10 Ways to Give Back this Holiday Season with a Toddler

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NoBabyUnhuggedCB #CollectiveBias

It’s always important to give back, and especially during the holidays. With a young kiddo in tow, it can be difficult at times. Activities like volunteering at a soup kitchen or dog shelter aren’t exactly ideal for a toddler.

So I got to thinking about other ways to involve Bryce from a young age and wanted to share ten ways to give back this holiday season that are toddler-specific!

1) Clean out the toy box or closet.
Sort through old toys and outgrown clothes and shoes and donate them to a local charity that can provide them to families that need them.

2) Shoebox shopping // Adopt a family.
Participate in something like Operation Christmas Child and collect simply and small gifts and put them in a shoebox to donate to a girl or boy. Or, adopt a family and shop for items on their list. If you can, talk about why the items you pick are for others and encourage your kiddo to select items they think the receiving person will like.

3) Bake (or cook) together…and deliver it.
Bake cookies or a casserole together for neighbors, your post man/woman, the firefighters or police officers or anyone else you want to surprise. Then, deliver it together so you can see their reaction!

4) Visit a nursing home.
Simply say hello and chat with residents, sing songs or help out with activities like passing out Bingo cards and awarding prizes. It will bring a huge smile to their face, guaranteed.

5) Do some random acts of kindness.
Whether it’s putting candy canes on car door handles in the parking lot, or giving small gifts cards or treats with an encouraging message at the grocery store, surprise others with a heartfelt act.

6) Help furry friends.
Bryce is just old enough that he is starting to help in the kitchen. So bake some simple dog treats and take them to your local shelter.

7) Send holiday cards to the military.
While Bryce certainly can’t color inside the lines, he can scribble a little masterpiece, and I can write a message to accompany it.

8) Shine a happy light.
Encourage your kiddo to smile, wave hello and wish people “Happy Holidays” while out shopping. Sometimes, a holiday gift can come in the form of a courteous child.

9) Sign up for a charity run or walk.
Many organizations use runs/walks to raise funds. With a toddler, you can push them in the stroller!

10) Take advantage of the “No Baby Unhugged” donation program at Meijer.
Did you know that one in three U.S. moms suffer from diaper need, or the ability to provide fresh, clean diapers for their babies? These parents often have to cut back on food, utilities or child care to provide diapers…incredible. So, Huggies and Meijer have teamed up for the 4th year to empower shoppers to give back and help families in need during the holiday season. November 13 through January 2, 2017, for every pack of Huggies purchased at any Meijer store, both Meijer will donate $1 and Huggies will donates a day’s worth of diapers to the National Diaper Bank Network. And, if you get the new Huggies Reward app, users can donate their rewards points to the National Diaper Bank, too.

We have a Meijer in our area, so it’s really convenient. Plus, they have everything we need- from groceries and beyond so it makes it easy when we are out running our weekly errands.

In total, Meijer will donate up to $10,000 and Huggies will donate up to 150,000 diapers to the National Diaper Bank Network through the Huggies No Baby Unhugged program to help ensure babies throughout the Midwest receive the hugs they need in the form of diapers. How wonderful is that?!

We’ve been using the Huggies Little Snugglers Diapers, which are inspired by hugs to keep baby’s skin clean and healthy.

Huggies Little Snugglers Diapers and Huggies Natural Care Wipes

They fit Bryce so well now that he is a toddler, which I attribute to a cushiony layer of protection, breathable cover and that good ‘ol wetness indicator, plus they are hypoallergenic and fragrance-free.

As a parent to a diaper-wearing toddler, I encourage you to buy a pack of Huggies during your next Meijer trip and help babies in need this holiday season!