No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” –Aesop
Show your children the joy of spreading happiness by helping them complete these activities in your community.
As Harold Kushner said, “When you are kind to others, it not only changes you, it changes the world.” Performing random acts of kindness together with you children will show them how to love and care for others through kindness and good deeds. They will love making someone’s day!
Say thank you – Send by mail or hand-deliver a handwritten Thank You card to someone you see every day that helps your family. For example, the post office worker, mailman, fireman, police man, secretary, grocery store clerk, janitor, etc. You can even tie a sweet note saying “Thank You For All That You Do!” with ribbon onto some treats like candy or bubble gum.
Give a compliment – Compliment someone (even if it’s someone you don’t know!) You’ll teach your children the power of a simple compliment to make someone smile.
A basket of cookies – Bring a friend or neighbor a basket filled with cookies. Bake several dozen cookies and bring your children to deliver them to new neighbors, those who have had a new baby, those who are lonely or homebound, etc.
A hand-drawn picture – Draw pictures for those who need cheering up. Have your children draw pictures for the homebound church members, or visit a nursing home and have them give their drawings to the people they meet.
Do A good deed – Offer to help someone in need. Open the door for someone who has their hands full, help carry in groceries for a neighbor or offer to babysit for a friend.
Dollar bills, quarters, and pennies – Give a quarter or a dollar to children you see. The response will be an ear-to-ear smile filled with joy! Fill a parking meter, pay the toll for the person behind you, pay for someone’s coffee, or secretly pay for a stranger’s meal. Pay it forward and keep the good vibes going.
Send a “thinking about you” message – Sometimes it’s the littlest gestures that make the biggest impact. I love receiving text messages from friends with nothing more than the simple message of, “Just thinking of you. Miss you!”
Encouraging notes – Write an encouraging note and leave it somewhere that someone will find it. At a park, on a bulletin board or in a restaurant. It will truly make their day! Some ideas are: “Smile! It looks good on you!” or “You are wonderful” or “Have a great day!” Ask your children what they want to write.
Home-cooked meals – Bring someone a home-cooked meal. This is great for new mothers, those who are grieving, those who are sick, and those who are lonely. Nothing says you are loved and cared for more than a home-cooked meal.
Smile – Smile! A smile is the best and easiest way to brighten someone’s day! Smiling is absolutely free, and when you give a smile – someone can’t help but smile back. One of the greatest gifts is a kindness shown.
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Luke 6:31
