I think most of us get caught up in our own lives and the daily busyness that we put on ourselves, forgetting that the simplest of things can make the most significant impact on someone else. A smile, a compliment, paying for a meal. Throughout the year I am looking for easy ways my family can show Random Acts of Kindness. Just think how different this world would be if everyone took a few minutes out of their week to do something for someone else. Start today and make someone’s day better.
I hope these Acts of Kindness Ideas are helpful to you, so we can all spread joy to others.
Random Acts of Kindness Ideas
101 Random Acts of Kindness Ideas
Teaching your children compassion and kindness for others is one of the best things you can give them.
1. Leave money on a vending machine for someone
2. Bake cookies for the elderly
3. Serve at a homeless shelter
4. Do a 5k for a good cause
5. Help at a veterinarian office
6. Pick up litter on the beach
7. Let someone go in front of you in line
8. Give a stranger a compliment
9. Make dinner for a family in need
10. Insert coins into someone’s parking meter
11. Buy flowers to hand out on the street
12. Leave letters of encouragement on people’s cars
Acts of Kindness
13. Buy a movie ticket for the person behind you
14. Pay for someone’s meal at a restaurant
15. Write letters to soldiers
16. Donate Christmas gifts to an orphanage
17. Participate in a fundraiser
18. Use your allowance to donate to a charity
19. Hold open the doors for people
20. Thank a teacher with a gift
Random Acts of Kindness
21. Donate your old clothes to the Salvation Army
22. Help a senior with their groceries
23. Shovel a neighbor’s driveway when it snows
24. Walk a neighbor’s dog
25. Babysit for free
26. Plant a tree
27. Do a favor without asking for anything in return
28. Take someone new in your neighborhood on a tour of the city
29. Show the new kids around your school
30. Buy an ice cream cone for a child
31. Learn to say hello in a different language to different people
32. Prepare a meal for your family
33. Pay for a stranger’s library fees
Random Acts of Kindness Examples
34. Send Valentine’s Day cards to everyone in your class
35. Spend a day at a homeless shelter
36. Give drinks out to people on a hot day
37. Send a letter to a good friend instead of a text
38. Bring in donuts for your co-workers
39. Help a child or older person cross the street
40. Water a neighbor’s lawn/flowers
41. Snap a photo of a couple
42. Give someone a gift card that you don’t intend to use
43. Wash someone’s car
44. Read to kids at the library for storytime
45. Plan a surprise birthday party for someone
46. Perform a concert at a retirement home
47. Help do chores at a farm/harvest ranch
48. Save your pop tabs for a children’s hospital
49. Leave your waiter a generous tip
50. Start mentoring a younger child
51. Spend time with your grandparents
52. Make a family member breakfast in bed
53. Hold the elevator for someone
54. Pay for someone’s dry cleaning
55. Pack someone a lunch for the day
56. Write a kind or encouraging message on a napkin
57. Do a sibling’s chores without them asking
58. Offer to take a shopper’s cart to the line outside
59. Help someone who has a flat tire
60. Let someone else pick what to watch on TV
61. Send care packages to soldiers overseas
62. Rake the leaves for your neighbors
63. Mow the lawn for your neighbors
64. Take the day not to complain
65. Write a list of things that you adore about a friend]
66. Pay for someone’s morning coffee
67. Participate in Pack-A-Backpack for a child
68. Instead of posting negativity online, spread some encouragement
69. Share your favorite Bible verses or quote and post them to the company billboard
70. Give up your seat on the bus to another person
71. Pay for someone’s bus/cab fare
72. Offer someone your pen
73. Lend a friend a favorite book/movie
74. Recommend someone your favorite book/movie
Small Acts of Kindness
75. Take your younger siblings out to play in the rain
76. Make hot chocolate for your family on a cold day
77. Take the time to appreciate the sunrise and sunset
78. Write someone an encouraging poem
79. Send Coloring Books to sick kids in the hospital
80. Celebrate your own best friend appreciation day
81. Help tutor a struggling student
82. Pay for another student’s lunch
83. Offer to give a friend a ride home
84. Take the time to listen to someone
85. Recycle things that you see on the road
86. Help sick animals find homes
87. Make someone a homemade blanket or scarf
88. Feed the birds in the park
89. Leave some change on a wishing fountain
90. Help out the janitors at school
91. Donate your hair after a haircut
92. Give your umbrella to a stranger
93. Volunteer to work some overtime at your job
94. Ride your bike or walk to work
95. Offer compliments to strangers and friends and family
96. Buy your waiter/waitress dessert
97. Wash a neighbor’s dog for free
98. Buy groceries for the person behind you
99. Reconnect with old friends
100. Hide money in random places for strangers to find
101. Be kind to yourself!
Random Acts of Kindness Ideas
Kindness Examples
Kindness Matters
Can you think of other ways for kids to spread kindness to others? I’d love to hear your ideas leave a comment below so we can share them.
Random Acts of Kindness Activities & Ideas
Perfect to hang on your Fridge or Command Center
Click Here for Free Random Acts of Kindness Printable
I recommend using a Laminator and Laminating Pouches. It keeps your papers usable and looking great for years. You can laminate this acts of kindness printable and post it on the refrigerator making it easy for your family to do something kind for someone else.
I hope this list gives your family ideas for random acts of kindness that can be done daily for others.
Can you think of other ways to make someone’s day? I’d love to hear about random acts of kindness that your family has done.
Random Acts of Kindness Examples
Studies have shown that if you like this, you will also love the following articles. 🙂 I have pulled them together for you right here!
30 Days of Random Acts of Kindness for Kids
30 Small Acts of Kindness You Can Do Every Day
200+ Best Random Acts of Kindness Ideas
30+ Small Acts of Kindness
Samantha says
September 15, 2020 at 9:50 pmMy kids got something similar for their homework over the summer holidays. I loved that idea. It gave them something to do and they felt great about themselves.
Lana says
December 11, 2019 at 5:41 pmAs a person who grew up in an abusive home, I know Christmas can be a not so merry time. My husband and I buy toys through the year so the kids who must flee their homes on Christmas Eve will have presents on Christmas morning. We take wrapping paper, bows, ribbon even tape. We take it to the shelter a week before so it will not be in their way. All the moms get scarves, hats and gloves. It is not random but I still like doing it.
Kimberly says
December 12, 2019 at 12:19 amThis is such a wonderful idea! Thank you for sharing it.
TrikleTrade says
September 12, 2019 at 7:44 amThank you for sharing these wonderful acts of kindness ideas.
Jacqui says
December 10, 2017 at 10:39 amJust been in town centre with my friends, we dressed up Christmasee and gave out little presents to random people, it was lovely to see the smiling faces, some thought we were wanting something back but surprised them when we walked off saying happy Christmas, feel all warm inside xx
Kimberly says
December 10, 2017 at 10:46 amLove it!
Stefan Deutsch says
October 2, 2018 at 4:23 pmHi Kimberly,
We will be using your lists for a pilot program in a school in Slovakia. Their school psychologist, Antonia Morgan, is studying my theory of human development and unconditional love.
You might be interested in my work. If so please let me know.
Warmly,
Stefan Deutsch, President
The Human Development Company
Kimberly says
October 2, 2018 at 5:01 pmThat sounds wonderful! Thank you for letting me know.
Sharlene Habermeyer says
December 9, 2017 at 3:49 pmGreat list–thank you! I shared it with my facebook group: Good Parenting Brighter Children
Kimberly says
December 9, 2017 at 9:39 pmThank you so much!
Rebekah Kortman says
August 20, 2017 at 6:41 pmThanks for this great list! My family does random acts of kindness as an advent project for every day of December. I am always scouring random acts of kindness lists looking for new ideas! Thanks!
Kimberly says
August 20, 2017 at 8:32 pmThank you so much! We do a Kindness Calendar in December too. In fact, I have a new one coming out soon.
Renae says
October 20, 2016 at 10:17 pmSuch an amazing list of ideas! I’m so impressed you came up with so many. I know where I’m going for inspiration for our next RAK countdown!
Kimberly says
October 20, 2016 at 10:20 pmThanks so much Renae
Nessa says
October 20, 2016 at 8:37 pmI like doing stuff like this and hope to instill the desire in my girls. 🙂 Gonna grab the list. Thanks.
Stef says
October 16, 2016 at 9:52 pmSuch a fantastic list! After all it’s the little things that make one’s day special.
Kimberly says
October 17, 2016 at 8:35 amThank you 🙂 I totally agree
Colleen says
October 10, 2016 at 8:03 pmThis is a great list of kindness activities leading up to the holidays!
Helen says
October 8, 2016 at 2:25 pmFantastic list! Advocating kindness, especially into today’s political climate is so important. There can never be enough kindness!
Jacquie says
October 7, 2016 at 11:29 pmYou have so many wonderful ideas on this list! And I love that you have a printable – thank you for inspiring families to help others.
Michelle says
October 7, 2016 at 12:06 pmThe world needs more kindness – and this list has SO many great ideas.
Beth Cheng says
October 6, 2016 at 10:28 pmLove the list. Kindness starts small, with many simple things. Thanks for putting it into a printable sheet. Printed.
Erin Buhr says
October 6, 2016 at 8:14 pmThis is such a fantastic list! Love, love, love these ideas! Perfect for this time of year, but all year round.
Heidi says
October 6, 2016 at 10:39 amWhat fun ideas! I pinned this so I can do some with my kids.
Christina says
October 5, 2016 at 5:22 pmWhat a great printable. Perfect for hanging on the fridge so we can pick an act of kindness activity to do each week.
Jen says
October 5, 2016 at 10:02 amWhat a fab list. We always do acts of kindness for advent, so will be seeing if you have any different ones to me. Thanks
Jodie says
October 5, 2016 at 9:54 amSo many wonderful ideas to do throughout the whole year. I think we might try #87 next week.
Sarah says
October 5, 2016 at 8:50 amI love this list of random acts of kindness. What a great way to instill the values of compassion and kindness in our kids. Thanks for sharing these ideas!
Rachel says
October 5, 2016 at 8:13 amI love this. We have been talking a lot lately about thinking of others more than ourselves, and this is a great next step.
Kara Carrero - Extremely Good Parenting says
October 5, 2016 at 8:09 amWe have been trying to make it more of a habit to spread love and kindness to others. I think it really creates a heart of gratefulness even in toddlers and preschoolers. They get a better feel for how their actions can positively impact another’s life and that’s so powerful.
Emma says
October 5, 2016 at 5:51 amOoh, pinning this one! We’re on a random act of kindness spree right now, so I love finding new ideas for helping!
Jessica Petersen says
October 5, 2016 at 1:20 amI can’t wait to share this list with my son and pick some acts of kindness to do together! Such a great way to teach empathy and compassion. Thank you!
Mother of 3 says
September 22, 2016 at 7:48 amSuch a wonderful list! Pinned.
Kimberly says
September 22, 2016 at 5:24 pmThank you 🙂
Anish George says
November 15, 2018 at 8:10 amExactly ! This is what everyone should do. Random act of kindness are always satisfying and peace giving. Love to read more from you.
cheers !