110 random acts of kindness: ideas for the workplace and beyond

What are acts of kindness?

Acts of kindness are selfless actions to help or improve the day of others. They can be small gestures or significant efforts, and they can be directed at people you know or complete strangers.

What is a kindness challenge?

A kindness challenge is a dedicated period of time during which individuals are encouraged to perform acts of kindness, often with the goal of fostering a more compassionate community or improving personal relationships. These challenges can vary in length and complexity, from simple daily acts to more involved projects.

The Great Kindness Challenge, for example, is a school-based program that encourages students to complete a checklist of kind acts in a week to create a culture of kindness.

Is there a random acts of kindness day?

Random Acts of Kindness Day is a day dedicated to celebrating and encouraging random acts of kindness. The idea behind this day is to cultivate feelings of kindness and brighten up someone's day. It's an opportunity to focus on the positive power of kind actions, no matter how small, and their ability to create connections and uplift others.

51 random acts of kindness ideas

Being kind sounds wonderful, but it can be difficult to come up with ideas outside of your daily routine. To get the ball rolling, here are 51 acts of kindness that you can take action on this week.

1. Give blood
2. Buy a coffee for the next person in line
3. Donate to a food bank
4. Plant a tree
5. Volunteer at a homeless shelter or nonprofit
6. Run or walk a 5k for a good cause
7. Leave money on a vending machine
8. Bake cookies for the elderly
9. Pay the toll for the car behind you
10. Let someone cut in front of you in line
11. Compliment a stranger
12. Send flowers to a friend
13. Call a friend you haven't spoken to in a while
14. Write a letter to a grandparent
15. Keep a case of water, granola bars, and socks in your car to give to people in need
16. Help someone with their luggage
17. Leave a generous tip
18. Offer to babysit for a friend for free
19. Donate unused clothes and items
20. Mow your neighbor's lawn
21. Offer your seat on public transport
22. Help a co-worker with a task
23. Visit a sick friend
24. Donate books to a library
25. Buy a meal for a homeless person
26. Hold the door open for someone
27. Volunteer at an animal shelter
28. Send a thank you note to someone who has helped you
29. Give up your parking spot
30. Support a local small business
31. Pick up litter in a park
32. Cook a meal for a neighbor
33. Donate to a charity of your choice
34. Offer to help a friend move
35. Write a positive online review
36. Donate old eyeglasses to an organization
37. Share your umbrella on a rainy day
38. Invite a lonely neighbor over for dinner
39. Give a care package to a homeless person
40. Share a positive quote on social media
41. Sponsor a child's education
42. Offer to walk your friend's dog
43. Deliver fresh baked goods to the fire station
44. Leave a book in a public place for someone else to enjoy
45. Send a care package to a soldier
46. Donate to a crowdfunding campaign
47. Help a struggling parent with their stroller
48. Pay for someone's laundry at a laundromat
49. Ask about a co-worker's day and really listen
50. Leave water, snacks, or a thank you note for postal workers and delivery drivers
51. Leave money in the parking meter

30 acts of kindness ideas for the workplace

Practicing kindness in the workplace can greatly improve team morale and create a positive work environment. Here are 30 acts of kindness you can do at work:

1. Offer to help a coworker with a task
2. Bring in treats for the team
3. Leave a thank-you note for a colleague
4. Compliment a coworker's work
5. Listen attentively during conversations
6. Organize a team lunch
7. Mentor a new employee
8. Donate to a charity on behalf of your team
9. Share credit for a job well done
10. Encourage a coworker who's having a tough day
11. Clean up the break room
12. Start a positivity board for people to post uplifting messages
13. Recognize a coworker's achievements in a meeting
14. Donate unused office supplies to a school
15. Introduce yourself to someone you haven't spoken to before
16. Send a gratitude email to a coworker
17. Offer to cover a shift for a coworker
18. Bring coffee or tea for a colleague
19. Offer your expertise on a project
20. Respect everyone's voice in meetings
21. Leave positive sticky notes around the office
22. Donate to a coworker's chosen charity
23. Celebrate birthdays or work anniversaries
24. Recommend a coworker for a promotion
25. Organize an office-wide volunteer event
26. Practice patience with difficult coworkers
27. Avoid office gossip
28. Offer to take notes in a meeting
29. Treat your team to a drink at the local coffee shop

29 acts of kindness challenge ideas for kids

Children can also participate in acts of kindness. Here are 20 suggestions for acts of kindness that kids can do:

1. Help with chores without being asked: This could be tidying up their toys or helping to set the table.
2. Write a thank you note: This could be for a teacher, coach, or family member who has done something nice for them.
3. Share their toys with siblings or friends: Sharing is an essential act of kindness.
4. Donate old clothes and toys: They can help sort through their belongings and choose items to donate.
5. Compliment a friend or classmate they don't know well: Simple words of affirmation can make someone's day.
6. Plant a tree or flowers: This is an act of kindness towards the environment.
7. Bake cookies for neighbors: This can teach them about generosity and community spirit.
8. Help a younger sibling with homework or play: Older siblings can be role models of kindness.
9. Make a homemade gift for a friend or family member: The time and effort put into a homemade gift often means more than something bought from a store.
10. Invite a new student or friend over for a playdate: This can help someone feel welcome.
11. Offer to walk a neighbor's dog: This is especially kind if the neighbor is elderly or unwell.
12. Read a book to a younger child: This not only helps the younger child but also develops the older child's reading skills.
13. Give up their seat for someone else: Whether it’s on the bus or at home, this is a simple act of respect.
14. Pick up litter in the park or neighborhood: This act of kindness shows respect for the community and the environment.
15. Create artwork for a local nursing home: This can bring joy to the residents.
16. Help pack a lunch for a family picnic: This involves teamwork and consideration for others.
17. Help carry groceries: Offering to help can make a big difference, especially for elderly neighbors or parents juggling multiple tasks.
18. Let someone else go first in a game: This act of sportsmanship is a great way to show kindness.
19. Say "please" and "thank you": These simple phrases show respect and appreciation for others.
20. Smile: A warm smile can be contagious and brighten someone's day.
21. Help a friend with homework: If they see a classmate struggling, they could offer to help.
22. Make a bird feeder: This is a fun activity that also helps local wildlife.
23. Write a letter to a family member: They could write to a grandparent or another relative who lives far away.
24. Donate books to a library: If they've outgrown some of their books, this act of kindness can benefit other children in their community.
25. Water plants for a neighbor: Especially if the neighbor is on vacation or finds it difficult to do so.
26. Prepare a meal for the family: With adult supervision, kids can learn to cook and share a meal.
27. Leave kind notes in library books: Future readers will get a pleasant surprise.
28. Start a free little library: They can share books with neighbors and encourage others to do the same.
29. Create a kindness jar: They can fill a jar with kind actions and each day pick one to do.

Kick off your own acts of kindness challenge

It’s amazing what small acts of kindness can do and how they can improve someone’s day. What acts of kindness would you add to the list? We hope you’ve enjoyed reconnecting with kindness and would love to keep this chain of kindness going!

Spread the love and share this challenge with your friends and family. We’re so happy you joined our challenge, and are excited to make the world a kinder place right alongside you, one step at a time.