How can kids help Habitat?

You’re never too young to learn about giving or to understand the importance of everyone having a safe, decent place to live. In communities around the world, Habitat for Humanity creates ways for younger volunteers to have fun and learn valuable life lessons at the same time. Here are some of our favorite recent examples.

In Cleveland, “The House That Habitat Kids Built” brings kids’ art to the fore. What started as a craft night for homeowners’ children, creating gifts for volunteers and sponsors, has grown into more than 200 kids raising funds for a house to be built by college students. In the hands of a kid with creativity and paint, recycled tile and wood from a Habitat ReStore become one-of-a-kind works of art—and a one-of-a-kind way to engage young people with Habitat’s mission.

In Los Angeles, where more than 800 volunteers helped revitalize a Long Beach neighborhood in an annual Build-a-Thon, kids had a tent to themselves for fundraising activities and crafts like the decoration of work aprons. Habitat Greater Los Angeles engages about 4,000 youth in projects like this one every year.

In Flat Bush, New Zealand, Habitat’s Build Challenge is in its third year. Children build Lego brick houses and are asked to include elements in their projects that speak to affordability and other things that define adequate shelter. Last year, 1,500 children participated in the event.

In Bluefield, Virginia, second-grade teacher Elizabeth Clement says her reading group was moved by a pamphlet they read about Habitat for Humanity and collected a basket filled with nonperishable food to give to new homeowners. “Out of kindness, it was what the children could do,” Clement told the Bluefield Daily Telegraph. “They really can’t volunteer to help work on the house, but this is something they can do.”