Family Volunteer Abroad Programmes

Volunteering Solutions runs affordable family volunteer vacations and family volunteering holidays abroad, built for families of all sizes and ages. Whether you want to volunteer abroad with your family for a week in the school holidays or take a longer family volunteer trip, there is a wide range of family volunteering opportunities abroad tailored to different interests and skills. From teaching English to childcare, wildlife & environment conservation, community development to supporting healthcare initiatives, there’s something for everyone in your family to contribute to.

Ready to start your journey?

What are the best programmes for family volunteer vacations abroad?

For families, our recommended projects typically include Childcare, Teaching, Community Development, Wildlife, and Environmental Conservation Programmes. We also offer specially curated programmes like 2-Week Voluntours and 1-Week special short-term volunteer and travel options.

Note: Children must be a minimum of 8 years old to allow parents to fully participate in the project. However, if 2-3 families are travelling together and there are ample caregivers for toddlers, exceptions can be considered. Additionally, children aged 15 and under receive a 50% discount on their application fees.

• Peru
• Costa Rica
• India
• Nepal
• Malaysia
• Sri Lanka
• Thailand
• Kenya
• Tanzania
• South Africa

What a family volunteering day looks like

Mornings are project time — feeding elephants, preparing a hatchery, helping at a kindergarten — typically four to five hours with tasks matched to each family member’s age. Afternoons are yours: beaches, markets, national parks. Your in-country coordinator arranges family rooms in volunteer houses or homestays, all meals, airport pickup and a 24/7 local contact, so travelling with children stays simple.

Safety and support for families

Every placement operates under our safeguarding policy and child and vulnerable adult protection policy, with in-country teams who have supported family groups for years. See our insurance guidance for family cover, and read the safest places to volunteer as a family for destination-by-destination guidance.

Family volunteering guides

Planning reading from our blog: best family volunteer vacations 2026-27, tips for volunteering with a young family, family volunteer ideas and family mission trips. Travelling as a bigger party? See all our group volunteering options or start a group application.

Family volunteering: frequently asked questions

What is the minimum age for children?

It varies by project — some placements welcome children from around 5 accompanied by parents, others suit 10+ or teens. Every family placement is confirmed against the project’s own age guidance before we book it.

Do parents and children volunteer together?

Yes — families work side by side, with tasks matched to each member’s age. That shared work is what families consistently tell us made the trip.

Where do families stay?

Family rooms in volunteer houses, guesthouses or homestays depending on destination — always vetted by our in-country teams, always with meals included.

Is it safe to volunteer abroad with children?

Our family placements run in destinations where our teams have hosted volunteers for years, under our safeguarding and child protection policies, with a 24/7 local contact. Read our guide to the safest places to volunteer as a family.

Can we volunteer abroad with young children?

Yes — several placements welcome families with children from around 5, so volunteering abroad with a young family is realistic. We match the project, the daily hours and the accommodation to your children’s ages, and our in-country teams have hosted young families for years. Tell us your children’s ages when you enquire and we’ll recommend the projects that suit them.