50 Random Acts of Kindness For Children

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In the past year, the week of Valentine’s Day has begun to mean more to me than conversations hearts, romantic dinners, and school Valentine’s parties. While all of these things are wonderful, showing someone I love and appreciate them is more important to me than merely buying their love and affection. (Although we all know, I do LOVE to give a great gift.) This year, I am using Valentine’s Day to commit to Random Acts of Kindness in conjunction with Random Acts of Kindness Week.

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What Random Acts of Kindness Week is All About

The goal of Random Acts of Kindness week is to flood social media with uplifting news stories, inspiring quotes, and kind comments, using the hashtag #RAKWeek2015. I know my Facebook feed could use a lot less snark and a lot more love right now, so for the week of February 9-14, I pledge to commit myself to spreading kindness not only online, but wherever else I can.

Since actions speak louder than words, I also pledge to show my daughter how to commit random acts of kindness herself. I think my kiddo is a pretty kindhearted girl already. She is compassionate, empathetic and always asking others how they are doing or feeling. If a classmate or playground pal is upset, she is the first to come to their aid.

As she becomes older she will certainly be more prone to the cattiness and cliques we females strive to rise above. I want to show her that being a nice girl will take her further in life than being a mean one.

There are many ways you can help your child spread kindness and good cheer during Random Acts of Kindness week. Of course, I implore us all to keep the good deeds coming throughout the year, which is why I have compiled a list of 50 Random Acts of Kindness to do with your kids. How amazing would it feel to commit all 50 acts before years end?

random acts of kindness

Random Acts of Kindness to do With Your Kids:

  1. Pay a compliment to a stranger.
  2. Bake cookies for a neighbor.
  3. Sit with someone at lunch that looks lonely or that doesn’t have very many friends.
  4. Smile at 5 strangers in one day.
  5. Take a treat and/or thank you card to the school librarian.
  6. Do an extra household chore without being asked.
  7. Make a homemade bird feeder and hang it outside (a pinecone rolled in peanut butter and birdseed).
  8. Donate diapers and wipes to a local women’s/family shelter (like Sistercare).
  9. Buy some new coloring books and crayons and leave in a hospital waiting room.

    Your kids will love making cards for family, friends, and strangers!
    Your kids will love making cards for family, friends, and strangers!
  10. Leave a dollar taped to the vending machine.
  11. Hide a dollar bill around the Dollar Tree’s toy aisle.
  12. Go through your toys and donate ones you don’t play with to charity or local children’s hospital.
  13. Donate food to your local food bank- either purchase food or go through your pantry.
  14. Donate pet supplies to a local pet shelter (like Pawmetto Lifeline).
  15. Help a sibling to a chore or other job.
  16. Donate books you no longer read or need.
  17. Collect jackets, blankets, and shoes and take them to a homeless shelter.
  18. Tape bags of microwave popcorn to the Redbox rental machine.
  19. Bring a treat to the local fire station.
  20. Write a thank you note to your mail carrier.
  21. Bring flowers and magazines to a nursing home.
  22. Leave a great tip for a waiter and have the kids write a note thanking them.
  23. Offer to walk a neighbor’s dog.
  24. If your child is older, have them offer to mow an elderly neighbor’s lawn.
  25. Host a playdate and allow your friend to get some things done while you entertain her kids.
  26. Send a care package to a member of our military.

    Sometimes a hug is all you need to make someones day.
    Sometimes a hug is all you need to make someones day.
  27. Pay for the person behind you in the drive-thru.
  28. Send a huge hug to Grandma and Grandpa.
  29. Write a list of 5 things you love about your siblings and tape it to their bedroom door
  30. Write a list of 5 things you love about Mom and Dad and tape it to their door.
  31. Hold the door for someone.
  32. Do a chore without being prompted.
  33. Bring an extra treat at lunch to share with a friend.
  34. Write a note to your teacher telling them how they have helped you this year.
  35. Write a note to your child’s principal telling them how much you love the school.
  36. Leave an anonymous note on someone’s windshield wishing them a good day.
  37. Bring bubbles to the playground and share with other kids.
  38. Bury some treasure at a local sandbox-hide small dinosaurs and plastic coins.
  39. Decorate sidewalks with inspiring chalk messages and pictures.
  40. Double your dinner and bring a meal to a friend.

    Gather lose change around the house and let the kids pick which charity to donate to.
    Gather loose change around the house and let the kids pick which charity to donate to.
  41. Tell someone you love them.
  42. Tell a new mom she is doing a great job.
  43. Have a bakesale and donate all the proceeds to charity.
  44. Clean out the garage or attic and list things for free on craigslist.
  45. Donate blood-Obviously the kids cannot donate, but you can bring them along and explain the importance.
  46. Send some fun mail to a friend just because. (Did you know that items 13 oz or less can be sent through the mail with no additional packaging required? You can send a package of candy or sprinkles!
  47. Send flowers to someone unexpectedly.
  48. Commit to picking up three pieces of trash wherever you are.
  49. Bring coloring books and crayons to the hospital waiting room.
  50. Make or order dinner for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House.

How do you teach kindness to your children?

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