Community is the place where we live and the people who make us feel like we belong there. With a sense of community, we find connection, support, and belonging, but it doesn’t happen by accident. Community grows when people know, care about, and show up for each other.
Research from the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) shows that 50% of young adults in the U.S. rarely or never spend time with people in their community.
Many young Americans are missing out on the in-person connections that help people feel part of a community. Creating opportunities for kids to get to know their neighbors, participate in local events, and contribute to their communities can help them build a stronger sense of belonging.
When people feel part of a community, they’re more likely to care about it, which means they’re more likely to volunteer to help others and take an active role in making their community a better place.
We put together a guide to help parents raise kids who feel connected to their community:
Go out and explore
Discover the places and stories that make your community special. Walk through neighborhoods, visit local parks and libraries, and attend community events. Events like farmers’ markets and neighborhood gatherings give kids the opportunity to interact with people and see how the community comes together.
Search for an event guide in your area to find out what goes on in your community! Let your kids follow their curiosity and choose what interests them most.
Museums and historical landmarks are also a great way to explore your community while learning about its unique history. Visiting these places gives kids a chance to get to know the events that helped shape where they live.
Talk to community members
Get to know the people who help make your community thrive. Talk to a librarian, small business owner, volunteer, or community leader, and invite your kids to ask questions about what they do and why they enjoy being part of the community.
Many organizations welcome families for tours, open houses, and special events. For example, National Night Out, a campaign to promote partnerships between police and the communities they serve, is held every year on the first Tuesday in August. Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, and more.
Keep an eye on your local community calendar, and discover when these free resource events are happening in your area. Kids might be able to tour a fire station and meet firefighters, go to the library for a storytime event, or visit a community garden and learn how it’s cared for.
These experiences give kids the chance to meet the people behind important community services and better understand the many ways people contribute to the place they call home.
Help kids understand responsibility
Being part of a community means recognizing that our choices affect the people and places around us. Kids can practice this responsibility through simple, everyday habits, like being polite and respectful to neighbors, following shared rules, and taking care of spaces that everyone uses.
Kids can begin to understand community responsibility by noticing what happens when people don’t take care of shared spaces. When litter is left behind, playground equipment is damaged, or people aren’t considerate of others, those spaces become less enjoyable for everyone.
Cleaning up after themselves and treating shared spaces with care are simple ways kids can help keep their community a place where everyone feels comfortable and welcome.
Lead by example
Kids notice how adults treat the people and places around them. Help them build a connection to their community by showing them what community-mindedness looks like in everyday life.
When kids see you greeting your neighbors, supporting local businesses, taking part in community events, and volunteering, they learn what it means to be part of a community. Talk about why these small acts matter, and invite your kids to join you. Show them that a community is something they can actively contribute to.
Building a sense of community starts with everyday experiences. By creating opportunities for connection and participation, you can help your kids grow into people who feel like they belong and understand that they have a meaningful role to play in the communities around them. When kids feel connected, communities grow stronger!
