Have you ever had someone ahead of you in line pay for your coffee? Or have you ever had someone unexpectedly give you flowers? Random Acts of Kindness Day is Feb. 17 and it's a great excuse to do something nice for someone — whether it's your spouse or the cashier you probably won't ever see again. It's also a great day to show your children the power of small gestures, like donating their gently-used toys or drawing a picture for a neighbor.
The best part about random acts of kindness? They're catching! That's typically not a good thing, but we can all make an exception in this case. Spread those good vibes far and wide!
1. Give positive affirmations and compliments throughout the day
This is a great one to do with kids. Keep an eye out for people who you can compliment and build up. It doesn't cost anything, but it will brighten someone's day! Make a game out of how many compliments your kids can give in one day.
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2. Take homemade cards to a local nursing home
Kids love to draw. Residents of local nursing homes love to get mail. Put the two together? You have an easy way for your kids to make someone else's day brighter!
3. Lead a neighborhood or park cleanup
Grab a trash bag on your way out for a walk or to a playground and pick up litter on your explorations. Who can find the most interesting piece of trash? How many cigarette butts did they collect? Make sure you and your kids wear gloves!
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4. Donate to a local shelter
Find a local shelter near you and find out what they need. A veterans shelter might need warm socks, while a women or family shelter might need craft supplies or toys for kids. An animal shelter might need blankets and cleaning products. Ask your kids to help you shop or find gently-used items around your house that those in need can use.
5. Tell the principal how great your child's teacher is
Our teachers work hard day in and day out for our kids, often with little recognition. Make sure they — and their superiors — know how much you appreciate them.
6. Start a pay-it-forward chain at your local coffee shop
Get your morning cup of joe and pay for the person behind you. Take your kids and sit quietly at a table nearby for a few minutes to see if your act of kindness cascades as the next customer pays for the person behind them.
 Jacob Lund | Canva |
7. Spread random acts of kindness throughout the day
Buy gift cards in small amounts and leave with people such as a cashier or your mail carrier. Buy flowers for your neighbor or librarian. Check in on a friend or relative you haven't heard from in a while. These little acts of kindness mean a lot to those on the receiving end.
Remember, one act of kindness — no matter how big or little — can make the world a brighter place. So, don’t forget to go out there and share your kindness with the world!
Happy Random Acts of Kindness Day! :)
