When school lets out (and the Florida heat sets in), many families start to look for ways to keep their kids active, off screens, and meaningfully engaged. While summer is definitely a time for fun and freedom, it can also be the perfect occasion to help kids learn how to give back.
This summer, we’re spotlighting simple, kid-friendly activities in the Orlando area that don’t just fill time—they fill hearts. Each idea offers a hands-on way for kids to give back, stay busy, and support missions like Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida®, which brings life-changing joy to children with critical illnesses.
Let’s dive into a list of creative ways your family can make a real impact this summer—starting right in your own backyard.
1. Start a Summer “Kindness Challenge”
Looking for a fun way to keep your kids active while encouraging empathy and generosity? Try creating a Summer Kindness Challenge—a simple checklist of good deeds your child can complete throughout their summer break.
You can include small, thoughtful acts like:
- Writing a cheerful note to a neighbor
- Donating gently used toys or books
- Baking cookies for local first responders
- Leaving kind messages with sidewalk chalk
- Sending cards to Wish Kids or children in the hospital
Not only is this a great way to instill compassion and creativity, but it also helps kids understand how their everyday actions can brighten someone else’s day. You can even add a charitable twist—have your child ask friends and family to “sponsor” their kindness challenge by donating a few dollars to Make-A-Wish once the checklist is complete.
It’s a heartwarming way to build a summer full of purpose, one small act at a time.
2. Clean Up Your Community
One of the simplest—and most impactful—ways kids can give back is by caring for the spaces they use every day. A summer clean-up day at a local park, trail, or neighborhood street is a great hands-on activity that teaches responsibility, environmental awareness, and community pride.
Grab some gloves, trash bags, and sunscreen, then set out on a mission to beautify your surroundings. You can even make it a friendly competition: who can collect the most litter in 30 minutes?
If you’re part of a scout troop, church group, or neighborhood club, consider organizing a larger clean-up day as a community project. It’s easy, free, and makes a visible difference.
3. Host a Lemonade Stand
Few things say “summer” quite like a classic lemonade stand—but this timeless activity can also be a powerful way for kids to give back.
Encourage your child to set up a stand in your neighborhood, park, or even during a local event. While they’re squeezing lemons and serving smiles, they can also raise awareness for a cause close to their heart.
Some families choose to donate a portion of the proceeds to Make-A-Wish, while others participate in national campaigns like Alex’s Lemonade Stand, which supports childhood cancer research. Either option is a natural fit for families who want to support children facing critical illnesses.
4. Read To Shelter Pets
If your child loves animals and storytime, here’s a summer activity that blends compassion, confidence-building, and community service.
The Book Buddies Reading Program at Orange County Animal Services invites kids to read aloud to adoptable cats and dogs at the shelter. Not only does it help young readers practice their skills in a low-pressure environment, but it also soothes shelter animals with the sound of a calm, friendly voice.
It’s a win-win: kids gain confidence while making a real difference for animals waiting for their forever homes. It’s a beautiful reminder that even quiet acts of kindness can have a big impact.
To participate, parents must register through Orange County Animal Services. Spots fill up quickly in summer, so plan ahead!
5. Feed Your Community
One of the most direct ways kids can give back is by helping feed neighbors in need. Volunteering at a local soup kitchen, food pantry, or with an organization like Meals on Wheels can be an incredibly meaningful experience—especially when done as a family.
Depending on your child’s age, they may be able to help prepare food, sort donations, assemble meal kits, or serve drinks and snacks. Even younger kids can help by creating encouraging notes or decorating paper lunch bags to lift someone’s spirits.
These acts of service don’t just support individuals experiencing food insecurity—they teach kids empathy, gratitude, and the joy of making a tangible difference in someone else’s life.
6. Share Their Love of Reading
If you have a book-loving teen at home, encourage them to spend part of their summer giving back through the Teen Volunteer League at the Orange County Library System.
This program gives teens the opportunity to help with summer reading events, assist younger children during library activities, and support day-to-day library operations. It’s a great way for them to earn volunteer hours, build confidence, and make new friends—all while giving back to the community.
Encourage your teen to apply early, as spots often fill up quickly. With locations throughout the Orlando area, there are plenty of ways to get involved.
7. Give Back On Your Birthday
Birthdays are a time for celebration—but they can also be a chance to make a meaningful impact. If your child has a summer birthday (and already has everything they need), consider incorporating a small act of giving into the festivities.
They don’t have to give up presents entirely (because let’s be honest—what kid wants to do that?), but you can gently introduce the idea of asking guests to donate to a favorite charity alongside bringing a gift. You might even create a themed party around generosity, like a “Party With a Purpose,” where part of the fun is choosing how to help others.
Older kids or teens might be more open to replacing gifts with donations, especially if they’ve been impacted by a cause like Make-A-Wish. And even younger children can feel proud knowing they used their big day to help another child feel joy and hope.
8. Give Kids the World
Located just outside of Orlando, Give Kids the World Village is a whimsical resort that provides weeklong, cost-free vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families—many of whom benefit from Make-A-Wish.
For families with older kids or teens, volunteering at the Village can be a fun, eye-opening way to give back together. Volunteers help with everything from serving meals to assisting with themed parties, rides, and activities—all designed to create joy, laughter, and lasting memories.
It’s a magical place built entirely around kindness, and every volunteer plays a part in making that magic possible.
If your family is looking for a summer activity that’s hands-on, joyful, and directly supports the mission of Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida®, this is an incredible place to start.
9. Assemble “Care Kits”
Not all giving has to be big or complicated—sometimes, it’s the smallest gestures that make the biggest impact. Assembling care kits is a meaningful way for kids to support other children who are facing tough times.
Your child can help pack kits filled with small, comforting items like:
- Coloring books and crayons
- Travel-size toiletries
- Cozy socks or blankets
- Stress toys or fidget items
- Handwritten notes or drawings of encouragement
It’s also a wonderful way to start a conversation about empathy, reminding your child that they have the power to brighten someone’s day—even from afar. Once assembled, these kits can be donated to your local children’s hospital or a nearby Ronald McDonald House, where they’ll bring comfort to families in the midst of medical treatment.
10. Support Make-A-Wish
If your child is inspired by the mission of Make-A-Wish, there’s a program designed just for them. Kids For Wish Kids® is an initiative that empowers children and teens to raise funds and awareness for Make-A-Wish in creative, kid-driven ways.
While the program is often promoted through schools, it’s just as easy to adapt during the summer months. Think:
- Hosting a mini talent show in the neighborhood
- Organizing a craft sale at your local community center
- Partnering with a summer camp or youth group to plan a “dress down” day or lemonade fundraiser
- Running a simple donation drive during a family reunion, birthday party, or vacation Bible school
These projects not only give children a sense of purpose, they also show them the power of their own ideas and efforts. Supporting Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida® through Kids for Wish Kids teaches empathy, leadership, and the impact of giving back—all while helping to grant life-changing wishes for local children facing critical illnesses.
Spread Sunshine This Summer
Summer is the perfect time to remind kids that they don’t have to wait until they’re grown up to make a difference. Whether it’s picking up trash, donating birthday gifts, or starting a neighborhood fundraiser, these small acts of kindness plant powerful seeds of empathy, leadership, and community spirit.
At Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida®, we believe every child has the power to bring joy to others—and that includes helping grant life-changing wishes to kids facing critical illnesses.
If your family is looking for more ways to get involved this summer, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you donate, volunteer, or support a child-led fundraiser, you’ll be helping us create unforgettable moments of hope, strength, and joy for children who need it most.
Learn more about how to get involved with Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida today. Together, we can make wishes come true.
