Let’s be honest, the world can sometimes feel a little…well, unkind. Certainly, that’s why spreading kindness and positivity is so important! Here’s where introducing the concept of “Random Acts of Kindness” to our kids early on comes in. By starting their journey of being kind young, we can help them develop into compassionate and caring individuals. Can you say MOM WIN?!
So, what exactly are ‘random acts of kindness’? By definition, random acts of kindness entail doing something nice for someone, and expecting nothing in return. It can be a grand gesture or something small, like a compliment or a helping hand. The key is to make someone’s day a little brighter.
Actually, I did some research of my own to learn more about the science behind kindness, and studies show that doing random acts of kindness benefit everyone involved! Doing good deeds releases endorphins, those feel-good chemicals in your brain. This not only lowers stress levels tremendously but also generates feelings of satisfaction and gratitude. There’s even a link between giving and a lower risk of early death! Additionally, doing simple random acts of kindness promotes intrinsic happiness overall and a better attitude in life. Sounds pretty good, right?
Let’s not forget that kindness can have a ripple effect by inspiring others to pay it forward. This is a great life lesson to teach our kids who are constantly watching our every move. If they see us being kind to others, it’s the hope that they will grow up to be the same way!
Ready to spread some kindness with your kids?
Here are 30 awesome ideas for random acts of kindness for kids (and grown-ups too!):
Use Kind Words
- Compliment someone who you don’t know or just met.
- Keep a marker and some post-it notes in your car, and every now and then, write a nice note to someone and stick it on their parked car window.
- Say bless you when you hear a stranger sneeze!
- Send a blogger/influencer or anyone you follow on social media a message telling them why you love following them and how you found them! (I know I would appreciate this!!!)
Spread Kindness with Helpful Deeds
- Hold open the door for a stranger when you can – even if they are capable of opening it on their own!
- Help a neighbor bring in their trash bins! Or randomly bring them up from the bottom of their driveway to the top!
- Happily let another driver merge into your lane on the road! Send a wave!
- See litter on the ground? Pick it up and throw it out!
- Offer to get your neighbors’ mail when you know they are going out of town.
- If you’re seated in public and you can tell someone else is eyeing your chair, offer it to them if you don’t mind standing!
- Donate one thing from your closet with every new piece of clothing you purchase! Click here for places to donate in the Chicagoland area!
- If someone asks you for a favor (which is typically never easy for most people to do), make it work happily!!
Kindness with Gifts
- Leave water or snacks out for your mail + package delivery men and women.
- Tape a money to the next vending machine you come across.
- Surprise your neighbors (or even the fire station or police station!) with a fresh-out-of-the-oven batch of cookies! For some of our cookie recipe faves, click here.
- Pay for the coffee order of the car behind you in the drive-thru line!!
- Take your kids with you to donate things in the home {I wrote an entire blog post sharing 5 incredible nonprofit organizations to donate things to in the Chicagoland area – read it here!}
- Certainly, when moms get sick, we all know that the whole family suffers! Email over a Door Dash, Grub Hub, or Uber Eats gift card to the family of your sick mom friend – it will help tremendously! OR have your kids make her cards (which is free and see sweet!)
- Send your child to school with a small gift for his teacher (perhaps he or she could help pick it out!) JUST BECAUSE!
- Bake something really well? Have a friend who is obsessed with said something? Randomly make it for them and leave it at their door! (I’ve done this a few times for my friends who LOVE my banana bread!!!)
- Have your kids write notes to their friends about why they like being friends with them and then hand deliver to their mailbox or front door!
- On vacation? See something that reminds you of someone from home? Bring it back for them!
Community Kindness
- See a cute couple or family out together? Offer to take their photo with their phone!
- The next time you come across a child selling lemonade in the neighborhood, stop and buy it!!
- The next volunteer opportunity that comes up, say yes! OR seek out your own opportunity at a local nursing home or homeless shelter.
- Write a positive online review about a restaurant you love.
- Invite the new family who just moved to your town over for dinner or dessert! Or ask if they want to go out together as families.
- If you have time on your hands while at the grocery store checkout and can afford someone to go ahead of you in line, offer him or her the opportunity!
- The next time you’re out at a restaurant and you loved your waiter or waitress, let the owner or manager know!!
Bonus: Spread Kindness Everywhere You Go!
- Smile at a stranger!!!!!! Instant mood lifter for both of you, promise! This one is my favorite and something I do often!
More Fun Stuff!
PS if you’re wondering about that playmat above that Demi is laying on, it’s my single-handed favorite baby thing we have!
Listen Now: Top 13 Podcasts Your Kids Will Love
As a mom of three kids of all different ages, I’m just gonna put it out there that over the years I’ve become a bit of a podcast-for-kids pro. We love them because they are not just background noise; they’re engaging adventures that kids listen to intently, sparking their curiosity and creativity along the way. I’m sharing my top 10 list of kid-approved podcasts that will have your little ones begging for “just one more episode” (you’ve been warned!):
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If not, what are you waiting for?? We have fun over there, and I would love to have you join our little mama community!! All it takes is 2 seconds! So, click here and hit that follow button now!
GRAB THESE FREEBIES:
100+ Easy School Lunch Box Ideas to Help You Create Healthy Lunches for Your Kids All Year in Under 5 Minutes a Day.
12 Holy Grail Products That Will Make Your Life As a Mom So Much Easier.
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