In Jacksonville, summer is all about sunshine, local adventures, and spending quality time with family—but it’s also a season full of opportunity. With school on pause and schedules more relaxed, it’s the perfect time to help kids discover the joy of giving back.
Whether it’s baking cookies for a neighbor, volunteering with a local shelter, or hosting a fundraiser for a cause they care about, small acts of kindness can make a big impact—and leave kids feeling proud, empowered, and connected to their community.
This summer, we’re spotlighting creative ways families in Jacksonville can combine fun with purpose. Each activity encourages kids to stay active, think beyond themselves, and support missions like Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida®, which brings hope and joy to children facing critical illnesses.
1. Start a Summer “Kindness Challenge”
Looking for a meaningful way to keep your kids engaged this summer? A Summer Kindness Challenge is a simple yet powerful way to help children practice empathy while having fun.
Create a list of age-appropriate, feel-good tasks your child can complete throughout the summer:
- Write a thank-you card to a teacher, coach, or healthcare worker
- Donate gently used toys or books to a local shelter
- Bake cookies for a neighbor or family friend
- Leave a kind message in sidewalk chalk
You can track the list on a poster, sticker chart, or even a notebook—and celebrate milestones along the way. Kids feel a real sense of accomplishment as they complete each act of kindness, and it opens the door to meaningful conversations about compassion and community.
For an added twist, turn the challenge into a fundraiser for a local cause like Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida®. Each completed act could be “sponsored” by friends and family to help grant wishes for kids facing critical illnesses—giving your child an even greater sense of purpose.
2. Clean Up Your Community
With Jacksonville’s beautiful parks, riverfront spaces, and miles of coastline, it’s the perfect place for a hands-on service project that gets kids outdoors and giving back. Organize a clean-up day with your family or a group of friends at a local park, trail, or beach.
Bring along gloves, trash bags, maybe even a grabber tool or two, and turn it into a fun challenge to see who can collect the most litter. Kids love having a goal to work toward, and seeing the visible difference they’ve made helps reinforce the idea that small actions can create big change.
Some great spots to consider: Riverside Park, Jacksonville Beach, or the trails at Timucuan Preserve. Just be sure to bring water and sunscreen—it is Florida, after all!
3. Host a Lemonade Stand
Few things capture the spirit of summer like a homemade lemonade stand—but why not add a twist that teaches kids about giving back? Hosting a charity lemonade stand is a classic, fun activity that also supports meaningful causes.
Your child can donate part (or all) of their earnings to a nonprofit they care about—like Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida® or Alex’s Lemonade Stand, which supports childhood cancer research. You can even decorate the stand with signs that explain who they’re raising money for and why it matters.
Bonus idea: Set up your stand during a neighborhood garage sale, farmers market, or community event like Art Walk or Riverside Arts Market for more visibility.
It’s more than just a way to stay busy on a hot day. It’s a confidence-building opportunity that teaches generosity, purpose, and community pride.
4. Read To Shelter Pets
If your child loves animals and enjoys storytime, the Pawsitive Reading Program at the Jacksonville Humane Society is a heartwarming way to give back this summer.
Kids of all ages can volunteer to read aloud to shelter dogs and cats. The sound of a soothing voice helps calm the animals, reduce their stress, and improve their chances of adoption. For children, it’s a chance to build reading skills and confidence in a no-pressure environment—while making a real difference.
Registration is required, and spots fill up quickly, so check with the Jacksonville Humane Society for availability and program dates.
5. Feed Your Community
Helping kids understand food insecurity—and giving them a way to make a difference—is one of the most impactful lessons you can offer this summer. In Jacksonville, there are several hands-on opportunities to help feed your community.
Families can volunteer with local organizations like Feeding Northeast Florida, where kids (depending on age) may assist with food prep, packing meal kits, or assembling care packages for those in need. Even younger children can help from home by decorating lunch bags, writing encouraging notes, or collecting non perishable items to donate.
Giving back through food-related volunteering shows kids that generosity doesn’t always require money—just time, heart, and a willingness to help.
6. Share Your Love of Reading
If you have a teen looking to stay involved and make a difference this summer, encourage them to check out the Teen Advisory Board (TAB) at the Jacksonville Public Library.
TAB gives teens the opportunity to volunteer, share their ideas, and help shape youth programming at their local library branch. Members assist with events, contribute to book displays, and serve as leaders among their peers—all while earning volunteer hours and strengthening their communication skills.
It’s a great way for older kids to stay connected, get creative, and serve their community in a meaningful way. And just like Make-A-Wish, it empowers young people to realize that they can play a role in making the world a better place right now.
7. Give Back On Your Birthday
If your child has a summer birthday (and already has more than enough toys!), encourage them to include a small giving component in their celebration. This could be as simple as asking guests to bring a canned good or toy for a local shelter, or including a note that suggests optional donations to a charity like Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida®.
It doesn’t have to replace presents altogether—especially for younger kids—but adding a layer of purpose to their party can make it feel even more meaningful. Older children and teens may feel proud knowing their birthday helped someone else smile too.
After all, joy is meant to be shared—and teaching kids that their special day can also be someone else’s bright spot is a gift that lasts far beyond the party.
8. Plant a Garden
This summer, help your child start a small vegetable, herb, or flower garden in your backyard or even in pots on the porch. As the plants grow, talk with them about ways to share the harvest, such as bringing a bouquet to an elderly neighbor or dropping off some herbs to a friend.
In Jacksonville’s warm climate, crops like tomatoes, peppers, basil, and sunflowers tend to thrive. Let your child choose what to plant—it gives them ownership and pride in the project.
This simple act teaches kids about sustainability, generosity, and the joy of giving. And just like a wish granted through Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida®, it proves that small beginnings can grow into something truly beautiful.
9. Assemble “Care Kits”
One small way your child can brighten someone’s day is by assembling care kits for kids who are in the hospital undergoing medical treatment. These simple, thoughtful packages can bring comfort, distraction, and a little joy during a tough time.
Care kits might include items like:
- Coloring books and crayons
- Fidget toys or stuffed animals
- Cozy socks or soft blankets
- Travel-sized toiletries
- Uplifting notes or handmade cards
Your family can assemble one or several, and then donate them to a nearby children’s hospital or the Ronald McDonald House, which supports families traveling for pediatric care.
It’s a great summer project for kids of any age and provides a chance to talk about kindness, empathy, and how even small gestures can make a big impact.
10. Support Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida®
If your child is feeling inspired to help other kids, summer is a great time to support the mission of Make-A-Wish—especially through the Kids For Wish Kids® program.
This initiative encourages children and teens to take the lead in planning fundraisers that help grant wishes for kids facing critical illnesses. While the program is often school-based, it can easily be adapted for summer activities like:
- Hosting a backyard talent show or art sale
- Partnering with a local church or summer camp for a donation drive
- Creating a lemonade stand or bake sale with friends
- Organizing a fun run or neighborhood scavenger hunt for charity
These projects teach kids the power of leadership, empathy, and teamwork—all while directly supporting children who are waiting for their wish.
For more ways to get involved or to start a fundraiser, visit the Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida website and explore how your family can make a real difference this summer.
Make This a Summer That Matters
From simple acts of kindness to creative fundraisers, there are so many ways for Jacksonville families to turn summer fun into something truly meaningful. These activities don’t just keep kids busy—they help shape compassionate, confident young people who understand the power of giving back.
At Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida®, we believe that every child deserves moments of joy and hope—and you can help make that happen. Whether you volunteer, donate, or start a fundraiser, your family’s support helps bring life-changing wishes to children in our local community.
Looking for more ways to get involved? Visit our website to explore volunteer opportunities, upcoming events, and ways to support Wish Kids right here in Jacksonville. Together, we can make this summer unforgettable—for your family and for the children who need us most.
