Free Printable activity
30-Day Kindness Challenge for Kids and Classrooms
What could happen if every child tried one small act of kindness each day? This free 30-day kindness challenge makes it easy to give that idea a try at home, in a classroom, or across your whole school.
How can a school run a kindness challenge?
A kindness challenge doesn't need a big kickoff or an elaborate reward system. Choose your dates, share one simple kindness activity each day, and let children mark their progress on a classroom tracker. Invite families to join in at home, then celebrate the thoughtful things students noticed along the way.
When to run your kindness challenge
There's really no wrong month to begin, but February is a lovely choice. Random Acts of Kindness Day falls on February 17, and many schools celebrate Kindness Week around that time. Starting in late January can carry the momentum right through February. A new semester is another natural time for a little kindness reset!
A week of kindness ideas to get you started
Children don't need grand gestures to make someone's day. Sometimes the smallest choices mean the most. Here are a few ideas you can try:
- Write a thank-you note to someone who helps at school, like a custodian, bus driver or cafeteria worker.
- Invite someone new to join your game at recess.
- Give a classmate a specific compliment.
- Help a family member with a chore without being asked.
- Hold the door and greet people by name.
- Draw a picture for a neighbor or grandparent.
- Pick up litter on the playground or in the hallway.
How to run it school-wide
- Choose your dates and invite classrooms to opt in.
- Share each day's act on morning announcements or in the class newsletter.
- Post the classroom tracker where students can see their progress.
- Send families the daily list so kids can practice at home, too.
- Celebrate at the end with a kindness wall or a shout-out at an assembly.
Kindness that builds leadership
At Apex, we love showing children that leadership can be as simple as noticing someone who needs a little encouragement. One of our six Super Heroes habits is being an Uplifter, someone who supports and cheers on the people around them. A daily kindness challenge gives kids a chance to practice that habit in ways they can see and feel.
A little peek inside the kit
- A month of daily kindness activities
- A classroom tracker
Ready to put it to use?
- Choose the dates and participants.
- Share the daily activities.
- Use the classroom tracker to follow along.
Apex · Free resource
30 Days of Kindness
Put the resource to work.
Use it as a starting point and adapt it to your school.
Enter your email and school details to request your copy. Free for PTA and PTO leaders, with or without an Apex program.
Kindness challenge questions
What is a kindness challenge for kids?
A kindness challenge is a series of small, specific acts of kindness that children practice over a week or month. The tracker helps them follow along, whether they're doing it with their family, their class, or their whole school.
How long should a kindness challenge last?
A week works beautifully for Kindness Week in February. If you'd like to keep the conversation going longer, 30 days offers a fresh little kindness idea each day.
Sources: The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation; Apex Super Heroes core habits, apexleadershipco.com.
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