Celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week with 'The 7-Day Kindness Challenge' for the Whole Family
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
It's time to release some of those feel good hormones. It has been a long winter. Let's increase our joy and the happiness of those around us. February 15-20, 2026 is Random Acts of Kindness Week. You're never too young to spread the spark!
What is RAK week? Every year Random Acts of Kindness Week is celebrated in February around Valentine's Day. The idea is to perform and inspire kind acts like volunteering, writing/leaving thoughtful notes, helping a neighbor, complimenting strangers, donating to a cause, or any small gesture that makes yours and others little hearts happy. We are sharing 7 days of "themes" to help get you started and encourage you and your littles make the world a brighter place. See the power that spreading kindness as a family can have in your little corner of the world.
Day 1 Neighborhood + Community Kindness.
>Post positive notes around your community
+Positive messages even quick ones like "you are beautiful" can make someone's day and give them a feeling of happiness. Little things to you can be big for someone else and their mental health.
>Randomly pick a small business and leave a positive review
+Beyond writing a positive review, some easy ways to help include following them on social media, telling your friends and family about a positive experience, and signing up for their newsletter.
>Send flowers to someone to brighten their day
>Leave a sweet note on someone’s car window
>Let someone get in front of you in line
+Unfortunately line ups are inevitable whether at a grocery store, a coffee shop, in traffic, or the bank. Why not make someone's day by letting them cut?
>Smile at someone who looks like they need a smile
>Pay for a meal for a neighbor or friend you see at a restaurant
Day 2 Volunteer + Give Your Time.
>Pick up litter
+Litter clean up has a positive ripple effect on the community. It brings people together, fosters a shared sense of purpose and improves mental and physical health through social interaction and physical activity. And teaches the littles how to care for the earth.
>Donate time to an animal shelter
+Adopt, foster, take them for a walk, clean cages, and/or read to them.
>Spend time volunteering at local organizations
+unhoused emergency shelters
+disaster relief
+tutoring
+LGBTQIA+ care
+youth mentoring
+women's health
>Visit a local nursing home
+Read to the residents, play games, play cards, or do a puzzle with them. Before you go, create cards for the seniors to brighten their day.
Day 4 Help with Household Chores.
>Help prepare dinner
+Life can get really busy. Learning to cook can be really rewarding, especially if kiddos can help each other in the process.
>Offer to do a sibling’s chores
+Most members of the household have daily or weekly chores that others aren't always aware of. This act of kindness gets kids to think about the chores each person has and the impact it has on them and the family. The aim of doing an alternate chore is to help kids appreciate how others contribute and the difference they make. It will also give the receiver of this kindness a little break from their usual routine and let them know they are efforts are noticed.
>Clean your room
+Without being asked. <wink>
Day 5 Use Your Words. Spread Kind Messages Everywhere.
>Leave a kindness note
+Writing kind notes is a great way to practice empathy and give a friendly compliment.
>Say hello
+Make eye contact and smile at a stranger
>Send someone a postcard
+When was the last time you sent a postcard or a letter in the mail? Is there anything better than getting a surprise note from a friend or family member?
>Say, "Thank you!"
+Talk to your kids about the meaning of gratitude. When we appreciate the good in our lives, we invite more positivity in our life because we’re putting this positive energy into the world. It also spreads joy into someone else's life.
>Chalk the walk
+Leave a kind chalk message on a sidewalk or driveway.
>Write 3 things you love about yourself
+Don't forget to be kind to yourself. Self care and mindfulness are just as important as caring for others.
>Drop a surprise note in a library book
+Design some bookmarks with happy messages and put them inside your favorite library books.
>Give a stranger a compliment
Day 6 Share Treats.
>Donate food to a food pantry or shelter
>Make sweet treats to share with coworkers, classmates, or neighbors
>Go on an indoor picnic with friends. It's February
>Sharing a meal creates a special connection
+Invite a neighbor or friend over or even prepare a simple to-go meal to brighten someone’s day.
>Host a potluck dinner
+Organize a small gathering where everyone brings a dish. A potluck offers a wonderful way to celebrate community and try new recipes together. Share kindness and create connections.
Day 7 Be Cool in School. <For Teachers + Students>
>Positive sticky notes
+Students place notes with uplifting messages on lockers, desks, or in common areas for others to find. Both teachers and students can participate.
>Show a little bit of gratitude
+Show your children's teachers and school workers a little extra love. Whether with flowers, a gift card, or words of gratitude, they work hard for our kids.
>Kindness challenges/bingo
+Provide students with bingo cards or checklists of kindness acts
(e.g., compliment a classmate, help a younger student) to complete during the week, with trinket prizes for participating.
>Kindness doors
+Decorate classroom doors with themes of kindness. Maybe make it a friendly contest among classes.
>Kindness jar or bulletin board
+Have students write kind deeds or positive notes on slips of paper and add them to a teacher's desk jar or bulletin board.
>Talk to the shy kid + learn how to be a friend
+Try talking to someone new. A simple smile and hello goes a long way.
Love your kindness post...so many great ideas!