Kindness acts and practicing how to be kind with kids are an important part of kids’ activities. We have kindness random acts, kindness lesson plans for preschool and elementary school, and some of the best children’s books about kindness with theme lesson plans great for teaching kindness in the classroom and at home!
KINDNESS ACTS AND KINDNESS LESSON PLANS
How many times have you said “Be kind!” to your kids?
But…
Have you ever stopped to consider how to explain the concept of kindness?
Think about it:
This concept might be hard for kids understand, especially younger kids!
But, being a kind person is one of the most important things you can discuss with your kids!
Is kindness a social skill?
Kindness is an important social skill and helps develop the character trait of empathy that will carry kids through life. A be kind attitude is one of the most important things you can help your child develop in order to play and work successfully with others, be respectful of differences, and help people in need.
Before you read kindness stories for kids and books about kindness, take a moment to give a definition of kindness.
One way you can do this is to give some examples of being kind to others.
So, how can you show kindness at home with your kids and model kindness acts?
19 Examples of Kindness Acts for Kids
Here are some be kind things to do for others. These are random acts of kindness that kids can practice in everyday life!
How do you teach students to be kind?
- Smile at others.
- Share your toys.
- Always say please and thank you.
- Share your snacks.
- Invite someone who is alone to sit with you.
- Speak up when others aren’t being kind or are bullying.
- Make kindness rocks and leave them around in public for others to find.
- Be kind, read aloud to a younger child at the library.
- Bake cookies for a neighbor, a teacher, or a friend.
- Hold a door open for someone going into a building.
- Make an easy DIY bird feeder to help birds and wildlife.
- Tell someone sorry if you did something wrong.
- Forgive someone who says sorry to you.
- Ask people, “How are you today?” and then listen to them.
- Give hugs to people you care about.
- Leave a thank you note or draw a picture for a mail person, the wait staff at your favorite restaurant, the librarian, or anyone else who may feel under-appreciated.
- Send postcards or letters to a family member or friend to let them know you’re thinking about them.
- Stock a Little Free Library in your area with books you were going to donate.
- Ask an elderly neighbor or family member if there is anything you can help them with around their house.
These acts of kindness examples are just to get your started! Brainstorm with your kids on more be kind ideas!
Need acts of kindness ideas?
ALSO CHECK OUT:
10 Kindness Projects for Kindness Day and Lessons for Kids
Kindness Acts Study Units
I think an interesting way to shake things up in your learning (especially if your learning is starting to feel, um, stale) is to pair up a theme topic with a book or movie.
(How much more interesting can learning be than reading a book and then doing the lesson or watching a movie and doing a lesson?)
Check out these amazing kindness books and the free lesson plans and activities to go with each book! They’re perfect for random acts kindness day or anytime throughout the year.
BUT…
Before you settle on a kindness book for kids for your “Be Kind” unit study, I encourage you to first READ THIS.
I think so often we think picture books are only for little kids.
But, don’t forget:
Picture books have great messages!
Don’t discount them because you think your kid has “grown out” of them.
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THIS NEXT FOR HELP CREATING YOUR KINDNESS ACTS STUDY UNIT:
What Are Fun Unit Studies (and How Do I Create Them?)
OK!
Ready?
Have fun with some of these kindness activities and WHO KNOWS?
You may even start your own be kind movement with your kindness acts!
Here are some great kindness acts stories to get you started…
10 Crazy Cool Kindness Books for Kids and Kindness Lesson Plans
Add these kindness children’s stories to your kind lessons…
How to Be Kind Books for Kids #1: The Kindness Quilt Book
The Kindness Quilt
is a book about random acts of being nice that are placed on paper “quilt” sheets.
Minna and her classmates have been asked by their teacher, Mrs. Bloom, to work on a Kindness Project. Mrs. Bloom wants them to do and draw and share an act of kindness.The book description:
Minna and her family do lots of kind things, but Minna can’t decide which one is right for her project.
Then she starts writing and drawing and cutting—and an idea for a paper quilt picturing many acts of kindness begins to take shape!
Important lessons about being kind to each other are depicted in NANCY ELIZABETH WALLACE’s charming artwork using origami, recycled paper, markers, crayons, and colored pencils.
How to Be Kind Books for Kids #2: Kindness Is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler Book
Kindness Is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler is a perfect book the younger ones (good for ages kindergarten to second grade).
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
When Mrs. Ruler asks five of her kindergarteners to miss recess, she’s got a special plan up her sleeve.
She’s about to teach a new golden rule:
KINDNESS IS COOL!
Soon the entire class is doing so many good deeds that their kindness bulletin board barely fits their classroom!
From clearing the table after dinner, to helping the elderly, one kindergarten class is proving that kids really can make a difference.
Count along with Mrs. Ruler’s class. Can all their good deeds really add up to 100 acts?
Watch Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler [VIDEO STORY]
How to Be Kind Books for Kids #3: Each Kindness Book
Each Kindness
is a book that reminds us that every single little nice thing that you do makes a difference in your “Be Kind” quest.
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
With its powerful anti-bullying message and striking art, it will resonate with readers long after they’ve put it down.
Chloe and her friends won’t play with the new girl, Maya.
Every time Maya tries to join Chloe and her friends, they reject her.
Eventually Maya stops coming to school.
When Chloe’s teacher gives a lesson about how even small acts can change the world, Chloe is stung by the lost opportunity for friendship, and thinks about how much better it could have been if she’d shown a little kindness toward Maya.
WINNER OF A CORETTA SCOTT KING HONOR AND THE JANE ADDAMS PEACE AWARD.
Also, with this lesson plan you’ll get vocabulary, discussion starters, writing prompts, and four activities.
How to Be Kind Books for Kids #4: Pay It Forward Kids: Small Acts, Big Change Books
Pay It Forward Kids: Small Acts, Big Change is a fun book because it’s about kids all over the world doing amazing things that help others by “paying it forward.”
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
In Pay It Forward Kids, readers will meet ordinary kids from across North America who have done extraordinary things, all on their own initiatives.
They have set out to “pay it forward” to someone else, with astonishing results.
The ripple effect of their deeds have inspired others to join their causes, and in some cases, to start missions of their own.
These kids have raised both money and awareness for causes such as homelessness, human rights, orphans, and literacy.
They’ve rescued child slaves, provided hope to the sick, and comfort for the dying.
They’ve also enabled others to enjoy pleasures that many people take for granted.
These powerful stories demonstrate that you’re never too young to make a difference or to improve the life of another.
Kindness can be done by anyone…you just need to step up and start.
This is a Skipping Stones Honor Award book, Information Book Award Honour Book & Red Maple Non-Fiction nominee.
How to Be Kind Books for Kids #5: Have You Filled A Bucket Today?
OK . . .
This is one of my favorite children’s books and one of THE BEST ways to learn about kindness for kids.
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids by Carol McCloud talks about how everyone carries around an invisible bucket.
Throughout the day, two things can happen with your bucket:
- Someone can feel your bucket by doing kind things, or
- Someone can dip into your bucket and take things out by being unkind.
I love this book because it’s so relevant for all ages and the imagery is simple enough for any age to understand. (Although, she has created another version for younger kids and also another book to go along with this.)
BUCKET FILLING ACTIVITIES (CRAFT)
Be Kind Books for Kids #6: Wonder
Wonder is the ultimate book on bullying, kindness, acceptance, and friendship.
Wonder is a children’s novel by RJ Palacio.
The lead character in Wonder, Auggie Pullman, is “an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face.”
Auggie is born with a rare condition called mandibulofacial dysostosis, or Treacher Collins Syndrome.
The distorted facial features prevented Auggie from attending traditional school and he has been homeschooled.
But, in fifth grade, Auggie enrolls in traditional school.
The story has great opportunities for a variety of relevant topics for today, including how to be kind, even if someone is different than you!
After you read the book, watch the Wonder movie and do a Compare and Contrast of the differences between the book and movie!
Be Kind Books for Kids #7: What Does It Mean To Be Kind?
RJ Palacio, the author of Wonder, states:
What Does It Mean To Be Kind? explains the concept of kindness in easy to understand language.
“…a beautiful book with a beautiful message…the book shows young children how easy it is to be kind through small acts and in simple ways…”
Be Kind Books for Kids #8: Do Unto Otters: A Book About Manners
In Do Unto Otters: A Book About Manners, kids learn about helping others, being good neighbors, and being great citizens and using The Golden Rule.
From Scholastic:
Mr. Rabbit’s new neighbors are otters.
Mr. Rabbit has never met any otters before. He has never talked with any otters before, and Mr. Rabbit is nervous.
What if they don’t get along?
What if the otters are rude?
Mr. Owl helps Mr. Rabbit calm down by offering him some sage advice:
‘Do unto otters as you would have otters do unto you.’
So Mr. Rabbit begins to think about how he would like the otters to treat him.
As he treats the otters with kindness and respect, they do the same.
This humorous and light-hearted book will highlight that the easiest way to be great friends and neighbors is simply by following the Golden Rule.
Be Kind Books for Kids #9: The Big Umbrella
Because, under The Big Umbrella, there’s enough room for everyone!
The Big Umbrella is a sweet book about including others, despite our differences. Great book to encourage discussion on the topic of kindness, mindfulness, inclusion and more!
Be Kind Books for Kids #10: Be Kind
Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller children’s book is about…
(wait for it)
(wait for it)
YOU GUESSED!
How to be kind!
In the book, Tanisha spills juice on her dress and her classmates make fun of her, except one classmate who steps in to make her feel better.
Named One of Chicago Public Library’s “Best of the Best Books 2018.”
Be Kind Book [VIDEO READ ALONG]
(You can actually add any be kind project to go along with this book or any of the books!)
GET MORE free kindness activities to go with be kind lessons and kindness children’s books.
If you have a favorite kindness for kid book, leave it in the comments so we can add it to the list.
BE SURE TO ADD KINDNESS ACTS ACTIVITIES AND LESSONS TO YOUR LEARNING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR!
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