Doing acts of kindness for kids is a heartwarming experience. Doing acts of kindness with kids is even better! There are so many opportunities to be kind to kids that it can be hard to narrow down your options. Here are some ideas to get you started on your kindness journey with a focus on kids.
Acts of kindness for kids
Showing kindness to kids can be easy and fun! But where to begin? Use the list of kindness categories below to get inspired!
- Shelter
Providing a safe place for kids, meeting one of the most basic human needs, is an act of kindness that pays dividends over the course of a child’s life. Stability and safety are vital for kids. You can help children in need by donating supplies to local family shelters. You can also look into the requirements for fostering children in your area.
Kindness inspiration – Check out this story about providing backpacks for foster kids: https://randomacts.org/kindness-stories/backpacks-for-foster-kids/
- Food
Like shelter, food is another basic need that too often is not met for children. Studies show that nutrition is important for children’s physical and emotional health. You can help by donating snacks and food staples to local food banks. Also consider donating specialized food for kids with allergies or sensitivities that they might otherwise not have access to.
Kindness inspiration – Check out this story about ways to donate to food banks with dietary restrictions in mind: https://randomacts.org/food-equity/how-to-be-inclusive-of-dietary-restrictions-when-donating-to-food-banks/
- Quality time
Human beings are social creatures, and sometimes what we need most is to spend time with each other. You can spend time with kids by volunteering with youth groups or kids clubs or volunteering to read stories at libraries or children’s hospitals. Use the gift of human touch by volunteering to cuddle babies at hospital NICUs. Call ahead to find out what the volunteer requirements are!
Kindness inspiration – Check out this story about some successful kindness projects done by kids: https://randomacts.org/blog-posts/getting-kids-excited-about-kindness/
- Fun
Once basic needs are met, fun for kids comes next! You can provide opportunities for fun by donating toys, games, and stuffed animals to organizations for kids. Reach out to local schools to ask about organizing fun events for kids.
Kindness inspiration – Check out this story about a family fun night: https://randomacts.org/blog-posts/family-fun-night-connects-special-education-faculty-families-and-students/
- Learning
Children are constantly learning, and having the proper tools makes it even easier to learn. You can help kids learn by donating books, school supplies, or uniforms. You can also look into volunteering for after school programs.
Kindness inspiration – Check out this story about donating school supplies to kids: https://randomacts.org/kindness-stories/back-to-school-kindness-ghana/
- Everyday kindness
Sometimes, the best acts of kindness do not require money or things. Just listening to kids and supporting their interests is so important.
Have an idea for an act of kindness for kids? Your kindness story could be featured here!
Tips for doing acts of kindness for kids:
- Keep age in mind: is the act of kindness you want to do better suited for kids of a particular age? Look into it beforehand.
- Do your research: does the act of kindness you want to do match up with the needs of the children you want to help? Be prepared to pivot if necessary!
- Ask the experts: Adults who regularly work with children will be well suited to give advice about acts of kindness for kids. Reach out to them to ask for guidance as needed.
Acts of kindness with kids
Are you interested in getting kids in your life involved in acts of kindness? Unsure of where to start? Check out these ideas for doing acts of kindness with kids!
- Creating things
Foster creativity in kids while being kind! Some activities that you can do with kids include painting rocks, making bookmarks, knitting or crocheting blankets, making cards, or baking treats. All of these activities result in a finished product that can be donated!
Kindness inspiration – Check out this story about students making and donating blankets: https://randomacts.org/kindness-stories/blanket-bundles/
- Starting a collection of goods
Rally your community by helping kids start a collection drive! Some items to collect include canned food, hygiene supplies, school supplies, socks, etc. Supply drives are an important way to not only collect donations, but also to make connections with your community members.
Kindness inspiration – Check out this story about a successful food drive: https://randomacts.org/childhood-hunger/jason-manns-performs-at-food-drive/
- Helping the earth
For kids who are budding environmentalists, try getting involved in park clean ups or tending a community garden. You can even help them start a backyard garden.
Kindness inspiration – Check out this story about starting a garden: https://randomacts.org/kindness-stories/vibrant-shades-colorize-urban-gardens/
- Helping animals
Children who have a passion for helping animals can find opportunities to spend time with them by volunteering at an animal shelter. They can also volunteer to walk dogs for neighborhood seniors. Call ahead to see if there are certain activities at the animal shelter that are well suited for kids.
Kindness inspiration – Check out this story about donations made to an animal shelter: https://randomacts.org/kindness-stories/bringing-some-holiday-cheer-to-the-pets-of-spca-florida/
- Helping elders
The young and young at heart often lift each other’s spirits! Look into ways for kids to volunteer at a senior center or nursing home. Older kids can also help to do yard work for neighborhood seniors.
Kindness inspiration – Check out this story about kindness delivered to a nursing home: https://randomacts.org/kindness-stories/flowers-nursing-home-residents/
Tips for doing acts of kindness with kids:
- Follow their lead: start with what the kids are interested in and go from there.
- Make it easy: pick kindness activities appropriate for the age and maturity of the kids you are working with.
- Dig in and get involved yourself: children follow the examples set by the adults in their life, so participate enthusiastically in your kindness activities!
We hope this article has given you the inspiration to do an act of kindness for kids, with kids, or both! Do you have an excellent idea, but you need some money to make it happen? Consider getting your act of kindness funded through Random Acts! Apply for an act here to learn more.
