Celebrate giving back during holidays. Create a tradition of making an important charitable donation around birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, or other holidays. Talk to young children about how giving away a toy or book is an important way to celebrate a holiday.

Help neighbors and friends. Being generous to those around you can help instill empathy in children. Raking leaves or tending the garden of an elderly neighbor or baking a cake for a friend can help demonstrate how small acts of kindness can bring great happiness.

Create a family giving fund. This can start as a “family giving jar” when children are young, where they can contribute a portion of their allowance. When the jar is full the family can decide together where to donate the money. When your children are adults, this can include a fund or trust that all family members contribute to, and then discuss and vote on where to donate over family holidays.

Volunteer together. Brainstorm with your children about where they most want to contribute their time, then block out some time to volunteer as a family. Capping the experience with a celebratory pizza or ice cream can make it even more rewarding.

Find giving opportunities that align with your family's values and interests. If your child is learning to play the violin, consider donations to the local orchestra. Or if she is passionate about animals and nature, help her learn about conservation causes. Match the amount of giving, whether money or time, to your family’s resources.