While there's nothing wrong with catching a movie with friends or working on your tan during a much-needed break from school, you may want to do something more. Some of your friends might be going out of town or even the country to serve or help different communities during spring break, but you don't have to go on a mission trip or even out of your own home to make a difference in your community. Here are some fun, easy, and free ways you and your friends can give back a little before trudging back to six nights of calculus homework a week.

1. Clean Out Your Closet For Goodwill

If "clean room" has been on your to-do list for weeks, now's the time to finally check it off. Pick out all the old t-shirts you don't wear anymore, shorts you've outgrown, and impulse buys you immediately regretted. Gather all your donations together, and drive them down to Goodwill. Dropping off your unwanted items is super easy and helps this non-profit continue to help those in need. You'll have made a difference and made it easier to find the clothes you actually wear.

2. Volunteer

I know "volunteering" sounds like a chore, but it can be so much fun that you forget it's considered work. There are countless options for your interests. You can spend the day volunteering at an animal shelter walking, feeding, washing, and playing with puppies. Who wouldn't want to spend a day cuddling puppies?

You could also sign up to sort food at a food pantry. It might sound boring, but bring a few friends along. You can catch up with them, which is what you would be doing sitting at home anyways, but you would also be making a tangible difference in the world. And bonus: many hands make light work.

Another option is working with kids. I'm in a club that works with elementary school kids, and even if I'm having the worst day, talking to and getting the perspective of a five-year-old has never failed to make me smile. You can help them read and sound-out-words, make tissue paper flowers and Popsicle-stick houses, or teach them to play kickball. Nothing is boring when sitting next to a first grader.

If kids are too much for you to handle, you could visit an assisted living home. You get to hear priceless stories of days before your time, learn valuable life lessons, play checkers, and spend quality time with the experienced elderly. If you play piano or sing, you should definitely consider this because preforming for them would make their day. This opportunity is a win-win because both people leave feeling heard and loved, especially if their own families aren't around much.

Look up places to volunteer near your house; the possibilities are endless. And if your school requires a certain amount of volunteer hours before you graduate, you're killing two birds with one stone.

3. Make A Neighbor's Day

Maybe your dad already has you outside mowing the lawn or pulling weeds because you made the mistake of looking bored inside. Since you already have the weed-wacker and mower out, you could *I know this sounds crazy* finish your neighbor's yard, too. If you live in a relatively small suburban neighborhood like me, chances are your front yard isn't that big, and it wouldn't take that long to finish the house next door as well. Just by taking an extra ten minutes to continue mowing over the vague property line in the grass, you could make someone's day- and you'll feel good knowing you helped someone out. It will be such a pleasant surprise for a working neighbor who isn't on spring break. So crank your spring break playlist, spread kindness to a neighbor, and help restore some faith in humanity.

4. Donate the Money Made By Picking up Extra Shifts

Since you'll have eight-or-so hours freed up from not being in school, you'll be able to pick up extra shifts at your job. If you have a job more out of want than need and you can spare the cash, donate the surplus of money you make this week to a charity of your choosing.

You can also take that money and put it towards something for someone else, like replacing someone's mailbox that got hit last week, paying for a meal split between your family and the homeless family you pass weekly, or buying canned goods or cute, but practical, clothes to donate to a shelter.

5. Do Little Things

You don't have to carve out an entire day to do something that will positively affect the world. If you're at the beach with your friends or family, have a competition to see who can fill their grocery bag with the most litter. Loser pays for dinner. It can be something that seemingly trivial, but every good deed adds up. Your act of service and kindness could be thanking someone who usually goes unnoticed, picking up a piece of trash, helping your neighbor carry in groceries, or letting your parents know that, despite your teenage outbursts, you really do love them.

Don't let this spring break pass you by. Take advantage of your time off; get involved and invest your time in something that will really make a difference. You'll be surprised how rewarding and impactful it truly is.