19 Family-Friendly Volunteering Opportunities in Singapore for Kids and Parents

Want to teach your kids empathy? Discover a list family volunteering opportunities in Singapore, organized by cause, to help you get started!

Looking for meaningful ways to spend time together as a family? Volunteering in Singapore is a fantastic way to teach children social responsibility, empathy, and teamwork. We’ve compiled a list of family-friendly volunteering opportunities suitable for children of various ages, focusing on activities where kids and parents can work side-by-side to make a real difference in the community.

If you are looking to volunteer, use this list to get started! 

Last updated: Oct 2025

Why Volunteer as a Family in Singapore?

Volunteering is a powerful way to bond and instill lasting values. From helping the elderly to protecting animals, here are some of the most rewarding family volunteering options available.

1. Fighting Hunger and Food Waste

These opportunities are great for teaching kids about food security and the importance of not wasting food.

Food Bank Juniors Club

Source: The Food Bank

The Food Bank aims to reduce food wastage by collecting excess food from various donors and redistributing it to Family Service Centres, Senior Activity Centres, Soup kitchens, Schools with children from low-income families, and other Voluntary Welfare Organizations.

Little ones, between the ages of 5 and 12, can sign up for Food Bank Juniors Club where they will learn the importance of reducing food wastage and that the food they eat every day is not to be taken for granted by getting involved in various hands on activities, excursions as well as by helping out at the warehouse.

You can also make food donations by dropping them off at selected locations or monetary donations. If you are interested in finding out other ways that you can get involved in with your kids, you can drop them an email (juniorsclub@foodbank.sg) as well. 

The Soup Kitchen Project

Source: The Soup Kitchen Project

Since the start of The Soup Kitchen Project, it has filled the stomachs of hundreds. Every Tuesday from 5.15 pm to 7.45 pm people from all over Singapore come together to donate their time to pack and deliver vegetarian meals to lower-income people in the Jalan Besar/Lavender Street area.

You can also drop in with your little ones to lend a hand to their efforts. Check out their website for more details. 

Willing Hearts 

Willing Hearts started by distributing unsold bread to homeless people, and have today extended into many other outreach programmes to support different groups of the underprivileged.

Volunteer opportunities include assisting in packing food, cleaning and other ad hoc tasks. 

Krsna's Free Meals

Krsna's Free Meals is a soup kitchen in Singapore that provides free breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily to those in need, primarily migrant workers and low-income individuals. They rely on volunteers to prepare, pack, serve, and clean up after meals.

Volunteers should be at least 13 years old (those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult). You can register via giving.sg. 

2. Caring for the Elderly and Those in Need

Volunteering with the elderly offers a valuable chance for children to interact with different generations and practice their social skills.

Lions Befrienders

Source: Lions Befrienders

More often than not, older people may feel pushed aside and alone. Lions Befrienders is here to ensure that our elderly do not feel lonely by connecting with them, keeping them socially involved and providing them with the support they need.

One of the different ways you can volunteer is by befriending a senior, listening and conversing with them. Some of their stories may just amaze you and though it may not seem like much, you can brighten up a person’s day simply by keeping them company. While you have to be at least 18 years old to be a Volunteer Befriender, those below 18 can accompany their parents or relative. Do note that you have to be able to commit on a long term basis for weekly home visits.

TOUCH Community Services 

TOUCH Community Services serves people of all ages, races and religions to see sustainable change and transformation in their lives. They support every child, youth at-risk, family in need, caregiver, senior and person with special or wellness needs to grow, participate and contribute in the community..

Explore volunteering opportunities with TOUCH and take the first step to make a difference.

Habitat for Humanity Singapore

Habitat for Humanity Singapore offers volunteering experiences for all ages. Locally, families can participate in "Project HomeWorks," cleaning and repairing homes for vulnerable individuals and families in Singapore, creating safer living environments. Families can also take part in neighbourhood cleanups or do a fund raiser too. 

For a global perspective, consider joining a "Global Village" trip to help build homes for low-income communities in the Asia-Pacific region.

These hands-on activities foster empathy, teamwork, and a sense of making a real difference, providing meaningful ways for families and kids to contribute to a better world, both at home and abroad.

Do note that there are different age requirements for each programme. 

National Kidney Foundation

The National Kidney Foundation has been supporting the live of those with renal failure for almost 50 years. They offer various programmes and opportunities for volunteers to support their cause and beneficiaries. While not every opportunity is suitable for kids, you may wish to check the volunteering opportunities at NKF and see how you and your kids can support them. 

ItsRainingRaincoats

ItsRainingRaincoats (IRR) is a Singaporean charity dedicated to improving the lives of migrant workers by fostering integration and addressing their needs. They offer various volunteer opportunities, including assisting at their free store (inspIRRe), teaching English or Excel, participating in festive celebrations with the workers, and supporting their well-being.

Their youth wing, NextGen, empowers young volunteers to create and run projects. You can find more information on their website.

3. Championing Environmental Clean-ups

Get outdoors with your kids and teach them about sustainability and environmental responsibility.

The Green Volunteers

Source: The Green Volunteers

The Green Volunteers actively work towards environmental conservation through projects such as mangrove clean-ups and reforestation. If you and your little ones love all things nature or simply want to do your part for a greener landscape, and don’t mind getting dirty, then you can consider joining in their efforts. Do note that there is a cap on the amount of people per session.

You can stay updated on their efforts on their Facebook page and if you wish to join in their project, you can drop them a message.

Trash Hero Singapore

Source: Trash Hero Singapore

To protect our natural environment, we have to consistently keep our space clean and reduce waste, among other things. And home is not the only place where you can put that notion into practice. Trash Hero Singapore has been organizing community-based projects that remove existing waste and reduce future waste by inspiring long-term behaviour change. You can contribute towards a cleaner nation by joining in their clean-up sessions held around Singapore. 

Drop Trash Hero Singapore a message on Facebook to find out more or visit their website for more resources to educate little ones about zero trash. 

4. Supporting Children and Youth

Help other children through educational and enrichment programmes.

Make a Wish Foundation

Make-A-Wish Singapore is a children’s charity organisation that grants the wishes of children ages 3 to 18 years old with critical illnesses. They work with a pool of incredible volunteers to carefully plan a wish journey that complements a child’s medical treatment and long-term well-being. 

Check out the opportunities available to join the #WishGranter team and become part of the world’s largest wish granting charity, where you will make a difference in the lives of children with critical illnesses, their families and local communities. 

National Library Board - KidsRead

KidsRead is a nationwide program by the National Library Board (NLB) that promotes reading among children aged 4-8, especially those from low-income families.

Volunteers read to children and conduct related activities. To volunteer, you generally need to be at least 15 years old, have a good command of English, and commit for at least 6 months. Training and resources are provided.

You can find opportunities and register your interest on the NLB website.

Club Rainbow

Club Rainbow (Singapore) offers several volunteer opportunities for individuals who want to support children with chronic illnesses and their families. There are multiple volunteering opportunities, including being a volunteer tutor, camp befriender, camp committee, and more. 

5. Nationwide Humanitarian & Community Support

These large, well-known organisations provide comprehensive support across many community needs, from humanitarian aid and welfare to educational enrichment. They offer diverse roles—including seasonal event support, logistics, and hands-on community activities—making them excellent choices for families seeking flexible ways to volunteer.

Boys' Brigade Share

The Boys' Brigade Share-a-Gift (BBSG) is a national community service project organized annually by The Boys' Brigade in Singapore, and is supported by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) and Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).

You may have donated in their annual Christmas Share-a-Gift campaign, but did you know that you can also volunteer your time to help them get the gifts delivered to the beneficiaries too! Find out more about the volunteering opportunities. 

The Salvation Army 

Many of us know The Salvation Army as an organisation that collects donations, but they also offer volunteering opportunities to improve the well-being of our children, youth, elderly, families and migrant workers.

You can check out the volunteering opportunities and the requirements before signing up for you and your little ones! 

Singapore Red Cross

The Singapore Red Cross offers various opportunities for youth involvement. To get started, you can create a volunteer account within the Volunteer Portal and choose your volunteer interests, availability, and services that you would like to contribute.

Anyone aged 9 to 35 will automatically be given Youth Membership upon registering as a volunteer with the Singapore Red Cross.

Volunteering Platforms

These two government-supported platforms, backed by the SG Cares movement, serve as the central digital gateways to volunteerism and philanthropy in Singapore. They streamline the process of donating, fundraising, and finding the perfect volunteer role by connecting individuals directly with hundreds of registered non-profit organisations across all causes.

Giving.sg

Source: Giving.sg

Giving.sg is a one-stop platform where you can choose to donate, fundraise or volunteer for any of the registered non-profit organizations in Singapore. You can find hundreds of volunteer opportunities on their site and they all vary in their activity and cause, from animal welfare and environment to elderly, children and arts.

For parents who wish to bring their children along to a volunteer activity, you are encouraged to consult with the person of the activity beforehand.

Volunteer.gov.sg

Volunteer.gov.sg is a one-stop online platform in Singapore that connects individuals with various volunteering opportunities. It is managed by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY).

You will find various types of volunteering opportunities, especially events and activities by government agencies. Search for volunteer activities based on your interests, skills, and availability.

Getting Started: Tips for Your First Family Volunteer Session

1. Contact First: Always call or email the organisation before showing up. Confirm the minimum age requirements and current needs, as these can change.

2. Set Expectations: Talk to your children about the cause and what the work will involve. Explain that volunteering might be messy or tiring, but it's meaningful.

3. Dress Appropriately: For food preparation or cleaning, ensure everyone wears covered shoes, appropriate attire, and ties up long hair.

4. Keep it Positive: Focus on the good you are doing. Celebrate the small victories and make it a positive, fun experience so your family will want to volunteer again!

5. Commitment Level: Start with a one-off or flexible commitment (like a beach cleanup or single packing session) before moving to a regular weekly schedule.

As information and changes move very quickly, we encourage families to check directly with the respective organization to avoid any disappointment. If you know of other volunteering opportunities for families not listed here, do let us know and we will look into it too!