Beyond Saving the Universe

From video-game villains, kids can aim their do-gooder powers toward the real world. Help yours do just that during summer vacation at www.idealist.org, a website that features tons of charities where children and teens can volunteer for a day, a few weekends or more. Simply plug your hometown and your child's interests into the search engine, and out pops a listing of activities like beach cleanups and pet-care programs. Use the site for tips on creating your own charity projects, too. -- Jenna Briggs for Parents Magazine