Last year I wrote a post called 20 random acts of kindness you can do today. A few of my friends commented that they had read the post with their children, so I started thinking of a list with ideas just for young children, acts that they can do on their own. Acts of kindness are a great way to each a child empathy and generosity. So here it is, 20 random acts of kindness for kids:
- Hold the door open for those behind you.
- Say good morning to your teacher, principal, school officials and classmates.
- Offer to let your classmate go first.
- Offer to take your neighbor’s dog for a walk.
- Invite someone new over for a play-date.
- Collect foods and canned goods for a food bank.
- Volunteer to be a tutor or mentor in a school, especially if there is an area in which you can help another student.
- Give someone a compliment at least once every day.
- Color a picture, make a craft or send a treat to a senior center or nursing home.
- Donate your unwanted toys and books to the children in need.
- Write a thank you note to your teacher, your coach, a firefighter, your mentor or someone who has influenced you in a positive way.
- Clean up the area around your school or a local park, picking up trash and putting it in the garbage can. You can also help your teacher clean up the classroom.
- Be extra kind to your bus driver. Say hello when you get on the bus and say thank you when you get off the bus.
- Call your grandparent(s) or other special family members who you do not see often.
- Donate your unwanted toys and books to the children in need.
- Write a note to your parent(s) or grandparent(s) and tell them why they are special to you.
- Help around the house without being asked to do so, such as cleaning your room, taking out the garbage or helping with the laundry.
- Going to a new school can be really scary so be friendly to the new students in your class or grade.
- Organize the clothes you don’t wear anymore and donate them to a clothing drive or shelter.
- Smile. Smiling is easy and happiness is contagious!
So, what do you think? What acts of kindness have your kids done lately?
Do you have any other random acts of kindness for kids that you can share? If so, leave them below!
I love this list! So simple, but eaach really meaningful and important. I have tried to instill so many of these in my children, but this post would make a great dinner conversation tonight to encourage them to pick at least one to work on this week.
Sidenote: My six year old has started holding the door open for people, which is really sweet, until we encounter a very heavy door and he basically endangers someone’s life. We’re working on realizing when the act of kindness might mean stepping aside.
Thanks! My 5 yo likes to hold the door open for people too!! It’s super sweet to watch their reactions.
what a fantastic post ! I love that many of these are so simple so kids can understand it doesn’t have to be complicated to be kind.
Thank you, Heather!
I love this! I”m going to share this with my students!
Great list! I’m going to share with my 7 year old.
Thanks so much for this list! I am a children’s pastor and am doing a new lesson series on being kind and I am going to send these home in envelopes for the kids to do each week! You are a blessing thanks so much!
hi! i am 13 and have been asked to chose a act of kindness for the young children in our church to do every week.this website has helped me a lot and i just thought to let you know that your ideas are very helpful indeed thankyou! the ages go from 5 to 13 so some of these will be easy for them all, thankyou
we are doing the fruits of the spirit btw hehe:)