Random Acts of Kindness Jar for Kids

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Are you looking for a great way to get your kids to participate in a few Random Acts of Kindness? 

This Random Acts of Kindness jar is a fun way to get kids of all ages thinking about others and showing sweet and simple acts of kindness more often. 

As a mom of 3 young kids, I created this kindness jar for the season of lent as a fun “add on” rather than giving something up. 

What better time to encourage little ones to spread love and positivity? 

Here’s how to create a printable Random Acts of Kindness Jar – a fun activity for the whole family.

Making Your Kindness Jar

To make your kindness jar, you’ll just need some slips of paper and a jar or bucket to put them in. 

You can use a mason jar (or any clear container you have lying around – mine is my fancy hospital water bottle from giving birth ;)), colorful slips of paper, and a pen. 

You can also adjust your kindness jar to fit specific holidays or seasons:

• Valentine’s Day: use heart-shaped slips of paper
• Easter: use pastel colored paper
• Christmas: use red and green papers

​If you don’t want to come up with your own random acts of kindness ideas that are easy for kids, you can steal my printable random acts of kindness here.

Pin

Just print, cut, and add them to your glass jar. 

Random Acts of Kindness Ideas for Kids

Now what can you put in your Random Acts of Kindness Jar? 

Here’s a list of 46 easy and meaningful acts of kindness for kids. Most of these are free or low cost as well! 

Feel free to add or modify based on your family’s preferences:

1. Smile at a classmate or friend.
2. Hold the door open for someone.
3. Say “please” and “thank you” throughout the day.
4. Help a friend with their schoolwork.
5. Share your toys with a friend.
6. Compliment someone on their outfit or hairstyle.
7. Write a thank-you note to a teacher.
8. Pick up litter at the playground or school yard.
9. Let someone go ahead of you in line.
10. Draw a picture or write a note for a family member.
11. Help set the table for dinner.
12. Give a high-five or a fist bump to a friend.
13. Plant a flower or a small plant in a public space.
14. Read a book to a younger sibling or friend.
15. Make a card for someone just because.
16. Ask a classmate how their day is going and really listen.
17. Hold hands with a friend during a walk or outing.
18. Bring a snack to share with a friend.
19. Water the plants for a neighbor.
20. Clean up after a class activity without being asked.
21. Donate gently used toys or clothes to those in need.
22. Invite a new classmate to join a game.
23. Help a younger sibling with their chores.
24. Create “kindness coupons” for family members.
25. Write a positive message on the sidewalk with chalk.
26. Make a bird feeder and hang it in a local park.
27. Offer to help a teacher with a classroom task.
28. Share a piece of your snack with a friend.
29. Leave an uplifting note in a library book for the next reader.
30. Say something encouraging to someone feeling down.
31. Let someone go first in a game or activity.
32. Donate canned goods to a local food pantry.
33. Help a friend who has dropped their belongings.
34. Create a piece of art for a nursing home resident.
35. Offer to walk a neighbor’s dog.
36. Write a positive message on a sticky note and leave it for a teacher.
37. Send a postcard or letter to a grandparent.
38. Help a friend who is struggling with their shoelaces.
39. Draw a hopscotch game on the pavement for others to enjoy.
40. Make a point to include everyone in a game or activity.
41. Create a “compliment jar” for the family and read them aloud.
42. Give someone a genuine compliment.
43. Help clean up toys at a friend’s house after playing.
44. Offer to share your umbrella with someone on a rainy day.
45. Leave a positive message on a classmate’s desk.
46. Donate a gently used book to the school or local library.

These small acts of kindness are not only simple but also have the power to make a big impact on the lives of others. 

Plus, they provide an excellent opportunity for kids to practice positive behavior and develop essential life skills.

A win win!

Choosing Your Random Acts of Kindness

Now comes the fun part – filling the jar with acts of kindness! 

You can fill the jar for your family with my pre-determined list, or you can sit down as a family and take turns coming up with ideas and writing them on slips of paper. 

If you go this route, try to talk about why each act is important and how it might make someone’s day a little brighter.

As you fill the jar, you’ll create a great vision of the positive impact your family is making and the joy your kids can get from giving back.

The Power of Kind Acts During Lent

We all know the world could use a little more kindness, and what better way to teach our kids about this than by helping them engage in a series of good deeds? 

This is where the Random Acts of Kindness Jar comes into play. 

It’s a fantastic resource that turns everyday moments into opportunities for kindness, and with 46 slips of paper – one for each day of lent – your kids will have a blast spreading joy.

Track Acts of Kindness

I’m a big believer in trying to teach my kids that our acts don’t need praise and that we should try to do good things even when no one is watching (and that we don’t need to tell people we did them). 

That said, thinking and talking about their acts of kindness can help your kids reflect on how little things can make a big impact in someone else’s life. 

You can consider creating a chart or reflection sheet where your kids can track their daily acts of kindness. 

This not only reinforces good behavior but also provides a great opportunity for discussion and reflection at the end of each day.

Kindness Jar Craft in the Classroom

The kindness jar doesn’t have to end at home. 

If you’re a teacher, using a random acts of kindness jar can help strengthen your class morale (and just make everyone a little happier) and your days more fun. 

Whether it’s language arts through creative writing, social studies by exploring different ways people show kindness worldwide, or even incorporating it into character education lessons, this project can seamlessly integrate with your child’s education.

It promotes positive reinforcement, helps build a strong classroom community, and teaches valuable life skills.

Consider using it during kindness week (National Random Acts of Kindness Day is February 17th) or as an ongoing project throughout the school year.

Free Printable Individual Random Acts of Kindness Cards

Don’t forget that you can print these individual Random Acts of Kindness card ideas right here.

Just click the link, download, and print!

Random Acts of Kindness Ideas

I love that the Random Acts of Kindness Jar is a fun way to teach kids about the importance of kindness and that a simple gesture, over time, can create a positive ripple effect.

So, what are you waiting for? 

Grab a mason jar, some colorful paper, and let the kindness begin!