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World of Kindness Day happens once a year. But that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate every day. Promote acts of kindness in your classroom with students with these 11 delightful World Kindness Day activities.
World Kindness Day is our golden ticket to spread joy and empathy in our classrooms. Teaching kindness to our little learners sets the stage for a more compassionate world, and that is why I celebrate this wonderful holiday and add some kindness activities throughout my lessons.
Allow me to introduce you to Lily, a student with exceptional qualities. As fate would have it, a new student named Sam arrived in our class, feeling apprehensive and unsure about his place in the school community. While many of her peers kept their distance, Lily warmly welcomed Sam. Her genuine kindness ignited a ripple effect of inclusivity, inspiring others to reach out and befriend him. If there were a picture of World Kindness Day in the dictionary, it would be Lily’s.
There’s no better time to combine our teaching of compassion and empathy than on World Kindness Day. Lily is just one example of what all our students can accomplish and put forth through kindness. Teaching and promoting acts of kindness to our youngest learners isn’t just about building character; it’s about sculpting future leaders of a more inclusive and loving world.
In the classroom, it’s easy to overlook the impact of small gestures. However, these seemingly minor acts can help create a nurturing and inclusive classroom environment. For example, a simple smile, a helping hand, or a kind word can work wonders in brightening a fellow student’s day and help each student feel like they belong.
For our youngest learners, age-appropriate acts of kindness are the building blocks of a compassionate classroom community. Encourage them to share toys, lend a hand in tidying up, or offer encouragement during group activities. Teaching them to take turns and actively listen to their peers instills empathy and cooperation.
Encourage students to show kindness in the classroom, hallways, at recess, on the bus, and even in their homes. Giving them a list of small acts of kindness can help them understand and give them some examples.
Additionally, celebrating achievements, no matter how small creates a culture of positivity, growth mindset, and support. Through these actions, we empower students to understand kindness’s impact on others.
Fun and Engaging Kindness Activities, Lessons, and Games
There are many ways to add excitement to your World Kindness Day activities and lessons. Try different games, challenges, and activities to help students internalize what kindness is, how it is shown, and what they can do to be kind.
#1: Kindness Interactive Anchor Chart
Create interactive anchor charts during social-emotional learning lessons and let students take the lead as they discuss and determine ways to show kindness at home, in the community, and at school. Then, challenge them to complete the acts of kindness they came up with.
#2: Kindness BINGO
Every student loves BINGO. It is a simple game that does not require much explanation and can easily be formatted and changed to fit your needs. Consider creating a bingo game with kind actions.
Include actions like:
- Handshakes
- Helping clean up a mess
- Making a bed
- Taking turns
- Holding the door open
A read-aloud like The Cool Bean is a great way to show students what “cool” and kind actions are. The Cool Bean book companion includes a “BEANGO” game, focusing on kind actions and ways to show kindness.
#3: “Kindness Counts” Board Game
Playing board games is a great kindness day activity, not only because they are fun but also because they require exhibiting kindness. Students must take turns, be positive, share, and play fairly. The list goes on and on.
Want a board game focused specifically on kindness? Try this Kindness Counts Board Game, which helps instill all the above skills in students.
#4: Compliment Circle
A compliment circle is exactly what it sounds like. Students partner up and compliment each other or share positive words with the entire class. Not only is it a great morning meeting activity. But it can help encourage students to use kind words right from the start of the day.
#5: Kindness Activities Challenge
Students love a challenge, and what better way to encourage kindness than with a kindness challenge? A kindness monthly challenge allows students to complete different acts of kindness each day. You can have students compete independently or work as a class.Create your own World Kindness Day activities challenge this November!
#6: Kindness Cards
If you are looking for a way to actively promote kindness daily. Using kindness cards may be one of the simplest ways. Pull out a scenario card and discuss how the card is showing kindness, or have students role-play. Students can even share a time when they completed that act before.
Crafty Kindness Creations for World Kindness Day
Suppose students in your class love to be creative and get their hands messy. Then, they will enjoy the crafts and activities below!
#7: Friendship Bracelets to Give Out on World Kindness Day
Friendship bracelets are all the rage. Take a Friday afternoon to craft some friendship bracelets with your students. In addition, encourage them to include positive messages and words on them like “hope,” “love,” “friends,” etc.
Afterward, have students trade them or give them to someone important. In general, this is a great way to teach gift-giving and receiving.T-Swift would be proud!
#8: Kindness Day “Smile-a-Gram” Notes
With these “Smile-a-Gram” Kindness Cards, students create personalized cards, notes, or drawings and send them to family members, friends, people who work at the school, bus drivers, etc. Overall, this is an excellent opportunity for students to show appreciation to the people around them.
Kindness rocks are stones painted with positive messages or pictures. Let students get creative and show what kindness means to them. All you need is some paint and rocks. Lastly, consider making a kindness rock garden or rock path once the rocks dry, or have students bring them home to spread kindness around their neighborhood.
#10: Collaborative Kindness Wall
Kindness can easily shine through in the classroom by having students create a kindness wall. This wall is a colorful showcase of drawings and notes and is a way to celebrate the good deeds we do for one another.
Including positive phrases and quotes within the wall is a great way to get students excited. Some popular ones are:
- “Throw kindness around like confetti.”
- “Be the reason someone smiles today.”
- “The only way to have a friend is to be one.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
- “Try to be the rainbow in someone else’s cloud.” ~ Maya Angelou
- “Kindness is a gift everyone can afford to give.”
- “If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours.”
Another idea is to create a Bucket Filling Wall. ‘Bucket Filling’ is a fun way for kids to understand kindness. Undeniably, it encourages students to Imagine that everyone has an invisible bucket. Acts of kindness fill these buckets, making us all feel happy and valued. On the other hand, unkind words, actions, etc., are taken from the bucket and make people sad.
Stories & Videos that Spark Kindness
Along with activities, games, and crafts, you can include kindness videos and books to help students understand kindness and give them other opportunities to view and read about kindness.
#11: Books to Read on World Kindness Day
There are many beautiful books about kindness, but it can be challenging to pick just a few. For one thing, select grade-appropriate books that promote discussions with students about the message in each book and how it relates to kindness.
The Kindness Book by Todd Parr
With bright colors, fun illustrations, and simple sentences, students can quickly learn what kindness looks and sounds like.
Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler by Margery Cuyler
Mrs. Ruler has one golden rule: “Kindness is cool!” This saying starts taking over the classroom, and every student is soon doing many nice things. They help with chores and assist older people. Pretty soon, this kindergarten class shows that kids can make a difference.
The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates and Juniper Bates
In this delightful story, an umbrella faithfully stands by the door. It is a gentle reminder that inclusivity knows no bounds – regardless of one’s height, style, or unique characteristics, there is always room for everyone. It beautifully illustrates that embracing diversity creates abundant space for all to thrive.
Discover a curated selection of books and engaging activities on the theme of kindness that are perfect for your classroom.
Above all, as we teach kindness through uplifting activities, videos, books, and mantras, and as students and teachers work to fill each other’s buckets, we make a positive impact. Beyond World Kindness Day, we must stay committed to making kindness a habit. In the long run, we’re giving students tools for a brighter, more peaceful future. Together, we’re creating a chain of kindness, knowing even the tiniest gesture can bring about positive change.
Free Kindness Calendar Poster Kit
Bring random acts of kindness into your classroom with this FREE kindness calendar poster kit! Use this calendar as a November World Kindness Day activity or a monthly challenge.
Click the image below to grab a copy.
Everything You Need For World Kindness Day
Proud to be Primary has many resources to help teach and bring kindness into your classroom. With kindness units and book companions, you can find almost everything you need to ensure your classroom is full of kindness.
- Kindness & Bucket Filler Lessons & Social Skills Activities
- Social-Emotional Kindness Book Companions
- Kindness Classroom Challenge, Calendars, & Activities
More World Kindness Day Activities
Kindness Books And Videos For The Classroom
Social-Emotional Books
Acts Of Kindness For Kids
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