KINDNESS RESOURCES
Have you ever wanted to do an activity focused on acts of kindness and your mind goes blank?
Well, we compiled a list of 320 acts of kindness that can inspire you to do something for yourself, someone else, or the Earth. We pulled from many resources all listed at the end of the web page.
These are perfect for kindness club activities as well as every day situations.
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted
- Aesop
School based acts of kindness:
Perfect for kindness clubs or after school programs!
1. Kindness confetti: Encourage students and staff to leave anonymous “kindness cards” (sticky notes scribbled with messages of hope, peace, and all-around awesomeness) on vending machines, lockers, desks, mirrors, bathroom stalls, etc.
2. Invite students to write notes to school staff at an appreciation station.
Set up an appreciation station in the school cafeteria or lobby where students can drop by to write notes. Then, collect and distribute notes to staff members during Teacher Appreciation Week, National Custodian Day, etc.
3. Create a Kindness Rocks garden (literally).
Invite students to decorate rocks with messages of kindness, empathy, and hope during recess. Collect and place them in a designated garden, or line the walkway of an outdoor learning space with the decorated rocks. Tips: Prep rocks in advance with Rust-Oleum American Accents 2x Ultra Cover spray paint, then decorate with oil-based paint pens (just make sure you open and activate them in advance). Finally, seal rocks with Mod Podge clear acrylic sealer.
4. Tree of kindness.
Given students hearts to write down acts of kindness they performed. Hold a kindness challenge and tally up how many kind acts your school community performs. Drawn and cut a big tree trunk with lots of branches out of paper and stick it on a transited wall in the school. Ask students to attach hearts with their acts of kindness to the branches.
5. Kind Elf on the Shelf.
Use Elf on a Shelf with a daily message/request, for instance: “Write cards to kids at St. Jude”; “bring in canned goods for the local food pantry”; “compliment the person sitting next to you”; “pick up trash around the school property.”
6. Make shirts with a kind message and give/sell as fundraiser for a good cause
7. Deck the halls (and stalls) with powerful messages of kindness and positivity.
Big posters with bold colors!
8. Source volunteer talent (woodworking) to make a buddy bench.
Great for the early elementary years, a buddy bench offers an easy way for kids looking for playmates to connect during recess.
9. Use part of your wall bulletin board to promote kindness.
Or fill envelopes with different acts of kindness that students can draw from anytime.
10. Make a poster with a message for students.
Be the “I” in Kind on top of a big poster (4-5 ft tall) with the Letters K N D : the kid becomes the I in Kind. Any immersive photogenic spot will cause a reaction and participation.
11. Hold a schoolwide Kindness Challenge Week.
Challenge students to perform different acts of kindness all week (these fun “kindness challenge” pencils make it hard to pick just one!). Give each day of the week a theme to encourage kids to think about how their actions and behavior affect those around them.
12. Hold a disabilities awareness fair to show students what it’s like to live with different disabilities.
Disabilities Awareness Month (March) is a great opportunity to give students the chance to learn, hands-on, what it’s like to live with different challenges—from spectrum disorders like autism to vision, speech, and physical impairments. Set up tables, each manned by a parent volunteer or child (or both) who can talk about what it’s like living with that specific disability. From learning to read Braille to trying out a wheelchair to meeting a service dog, kids get to be curious in a respectful way while learning and asking questions. Connect with your school’s special ed department for resources.
13. Chalk the walk
Greet students and staff with sidewalk notes that remind them that anything is possible, kindness is cool, and more.
14. Kindness Chain
Start a schoolwide kindness paper chain and see how far it can reach throughout the school. To start, give paper strips to teachers or have a station in a transited area of the school. When a student or teacher is the recipient of a random act of kindness, have them write it on a strip of paper and add a link to their classroom chain. On the last day, staple classroom chains together and string throughout the hallways.
15. Start each day with good vibes by having kids read a kindness quote.
Have students from each grade take turns sharing the quote of the day during morning announcements.
16. Take an aerial photo of students in the shape of a heart.
Source a drone (not that hard nowadays!) and have students assemble on the blacktop in heart formation. Print the photo on thank-you cards that you can hand out when you catch kids (and adults) being kind, or share on your group’s social media channels as your school’s emblem of kindness.
Source: ptotoday
ACTS OF KINDNESS FOR ANY OCCASION
Bring Toys to the Homeless Shelter
Hold the Elevator Door
Give a Stranger a Compliment
Help Someone Put Groceries in Their Car
Send Flowers to Someone for no Reason
Run an Errand for Someone
Make a Music Playlist for Someone, especially for those that don’t know much about technology
Mow Your Neighbors Lawn
Bake Cookies for the Office
Read a Book to an Elderly Person
Give Your Favorite Book to a Friend
Leave a Nice Note on Someone’s Car
Let Someone Cut in Front of You in Line
Buy the Person Behind You Coffee
Hide a Love Note
Pick Up Litter at the Park
Donate to a Friends Charity
Send a Care Package to a Soldier
Take a Neighbor’s Dog for a Walk
Tell a Boss About a Good Employee
Feed Someone’s Parking Meter
Wash Someone’s Dishes
Make Dinner for a Family in Need
Pay for Someone’s Meal at a Restaurant
Babysit for Free
Offer to baby-sit for a single mom for free
Do Someone a Favor
Thank a Teacher with a Gift
Give Your Seat Up on the Bus
Share Your Umbrella with Someone
Offer to Take a Photo of a Couple
Reconnect with an Old Friend
Buy Local Products from a Small Vendor
Handwrite a Letter to a Friend
Text Someone Good Morning or Goodnight
Write Down a Friends Best Qualities (and Give it to Them)
Send Some Nice Comments on Social Media
Buy Lemonade from a Stand
Leave Quarters at the Laundromat
Buy School Supplies for a Teacher
Be Welcoming to a Neighbor or New Student
Compliment a Parent on their Childs Good Behavior
Donate Towels or Blankets to the Animal Shelter
Leave a Positive Note in a Library Book
Answer a Question in an Online Forum
Make and Send a Handmade Card
Donate a Book to the Library
Bring Someone a Souvenir
Give Someone a Reusable Water Bottle
Give Someone a Hug
Bake Someone a Cake
Take a New Acquaintance to Lunch
Knit Something for the Needy
Buy a Round of Drinks for the Bar
Bring Your Partner Breakfast in Bed
Participate in a Fundraiser
Take 15 Minutes to Really Listen to Someone
Leave Money on a Vending Machine
Send a Random Thank You Email to Someone You Admire
Put Your Phone Away When You’re with Family or Friends
Donate Your Clothes
Tutor Someone
Plant a Tree
Spend Time with Your Grandparents
Help Someone Try Something New
Call Your Mom
Share Your Favorite Recipe with a Friend
Compliment Your Boss
Make Someone Laugh
Donate the $1 at the Checkout Stand
Talk to the Shy One at a Party
Adopt an Animal
Offer to Help a Friend Pack/Unpack
Return a Stray Grocery Cart
Do a Task for Your Partner That He/She Hates Doing
Say "Good morning" to a person standing next to you in the elevator.
Pay the toll for the driver behind you.
Take a minute to direct someone who is lost, even though you're rushing.
Write a letter to a child who could use some extra attention. Kids love getting mail.
Offer to pick up groceries for an elderly neighbor, especially in extreme weather.
Give a homeless person your doggie bag.
Say "I love you" to someone you love.
Help a mother carry her baby stroller up the subway stairs, or hold a door open for her.
Each time you get a new item of clothing, give away something old.
Take someone's shift as the car-pool parent.
Bring your assistant coffee.
Say "please" and "thank you"—and really mean it.
Don't interrupt when someone is explaining herself.
Let a fellow driver merge into your lane.
Call or write to a teacher who changed your life.
Bring a box of doughnuts to share at the office.
Forgive someone a debt–and never bring it up again.
Listen with all your senses.
Write a note to the boss of someone who helps you, and explain how great a job that person is doing.
Simply say "I'm sorry" when you're wrong.
Throw away your trash—and someone else's—after a movie, picnic or visit to a park.
Encourage someone who seems despondent.
Volunteer to take care of a friend's dog while he is vacationing.
Help a friend pack for a move.
Ask someone "How are you really doing?"—and then really listen to their response.
Offer change when the person in front of you at the register comes up short.
Before a friend moves away, give her your favorite recipe or quote and a photo of the two of you together.
Leave a generous tip for a pleasant waiter.
At work, offer to transfer a caller who needs help from another department.
Pass along a great book you've just finished reading.
Pay it Backward: buy coffee for the person behind you in line.
Compliment the first three people you talk to today.
Send a positive text message to five different people right now.
Post inspirational sticky notes around your neighborhood, office, school, etc.
Tell someone they dropped a dollar (even though they didn’t). Then give them a dollar.
Donate old towels or blankets to an animal shelter.
Surprise a neighbor with freshly baked cookies or treats!
Let someone go in front of you in line who only has a few items.
Leave a gas gift card at a gas pump.
Throw a party to celebrate someone just for being who they are, which is awesome.
Have a LinkedIn account? Write a recommendation for coworker or connection.
Encounter someone in customer service who is especially kind? Take an extra five minutes to tell their manager.
Leave unused coupons next to corresponding products in the grocery store.
Leave a note on someone’s car telling them how awesome they parked.
Try to make sure every person in a group conversation feels included.
Write a kind message on your mirror with a dry erase marker for yourself, your significant other or a family member.
Place a positive body image notes in jean pockets at a department store.
Smile at five strangers.
Set an alarm on your phone to go off at three different times during the day. In those moments, do something kind for someone else.
Send a gratitude email to a coworker who deserves more recognition.
Practice self-kindness and spend 30 minutes doing something you love today.
Give away stuff for free on Craig’s List.
Write a gratitude list in the morning and again in the evening.
Know parents who could use a night out? Offer to babysit for free.
Hold up positive signs for traffic or in a park for people exercising outside!
Buy a plant. Put it in a terracotta pot. Write positive words that describe a friend on the pot. Give it to that friend!
Write a positive comment on your favorite blog, website, or a friend’s social media account.
Have a clean up party at a beach or park.
While you’re out, compliment a parent on how well-behaved their child is.
Leave a kind server the biggest tip you can afford.
When you’re throwing something away on the street, pick up any litter around you and put that in the trash too.
Put 50 paper hearts in a box. On each cutout write something that is special about your partner or a friend. Give them the box and tell them to pull out a heart anytime they need a pick-me-up.
Everyone is important. Learn the names of your office security guard, the person at the front desk and other people you see every day. Greet them by name. Also say “hello” to strangers and smile. These acts of kindness are so easy, and they almost always make people smile.
Write your partner a list of things you love about them.
Purchase extra dog or cat food and bring it to an animal shelter.
Find opportunities to give compliments. It costs nothing, takes no time, and could make someone’s entire day. Don’t just think it. Say it.
Take flowers or treats to the nurses’ station at your nearest hospital.
Keep an extra umbrella at work, so you can lend it out when it rains.
Send a ‘Thank you’ card or note to the officers at your local police or fire station.
Take muffins or cookies to your local librarians.
Run an errand for a family member who is busy.
Leave a box of goodies in your mailbox for your mail carrier.
Tape coins around a playground for kids to find.
When you hear that discouraging voice in your head, tell yourself something positive — you deserve kindness too!
Compliment Drivers on How Well They Parked
Wheel Out Your Neighbor's Trash Bin
Find Out Something New About a Coworker
Paint Positive Messages on Pumpkins
Have A Kindness Coloring Contest
When You Write on a Piece of Paper, Use All of It
Unplug Outlets When You Go To Sleep Or Leave The House
Use a Travel Mug for Your Morning Coffee
Start a Piggy Bank for a Cause
Use Energy Efficient Light Bulbs
Turn Your Computer Off Overnight
Praise a Local Business Online
Incorporate Kindness Into Your Curriculum
Adjust the Thermostat in Your Home
Keep Your Fireplace Damper Closed
Use E-Tickets for Concerts or Flights
Offset Your Carbon Footprint Whenever You Book a Flight
Reuse or Personalize Gift Wrap
Leave Uncarved Pumpkins on a Family’s Doorstep
Plant a Vegetable and Herb Garden
Bring Reusable Bags to the Grocery Store
Fill a Birdhouse with Seed for Your Yard
Endorse a Skill or Leave a Positive Recommendation on LinkedIn
Regularly Maintain Your Vehicle
Donate Used Books to a Library
Visit Your Local Zoo or Aquarium
Leave a surprise in your mailbox for your mail carrier
Give someone a thoughtful gift (it does not have to be expensive)
Hold the door open for someone
Write someone a thank you note
Send someone an email just to say hello
Call a friend or family member for no reason other than to chat
Help a driver in need fix a flat tire or in some other way
Give up your place in line at the bank, grocery store, etc.
Pay someone a genuine and heartfelt compliment
Do not complain about anything the entire day
Donate old clothes and stuff you do not need
Take the time to listen to someone attentively rather than monopolize the conversation
Forgive someone who wronged you in the past
Tell your parents how much you love and appreciate them
Give away lottery tickets
Do not gossip about anyone the entire day
Pick up trash that you see
Give someone a ride in your car
Make a donation to a worthy cause (it does not have to be a lot)
Stop to talk to a homeless person
Put together a small herb garden for someone
Say thank you to the janitor at your work, school, or gym
Frame a friend’s favorite quote or lyric and give it to them
Make 2 lunches instead of 1 and give one away at work or school
Be patient, kind and gracious to the customer rep on the phone
Tell a police officer how much you appreciate him or her
Apologize to someone, even if it is not your fault
Thank your garbage collectors, leave them a nice note
Stick a sealed bag of popcorn onto a Redbox machine
Get a free 1-week pass to your gym and give it to a friend or family member
Make friends with and help someone new in your gym
Place a happy or positive sign in your front yard
Help retrieve your neighbour’s garbage can from the curb after collection
Leave a box of tennis balls at the park with a sign that explains it is meant for dog owners to use to play with their dogs
Offer that old cell phone, laptop, TV, or computer to someone in need
Place a positive or happy sign or sticker on your car so that is visible to other drivers
Make a difference by donating funds to someone on Kiva, Kickstarter or GoFundMe
Recommend someone for a job opening
Donate blood
Carpool with someone
Drop-off personal hygiene items or diapers at a local shelter
Do not correct someone, especially in public, even if you know they are wrong
Wash someone’s car
Walk dogs at the animal shelter
Check in on an elderly neighbor
Send a card to a service member.
Bury treasure at the playground.
Set the table for dinner.
Make someone else’s bed
Wave at kids on school buses
Sing songs at a nursing home
Turn off the water while brushing your teeth
Make a busy bag for a family with young children
Donate new pajamas for foster kids
Teach someone something new
Reuse paper when you are drawing
Volunteer at a soup kitchen
Donate coloring books and crayons to the children’s hospital
Ask for donations instead of birthday gifts
Decorate tissue boxes and hand sanitizer for nursing stations
Share overheard compliments.
Send cards to sick children who are fighting serious illnesses and want to receive mail. Send mail to Cards for Hospitalized Kids, which delivers the cards to children in US hospitals. A great activity for individuals, families and classrooms.
Through Cardz for Kidz! you can send cards for uplifting the spirits of hospitalized and/or traumatized kids around the globe.
On Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, remember any friends who have lost a parent the previous year, and check in with them. Those will be tough days.
“Want me to pick something up for you?” If you know someone is overwhelmed – perhaps by a new baby, family health issues, or something else – give them a call when you’re going out to the store. Ask if they’d like you to pick something up. We’ve been the beneficiaries of this random act of kindness, and it’s great.
When a friend’s family member dies, an incredible gift is to gather stories about the deceased. Get friends and family members to provide stories, anecdotes and photos. Your friend will forever cherish the book you’ll put together. If you can’t make an entire book, just sharing your fond memories is appreciated.
If you’re an Amazon.com customer you can donate Amazon.com’s money to your favorite U.S. nonprofit through Amazon Smile. It takes a total of 20 seconds to read how to do this and set it up. Then Amazon will donate to your favorite nonprofit each time you make a purchase.
Collect soda can tabs to donate to Ronald McDonald House for sick children and their families. The charity gets paid for these.
Write letters to strangers who need them. More Love Letters has a list of people who could benefit from letters of encouragement. Each person has been added to the web site by a friend or family member. Read the stories and take five minutes to make someone’s day.
Love for the Elderly also has a Senior Buddy program that connects seniors, who often experience loneliness and isolation, with young students. They become pen pals and develop a relationship through letter writing. Please note that only classrooms and senior facilities can sign up for the program at this time.
Loan money to a third world entrepreneur through Kiva. These tiny investments change the lives of the families who receive them, and 99% of the loans are paid back.
Invite someone to dinner – especially at the holidays, when it is difficult for some people to be alone.