4 Great Ways to Spread Kindness in Your Community

Spring has sprung. The weather is getting warmer, and kids want to be outside more. It’s the perfect time to get out in your community to spread kindness.

There are lots of ways you can spread kindness in your community. We’re going to focus on four ways to get your kids involved. These are simple ways to help your kids understand how easy it can be to bring a smile to someone’s face. And I have a feeling they’ll make your kids smile too!

1. Draw nice pictures with sidewalk chalk.

   What kid doesn’t love to draw on the sidewalk with chalk? Your child can draw a rainbow, heart, flower, or whatever they’d like. Coming across a picture on the sidewalk drawn by a child always brings a smile to my face. Your child (or you, depending on your child’s age) can even add a simple word like “smile” or “love” to the picture. There are lots of options for this one. It’s just up to your child’s creativity.

2. Write short notes with inspirational quotes.

   This one would be a great parent-child project or younger child-older child project. If you have watercolors and watercolor paper, have your child paint the entire page. The light coloring watercolors create makes a beautiful background for handwritten messages.Once the paper dries, cut it into smaller squares or hearts or whatever shape you’d like. If you have an older child, have them write inspirational quotes or kind words on the pieces of paper. If not, write the messages yourself. Then leave the notes around town or drop them in mailboxes for a nice surprise.

3. Make seed paper with well-wishes.

   Let the kids get their hands wet by making seed paper with them and then write well-wishes or a short note on them once they dry, like “Thank you for all you do.” Then give them to your neighbors, teachers, bus drivers, librarians, or other people you regularly see in the community.

4. Paint river rocks to leave around town.

   I came across a painted rock last year in a parking lot. It was placed in a dirt planter where someone opening their car door would see it. It was painted blue and simply said in white paint, “You can.” I don’t remember what was going on at the time, but I do remember thinking, “That’s right. I can.” Have your kids paint a picture on the rocks or put simple sayings or words, like the “you can” or “peace” or “love” or “be happy.” This is another one where the limit is your child’s creativity or yours. Then have fun picking where you’ll leave them. Put them in a planter in a parking lot (like the one I found), near mailboxes, or near a park bench or bus stop.