Thanks to Shaw Communications for sponsoring this post. Check out the bottom of the post for more information about how your child can apply for a Kindness Sticks Grant to make a difference at their school.
Small acts of kindness show your kids that they have the power to make their world a better place and that even small actions matter. Doing small acts of kindness with your kids is also a great way to begin conversations about spreading kindness and empathy to those around them.
You can read our ideas for sharing kindness with people you know here [link]. Another way you can spread kindness is with random acts of kindness. Random acts of kindness are small actions that are intended to bring more kindness into the world. They aren’t done with a specific person in mind, in fact the recipient is often a complete stranger.
Here are some ideas for random acts of kindness you can do with your kids:
1. Pick up trash
Grab a garbage bag, put on some disposable gloves and head out to your local park, boulevard or other area that could use a little extra attention.
2. Paint kindness rocks
Write inspirational messages on painted rocks and spread them around your neighbourhood.
3. Be a snow angel
Shovel the sidewalk for one of your neighbours.
4. Buy a coffee
Pay for the coffee for the person behind you in line.
5. Donate books
Drop books off at a little free library or start your own!
6. Help the Homeless
Put together travel sized toiletry bags and give them to a homeless shelter
7. Hold a free lemonade stand
Put a twist on the traditional lemonade stand by giving the lemonade out for free or collecting donations to support your favourite charity.
8. Start a neighbourhood tradition
Anonymously drop off a little bag of treats at your neighbour’s house with a note attached that says “You’ve been Elfed” at Christmas or, you’ve been “Boo-ed” at Halloween.
9. Put change in a vending machine
Leave a surprise for the next person by pre-loading a vending machine with money for a snack.
10. Pass out stickers to kids waiting in line
Know a place where kids will be waiting in line? Offer them a sticker to bring a smile while they wait.
11. Create fun with chalk
Use chalk to create a game people can play on your sidewalk like hopscotch.
12. Help kids keep warm
Donate mittens or hats to your school for kids who need them.
13. Dry the slides at the park
Take a towel to your local playground after the rain and dry off the slides.
14. Make cards for a seniors home
Brighten their day with artwork and a kind message.
15. Blow bubbles at the park
Create some extra fun at the park by blowing bubbles. For even more fun, bring some extra wands and a dish so other kids can blow bubbles too.
Kindness Sticks Grant Program
Do you know a student who would like to make their school a better place?
With the Shaw Kindness Sticks grant program, Shaw is looking to partner up with students who have an idea to make kindness stick at their school.
If your idea is selected, your school could receive a Kindness Sticks grant of up to $5000 to make it happen. Be creative and involve your school. Make sure your project is submitted before April 30, 2018, 5 p.m. MST.
Want to apply but not sure where to start? Consider the following questions:
- How does my project contribute to a positive school environment?
- What kind of budget does my project need?
- How can people volunteer and get involved to make my project come to life?
- Who does my project impact and reach?
- How is my project creative and unique?
For more information go to the Kindness Sticks webpage.
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