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Could You Be Kinder? Take Our Random Acts of Kindness Challenge and Find Out!
- EI Editor Posted On Feb 13, 2020 | After School Activities
“IN A WORLD WHERE YOU CAN BE ANYTHING, BE KIND” - Unknown
February 17th is National Random Acts of Kindness Day and that’s a holiday we can all get behind! Take our Random Acts of Kindness Challenge and see how many of these activities you can do in a single day – bonus points if your kids see you doing them!
- Hold the door open for the person behind you.
- Print a funny GIF or surprise note in your kiddo’s lunchbox. Get FREE printables.
- Pay it forward in the coffee line.
- Greet each person you pass.
- Email your boss with positive feedback about another employee.
- Compliment a stranger.
- Pick up a piece of litter and toss it in the trash.
- Edit out any negative comments and let the positive flow.
- Double your tip at lunchtime.
- Introduce yourself to someone new.
- Bake a batch of cookies – then share them all.
- Call your mom.
- Bring a coworker or friend a coffee.
- Take your dog for an extra-long walk.
- Ask each cashier you encounter how THEY’RE doing today.
- Let someone – or everyone! – merge in front of you.
- Surprise a former co-worker with a great review on LinkedIn.
- Make a lunch date with a friend you haven’t seen in a while.
- Give someone the benefit of the doubt. Even if you know they’re wrong ????
- Ask your kids for advice about something and really listen.
- Email, text, or call someone who has made a difference in your life and let them know.
- Leave a kind comment on every social media post you read.
- Put your phone away when you’re talking to someone.
- Thank someone who makes your life better or easier.
- Make a small donation to a cause you support.
Photo credit: parenttoolkit.com[/caption]- Smile at everyone you see.
- Look for someone standing alone and ask them to play or sit with you.
- Tell everyone in your family that you love them – and why.
- Share your snack.
- Give your teacher a hug.
Photo credit: childrenshomeandaid.org[/caption]
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5 Fun Ways to Raise Kinder Kids
If the past year has shown us anything, it’s the need for more human kindness, compassion, and love. While you (and we, and hopefully everyone else) work on ways to become more tolerant and understanding in your own life, teaching your kids to be kind will help ensure that the next generation is a happier, more accepting place.Fortunately, kids are naturally kind and empathetic and with a bit of encouragement, you can make kindness a priority value in your home. And raising kinder kids doesn’t just benefit the friends and family around your children. Kinder kids have been proven to gravitate toward kinder friends, be less likely to break rules, get better grades and test scores, and even to be higher earners as adults. Sounds good, right?To support you in your crusade for kindness, EI’s Experts in Play have compiled five fun ways to encourage kindness at home, including:1. Modeling KindnessDo as I say, not as I do just doesn’t work when it comes to kindness. Watch your words and actions (and social media posts and comments!) to make sure you’re consistently demonstrating kindness in your own life.
2. Praising Acts of KindnessMake a point of commenting out loud when your kids, family members, friends, and even strangers do something nice for others, from sharing a toy to holding the door at the donut shop.3. Doing Daily Acts of KindnessCommit to doing something kind for someone else every single day and share the act – and how it made you feel! – with your family. Encourage your family to do the same with the simple acts of kindness on our free, downloadable 31 Days of Kindness calendar.
4. Asking About KindnessInstead of asking your kids how they did on a test or whether their team won the game, ask what they did that day that was kind. The more you ask, the more your kids will look for opportunities to do something kind so that they have something to share with you.5. Incorporating KindnessThe Design & Drill® Bolt Buddies™ First Responders sets are the perfect way to roll the concepts of sharing, caring, and kindness into your kids’ everyday play. Each Bolt Buddy has a job to do – and they always do it with kindness! From the Bolt Buddies Helicopter, swooping in for the perfect play rescue, the Police Motorcycle, zooming up to save the day, and the Fire Truck, ready to put out fires and rescue kittens in trees, these community helpers do their jobs with kindness and compassion.
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5 Fun Ways to Raise Kinder Kids
If the past year has shown us anything, it’s the need for more human kindness, compassion, and love. While you (and we, and hopefully everyone else) work on ways to become more tolerant and understanding in your own life, teaching your kids to be kind will help ensure that the next generation is a happier, more accepting place.Fortunately, kids are naturally kind and empathetic and with a bit of encouragement, you can make kindness a priority value in your home. And raising kinder kids doesn’t just benefit the friends and family around your children. Kinder kids have been proven to gravitate toward kinder friends, be less likely to break rules, get better grades and test scores, and even to be higher earners as adults. Sounds good, right?To support you in your crusade for kindness, EI’s Experts in Play have compiled five fun ways to encourage kindness at home, including:1. Modeling KindnessDo as I say, not as I do just doesn’t work when it comes to kindness. Watch your words and actions (and social media posts and comments!) to make sure you’re consistently demonstrating kindness in your own life.2. Praising Acts of KindnessMake a point of commenting out loud when your kids, family members, friends, and even strangers do something nice for others, from sharing a toy to holding the door at the donut shop.3. Doing Daily Acts of KindnessCommit to doing something kind for someone else every single day and share the act – and how it made you feel! – with your family. Encourage your family to do the same with the simple acts of kindness on our free, downloadable 31 Days of Kindness calendar.4. Asking About KindnessInstead of asking your kids how they did on a test or whether their team won the game, ask what they did that day that was kind. The more you ask, the more your kids will look for opportunities to do something kind so that they have something to share with you.5. Incorporating KindnessThe Design & Drill® Bolt Buddies™ First Responders sets are the perfect way to roll the concepts of sharing, caring, and kindness into your kids’ everyday play. Each Bolt Buddy has a job to do – and they always do it with kindness! From the Bolt Buddies Helicopter, swooping in for the perfect play rescue, the Police Motorcycle, zooming up to save the day, and the Fire Truck, ready to put out fires and rescue kittens in trees, these community helpers do their jobs with kindness and compassion. READ MORE
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Simple, COVID-Safe Ways to Stay Connected to Your Community
As the holidays approach, many families are looking for ways to teach the joy of giving. At the same time, we’re all looking for ways to feel more connected with our community, even though we can’t get together in the same ways we used to. Below are a few of our favorite ideas for introducing the spirit of giving and community!Donate ThingsExplain to your kids that some parents in your area have not been able to go to work because of Coronavirus and may not have the money they need to make the holidays special for their families. One way your kids can help is to donate some of the clothing and toys they’re not using anymore so that those parents can give them to their kids. Both The Salvation Army and Goodwill are accepting donations again – visit their websites to find your local drop off location.Ditto food items! Feeding America can help you locate your nearest food pantry. Help your kids choose a few favorite, unopened items from the cupboard and perhaps supplement with a few picks from the grocery store, then deliver your donation. Explain to your kids that some families are having a really hard time and don’t have enough money to buy food, but that your donation will help feed those families for free!Books also make great donation items, particularly since many libraries are still closed. Have your kids choose a few they’re finished with, give the covers a quick once over with an antibacterial wipe, then wash your hands, put on your mask, and walk them over to your nearest neighborhood Little Free Library.
Photo credit: littlefreelibrary.orgDonate TimeSome neighbors, particularly the elderly or those with compromised immune systems, may be reluctant to go out these days. Your family can help by offering to pick up groceries or prescriptions. Depending on your kids’ ages, they may also be able to help with things like mowing lawns, weeding, bringing trash cans in/out, and dog walking.Your family can also volunteer time unloading trucks and stocking shelves at your local food bank or even create your own neighborhood pop-up pantry. This can range from a cardboard box on your curb with a homemade sign saying “Help Yourself” to a permanent fixture like the Little Free Library that’s stocked with non-perishable canned and boxed goods. Follow @LittleFreePantry on Instagram for some great ideas and inspiration.
Photo credit: littlefreepantryIf you aren't sure how to choose the best option for your family, check out Project Giving Kids, a non-profit whose core mission is to help teach empathy and social responsibility to young people. They connect families to high-quality, age-appropriate volunteer activities with a network of charitable partners across the country! How cool is that? You can also sign-up for a special Create the Change Week (November 7-15, 2020) that provides free virtual activities for kids and families to give back!
Your kids can also easily brighten your neighbors’ days with a chalk drawing or positive statement on the sidewalk, a coloring sheet in a neighbor’s mailbox, or a smile on an evening walk. Download our free greeting cards for loved ones here. Or our adorable birthday greeting cards to make someone feel extra special on their day!
Donate MoneyAn easy rule of thumb is that kids should save about 20% of what they earn, spend about 70%, and give 10% to charity. Even the littlest kids can earn a bit of money helping with simple chores like emptying trash cans and feeding pets, while older kids may have more complex chores or earn money outside the home with paper routes or mowing lawns. Encourage them to set some of their earnings aside to help those in need – then offer to match what they’re willing to donate.Charity Navigator has lots of options ranging from national to local charities. Work with your child to decide who should receive your donation. Read the charity’s description to your kids and talk about how much the recipients of their donations will appreciate their help.Or maybe they’d like to contribute locally, via a small bonus and thank you card for your mail carrier, street sweeper, or waste management crew. If your kids aren’t aware of the hard workers that come together to ensure your mail deliveries, empty trash cans, trimmed trees, and clean streets, play is a great way to teach them! EI’s Design & Drill® Bolt Buddies™ Recycle Truck is great for pretend play.
Kids are natural givers and caring by nature. Set them down the road to giving and they’ll likely continue to do so as adults!
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As the holidays approach, many families are looking for ways to teach the joy of giving. At the same time, we’re all looking for ways to feel more connected with our community, even though we can’t get together in the same ways we used to. Below are a few of our favorite ideas for introducing the spirit of giving and community!Donate ThingsExplain to your kids that some parents in your area have not been able to go to work because of Coronavirus and may not have the money they need to make the holidays special for their families. One way your kids can help is to donate some of the clothing and toys they’re not using anymore so that those parents can give them to their kids. Both The Salvation Army and Goodwill are accepting donations again – visit their websites to find your local drop off location.Ditto food items! Feeding America can help you locate your nearest food pantry. Help your kids choose a few favorite, unopened items from the cupboard and perhaps supplement with a few picks from the grocery store, then deliver your donation. Explain to your kids that some families are having a really hard time and don’t have enough money to buy food, but that your donation will help feed those families for free!Books also make great donation items, particularly since many libraries are still closed. Have your kids choose a few they’re finished with, give the covers a quick once over with an antibacterial wipe, then wash your hands, put on your mask, and walk them over to your nearest neighborhood Little Free Library.
Photo credit: littlefreelibrary.orgDonate TimeSome neighbors, particularly the elderly or those with compromised immune systems, may be reluctant to go out these days. Your family can help by offering to pick up groceries or prescriptions. Depending on your kids’ ages, they may also be able to help with things like mowing lawns, weeding, bringing trash cans in/out, and dog walking.Your family can also volunteer time unloading trucks and stocking shelves at your local food bank or even create your own neighborhood pop-up pantry. This can range from a cardboard box on your curb with a homemade sign saying “Help Yourself” to a permanent fixture like the Little Free Library that’s stocked with non-perishable canned and boxed goods. Follow @LittleFreePantry on Instagram for some great ideas and inspiration.
Photo credit: littlefreepantryIf you aren't sure how to choose the best option for your family, check out Project Giving Kids, a non-profit whose core mission is to help teach empathy and social responsibility to young people. They connect families to high-quality, age-appropriate volunteer activities with a network of charitable partners across the country! How cool is that? You can also sign-up for a special Create the Change Week (November 7-15, 2020) that provides free virtual activities for kids and families to give back!Your kids can also easily brighten your neighbors’ days with a chalk drawing or positive statement on the sidewalk, a coloring sheet in a neighbor’s mailbox, or a smile on an evening walk. Download our free greeting cards for loved ones here. Or our adorable birthday greeting cards to make someone feel extra special on their day!Donate MoneyAn easy rule of thumb is that kids should save about 20% of what they earn, spend about 70%, and give 10% to charity. Even the littlest kids can earn a bit of money helping with simple chores like emptying trash cans and feeding pets, while older kids may have more complex chores or earn money outside the home with paper routes or mowing lawns. Encourage them to set some of their earnings aside to help those in need – then offer to match what they’re willing to donate.Charity Navigator has lots of options ranging from national to local charities. Work with your child to decide who should receive your donation. Read the charity’s description to your kids and talk about how much the recipients of their donations will appreciate their help.Or maybe they’d like to contribute locally, via a small bonus and thank you card for your mail carrier, street sweeper, or waste management crew. If your kids aren’t aware of the hard workers that come together to ensure your mail deliveries, empty trash cans, trimmed trees, and clean streets, play is a great way to teach them! EI’s Design & Drill® Bolt Buddies™ Recycle Truck is great for pretend play.
Kids are natural givers and caring by nature. Set them down the road to giving and they’ll likely continue to do so as adults! READ MORE
