphia? Share your experience below by adding a review or suggesting another favorite organization for the list!
Longwood Gardens
Sue Krawitz Tandoc: The Longwood Teen Volunteer Program provides high school students an opportunity to become part of the Longwood Team. Teens will work alongside their expert horticulture staff throughout the Gardens to gain hands-on horticulture experience and develop leadership skills.
Delaware Museum of Natural History
Sue Krawitz Tandoc: The Delaware Museum of Natural History seeks teen volunteers for their Summer Science Corps to lead hands-on science and nature activities and also assist with gallery interpretation, education programs, special events, summer camp, and more. Teens can also volunteer with the Delaware Teen Science Café Leadership Team. Activities include creating themes, preparing presenters, marketing, and building leadership skills.
Brandywine Zoo
Sue Krawitz Tandoc: The Volunteen Program at Brandywine Zoo offers teen participants the opportunity to alternate between various positions throughout the zoo including educating guests, helping in the barnyard, and being an assistant camp counselor.
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation
Sue Krawitz Tandoc: One of the most beloved non-profits in the Philly area is Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation and there are many ways for kids and families to volunteer. Families can hold their own lemonade stand or other event, attend special events, volunteer at their office or attend an ALSF event.
Habitat for Humanity
Sue Krawitz Tandoc: Habitat for Humanity provides a variety of youth volunteer opportunities for those ages 5 to 40.
Bartram's Garden
All ages (Volunteers under age 13 must be accompanied by an adult)
Sue Krawitz Tandoc: Bartram's Garden welcomes volunteers of all ages for outdoor work with their horticulture, farm, and facilities staff on seasonal tasks like weeding, planting, cleaning, pruning, and light maintenance. Dress for working outdoors, and if you have them, bring work gloves and a water bottle.
Elmwood Park Zoo
Sue Krawitz Tandoc: Elmwood Park Zoo volunteers engage with guests and share knowledge helping to create a connection with the animals. Volunteers also provide critical support to the zoo by assisting with events and helping deliver a meaningful and memorable experience for guests.
Riverbend Environmental Education Center
Sue Krawitz Tandoc: Riverbend Environmental Education Center holds regular outdoor volunteer workdays for teens. They’ll work on clearing invasive vines, planting, weeding, mulching, trail maintenance, caring for young trees in the reforestation area, and more! Older teens can join the EIT (Educators in Training) to assist with their camp program.
Philabundance
Sue Krawitz Tandoc: The mission at Philabundance is to drive hunger from communities today and to end hunger for good. Youth opportunities are available during select family volunteer events. Activities will start with a quick orientation to learn more about Philabundance and food insecurity, followed by a tour of their warehouse. Volunteers will then help sort and pack non-perishable food items for distribution to neighbors in need in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties.
Ryan's Case for Smiles
Sue Krawitz Tandoc: Ryan's Case for Smiles is an organization with the mission of helping kids with cancer and other serious illnesses feel better and heal better. They offer volunteer opportunities for families to sew unique pillowcases that are distributed to children in hospitals to bring comfort.
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Sue Krawitz Tandoc: Volunteers at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University assist visitors throughout the museum's exhibit spaces and provide critical support behind the scenes in research departments and offices.
Parkway Central Library/Free Library of Philadelphia
Sue Krawitz Tandoc: The Free Library of Philadelphia has opportunities available at both Parkway Central Library as well as all neighborhood library locations throughout the city. Volunteers help with special events; assist Philadelphia's New Americans gain familiarity with a new language by acting as an English Language Facilitator; help departments maintain their collections; provide senior citizens with one-on-one computer assistance; and help to shelve both new and returned material. Students in grades 7–12 can also volunteer at the Free Library! They have opportunities for students in the following areas: Shelving, Clerical Aide and Teen Book Critic.
Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance (MANNA)
Sue Krawitz Tandoc: MANNA uses nutrition to improve health for people with serious illnesses who need nourishment to heal. They have volunteer opportunities for ages 14+ to assist with preparing meals, chopping vegetables, cooking and baking, packaging meals, delivering meals and providing assistance at events and at community outreach functions.
National Constitution Center
Sue Krawitz Tandoc: Volunteering at the National Constitution Center allows teens and adults to immerse themselves within the community while enhancing their education about America’s constitutional history. Opportunities are available to volunteer during Museum hours such as interacting with and educating guests throughout the exhibits and galleries. Volunteers can also assist at special events and evening programs.
Cradles to Crayons
Juan L.: Cradles to Crayons is a non-profit dedicated to getting kids what they need to grow and thrive through childhood by sponsoring and organizing community and corporate drives to collect goods for kids including clothing, toys and personal care items. Their Giving Factory in East Falls, Philadelphia is one of the few places where entire families, including children as young as age 5, can volunteer side-by-side making lasting family memories as they help make a real difference in the lives of others.
Primary photo: Element5 Digital on Unsplash
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