Looking for something nice to do to brighten up your day and the lives of those around you? Here are some ideas of simple random acts of kindness that can be done by almost anyone with much time, money, or preparation. As a fun challenge, see how many you can do in a single day, then let us know about it in the comments.
- Leave a note of appreciation for a friend or family member
- Smile and say hello
- Return someone’s shopping cart for them
- “Heart Attack” someone by writing kind notes on paper hearts and taping them to their front door
- Let someone cut in front of you in line
- Slow to let someone merge into your lane
- Let someone else have the best seat or parking space
- Thank a cashier for their assistance
- Make a family member’s bed for them
- Wash the dishes
- Take a treat to a neighbor
- Go through a drive-thru and ask to pay for the car behind you
- Put coins in an expired parking meter
- Say something kind and encouraging to a parent struggling with rowdy kids
- Give bottles of water to people working outside on a hot day
- Take the time to write a review for a book, products, or place you enjoy (especially if it is for a small, independent author or company)
- Buy something from a kid’s lemonade stand
- Bring treats to your local fire or police station
- Write a thank you note for your mail carrier
- Donate unwanted items to a good charity or thrift store
- Write letters to people serving in the military
- Tell your boss something you appreciate about them
- Call someone just to say “I love you”
- Give directions to someone who is lost
- Forgive someone who has wronged you
- Hold open the door
- Put a note of encouragement in your child’s lunchbox or backpack
- Do someone else’s chore around the house
- Walk a neighbor’s dog
- Let someone else pick the TV show to watch
- Avoid complaining and say something positive instead
- Play with a sibling or neighbor
- Give your mother flowers
- Help a neighbor bring in their groceries
- Be on time
- Help clean up after a party or event
- Volunteer at a local pet shelter
- Tell a joke to cheer someone up
- Babysit for free
- Donate a book to the library
- Listen careful when someone needs to talk
- Invite someone over that you haven’t seen in a while
- Give a sincere compliment
- Give out free hot chocolate on a cold day
- Donate activity books to a children’s hospital
- Volunteer at a local soup kitchen
- Leave an extra big tip
- Run an errand for someone
- Offer to mow your neighbor’s lawn
- Pick up litter at the park or on the street
What other acts of kindness have you done?