What can my child do during charity drives beyond just donating money? 

Parenting Perspective 

Charity drives, whether organised at school, the mosque, or within the wider community, are wonderful opportunities for children to practise empathy, generosity, and service. However, many parents worry that their children come to see charity only as the act of putting coins in a box or watching adults give money. Since younger children often do not have their own money to give, they can feel disconnected or left out. The challenge is to broaden their understanding so they see that charity is about more than financial giving. Children can contribute their time, energy, and creativity, and in doing so, they experience the deeper meaning of sadaqah as a lifestyle, not just a one-off donation. 

Involve Them in the Preparation 

Most charity drives involve a great deal of practical work like sorting, packing, and organising. Children can play a vital role. 

• Sorting clothes into piles according to size or type. 

• Helping to pack food parcels into bags or boxes. 

• Sticking labels on packages or tying bags closed. 

These behind-the-scenes roles help children to understand that meaningful service requires effort, not just money. 

Encourage Personal, Non-Monetary Contributions 

Even small, personal donations help a child to connect with the act of giving on an emotional level. 

• Choosing a toy that is in good condition to give away. 

• Donating books that they have finished reading and enjoyed. 

• Writing or decorating cards with kind messages to be included with the donations. 

This sense of ownership teaches the spiritual lesson of sacrifice and thoughtful giving. 

Offer Practical, Physical Help 

Children can also provide valuable support to the organisers during the drive itself. 

• Carrying light boxes or bags to the collection point. 

• Handing out flyers or information leaflets. 

• Placing donated items neatly on tables. 

These tasks foster a sense of teamwork and shared purpose. 

Harness Their Creativity 

Encourage your children to use their unique talents to raise awareness or contribute to the cause. 

• Designing posters to advertise the charity drive. 

• Creating crafts or bookmarks to sell, with all proceeds going to the charity. 

• Drawing pictures or writing short poems to be shared with the recipients. 

This demonstrates that charity is not limited to material possessions but can also flow from one’s God-given talents. 

Allow Them to Witness the Distribution 

If it is safe and appropriate, allow them to accompany you when the donations are distributed. Witnessing the gratitude of the recipients builds empathy in a way that simply hearing about it cannot. You can later reflect with them: ‘Do you remember the smile on that little boy’s face when you gave him the toy? That joy was a direct result of your kindness’. 

These moments embed powerful lessons of compassion deep in their hearts. 

Broaden Their Definition of Charity 

Take the opportunity to remind your child that charity also includes many forms of non-material kindness. 

• Smiling warmly at the people they are serving. 

• Holding a door open for the organisers and volunteers. 

• Saying ‘thank you’ to other volunteers for their hard work. 

This broadens their understanding so they see that every small act of goodness can be a form of sadaqah. 

An Example Dialogue 

Child: ‘But I do not have any money to give’. 

Parent: ‘That is perfectly okay. You can help us to pack these food parcels, you can donate one of your good toys, or you can make a beautiful card to go with them. Charity is about sharing our kindness, not just our money’. 

Child: ‘So even my small help is sadaqah?’ 

Parent: ‘Yes, absolutely. The Prophet ﷺ taught us that every single good deed is a charity. Allah sees and rewards all of it’. 

Spiritual Insight 

The Islamic tradition teaches that the concept of charity (sadaqah) extends far beyond financial donations. It is a comprehensive term that includes every conceivable act of goodness, service, and support. By involving children in these many forms of contribution, you nurture in them the belief that they too can be generous givers, regardless of their age or wealth. 

The Principle of Giving with Excellence 

The Qur’an teaches a crucial principle of giving: charity is not about discarding what we no longer want, but about offering the best of what we have. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Baqarah (2), Verse 267: 

‘O you who are believers, spend (in the way of Allah Almighty) from the pure income that you have earnt, and whatever We (Allah Almighty) have produced for you from the Earth; and do not aim (to expend) from defective (and immoral sources), whilst you would not spend it (for yourself), except if your eyes were closed (either in repulsion or in ignorance); and be aware that indeed, Allah (Almighty) is Eternally Independent and All Praiseworthy.’ 

You can explain this to your child by saying, ‘When we decide to give a toy or a book, we should choose one that we still like and that is in good condition. That is a sign of true and sincere generosity’. 

The Expansive Meaning of Sadaqah 

This profound and liberating hadith teaches that the doors to charity are wide open to everyone. 

It is recorded in Riyadh Al Saliheen, Hadith 1140, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Every act of goodness is charity.‘ 

This can be simplified for a child: ‘Every kind act you do is a form of charity. Even your smile, your helping hands when packing a box, or your kind words are all recorded as sadaqah by Allah. He counts every single one’. 

By linking charity drives to these teachings, children learn that generosity is not limited to coins and banknotes. It is present in their hands, their smiles, their time, and their creativity. Over time, they begin to see themselves as active participants in a life of sadaqah, not just as spectators waiting for the adults to give. This perspective helps them to grow into compassionate individuals who see charity as a natural part of their daily life, deeply connected to their faith and sincerity.