Involving your kids in random acts of kindness is a great way to bond as a family, teach them about gratitude, and help make them more mindful of the needs of others. It can also show your kids the power of their actions within your own neighborhood — helping to build community. (Especially in a time when our busy lives can make these important relationships feel rushed and fragmented.)
So, what is a random act of kindness? It's an unexpected but intentional action by someone with the purpose of spreading kindness and joy to someone else. These acts can be anonymous, but they don’t have to be. A random act of kindness can be shared with someone you know or a complete stranger.
Every small act of kindness can make a difference to someone’s day, and this collection of 12 ideas encourages your children to start close to home, with simple acts of kindness to those within your very own neighborhood.
To get started, print a copy of the "12 Ways to Be a Good Neighbor" list below, and have your children choose one suggestion as their very first act. They're sure to find something that appeals from these simple and doable suggestions.
You could even use your printed copy as a checklist and make it your family's mission to tick off as many neighborly acts of kindness as you can over the course of a month (or more) — what a great challenge that would be!
Featured Photo Credit: © LuminaStock/Thinsktock
