Start a Kindness Club
Whoever said kindness was a one-person sport? The best part of Adventures in Kindness is that they create all kinds of opportunities to make new friends, learn about the world, and make a difference in your community. Whether you are a teacher, principal, school counselor, educator, or after-school coordinator here are some tips on how to organize a kindness club in your community.
Begin: We recommend grabbing a copy of the Adventures in Kindness to start! You can get one copy for the leader of the club, or if it’s an accessible option, several copies for each of the students who will be participating. Still waiting for your copy of the book, check out our blogs for adventures too!
Set A Time: These kind adventures pair well with an existing club, as a supplemental activity or as the subject of the whole club.
Select Your Projects: The book features 52 adventures that fall into the following categories:
animals, kids, family, health, world, mind, community, school, and troops.
There are many opportunities for variations of the activities based on the age level, group size, and location of the club. Find the adventures that feel most exciting, relevant, and accessible to your group.Form Pre-Learning Connections: Many of the adventures open doors for integrated learning with other core subjects taught in school. Determine if there are any supplemental lessons, learning, or connection points back to the curriculum that your group has been working on. For example, one adventure teaches how to give a kind tip at a restaurant and can be tied back to mathematical standards. Our blog offers some extended activities too.
Gather Supplies: The adventures require minimal supplies, and most of the materials can be found around the classroom, and a few of the adventures, offer the opportunity to upcycle a common household or recycling item. There are even some free printouts on our website to use in support of your adventures.
Go Adventure: Use the directions in the book to complete the adventure with your group. Add modifications where necessary – and HAVE FUN!
Report from the Field: Each adventure includes a “Report from the Field” page, where students can write, discuss, and reflect on their experiences with the adventure.
Connect: Let us know how it went! Drop us a line and tell us how your group spread kindness to your community.
Use the above steps to begin your club or create your own plan. We want the Adventures in Kindness book to support your group in spreading kindness to your community. Need a brainstorm or curriculum support buddy? Email us, we’d be happy to help. Or check our educators page for more resources. Happy Adventuring!
Curious about what a kindness club looks like in action? Spotlight on our friends from the Kindness Crew in NJ:
So many kids and families rose to the occasion to help their neighbors during COVID-19. Among them was The Kindness Crew, a small group of elementary students, their siblings, and parents who came together in December 2020 to help their Warren Township, NJ neighbors. According to Anne Isedeh, the mother of crewmembers Leisel, Lailah, Adaline, and Malia, “the creation of the group was meant to empower kids to see that they matter in their community and that they can make a difference even if it’s just by bringing a smile to someone’s face. Being kind may take work but it’s good and rewarding work.” Since starting, the Kindness Crew has spread into New York, California, and even Canada! The Kindness Crew is a great reminder that kindness can take root wherever we let it!
3 Adventures to Practice Positive Affirmations
The words we use are powerful tools. The words we use to describe ourselves and those around us stay with us longer than we are present. This is why the power of positive affirmations are so important. A positive affirmation is a positive statement that can have long-lasting effects on the way someone thinks and feels about themselves. Oftentimes, a personal positive affirmation will help to combat a negative set of beliefs. It is important for these affirmations to be practiced routinely, in order to create the biggest change. Now imagine the power of a positive affirmation when practiced during early childhood development. It has the power to change the way our young people think, feel and talk about themselves. In fact, it is proven, that these sentences can help rewire their brain in a healthy way. It also allows for young people to develop a positive mental-social-emotional mindset. There are several ways to incorporate positive affirmations into your kind kids’ lives.
Here are 3 adventures to make affirmations a daily part of your family and/or classroom.
Affirmation Creation Station - As a family, or a classroom, facilitate each person to draw a picture of themselves. Then individually write three words to positively describe yourself, that do not relate to one's physical appearance. If this is challenging for some people, that’s okay, and allows for an opportunity to reframe a negative word to a positive word about oneself. For example: If your student says, I am kind of strong or kind of smart, you can reframe it for them and invite them to own it. This would change that to “I am Smart!” and “I am Strong!” From these three words, used to describe themselves, write three positive affirmations. Then write them on stickie notes and place on a bedroom mirror, or in a prominent place in their daily routine so that they are reminded of these affirmations. Bonus: Add saying your affirmations as a family into your morning routine, perhaps on the way to school or at the beginning of the class.
ABCs: Affirm, Boost, Cheer– Try this positively fun game with the whole family, or even your whole class! If someone happens to say something negative about themselves, it is the other person, in the teams’ job to pause and share a positive affirmation back to oppose the negative statement. For example, if someone says, “I’m stupid,” the team might share back “You are smart.” The person then has to repeat this phrase, “I am smart!” about themselves 10 times. When they complete the ten, the group must cheer enthusiastically. This is best in small groups or teams. You can add a layer of competition to it, to see whoever recognizes the opportunity for a positive affirmation first, and add a fun prize for the person who creates the most positive statements about others.
Spread Positive Affirmations Like Confetti – The only thing better than saying a positive affirmation to yourself, is saying or giving it to someone else. We’ve given you some to get you started. Check out this free printable that includes over 16 positive affirmation cards, that you can print out for your kind kid. When they are in a safe environment, challenge them to give out an affirmation each day to a someone they know who might need encouragement, someone they want to share kindness with, or even give it anonymously to someone who they think could use a random act of kindness. Print out enough for the whole family or your whole classroom!
Looking for more adventures like these? Our Adventures in Kindness book contains 52+ impactful adventures for kids, to make kindness and compassion a daily practice and check our Everyday Kindness Kit even more inspiration for Summer activities! Use code KINDSUMMER22 to receive a free gift with your purchase!
6 Arts & Crafts to Spread Kindness
Summer is here! And with it, brings many opportunities for creative acts of kindness. To get you started, here are some of our favorite summer kindness adventures that are full of arts and crafts.
Spread Some Happiness!
Ask your kind kid if they have noticed, if there is anyone that they have seen who might be having trouble making friends (perhaps at summer camp) or if a neighbor or family member has been feeling blue. If so, then send them a happiness kit. Start with an old shoebox, mug, or a spare basket. (Maybe you can rescue a cardboard box before it makes it to your recycling bin!) Next, prompt your kid to fill it with a few things that you think might bring this person joy. Consider including a joke book, a mug with a smiley face on it, some fresh fruit, a kindness rock (see Adventure #46) or other items they think the person might enjoy. Finish it off with a handwritten note of kindness to the person who is feeling blue. When it’s all ready, have your kind kid leave it in a place where they know their friend will find it.
Check out Adventure 10 in the book or this free printable for more inspiration and information on this adventure!
2. Make Homemade Bird Feeders
If your kind kid enjoys hearing the birds chirp outside your window each morning, this next adventure’s for you. Making homemade bird feeders is a fun way to get to know which birds are native to your area and a great way to help little winged friends when their food sources are scarce in the wintertime. This adventure’s good for the environment too, as bird feeders can be made using all-natural items from your yard or recycle bin.
Check out Adventure 27 in the Adventures in Kindness book or this free printable for more details on this adventure!
3. Write a Letter and Draw a Picture to the Author of Your Favorite Book
There’s nothing more special than telling someone how much they mean to you. If there’s a book that your kind kid just loves or a book that they hoped would never end, set up an activity for them to write a letter to that author and tell them how their book made them feel. You can usually find the mailing or email address for the author in the front or back of the book, alongside the name of the publishing company. If that doesn’t work, you can email the publisher and ask if they can pass your letter on to the author.
Check out Adventure 31 in the ‘Adventures in Kindness’ book for more details on this adventure!
4. Interview an Older Relative or Neighbor About Their Life Experiences
Support your kind kid in answering this question, “have you ever felt lonely?” For many aging adults—who may not have friends or family living nearby, or who may no longer drive—this is a very common feeling, and it’s often referred to as social isolation. Some reports note that close to 50 percent of older adults experience social isolation, which can lead to a greater number of falls and broken bones, hospitalizations, and many other health issues. But, by every account, a sense of community can reduce the feeling of social isolation. To help with this problem, we suggest inviting your kind kid to talk with an older person and interview them.
We suggest that your kid chooses a person at least 65 years old. Then, they can come up with a list of questions. They can ask questions about their subject’s experiences as a child, as a young adult, and as an older adult. During the interview, they can record the interview using a journal or an audio recorder to make sure they have captured everything that their subject shares. Then they can write or type up the interview. Your kind kid can even give them a copy when they are done—the interviewee will probably like that it is written down! Feel free to take pictures, if they are comfortable with it or draw pictures of the stories and events that they described. Not only is this a great way to learn about people who have lived experiences different from your own, but it’s a kind gesture for someone who might live alone and may not have as many chances to socialize with family and friends. Here are some questions that might help to guide your interview.
Check out Adventure 38 in the ‘Adventures in Kindness’ book for more information on this adventure!
5. Spread Joy with Kindness Rocks
Does your kind kid love to spread happiness around like sunshine? This is a simple adventure that can do just that! Start by heading outside and collecting some small, smooth rocks from around your yard or neighborhood. Wash and dry them well and then cover them with a full coat of paint. When the paint has dried, use a separate paint color or marker to add words of happiness and encouragement to each rock, such as “you are loved,” “kindness rocks,” “today’s the day,” “stay positive,” or “be brave.” Once the rocks are ready, your kid can deliver them to people in and around your school, neighborhood, or camp: teachers, bus drivers, school counselors and friends. They can either leave them in places where their friends and family will find them or give them directly as gifts. Either way, they'll know that they are spreading sunshine to anyone on the receiving end.
Check out Adventure 46 in the ‘Adventures in Kindness’ book for more information on this adventure!
6. Write a Thank You Letter to Overseas Troops or First Responders
Discuss with your kid, if they have ever been far from home and felt homesick, just wishing they could be in their bed or around their favorite things. For members of our military as well as first responders to natural disasters, they are often far from home for very long periods of time and homesickness is common. That’s why we love Operation Gratitude which has delivered more than 2.5 million care packages and gratitude boxes to active members of the military, veterans, first responders, and military families since its founding. Each care package is filled with items donated by grateful Americans and service-friendly companies who want to express their support for heroes serving overseas and here at home. Your kid can then work with your family or community to host an Operation Gratitude collection and show their thanks in a special way to service members overseas and first responders here at home. Your kind kid can write a letter or draw a picture to be included with these packages and spread some kindness all over the world!
Check out Adventure 53 in the ‘Adventures in Kindness’ book or more details on this adventure!
Looking for more adventures like these? Our Adventures in Kindness book contains 52+ impactful adventures for kids, to make kindness and compassion a daily practice and check our Everyday Kindness Kit even more inspiration for Summer activities! Use code KINDSUMMER22 to receive a free gift with your purchase!
Mental Health Resources for Kids and Families
May might mark the official Mental Health Month, but here at Adventures in Kindness, we think every month can be Mental Health Month, as now, more than ever, prioritizing the mental health of our young and growing kids is essential for their well-being.
In addition to the day-to-day factors that can contribute to our health- in good and bad ways, there are many heavy events occurring in our communities and world that make it even more important to keep the management of our kids’ mental health top of mind.
We’ve compiled this list of supportive resources to discuss mental health, to support in processing trauma, and to connect families with experts who can support them.
Youth Mental Health - A comprehensive resource from Mental Health America that share the signs of a mental health problem, ways to promote mental health, and actions adults can take to support youth mental health.
The California Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids Project – From the Child Minds Institute, this is a series of free, evidence-based video and print resources that caregivers and educators can use to teach their kids critical mental health and coping skills.
Digital Shareables on Child and Adolescent Mental Health – The National Institute for Mental Health offers these resources to share, learn from, and use to support your family’s mental health and wellness, including videos and books for kids.
Age-Related Reactions to Traumatic Events - A resource from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network to support in understanding how children experience traumatic events and how these children express their lingering distress over the experience, parents, physicians, communities, and schools can respond to their children and help them through this challenging time.
Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers - A resource from the National Association of School Psychologists to support parents and school personnel as they help children feel safe by establishing a sense of normalcy and security and talking with them about their fears.
Behavioral Health and Wellness Resources for Children and Families – A comprehensive list of national resources, from the Child Welfare Information Gateway, that provide information and services that support the physical and behavioral health of children and families.
Mental Health Resources for Families from The Youth Mental Health Project that include crisis hotlines, youth-friendly resources, and resources for parents and teens.
If you or someone you know is suicidal or in emotional distress, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Trained crisis workers are available to talk 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 800-273-TALK (8255).
7 Outdoor Activities for a Summer of Kindness
Ah, Summer. The days get longer and the opportunities for practicing kindness are heating up!
Below you will find 7 adventures that all center around getting outdoors in nature and finding ways to stay active, all while spreading kindness this Summer!
1) Take our Home Sweet Home Pledge to Protect the Earth
Unfortunately, the earth is experiencing the effects of global warming faster than ever in history, which means it is all of our jobs to protect and care for Mother Earth. Join us at Adventures in Kindness to take the Home Sweet Home pledge and start doing at least one of these activities this week. Challenge you and your kind kid to keep up this adventure for the rest of this year! Download the pledge in the resources section of our website.
See Adventure #24 in the book for more info on this adventure & for the report from the field!
2) Run, Walk, Bike, or Scoot for a Cause
If your kid loves being kind and loves to run or bike, this adventure is for your family.
Make your next run or bike ride more meaningful by signing up for a road race that raises awareness and funds for a cause that is important to you.
Bonus: Your kid may find some lifelong friends in the process.
Use Adventure #16 in the book for more info on this adventure & for the report from the field!
3) Host a Community Dog Wash
Who doesn’t love a squeaky clean pup? Work with your kind kid to gather your friends or family members to host a one-day community dog wash, where four-legged friends can get a bath in exchange for a donation such as a toy or towel for a local shelter or humane society. You can set up stations for dog owners to wash their own dogs or you can offer to wash the dogs. Just make sure the dog’s owner is present to keep the animal on a leash and under control.
Find Adventure #5 in the book for more info on what you will need for this adventure.
4) Offer to Walk or Visit with the Pet of an Older Friend or Relative
Spending time with animals will not only bring your kind kid joy, comfort and companionship, but will help our kids learn how to better care for each other, too.
Use Adventure #4 in the book for more info on this adventure & for the report from the field!
5) Learn at Least One New Active Sport
One job our kids have —and it’s a fun one—is that you get to figure out which activities they like best. And the good news is, there’s no shortage of sports to learn, so why not take up a new one this year?
See Adventure #20 in the book for the full list of sports for this adventure.
6) Dig into the Soil + Start a Garden
Has your kid ever examined the types of bushes or flowers that grow in your yard? They’re very likely “native” to your neck of the woods, meaning that they have adapted to your local climate and soil conditions. This is an opportunity for your kid to learn that native plants and flowers are important because they provide nectar, pollen, and seeds that serve as food for native butterflies, insects, birds, and other animals. When non-native plants are introduced to an area, they have a lower likelihood of survival, and they will often require pest control to survive.
Start this adventure by supporting your kid with creating a list of ten plants that are local to your area. Then, plant one of them around your house or apartment. We love butterflies, so we planted one of the many species of milkweed plant that is native to our home state of Maryland. We loved seeing caterpillars crawl along the leaves and lay their eggs, and we were able to watch the entire transformation process, from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly, right from our kitchen window!
Find Adventure #23 in the book for more info about native plants!
7) Walk or Bike to All Nearby Locations
Just like conserving energy in your home is an important part in caring for our planet, so too is thinking about your personal carbon footprint. How much is your family driving each week, and can you replace any of those drives with different forms of transportation, such as walking or biking? This one’s not always possible, depending on where you live, but if you find that your family relies on the car for daily trips to the local grocery store or market, consider suggesting that you condense those four or five trips a week into two, or that you walk or bike to the market one day instead of driving.
Use Adventure #25 in the book for more info on this adventure & for the report from the field!
Looking for more adventures like these? Our Adventures in Kindness book contains 52+ impactful adventures for kids, to make kindness and compassion a daily practice and check our Everyday Kindness Kit even more inspiration for Summer activities! Use code KINDSUMMER22 for free shipping and receive a free gift with your purchase!
5 Kind Ways to Thank Teachers During Teacher Appreciation Week
“A teacher plants the seeds of knowledge, sprinkles them with love, and patiently nurtures their growth to produce tomorrow’s dreams.”- Unknown
When I reflect on the teachers in my life, there are many who made a significant impact on who I am: someone who really supported my ideas and growth, taught a subject with great passion, or helped run an after-school club with love.
The impact and importance that teachers have on students is immeasurable. So, as we near the end of the school year (already?!) and Teacher Appreciation Week (the first week of May), here are 5 activities and gift ideas to help celebrate the amazing educators in your kids’ lives.
Write a note to a teacher to tell them how much they mean to you.
There is nothing more special than telling someone how much they mean to you. If your child has a teacher who has inspired them, support them by writing a note of gratitude. Prompts for writing could include:
“Write three of your favorite things that you did this year with your teacher.”
“What are 2 characteristics that you really like about your teacher?”
“When was a time your teacher made you feel happy?”
For younger kids, drawing a picture is also great! You can use prompts like:
“Let’s draw a picture of you and your teacher”
“What are your teacher’s favorite things and colors?”
Then decide together whether your child would like to give the note anonymously or sign their name!
2. Grow a plant for a teacher.
April showers bring May flowers! It’s the perfect time to grow a native plant in a small pot or jar. Kids can help lead the way in deciding which plant, decorating the pot, and planting the seeds. Once it has grown a sprout or a full plant, the student can gift it to their teacher to brighten up their classroom. Check out Adventure #23 in the 2nd Edition book: Dig into the Soil + Start A Garden to learn more about this activity and the plants native to your area.
3. Spread joy with a kindness rock.
Would you like to spread happiness around like sunshine? Start by heading outside and collecting some small, smooth rocks from around your yard or neighborhood. Wash and dry them well, and then cover them with a full coat of paint. When the paint has dried, use a separate paint color or marker to add words of happiness and encouragement to each rock, such as “you are loved,” “kindness rocks,” “thank you,” “stay positive,” or “you matter.” Once the rocks are ready, your kid can deliver them to their teachers and administrators as a thank you! Check out Adventure #46 in the 2nd Edition book: Spread Joy With Kindness Rocks to learn more about this activity and for more inspiration for your rocks!
4. Buy some extra classroom supplies!
Did you know that teachers often spend their own money on supplies and items for the classroom? The next time you are shopping with your kid, let them pick out a few extra boxes of tissues or packages of pencils to bring back to the classroom. Some teachers even have wish lists of supplies that they could use. It is a gift for the whole class, too!
5. Gift them a book to add to their classroom library.
Donate a copy of your kid’s favorite book to the classroom for their library. It’s the gift that keeps on giving! And if your kid loves the Adventures in Kindness activities, it makes a great resource for teachers. We even have a Teacher Bundle available that includes other teacher and classroom resources. Whichever book you choose to give, you will be supporting life-long learning, reading, and kindness!
We hope you enjoyed these activities to show appreciation of the educators in your child’s life! Thank you for helping us to spread kindness to the many amazing educators in our community this month, and every month.
Did you like these activities? If so, check out the full Adventures in Kindness book and use code: THANKSTEACH for free shipping AND a special gift to share with your teacher!
3 Ways for Kind Kids to Support Ukraine
With world events weighing heavy on our minds, people of all ages can do a world of good through meaningful acts of kindness.
There is a lot going on in the world. Some moments feel quite heavy, and I can get lost in those feelings. As an educator, I am observing that young people are also feeling the weight of the world at times, and that is an important thing to acknowledge.
As I prepared for potential questions that I might receive from students in my class, I discovered these great resources from PBS and APA that support families and educators in talking and processing the war in Ukraine with young people. One of many steps they suggest is to turn to action and find ways to support Ukraine.
It reminded me of a quote that I love from Mr. Rogers: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” So, I will look for the helpers and try my best to be one, too. And I thought about what Adventures in Kindness’ co-author, Sophia Fox says: “One kind act matters, but many kind acts can change the world.”
That said, here are some Sophia-inspired activities to support Ukraine. We hope you will find these meaningful activities to partake in as a family or bring into the classroom. I know I’ll be implementing a few in my class this week, as we all process what is occurring a continent away.
Start a Family or Classroom Giving Jar
This activity is great to do as a family or as a class.
1. Find an empty jar—it can be a pickle jar, a peanut butter jar, a Mason jar, or any other jar you have lying around. That’s your Giving Jar.
2. Identify with your child or students, which organization you would like to support.
To support Ukraine here are a few suggestions of places to donate:
UNICEF - To supports efforts to address the dual crises of conflict and COVID-19 and protect children in Ukraine
International Rescue Committee - To support in providing food, medical care and emergency support services to families whose lives are shattered by conflict in countries like Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, and Yemen
Ukrainian Red Cross - To support those in need, affected by armed conflict, blood collection, mobilization of volunteers and resources, and emergency activities
(Global Citizen also has a great list of additional ways to help organizations in need of donations).
3. Set a timeline- such as a week, or month, and make it a routine to place a few pennies or a few dollars—anything considered spare change— in the jar at the end of each day. At the end of the time period, make a donation to your selected nonprofit, as a group. Every bit helps!
Ideas to increase the impact:
Ask a few neighbors if they would like to join in on collecting their spare change for the week in support of the organization. Combine your efforts together to form one donation.
If you are doing this activity as a class, ask your school administrators if there is a way to do it as a full school or group!
Show Your Support
You may have seen people around the world showing support for Ukraine by sharing the Ukrainian flag, images of sunflowers (Ukraine’s national flower), and even dressing in yellow and blue!
Join in on showing your support by facilitating this activity in your classroom or with your child:
Create a Poster in Support of Ukraine: Draw a picture that incorporates a sunflower, the Ukrainian flag, or the flag’s colors. You can even write a message of encouragement on it, such as “Support Ukraine” or “Peace.” Then, hang it in your house window, around your neighborhood, or in your classroom.
Sidewalk Support: Get out your favorite sidewalk chalk and draw messages of support and images of support for Ukraine on the sidewalk in your neighborhood or on the playground.
Spread Kindness in Your Corner of the World
Adventures in Kindness’ co-author, Sophia Fox says, “One kind act matters, but many kind acts can change the world.” While we may not always be able to perform a direct random act of kindness for someone in another country, we can spread one in our own community. And you never know the ripple effect that an act of kindness can have. In fact, we like to think it is infectious! With your kid or your class, select a random act of kindness, or a few, that you all can do to brighten up your corner of the world.
Here are a few suggestions:
Write a letter of encouragement for a friend feeling down
Paint a picture and give it to someone you appreciate
Help a neighbor or community garden weed as they prepare for spring
Volunteer to help at a nonprofit event
Create your own: kind kid activists are great at finding opportunities to spread kindness!
However you choose to show support, we hope you will join Adventures in Kindness in sending a lot of love to Ukraine and spreading some kindness in their honor. We would love to hear how you and your young people decided to show support! Drop us a line at hello@adventuresinkindness.com or engage with us on Pinterest to tell us how you are brightening up your corner of the world. Thank YOU for being an important helper in this world!
Be sure to check out the fun Adventures in Kindness book for more resources on cultivating kindness at home and in the classroom.
3 Activities to Celebrate and Honor Black History Month - Every Month
As we near the end of February, we are reminded of the importance of celebrating, honoring, and appreciating the contributions, achievements, and incredible impact that the Black community has in our world. While we take time to celebrate this during the month of February, we hope that you will join Adventures in Kindness in these types of activities all year long.
Discover: Discover how kids can change the world! Check out this video from Scholastic with your kids to learn more about how these amazing kids changed the world in very important ways during the civil rights movement.
Explore: Take a trip through history in your town. With your kids, learn about the Black artists, activists, business owners, creators, and authors who are from your area, and who have contributed positively and powerfully to the place you call home. Ask your child what impact they would hope to make on their community, and what they’ll remember about the people and stories they learned about this month.
Dream: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired many people to dream of a better world, and he took actions to bring remarkable good to our nation. Work with your kids to make a list of three dreams they have for the world. Next to each dream, work together to write one way that they can work toward that dream in the coming year.
Thank you for participating in these activities. We’d love to hear what you discovered or dreamed about. Drop us a line at hello@adventuresinkindness.com or engage with us on Pinterest! If you’d like more adventures like these, check out the full Adventures in Kindness book for more!
Until then, may all your adventures be kind ones!
Adventures in Kindness’ March for Kindness
Happy Random Acts of Kindness Day!
Join Adventures in Kindness as we launch the March for Kindness.
16 days. 16 youth-led kind acts. Let's spread more kindness in our communities.
Hip Hip Hooray! It's February 17, and if you’re reading this blog you probably know why we’re so excited. It’s National Random Acts of Kindness Day, and here at Adventures in Kindness, we’ve got a lot of kind acts in the works. So many, in fact, that we’re hoping you and your kind kids will choose to come on an adventure with us, as we set off on Adventures in Kindness’ March for Kindness campaign.
Between February 17 -March 31, 2022, use the inspiration and resources we’ll provide to bring kindness into your community. And for those of you who like a little peer-to-peer challenge, we hope you’ll join us in completing at least ten adventures by the end of this campaign. If you do (it’s not hard and it will feel SO good in the process!) then we’ll send you an extra-special discount code for our Adventures in Kindness online store. Let us know you’re participating by engaging with our campaign pins on Pinterest, or by dropping us a note at hello@adventuresinkindness.com
If you’re looking for more details on the adventures, keep on reading!
Please note: the following adventures are all excerpts from our award-winning action/adventure book, Adventures in Kindness, now available in a newly expanded second edition. Grab your signed copy now, and 20% of your order will support one of our featured nonprofit partners.
Now, let’s go on an adventure!
1. Visit an older neighbor. - Pin Release 02/17
Have you ever felt lonely? For many aging adults—who may not have friends or family living nearby, or who may no longer drive—this is a very common feeling, and it’s often referred to as social isolation. To combat isolation, and to practice care for our neighbors, we invite you to visit with an older neighbor, and take the opportunity to learn more about their life experiences. Ask about their life as a child, as a young adult, and as an older adult. Record the interview using a journal or an audio recorder to make sure you capture everything that your subject shares, and then write or type up your interview. Give them a copy when you’re done—they might like it written down! Not only is this a great way to learn about people who have lived experiences different from your own, but it’s a kind gesture for someone who might live alone and may not have as many chances to socialize with family and friends.
Check out the Adventures in Kindness book for an interview guide that further supports this adventure.
2. Head out on a nature walk- and leave the path cleaner than you found it. - Pinterest Release 02/18
Going on a nature adventure is a fun and easy way to be kind to the planet. The best part is you can start right where you are, since nature is all around us! Get yourself a magnifying glass, a notebook, and pencil to get this adventure going. First, take a walk around the perimeter of your home or neighborhood. Notice the kinds of plants, flowers, rocks, and soil that exist there. Then, take a second lap, looking even closer under the leaves to examine the insects, soil, and animals that live in the area. Get down on your hands and knees and look closely. You’ll be amazed how much there is to find in every square of nature. Your job on this adventure is to leave any place you visit cleaner than the way you found it.
3. Try a new fruit or vegetable this week. - Pinterest Release 02/21
You may have a favorite food, but the best choice is to eat a lot of different foods and to always try new things. If you eat different foods, you’re more likely to get the nutrients your body needs to grow strong and to stay healthy. On your next trip to your local market, take a slow walk through the produce aisle and examine all the different fruits and vegetables that you’ve never tasted before. Consider trying at least one new type of fruit or vegetable each week and use it in a recipe so you can learn more about it.
4. Write a letter of encouragement to a friend. - Pinterest Release 02/22
If you’ve noticed that a neighbor, a friend, or family member has been feeling blue, consider delivering a handwritten note of friendship or encouragement. Maybe there’s a book you’ve loved that you want to pass along for them to enjoy next, or a piece of artwork that you think they might like. The goal is to let them know how much they mean to you, and to extend kindness through a caring note.
5. Support a small business. - Pinterest Release 02/23
Small businesses are often the heart of a community. One of the best ways to support small businesses is to go shopping! See what’s sprouting at the local farmers market or buy some flowers for your teacher at the local flower shop. Not able to go shopping? Find ways to help spread the word about the small businesses in your town. Another great way to complete this adventure is to simply visit each one of your identified small businesses and say thank you. Small businesses create new jobs, provide personal experiences, and support your local economy. When they do well, your whole community does well.
6. Make a homemade bird feeder. - Pinterest Release 02/24
If you think it’s nice hearing the birds chirp outside your window each morning, this next adventure is for you. Making homemade bird feeders is a fun way to get to know which birds are native to your area and a great way to help little winged friends when their food sources are scarce in the wintertime. This adventure is good for the environment, too, as bird feeders can be made using all-natural items from your yard or recycle bin. Download a free printable on how to make a birdfeeder in the resources section of this site.
7. Start a family giving jar. - Pinterest Release 02/25
Consider how kindness could become a family tradition. First, find an empty jar—it can be a pickle jar, a peanut butter jar, a Mason jar, or any other jar you have lying around. That’s your Giving Jar. For the month or weeks leading up to your family’s holiday, make it a tradition to place a few pennies or a few dollars—anything considered spare change— in the jar at the end of each day. Then, the week before your big holiday, select someone who’s going through a tough time financially and work as a family to give the jar to them in person or anonymously. Or, donate the collected funds to a nonprofit of your family’s choosing. '
8. Scrap all single use plastic this week. - Pinterest Release 02/26
Play an active part in protecting our oceans and all the sea creatures that call them home. First, make a commitment to give up single-use plastic items such as plastic snack bags, plastic forks, plastic water bottles, and most importantly, plastic straws. America alone uses over 500 million plastic straws every day, and most of those end up in our oceans, polluting the water and killing marine life. If we don’t work together to end the use of plastic straws, by 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.
9. Support a Little Free Library. - Pinterest Release 02/27
There’s nothing better than getting lost in a great book, except maybe sharing that book with a friend. Sharing the love of reading with someone else is one of our favorite adventures in kindness, and now there’s a movement underway to share that love even farther and wider with your community. For this adventure, we invite you to find the closest Little Free Library to your house and leave a book inside for someone else to find! Use this tool to find a Little Free Library near you!
10. Take our Home Sweet Home pledge to protect the earth. - Pinterest Release 02/28
The saying, “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children,” is a good reminder of our job to keep the planet better than we found it. Unfortunately, the earth is experiencing the effects of global warming faster than ever in history, which means it is all of our jobs to protect and care for Mother Earth. Join us at Adventures in Kindness to take the Home Sweet Home pledge and start doing at least one of these activities this week. Challenge yourself to keep up this adventure for the rest of this year! Download the pledge in the resources section of our website.
11. Read a book by a Black or Indigenous author. - Pinterest Release 03/01
We love reading because of how much it opens our minds to new ideas and different cultures. We also know how many books default to old stereotypes, such as the white knight or the princess who needs saving. If you’re ready for more diverse views of our world, head to your local library and seek out a book written by a Black or Indigenous author. If you’re looking for a head start, check out our reading list for racially conscious kids.
12. Learn how to say hello in at least one new language- and practice it with your friends. - Pinterest Release 03/02
Hello. Hi. Hey. Hiya. The simple act of saying hello to someone in their native language is not only a kind gesture, but also a great sign of respect. And, since you’ve probably already mastered the many types of greetings in your native language, use this adventure to learn how to say “Hello” in several other languages. By expanding the languages you speak, rather than limiting yourself to one single language, you’ll be far more able to connect with those in your community who speak different languages. Learning a language is no fun if you can’t use it, so try out your new words on your friends and family.
13. Take the day in a wheelchair challenge. - Pinterest Release 03/03
Have you ever experienced walking on crutches or moving around in a wheelchair? If so, you’re probably aware of how difficult it can be for people who are physically challenged to get around town. It’s tough to access certain areas without ramps and difficult to find wheelchair accessible bathrooms. For this adventure, take one day to make note of all the places you go, and how your daily motions might change if you were in a wheelchair. Take notice of how often you rely on stairs, where the nearest elevators or ramps are located, and even the quality of city streets and sidewalks (cracks and bumps are hard to roll over). Individuals living with physical challenges often have their needs ignored because able-bodied people just don’t see or experience the world in the same way. Take the time to understand if accessibility is a challenge in your community, and then think about what you might be able to do to help. Don’t underestimate your ability to advocate for improved sidewalks, safer crosswalks, more ramps, or more accessible bathroom facilities.
14. Spread joy with a kindness rock. - Pinterest Release 03/04
Would you like to spread happiness around like sunshine? This is a simple adventure that can do just that! Start by heading outside and collecting some small, smooth rocks from around your yard or neighborhood. Wash and dry them well and then cover them with a full coat of paint. When the paint has dried, use a separate paint color or marker to add words of happiness and encouragement to each rock, such as “you are loved,” “kindness rocks,” “today’s the day,” “stay positive,” or “be brave.” Once the rocks are ready, deliver them to people in and around your community. You can either leave them in places where your friends and family will find them or give them directly as gifts. Either way, know that you’ll be spreading sunshine to anyone on the receiving end.
15. Introduce yourself using your pronouns at least once this week. - Pinterest Release 03/05
A pronoun is a word we use when speaking about a person and is one way that we gender people. For example, “She went to the store,” or “I saw him today!” and “Have you heard from them yet?” She/her, he/him, and they/them are all pronouns. When speaking about non-living objects, we may use this, that, or it. It is never appropriate to refer to another person using this, that, or it. People often assume the gender of others by their appearance and use pronouns to match their assumption (which is not always correct). It’s important to ask for pronouns because you cannot assume someone’s gender based on clothing, makeup, body size or shape, body hair, etc.
16. Reach out to a friend or teacher and tell them how much they mean to you. - Pinterest Release 03/06
There’s nothing more special than telling someone how much they mean to you. If there’s a teacher who has inspired you, a family member who has supported you, or a friend who is always there when you need them, make this the week that you tell them how much they matter to you!
We hope you’ve loved these adventures, and we thank you for helping us build a community of kindness activists. Be sure to engage with us on Pinterest and when you’ve completed 10 adventures - tell us! Drop us a line at hello@adventuresinkindness.com and let us know how you did with your adventure, and be sure to stay in touch by joining our mailing list. If you’d like more adventures like these, check out the full Adventures in Kindness book for more!
Until then, may all your adventures be kind ones!