Learn more about high-impact and fun family volunteer opportunities abroad. Family vacations are turning to a new, more popular type of travel—volunteer trips abroad! In general, volunteering abroad has been gaining popularity across all groups of people, but family volunteering opportunities abroad can be the perfect way to bond with your family, experience a new culture and give back.
Family volunteering opportunities can be found everywhere—even in luxurious, tourist destinations such as the islands of Belize! There is also a wide array of volunteer opportunities that can accommodate families, from working to conserve wildlife to teaching local schoolchildren and everything in between! Many programs offer upgraded, more private accommodations for families and most meals are catered, so the stress of preparing meals for the whole family each day can be lifted so you and your family can enjoy your volunteer vacation!
What makes these the “best?”
Before we give you the scoop on these best family volunteer opportunities abroad, here’s why they nabbed a spot on our list:
- Proven results. The best family volunteer programs abroad have measured results of their impact on foreign communities. They constantly monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of their projects and have tangible proof to back it up!
- Partnerships with locals. With these programs, working together with local communities is a key component of operations. They value the input of the local individuals to best identify what areas need the most volunteer assistance.
- Strong safety record. Sometimes accidents happen abroad—this can’t be avoided—but these organizations have protocols in place to ensure as fun and safe an experience possible for the whole family.
- Raving reviews. You know a family volunteer program abroad in is killin’ it when 95 percent of their former participants rate a five star experience!
7 ways to volunteer with family abroad
Jumpstart your research with your tightest crew in mind—here's a shortlist of amazing family volunteer opportunities abroad.
1. Thailand—Elephant Forest Refuge
This elephant conservation program is located on a 40-acre natural reserve in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Children who love animals will enjoy this program and be entertained as your family treks through the forest reserve, looking for these gentle giants. This program is suitable for families with young children, as there are family rooms and suites available as well as a babysitting service! The forest refuge terrain is flat and not difficult to walk on. It is beneficial for young children to see elephants in a natural habitat setting, rather than at a zoo or the circus.
The whole family will be able to appreciate these creatures, bond while planting and harvesting their food, and give back to an ethical program. The original price is $1050 USD per week per person, but children under 14 years old can join for a discounted price and GoEco offers further discounts for groups and families!
- Where? Thailand
- What? Animal Welfare
- Costs? ~$1000 per week
- More info: Read GoEco program reviews here
2. Education and Community Work in Bali
This program is ideal for families who wish to partake in community aid programs, in educational settings specifically. Families looking for a tropical destination will also fit in well here, as this program is located in the popular tourist destination of Bali. The first week of this two-week program is Culture Week, which introduces volunteers to Bali and its culture through walking tours, cultural experiences such as a Balinese dancing show, and more! Children of families can enjoy playing with children from another country, and can therefore already begin to expand their knowledge of the world through being with these children and therefore learning about a new culture.
Children as young as five may join this program with their families, and while the normal rate is $860 USD per person per two weeks, children until the age of 12 can receive a discount! Furthermore, families are upgraded to a private, beautiful villa and most meals are prepared for the volunteers. Peanut allergies, which are very commonplace among young children now, can easily be accommodated for.
- Where? Indonesia
- What? Community Development/ Childcare and children
- Costs? ~$900 per 2 weeks
- More info: Find more program details
3. Wildlife Conservation Project in Zimbabwe
For families looking to go on an authentic African safari while simultaneously contributing to wildlife conservation, this lion conservation program in Zimbabwe at Victoria Falls is the perfect choice! Families can stay in private huts in the on-site lodge and take a swim after a long day of game drives, data collection, and other research tasks. Children will enjoy seeing Africa’s wildlife up close and learn about their conservation. All transportation and 3 meals are included in the program price, which is ~$2000 USD per two weeks per person. Families with children from the age of 12 are welcome.
- Where? South Africa
- What? Animal welfare
- Cost? ~$2000 per 2 weeks
- More info: Read African Impact program reviews here
4. Volunteer with Turtles in Greece
For families who enjoy both vacationing on Mediterranean beaches, and working with small animals, this program located on mainland Greece is perfect! Volunteers on this program will work in the sandy beaches to build nest protectors and monitor sea turtle hatchlings. This program is ideal for families with teenagers, as the minimum age is 14. In addition to this, there is a self-service restaurant available so you don’t have to worry about preparing meals for the family each night. Each adult family member can receive a 25% discount off the program fee, which is originally $2345 USD per person for two weeks. During free weekends, families can go on their own to the many historical Greek sites.
- Where? Greece
- What? Animal Welfare
- Costs? ~$2000 per 2 weeks
- More info: Read GVI program reviews here
5. South Africa—Orphan Day Care
Another community aid/ working with children program that is family-friendly is located in St. Lucia, South Africa. Families and their children will spend time playing with orphaned children, brightening their day and engaging in positive cultural exchange. St. Lucia is a beautiful coastal area, and families will be able upgrade to private rooms, enjoy a swimming pool, and enjoy the luxury of having an on-site cook and cleaning staff. All meals on this program are prepared for the volunteers by the cook. Families with children as young as 12 are welcome. The original cost of this program is around $1200 USD per person per two weeks, but families are entitled to a special group rate. During free time, families can enjoy a wide array of nearby water activities including surfing and snorkeling!
- Where? South Africa
- What? Childcare & Children
- Costs? ~$2000 per 2 weeks
- More info: Read GoEco program reviews here
6. Working with Kids—Volunteer in Peru
This program is another excellent opportunity for your family to give back to a community abroad. This program in the popular destination of Cusco involves working with children in schools or community centers. Families will assist children with homework, educational activities including arts and crafts and play time and sports. Volunteers also assist in teaching about hygiene. Children of families will help to encourage the school children to practice their English as well, so they can play together and learn about one another's’ culture. This program can be molded to fit your family’s needs- and is another excellent chance for your children to learn about a different culture. This program starts from prices as low as $585 USD per person per week!
- Where? Peru
- What? Childcare & Children
- Costs? ~$500 per week
- More info: Read Maximo Nivel program reviews here
7. China—Giant Panda Center
Animal-loving families will enjoy a week at the Giant Panda Center program near Ya’an City in China! Volunteer work on this program is rather laid back, and not strenuous. Volunteers will help prepare food and feed the pandas in addition to cleaning their enclosures. The minimum age for feeding the pandas is 12, but children who are as young as seven years old are welcome on the program with their families. This program is excellent for children who are interested in seeing these rare animals up close! Meals are prepared for volunteers, and peanut allergies can be accommodated. The original program cost, which includes a direct donation to the conservancy program, is $1250 USD per person per week, but families can enjoy a GoEco group discount. For an additional fee, families can enjoy a one-week Culture Week which introduces China with cultural activities and group tours to travel highlights!
- Where? China
- What? Animal Welfare
- Costs? ~$1000 per week
- More info: Get more program details here
You’re ready for family volunteer vacations abroad!
The chance to volunteer with family abroad is not one to be missed.
Taking a family vacation can be a lot of work, but with inclusive volunteer abroad opportunities, your family doesn’t have to worry about preparing meals, or ever being bored! With a family volunteer vacation, your family can enjoy all the perks of a vacation, including exploring a new place, to enjoying the benefits of giving back to a community in need and engaging in cultural exchange. Nothing is more rewarding than giving back to communities in need, and to be able to do that while experiencing a new place and culture while bonding as a family in a beautiful location is simply the best of both worlds.
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This article was written with help from GoEco, a volunteer organization that offers excellent family volunteering opportunities around the globe.
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