Young People Lend a Helping Hand

A new survey shows teens and young adults are giving back to their communities in big and small ways.

Teen volunteers with the U.S. charity Kids4Community fill “Bags of Hope” with toys, clothing, food, and other items for people without homes.

Young people have a regular habit of helping others. A new survey found that many members of Gen Z and Gen Alpha are volunteering their time in ways that make them feel more connected to their communities.

Polling 3,000 young people ages 12–25 in the United States, The Allstate Foundation and Gallup found that 82 percent of young people have participated in some form of service. The poll results paint an uplifting picture of the way young people are helping others and dedicating time to causes they are passionate about.

Community service is work done without payment to help other people. It can mean extracurricular activities like picking up trash in a neighborhood, volunteering for a food drive, or donating clothes. But it can also be something smaller, like helping a friend study or carrying groceries for a neighbor.

© Odua Images, AS Photo Family/stock.adobe.com, © Daniel Lai/SOPA Images—LightRocket/Getty Images, © Jeffrey Greenberg—Universal Images Group/Getty Images; Photo composite Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Kids and teens can make a difference in so many ways.

According to the survey, the young people who volunteered felt connected to their communities and more personally resilient, meaning they feel “they can handle whatever comes their way.”

These survey results come at a time when other research shows that young people are feeling socially disconnected. Young people who volunteer could be trying to make meaningful in-person connections.

“Service is a powerful developmental tool for young people’s career readiness, connection and resilience,” said Greg Weatherford II, who works for the Allstate Foundation. “When youth are trusted to lead and given real opportunities to make an impact, the benefits multiply.”

Did You Know?

The human rights group UNICEF says communities with active youth participation have a stronger democratic culture. This means people are more likely to work together and respect each other’s rights and opinions.

Getting Hooked on “Grandma Hobbies”

Some young people are putting away their phones and embracing so-called grandma hobbies. These slower, old-school activities are finding new life in young hands.

Here are some screen-free hobbies kids are taking up in art classes, as after-school activities, or on their own.

Pottery

People who take up pottery can use their hands to make anything they want, including sculptures, vases, and dinnerware. All they need is some clay. Pottery can be sculpted without tools, or using a technique called wheel throwing. Wheel throwing uses a spinning machine to help people shape pottery.

Metalworking

Metalworking is shaping metal to create objects like tools, decorations, and jewelry. This can be done with simple tools, or it could require more complex processes called welding and casting. Some metalworking techniques were developed hundreds of years ago and are still used today!

Crocheting

Crocheting involves using a needle with a small hook on the end to create textiles out of yarn. Crocheters can make clothing, blankets, and amigurumi—the name for a cute, crocheted stuffed doll.

Birdwatching

Birdwatching is like a scavenger hunt. The goal is to spot birds and properly identify them based on their songs or physical features. This hobby is great for people who are into nature, getting outside, and—of course—birds!

Painting and Drawing

People enjoy drawing and painting because there is no right or wrong way to do it. They can use pens, colored pencils, oil paints, or watercolors to make art on paper or a canvas. Painting is about expressing yourself in any way you wish.

Not only are hobbies fun, but they’re also shown to boost creativity, improve mental health, and boost confidence. Maybe it’s time to pick up a new hobby!

A Better World for Children

In this 2019 photo, Syrian children who have been displaced from their homes due to violence attend school in a UNICEF tent.

UNICEF is an international program that makes the world a better place for children. Founded to help children after World War II, the organization now provides aid to young people all over the world. Read more about the history and current impact of UNICEF at Britannica.

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“In the News: Young People Lend a Helping Hand.” Britannica School, Encyclopaedia Britannica, 5 Apr. 2026. https://news.eb.com/level2/young-people-lend-a-helping-hand. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026 [Replace this date with today’s date.]