Random Acts of Kindness for Kids

1. Phone a friend

Calling a friend can make them feel well-appreciated and less lonely. Even a 5-minute call can make someone’s day!

2. Write a handwritten letter

Taking the time to give someone a handwritten letter is a great way to show kindness. It shows just how much you care and value them.

3. Draw a picture.

Why not draw a picture for a friend or family member? It will let them know you’re thinking of them and it will be something they will treasure.

4. Bake a treat.

Ask a grown-up to help you bake someone a cake or some biscuits –  it’s bound to make them smile. 

5. Compliment someone

Whether it be about their appearance or an achievement, a little compliment can go a long way. If you think something about someone is amazing, say it!

6. Make someone something

Use your talents for a good cause, whether that be cooking, art, or writing, and make a friend something personal; they’ll love it and you’ll feel accomplished.

7. Play with someone

Asking someone to play with you at school or at home can make them feel really valued as a friend. It shows you appreciate them and enjoy their company!

8. Say thank you

Whether someone pushed your chair in for you, made you dinner, or did something kind for you…saying thank you is a great way to let someone know you appreciate them.

9. Help a friend with schoolwork

If your classmate is struggling with something you’re good at, give them a helping hand! Offering some advice or guidance will help get them on the right track.

10. Plant a tree

It’s so important to be kind to our environment, especially today. Planting a tree (with the help of an adult) gives wildlife a place to live and helps combat climate change – as well as making your garden a more beautiful space!

11. Pick up litter

Not only is litter an eye-sore, but it pollutes the environment. By litter-picking, you’re protecting the wildlife in your local area, as well as preventing air, water and soil pollution. Make sure you ask a grown-up to help and use the appropriate safety equipment!

12. Plant your own vegetables

Lots of the vegetables we buy in supermarkets are imported or covered in plastic! Growing your     own vegetables with the help of an adult is far more sustainable as the veggies don’t have to travel far to end up on your plate, and you can have fun tending to them in the garden.

13. Turn off the lights when you’re not in the room

Lights that have been left on when no one’s around massively contribute to greenhouse gases! By remembering to turn them off when you leave the room, you’re being much kinder to the planet.

14. Put birdseed out for the birds

Putting out some birdseed will attract lots of different species of bird into your garden; birds are beautiful and they help to spread seeds. Let’s make sure we take care of them. 

15. Clean your room

They say a messy room is a messy mind; by keeping your bedroom – or your classroom – today, you’re making the space much nicer for you and for others.

16. Give teddies away to those in need

If you have some teddies you don’t spend as much time with anymore, why not give them away to a local charity, hospital or children’s home? Less fortunate children might just have their day made if they receive something you love so much.

17. Buy secondhand clothes

Try going to a charity shop instead of a fashion outlet for your new clothes; you can often find great clothes in the places you least expect! The fashion industry contributes 10% of the world’s carbon emissions, so you can combat this by buying something second-hand.

18. Thank a teacher

Teachers work really hard, and it’s so important to make them feel valued for the work they do for you. By saying thank you when you leave the classroom, they know you’ve appreciated their efforts!

19. Make a handmade card

Instead of using a shop-bought card, why not make your own? Not only can you exercise your creativity, but it shows the recipient that you really care.

20. Make some positive sticky notes

If you want to make someone smile, try putting up sticky-notes around the house. You can write a nice message, draw a nice picture or give someone a compliment!

21. Send a postcard

If you go away, or just want to let someone know you’re thinking of them, sending a postcard is a great way to touch base with a friend or family member.

22. Give towels or blankets to a pet shelter

Do you have some towels or blankets that are a little too old to use? If so, give them to a local pet shelter! It can make the animals feel more at home, and they have something that is their own.

23. Help someone cross the road

If you see someone struggling to cross the road safely, you can go along with a trusted adult and ask to give them a helping hand. They’ll get to know someone and feel supported.

24. Smile – it’s infectious!

Smiling has been proven to increase endorphins – stress-relieving hormones – which help you and others feel much better. By giving someone a smile, it will encourage them to do the same.

25. Hold a cake sale for charity.

If you love to bake, you can put your talents to good use by holding a cake sale and giving the money to charity. You could do this independently, or maybe ask your school if they could do it with you.

26. Write a story or a poem for someone.

Creating a narrative for someone is really special – you could even include them in the story! They’ll have something totally unique, and it’s bound to make their day.

27. Help family with household chores.

Things at home can get really busy, so by giving a helping hand you can massively reduce someone’s stress levels. Even better, try doing it without being asked to really make someone smile!

28. Tell people you love them

You may think they know already, but a reminder never hurts. Letting people know just how much you care can be really heart-warming and encouraging.

29. Tell a funny joke

Laughter can do everything, from relieving stress to supporting your immune system. Telling a friend or family member a joke could really improve their day and make them smile.

30. Make an effort with the new classmate

If someone new has just joined the school, make an effort to make them feel welcome! Moving schools can be really daunting, especially if they don’t know anyone.

31. Help a family member to cook

Learning to cook can be really rewarding, especially if you can help others in the process. Offer to lend a hand after school in preparing dinner!

32. Give old books to the school library

If you really enjoyed reading something, why not give it to your school library so other children can enjoy it too?

33. Forgive someone

Forgiveness makes the world a better place. If you feel upset by something someone has done, try to resolve it with them and move on. Forgiveness helps everyone feel better.

34. Give someone a book they might like

There’s nothing better than immersing yourself in a book! If someone has brought up a topic they love, or a theme, maybe get them a book on it you think they’d enjoy!

35. Encourage a friend who is struggling

If someone’s having a hard time, try giving them some words of encouragement, or even just a hug!

36. Do someone a favour

Doing someone a favour can massively take the weight off their shoulders when they’re stressed. It’s also really rewarding knowing you’ve helped out a friend.

37. Bring someone a souvenir

If you’re lucky enough to visit a new place, why not share that joy with a friend? They’ll know you were thinking of them.

38. Really listen to someone

If someone is telling you something, try to really listen! It’s easy to let our minds wander when someone else is talking, or wait for our turn to talk, but giving people the time of day makes them feel heard and valued.

39. Make someone laugh

Making someone laugh really can brighten their day. Science suggests smiling and laughing can encourage our brains to release ‘happy hormones’ or serotonin, which can drastically alter someone’s mood for the better!

40. Call a family member you haven’t spoken to in a while

Is there an aunt or an uncle, grandma or granddad you haven’t quite paid enough attention to? Giving them a random call will brighten their day and remind both of you how much you value your relationship.

41. Compliment a teacher

Sometimes the most unexpected compliments are the best! If like something about one of your teachers, tell them!

42. Sit with someone new at lunch.

If there’s someone in your class you don’t chat to as much, maybe take the time to get to know them and make their day!

43. Say thank you to the bus driver.

The littlest things mean the most. Bus drivers spend all day taking children to school, so if they’ve given you a ride, make sure to let them know they’re appreciated.

44. Clear up someone else’s mess.

It’s not the most exciting thing to do, but it can really make a difference. Kindness is catchy – maybe they’ll lend you a hand in the future, too!

45. Offer to help tidy up after P.E.

It can be tiring moving all that equipment around, so why not lend a hand? It’s a quick and easy way to make someone smile.

46. Bring a plant to school for everyone to look after.

Looking after a plant can be educational and fun at the same time. Sharing the joy you get looking after something can be really rewarding!

47. Make a game for the younger children.

It would make their day if you included the younger children at break time; they’d be sure to have lots of fun and so would you.

48. Write a letter to an elderly family member

Sometimes older family members appreciate a bit of tradition. Instead of sending a text or an e-mail, try sending them a letter.

49. Say sorry when you’ve done something wrong

It’s tough to acknowledge when we’ve made a mistake but saying sorry can quickly resolve the situation and make for a more positive environment.

50. Make a bracelet or paper aeroplane for a friend

Something handmade can mean the most! Making something for a friend, like jewellery or a paper aeroplane, is a great way to show kindness.

51. Recycle plastics and paper

One of the kindest things we can do is care for our local environment. Recycling is an easy way to make a big impact; try to separate the paper and plastic you use every day. Get a trusted adult to show you how!

52. Be kind to yourself!

When we’re kind to ourselves, it helps us feel happier, and when we’re happy we’re more likely to be kind to others. So by being kind to yourself, you’re actually helping everyone!