50 Ways to Spread Kindness During Hard Times

We all go through hard times. Right now, our country is going through a time that unprecedented and a lot of things are unknown. It’s so easy to be fearful and anxious. I’m trying my absolute best to find joy and reasons to be thankful each day.

Currently, I’ve been thankful for my family, food in our pantry, a warm home, friends who check in on us, and my church who has been a source of peace and encouragement.

I’ve been working with my boys in finding ways to spread kindness during hard times. I wanted to share this list of ideas with you in case you are also looking to spread some positivity right now. Some cost money and others are completely free. I hope this list inspires you today!

1. Send cards in the mail to a friend or family member
2. Pay for the person behind you in a drive-thru line
3. Offer to pick up groceries for someone in need
4. Donate food to the local food pantry
5. FaceTime someone just to brighten their day
6. Send flowers to a friend
7. Leave cookies, coffee, or wine on the front step of neighbor
8. Send a gift card in the mail
9. Write encouraging words with chalk on the sidewalk
10. Offer to do laundry for someone
11. Give a generous tip to a barista, hairdresser, etc.
12. Help a neighbor with yard work
13. Leave a small gift for your mail carrier
14. Shop local to support small businesses
15. Thank a teacher with a homemade card
16. Drop off goodies to local first responders
17. Send a card to a service member
18. Do chores for your family without asking
19. Leave bottled water, toilet paper, or other paper goods for a friend
20. Send a meal to a family (right now you could use a delivery service and support a local restaurant)
21. Make a bird feeder
22. Tell funny jokes to make someone laugh
23. Purchase gift cards from local businesses
24. Make a craft for a friend (I Heart Crafty Things is my favorite site for crafts!)
25. Leave change in the vending machine for the next person
26. Compliment 5 friends
27. Make a video with an encouraging message or song and send to a loved one
28. Write words of encouragement on sticky notes and post them around the house
29. Create art on a rock and leave them around the neighborhood or at a park
30. Clean a sibling’s room
31. Leave bubbles or chalk on a friend’s front porch
32. Read a book to someone (it could even be over FaceTime to grandparents or loved ones!)
33. Donate essential supplies to a local homeless shelter (such as these blessing bags)
34. Plant something or deliver a plant to a loved one
35. Be an encouragement to the cashier. A smile or an encouraging word goes a long way!
36. Make a special dinner or dessert for your family
37. Donate books to a free library box
38. Deliver cookies to someone’s doorstep (do store-bought cookies if you’re worried about germs!)
39. Make a friendship bracelet and give it to a friend
40. Have a virtual playdate using Skype or FaceTime when you can’t be together
41. Sponsor a child in need
42. Leave a nice comment on a blog post, YouTube video, or Instagram picture
43. Make a sibling their favorite snack
44. Do something special for your pet (ie: play with them, clean their cage, buy them a toy)
45. Go through your toys and fill a box to donate
46. Share a happy memory with a loved one
47. Thank a healthcare worker
48. Leave a nice review for a company you’ve used
49. Create art to send to local nursing homes
50. Send a postcard like this to neighbors to offer help

Kindness truly is contagious. I love this video below. It shows the beauty and power of one act of kindness.

Have an amazing day and I hope you can spread some kindness in whatever you do!