Acts of kindness for kids, but it's the pandemic
November 30, 2020 11:24 AM Subscribe
What good deeds can I have my kids do right now?
I'm going to put candy in an advent calendar, along with tasks for my kids to do. I can find plenty of Random Acts of Kindness for Kids online, but most of them rely on the child being able to actually go out and interact with other people, and we're just not doing that right now. So far I have:
Thank a teacher (Zoom/Google Classroom)
Research a charity
Do someone else's chore
Compliment a classmate
What else can you think of for me to tuck into the calendar? Thanks!
I'm going to put candy in an advent calendar, along with tasks for my kids to do. I can find plenty of Random Acts of Kindness for Kids online, but most of them rely on the child being able to actually go out and interact with other people, and we're just not doing that right now. So far I have:
Thank a teacher (Zoom/Google Classroom)
Research a charity
Do someone else's chore
Compliment a classmate
What else can you think of for me to tuck into the calendar? Thanks!
Are there places in your neighborhood where older people live or folks live alone? Brainstorming ways to brighten their days might include doing minor outdoor chores like snow shoveling or raking. Or creating little bouquets of flowers to leave on their doorsteps. Or singing a song to them from the street or outside a window.
posted by RedEmma at 11:31 AM on November 30, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by RedEmma at 11:31 AM on November 30, 2020 [2 favorites]
Write a thank you note
Write a holiday card for an isolated relative or friend
Call a grand parent/relative (mine were always happy to get an extra phone call from us)
posted by larthegreat at 11:32 AM on November 30, 2020 [4 favorites]
Write a holiday card for an isolated relative or friend
Call a grand parent/relative (mine were always happy to get an extra phone call from us)
posted by larthegreat at 11:32 AM on November 30, 2020 [4 favorites]
I'm a new homeowner and mr next door has been leafblowering the sidewalk in front of my house since the weather started to turn. It's such a small thing, takes him less than a minute when he's out doing chores anyway, but it's so nice because it's a thing I don't have to think about.
If your kids are old enough they can do outside labor, that's a kindness for the community and covid-safe. Raking leaves/shoveling snow, picking up trash that's blown into common areas, taking newspapers up to the front door. Little things like that.
If they're tween/teenage and responsible, volunteering to walk dogs for older folks would also be kind, especially as the weather gets colder. I am personally way too precious about my dog's safety, and also enjoy getting out of the house for walks, but the shine certainly wears off when it's cold and icy, even more so if you're not so able bodied. Dogs still need exercise and poops.
posted by phunniemee at 11:35 AM on November 30, 2020 [5 favorites]
If your kids are old enough they can do outside labor, that's a kindness for the community and covid-safe. Raking leaves/shoveling snow, picking up trash that's blown into common areas, taking newspapers up to the front door. Little things like that.
If they're tween/teenage and responsible, volunteering to walk dogs for older folks would also be kind, especially as the weather gets colder. I am personally way too precious about my dog's safety, and also enjoy getting out of the house for walks, but the shine certainly wears off when it's cold and icy, even more so if you're not so able bodied. Dogs still need exercise and poops.
posted by phunniemee at 11:35 AM on November 30, 2020 [5 favorites]
I am, of course, overly fond of the mail, but - could you contact a local nursing home/assisted care facility, and see if there is a way you could send holiday cards to their residents, maybe with short notes or drawings inside? With a lot of those types of places being in lockdown right now, I think people there are lonelier than usual.
posted by needlegrrl at 11:43 AM on November 30, 2020 [6 favorites]
posted by needlegrrl at 11:43 AM on November 30, 2020 [6 favorites]
The kids in my area write cute things on the paved running path, it always cheers up my day to see!
Also doing a chore for an elderly neighbor is great.
Pick up trash in a public area
Put food or presents in a holiday drive bin
Send a card to a relative
posted by cakebatter at 11:43 AM on November 30, 2020
Also doing a chore for an elderly neighbor is great.
Pick up trash in a public area
Put food or presents in a holiday drive bin
Send a card to a relative
posted by cakebatter at 11:43 AM on November 30, 2020
Best answer: Draw pictures/Write notes to those in Long Term Care homes.
Draw sidewalk obstacle courses in front of your house
Leave kind notes in neighbour's mailboxes
Buy a bunch of carnations and hand them out as people leave grocery stores (masked of course)
ELF a friend.
posted by Ftsqg at 11:44 AM on November 30, 2020
Draw sidewalk obstacle courses in front of your house
Leave kind notes in neighbour's mailboxes
Buy a bunch of carnations and hand them out as people leave grocery stores (masked of course)
ELF a friend.
posted by Ftsqg at 11:44 AM on November 30, 2020
There's a walking trail close to me where kids have painted rocks to be cute and/or to have encouraging messages and placed them alongside the trail.
In my neighbourhood, there's also lots of little fairy garden type things below trees, and in one spot a little clothesline with haikus hanging from it, and pens and paper for people to write more.
These all give me a bit of joy when walking around.
posted by lookoutbelow at 11:47 AM on November 30, 2020 [3 favorites]
In my neighbourhood, there's also lots of little fairy garden type things below trees, and in one spot a little clothesline with haikus hanging from it, and pens and paper for people to write more.
These all give me a bit of joy when walking around.
posted by lookoutbelow at 11:47 AM on November 30, 2020 [3 favorites]
Things that are positive for wildlife/ the environment... removing invasive species, making pinecone birdfeeders, etc.
posted by metasarah at 12:19 PM on November 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by metasarah at 12:19 PM on November 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
Pick litter (use a litter picker and gloves)
posted by The Last Sockpuppet at 1:09 PM on November 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by The Last Sockpuppet at 1:09 PM on November 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
Make care packages for homeless people? I know in Toronto a lot of people aren't staying in shelters this year because of Covid.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 1:15 PM on November 30, 2020 [4 favorites]
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 1:15 PM on November 30, 2020 [4 favorites]
Someone on my block painted a bunch of small, smooth rocks and put them out in a little basket for folks to take one as they like. It is delightful and makes me happy.
Go up and down your block and make sure drains (if you have them) aren't blocked by leaves! It's a pain if/when they get into the system, and a blocked rainwater drain can cause a surprising amount of surface flooding.
posted by kalimac at 1:46 PM on November 30, 2020 [5 favorites]
Go up and down your block and make sure drains (if you have them) aren't blocked by leaves! It's a pain if/when they get into the system, and a blocked rainwater drain can cause a surprising amount of surface flooding.
posted by kalimac at 1:46 PM on November 30, 2020 [5 favorites]
Have them go through old clothes and toys to find things to donate
Have them pick out a holiday present for a kid at Toys for Tots
posted by greta simone at 2:27 PM on November 30, 2020
Have them pick out a holiday present for a kid at Toys for Tots
posted by greta simone at 2:27 PM on November 30, 2020
Best answer: - Mail a postcard or letter to a family member just to say hi
- Choose a book to donate to incarcerated kids or adults
- Sign a petition for a local cause
- Send a digital holiday card or mail your own cards to kids in hospitals
- Assemble hygiene kits or other care packages*
*In my city, my unhoused neighbors are often in need of hygiene kits and there are always a few individuals or mutual aid orgs asking for assistance in assembling them. Assembling a few kits could be a fun activity!
In the same vein, organizers are often asking for notes of encouragement to include with the kits or with other care packages, which might be an easier feat. You don't need to hand them out and interact with anyone, but you likely would need to find and contact a point-person/organizer and then arrange a safe drop off with them. (Alternatively, arrange mailing.)
posted by sweetjane at 2:43 PM on November 30, 2020
- Choose a book to donate to incarcerated kids or adults
- Sign a petition for a local cause
- Send a digital holiday card or mail your own cards to kids in hospitals
- Assemble hygiene kits or other care packages*
*In my city, my unhoused neighbors are often in need of hygiene kits and there are always a few individuals or mutual aid orgs asking for assistance in assembling them. Assembling a few kits could be a fun activity!
In the same vein, organizers are often asking for notes of encouragement to include with the kits or with other care packages, which might be an easier feat. You don't need to hand them out and interact with anyone, but you likely would need to find and contact a point-person/organizer and then arrange a safe drop off with them. (Alternatively, arrange mailing.)
posted by sweetjane at 2:43 PM on November 30, 2020
Make care packages for homeless people? I know in Toronto a lot of people aren't staying in shelters this year because of Covid.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 1:15 PM on November 30 [3 favorites −] Favorite added! [!]
Came in to suggest this. The shelters in my community are happy to receive individually pre-packed bags with toiletries because they're easy to hand out.
The nice thing about this one for your purposes is, it can cover a few days of the calendar. So, one day: "brainstorm a list of toiletries a homeless person would need;" next day (while you pick up the items they wrote on the list): "write individual notes to include in each of the packages;" next day: "pack individual bags with one each of the toiletries;" next day: "drop off the bags at the shelter/homeless organization" (your kids won't accompany you inside, but even accompanying you while you drive there and you go in and drop them in/the worker comes out to pick them up is participating).
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 4:19 PM on November 30, 2020
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 1:15 PM on November 30 [3 favorites −] Favorite added! [!]
Came in to suggest this. The shelters in my community are happy to receive individually pre-packed bags with toiletries because they're easy to hand out.
The nice thing about this one for your purposes is, it can cover a few days of the calendar. So, one day: "brainstorm a list of toiletries a homeless person would need;" next day (while you pick up the items they wrote on the list): "write individual notes to include in each of the packages;" next day: "pack individual bags with one each of the toiletries;" next day: "drop off the bags at the shelter/homeless organization" (your kids won't accompany you inside, but even accompanying you while you drive there and you go in and drop them in/the worker comes out to pick them up is participating).
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 4:19 PM on November 30, 2020
My son shoveled an elderly neighbor's walk when it snowed (by my requirement, then habit). She was incredibly pleased, would slip him cash when he was older. Rake leaves, sweep sidewalk, etc.
For the window, make a sign of support for neighbors.
A task for a child can be Think of things you can do to help.
posted by theora55 at 5:45 PM on November 30, 2020
For the window, make a sign of support for neighbors.
A task for a child can be Think of things you can do to help.
posted by theora55 at 5:45 PM on November 30, 2020
Came in to say paint a rock and leave it where folks can see it.
Wave at strangers on a walk (especially ones with littler kids).
Buy a gift or a toy for a child in need.
Make art for [relative, including parents].
FaceTime [relative].
posted by bananacabana at 7:18 PM on November 30, 2020
Wave at strangers on a walk (especially ones with littler kids).
Buy a gift or a toy for a child in need.
Make art for [relative, including parents].
FaceTime [relative].
posted by bananacabana at 7:18 PM on November 30, 2020
Write and illustrate a short story or make a short video to entertain a younger kid (young cousins or neighbors etc.).
Research a disability or medical condition a friend or classmate has and brainstorm ways to support/stick up for/include them (for example, learning about food allergies and thinking of what foods would be safe to serve where an allergy kid is invited, etc.).
Bake cookies and send to a loved one.
Put out a cooler of snacks and drinks for mail/delivery drivers.
Make a bird/squirrel feeder to be kind to the local animals.
posted by bananacabana at 7:29 PM on November 30, 2020
Research a disability or medical condition a friend or classmate has and brainstorm ways to support/stick up for/include them (for example, learning about food allergies and thinking of what foods would be safe to serve where an allergy kid is invited, etc.).
Bake cookies and send to a loved one.
Put out a cooler of snacks and drinks for mail/delivery drivers.
Make a bird/squirrel feeder to be kind to the local animals.
posted by bananacabana at 7:29 PM on November 30, 2020
Around Easter, my 7 year old and I made about 30 handmade simple folded printer paper cards and sent them to a local elder care facility. A high school friend of mine is a doctor at the facility, and said that these cards would be extremely welcome and she did not have Covid-related concerns about it. I heard feedback later that the cards were well loved and displayed.
What we did, was 7 year old drew a bright, colorful, happy picture on the front and colored it. And then I wrote a longer, chattier note on the inside. Rather than saying 'happy Easter' we just drew pretty pictures and wrote about things we were doing, like that I taught him to make cornbread from scratch or that we went on a nature hike and saw XYZ, etc. Or we said "We are celebrating by Easter by ... and we wonder what holidays you celebrate at this time of year." Kind of thing (I am weird about religion and don't like to assume people celebrate religious holidays even when they can be secularly celebrated too.) We did like 5 a day or so for a week, and then sent them. We made each one different and unique.
posted by MustangMamaVE at 8:42 AM on December 1, 2020
What we did, was 7 year old drew a bright, colorful, happy picture on the front and colored it. And then I wrote a longer, chattier note on the inside. Rather than saying 'happy Easter' we just drew pretty pictures and wrote about things we were doing, like that I taught him to make cornbread from scratch or that we went on a nature hike and saw XYZ, etc. Or we said "We are celebrating by Easter by ... and we wonder what holidays you celebrate at this time of year." Kind of thing (I am weird about religion and don't like to assume people celebrate religious holidays even when they can be secularly celebrated too.) We did like 5 a day or so for a week, and then sent them. We made each one different and unique.
posted by MustangMamaVE at 8:42 AM on December 1, 2020
Response by poster: Thank you for these. All good! When I read these, I realized I need to include two types of good deeds: stealthy ones where they don’t get credit (which they prefer), and person-to-person deeds. We just got back from handling out single roses in front of our local store. It was an experience they’ll remember - lots of people were suspicious (who among us hasn’t been handed something with a “catch”?) and we had some rejections, but we also had people who were happy or really touched. My kids are so shy, and this was a good thing for them to try. Here are some of the other tasks:
Gift for Vina Moses
Pick up litter on our block
Make cards for kids in hospital
Thank a teacher you had
posted by Knowyournuts at 4:33 PM on December 7, 2020
Gift for Vina Moses
Pick up litter on our block
Make cards for kids in hospital
Thank a teacher you had
posted by Knowyournuts at 4:33 PM on December 7, 2020
If your kids have the coordination, make a cloth mask. They can be hand sewn though it would probably help if you cut fabric out for them if they're young. (If you have fabric around already, can just cut some on the bias rather than using elastic. If you're going to buy for the project, buy elastic or bias tape too.) You can either find a place to donate to or just leave somewhere like a little free pantry or book exchange. (I often enough find people to give them to, but that's harder for kids.)
You could have them think about fun things for people to see as they go by the house, like Christmas decorations or a teddy bear in the window. Maybe even change it weekly. We love looking at houses as we walk the same streets around our house again and again.
posted by Margalo Epps at 6:00 PM on December 8, 2020
You could have them think about fun things for people to see as they go by the house, like Christmas decorations or a teddy bear in the window. Maybe even change it weekly. We love looking at houses as we walk the same streets around our house again and again.
posted by Margalo Epps at 6:00 PM on December 8, 2020
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posted by BlahLaLa at 11:31 AM on November 30, 2020