20 Winter-Inspired Service-Learning Project Ideas for High School Students

Looking for service learning project ideas for your high school students? Want them to get involved and give back this holiday season? Winter is a great time to do that. Community needs are in high demand during the winter. Check out some winter-inspired service-learning project ideas and examples to help you get started!

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I live in Minnesota where it is dark and cold for a big chunk of the year. Winter can be harsh, challenging, draining, and even depressing. 

For many months of the year, it’s dark when I drive to work and dark when I get home. The amount of winter gear required to get through an average day is quite ridiculous. 

Depending on the year, I spend more time shoveling my sidewalk and driveway than I do anything else. Waking up 20 minutes early during the winter season isn’t unusual. You have to give yourself time to thaw out your car and scrape the layers of ice off of your windshield. 

You get the idea. You may know exactly what I’m talking about! Winter-living is demanding of one’s physical, mental, and emotional health. 

Lots of gear is needed to stay warm. You need to be able-bodied to get out of your driveway to get to a grocery store. A warm and safe place to live with hot food on the table is non-negotiable.

The unfortunate reality is that not everyone in the community is warm, safe, fed, and able-bodied enough to get through the harsh winter. That’s where you and your students come in.

Your students can give back, make a difference, and help fellow community members while also building skills and knowledge. That’s called service learning.

Service-learning is an incredible learning experience where students learn about community needs, brainstorm ways to serve and give back, and then take real and tangible action to meet those needs. 

Winter is challenging for many folks, and with many global holidays falling around the same time, winter is that much more of a challenge. But it can also be a beautiful time of year where everyone’s needs are met from warm clothes to shoveled driveways to feelings of love and belonging during the holiday season. 

How can your students participate in meeting the winter and holiday needs of their communities? Let’s take a look at 20 winter-inspired service-learning project ideas for students!

20 Winter-Inspired Service-Learning Project Ideas for High School Students

1. Holiday Food Drive

Have your students organize a food drive to collect non-perishable items and deliver them to local food banks or shelters to support families in need. 

Students engage in every step from planning and promoting to collecting and delivering donations in this service-learning project ideas. They learn about food insecurity, practice teamwork and communication, and build skills in organization and logistics. By delivering donations to a local food bank, students see the impact of their efforts firsthand.

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2. Winter Clothing Collection

For this service-learning project idea, students gather coats, hats, scarves, gloves, and blankets to donate to homeless shelters or community centers, helping people stay warm during the winter months.

​​In a winter clothing collection project, students learn about the realities of homelessness and the challenges individuals face during cold months. They gain skills in organization and community outreach as they promote the drive, coordinate donation sites, and manage collected items. This experience builds empathy, as students witness the impact of their efforts in helping others stay warm and safe through the winter.

3. Toy Donation Drive

Students can gather new or gently used toys to bring holiday cheer to children in hospitals or family shelters, brightening their winter season.

A few of my students coordinated this exact service-learning project example with St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. I watched this experience give students meaningful insight into the needs of families facing difficult circumstances during the holidays. Through this experience, students witness the joy their efforts bring to children, deepening their understanding of the positive impact of community support and kindness. 

4. Winter Walkways for Neighbors

Organize a group of students to shovel snow and clear walkways for elderly neighbors or community members with limited mobility.

Through planning and organizing this service-learning project, students develop responsibility, compassion, and communication skills as they coordinate with residents and work in teams. By providing a much-needed service, students also witness the immediate impact their actions can have on others’ safety and well-being

5. Hot Chocolate Stand for Charity

For this service-learning project idea, Have students set up a hot chocolate stand at school events or community gatherings, with proceeds going to a local charity or cause that resonates with students.

They'll enjoy the creative process of designing their stand, experimenting with flavors, and connecting with customers, making it a social and festive experience. 

Through this project, students will learn about the highest needs in their community by selecting a charity or cause that’s important to them, helping them understand the need for philanthropy.

6. Pet Shelter Supply Drive

Learners collect blankets, pet food, and supplies for local animal shelters, where resources can be tight and animals need extra warmth in the colder months.

Last winter, my two children, aged 8 and 10, worked on this service-learning project example together. They collected gently used supplies for the animal shelter and also organized a blanket-making party with their neighborhood friends to make the experience more enjoyable, foster community spirit, and deepen their personal connection to the cause.

7. “Holiday Cheer” Care Packages

Students create care packages with winter essentials (gloves, socks, snacks, toiletries) for distribution at homeless shelters or community centers.

Through this service learning project idea, students learn about the specific needs of vulnerable populations in their community and the importance of compassion and generosity. They also gain valuable skills in teamwork and organization as they collaborate to gather items, assemble the packages, and coordinate their distribution.

8. Community Book Drive

For this service-learning project example, students organize a book drive to collect winter reading materials for libraries, shelters, or literacy programs, helping promote learning and escape through books.

Coordinating a book drive to collect winter reading materials will teach students about the importance of literacy and access to educational resources in their community. As they promote the drive, students will develop skills in communication, marketing, and community engagement while learning to appreciate the joy and creative immersion that books can offer, especially during the winter months.

9. Holiday Card-Making for Isolated Seniors

Students can craft holiday cards for seniors in nursing homes or care facilities, bringing cheer and connection to those who may feel isolated during the holidays.

This service-learning project example not only allows students to express their creativity but also helps them develop empathy as they consider the feelings of those who may not have family nearby during the holidays. By sharing warm messages and cheerful designs, students can brighten the days of seniors, making them feel valued and remembered during the festive season.

10. Warm-Up Kits for Refugees or Newcomers

Assemble welcome kits for refugee families or newcomers in the community, including warm clothes, blankets, and essentials for cold weather. 
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This particular service-learning project example allows students to explore the challenges that refugees face, including the socio-economic and cultural factors that impact their integration into the community. Additionally, this project encourages students to learn about local resources and support systems, fostering a sense of civic responsibility as they recognize the importance of welcoming and supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds.

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11. School or Community “Sock Drive”

Collect warm socks to donate to local shelters, where socks are often one of the most requested but least donated items. Students can get creative with this service-learning project idea. For example, they might hand-make socks, build or create a “sock tree” to display in a public area, host a sock fashion show, or develop a sock collection challenge for the community.

A few years ago, my students planned and hosted an “ugly holiday sock party” where party attendees wore their most festive “ugly socks” and their entry fee was a pair of socks to donate to those in need.

12. Tree Planting or Beautification Project

Organize a winter tree-planting or park clean-up event, weather permitting, or plan a project to beautify indoor community spaces.

This service-learning project idea combines hands-on community service with meaningful educational experiences. Students actively participate in improving their local environment and learn about ecological issues, the importance of environmental stewardship, and the impact of their actions on the ecosystem.

13. Toy Repair Workshop

Students partner with a community center or thrift store to repair and refurbish old toys, then donate them to children’s organizations or shelters.

This hands-on service-learning project idea has students applying practical skills and enhancing their problem-solving and creativity. While working on the toys, they use math skills to measure materials, calculate costs, and determine quantities, giving them real-world applications for their classroom knowledge. 

14. Literacy Tutoring Program

Volunteer as reading or homework buddies at local elementary schools, libraries, or community centers, supporting literacy skills during winter break.

Students not only support literacy skills but also gain insights into the challenges that some students face, such as language barriers or varying learning styles. My high school students partner with a local elementary school every year to read to students, and it’s one of their favorite learning experiences of the year.

15. “Adopt-a-Grandparent” Program

Pair students with seniors in the community for weekly calls, virtual meetings, or small gift exchanges to foster connection and lift spirits.

Another related option during the holiday season is to host an awareness week, where students organize daily activities at a senior assisted living facility. Each day, they can plan a different engaging activity, which could be holiday-themed or centered around other interests, inviting kids and community members to join in the fun with the seniors. 

This interactive week fosters intergenerational connections, as participants share experiences, stories, and joy, creating a vibrant community atmosphere that benefits both the seniors and the volunteers.

16. Eco-Friendly Holiday Wrapping Station

Set up an eco-friendly wrapping station using recycled materials, raising funds or donations for a community cause while promoting sustainability.

Setting up an eco-friendly wrapping station offers students a hands-on opportunity to explore sustainability and environmental responsibility. As they gather recycled materials and brainstorm creative wrapping solutions, they learn about the importance of reducing waste and the impact of consumer choices on the planet.

17. Winter Blanket-Making for Charities

Organize a blanket-making project to create warm blankets for shelters, hospitals, or those affected by cold weather crises.

 This project also offers opportunities for students to research local shelters or hospitals, allowing them to connect with community resources and understand the broader social issues related to homelessness and health care.

Ultimately, students will see the tangible impact of their efforts as they deliver the blankets, reinforcing the value of service and community connection.

18. Thank You Packages for Healthcare Workers

Assemble care packages with snacks, self-care items, and thank-you notes to show appreciation for healthcare workers during the busy holiday season.
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Assembling care packages for healthcare workers is a meaningful way to acknowledge the vital role these community helpers play, especially during the hectic holiday season. By including snacks, self-care items, and heartfelt thank-you notes, students not only express gratitude but also gain a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made by these professionals.

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19. Winter Sports Gear Drive

Collect gently used winter sports equipment (sleds, skates, snowboards) for families or schools that may not have access to these items.

As a teacher and parent myself, this is one of my favorite service-learning project ideas. No, winter sports gear itself is not a necessity like food and shelter. But by providing access to items like sleds, skates, and snowboards, students can help create opportunities for joy, connection, and active play, which are vital for mental health and community cohesion during the winter months.

20. Holiday Fundraiser for Local Causes

Plan a holiday-themed fundraising event with proceeds supporting a local charity or cause. My students have done holiday cookies in a jar, handmade gifts, take-and-bake holiday pies, winter or holiday-themed movie nights, and more.
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Hosting a fundraiser during the festive holiday season is a blast for students, as it combines the joy of giving with creative activities that bring people together. They love engaging their peers and the community in fun events while developing essential skills like networking, budgeting, and marketing.

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These service-learning project ideas can inspire students to serve their communities, show compassion, make a meaningful impact during the winter holiday season, and build skills and knowledge to boot. 

That's the beauty of service learning: it goes beyond traditional volunteering or community service. While those activities are valuable, the service-learning component enriches the experience by integrating service with education, making learning deeper and more meaningful for students.

And what’s more, my students genuinely enjoy service-learning projects, and I believe yours will too. 

Which of the service-learning project ideas from this blog post got your attention? Share with us in the comments! And please, share your ideas and experiences with service learning as well!

​Happy winter service learning, friends!

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