Mark your calendars because November 13th is World Kindness Day! Introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement, World Kindness Day aims to highlight the good deeds done by those in every community in an effort to inspire others to follow suit. 

Why celebrate World Kindness Day?

Aside from knowing you and your family did well by others, kindness is linked to an individual’s self-esteem, empathy, and compassion. By emphasizing kindness during your child’s early development, you’re equipping them with the tools they need to be emotionally intelligent adults.

The good news is, it’s easy to spread a little kindness here and there. By starting on World Kindness Day, your children will learn how good it feels to be good to others. Here are our favorite ways to incorporate kindness into your day.

Donate and volunteer 

Getting involved with your community is one of the best, most effective ways to spread kindness. They are perfect for teaching your kids how their actions directly impact those around them, and that acts of kindness should go without the expectation of anything in return. Websites like VolunteerMatch and CharityNavigator are resources you can use for finding volunteer and donation opportunities near you.   

Send personalized cards to friends, family, and neighbors 

Wish your loved ones well this World Kindness Day! Pick up some blank card stock at the store and have everyone sit down to write a personalized message to each person. In addition to putting a smile on someone’s face, this activity is great for practicing penmanship, sentence structure, and basic grammar at home! 

Bring an extra “thank you” your appointments 

Have an extra “thank you” handy if you have appointments during the week. Whether it’s a doctor’s or dentist appointment, many administrative assistants can’t accept tips. If you want to thank them, you could choose between a thank you note, a $5 coffee gift card, a small desk toy, or even a succulent to bring some green to their space. Also, pediatricians love crafts from their patients!  

Finish a favor for your neighbors 

You and your children can offer to rake leaves, shovel snow, walk their dog—anything you can think of! People are busy these days, so offering a helping hand will go a long way.  

Feed the local birds 

Kindness goes beyond people! Showing kindness to animals can demonstrate the importance of the environment to your kids. Research birds native to your area and make note of what is healthy for them to eat–this activity is both educational and fun! 

Organize a book exchange

Whether you opt for a Little Free Library in your yard or invite friends and family for a get-together exchange, sharing books with members of your community is a great way to spread kindness!

Call a long distance relative or friend 

Sometimes it’s the simple things that really count. Show a long distance relative or family friend that you’re thinking of them by scheduling a Zoom call–and make sure your kids come to the conversation with fun facts, topics, and stories to share. The goal is to show your kids how important it is to maintain your close relationships by reaching out every once in a while.  

Highlight small acts of kindness 

Holding the door open for someone, offering help with cleanup, giving genuine compliments when you mean them–these aren’t just for World Kindness Day! However, starting these behaviors at home with your children will inspire them to carry it out into the outside world, causing a ripple effect of kindness, which is what World Kindness Day is truly about.