World Kindness Day Activities + Printable Kindness Bingo

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World Kindness Day is celebrated every year on November 13, and it’s the perfect time to encourage compassion, gratitude, and empathy at home or in the classroom. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or homeschool family, these kindness activities and resources will help children see that kindness connects us all—no matter where we live.

What Is World Kindness Day?

World Kindness Day began in 1998 through the World Kindness Movement, an international coalition that promotes goodwill across the globe. The idea is simple: when we choose kindness, we make the world a better place. People in dozens of countries—like Australia, Japan, Canada, Singapore, and the U.K.—celebrate by performing acts of kindness, hosting community service events, and sharing positivity online.

Why Teach Kids About Kindness?

Kindness lessons builds empathy, confidence, friendship, and community spirit. Studies show that performing kind acts increases happiness, lowers stress, improves mental health, and improves classroom climate. For families, it’s a wonderful way to refocus November on gratitude and connection, not just busyness.

Printable Kindness Coloring Notes

I have two sets of printable Acts of Kindness Coloring Notes you can download and share. Kids can color these pages with positive messages, and give them to classmates, family, or neighbors. They’re a beautiful way to teach that giving can be simple—just a word of encouragement can brighten someone’s day.

Printable Kindness Bingo

Turn it into a fun kindness challenge! You can use my Kindness Bingo printable to inspire kids to complete as many kind acts as possible throughout the week. Examples include:

• Hold the door for someone

• Write a thank-you note

• Compliment a friend

• Pick up litter

• Share a snack

• Paint kindness rocks to leave in public places

You can make it a family or class challenge—when all boxes are filled, celebrate with a special treat or family night activity.

Download the Kindness Bingo Game Now! 

 

See my post on 50 Simple Acts of Kindness Kids Can Do

How People Celebrate Kindness Around the World

World Kindness Day isn’t limited to one country! Here are some examples of how communities around the globe celebrate:

• Australia: Schools host “Kindness Assemblies,” where students perform songs or skits about helping others.

• Japan: The original home of the World Kindness Movement—many neighborhoods organize volunteer clean-ups and small gift exchanges.

• United Kingdom: Offices and classrooms often run “Kindness Challenges” encouraging anonymous good deeds.

• India: NGOs and schools coordinate food drives or donation campaigns.

• Canada: Families write kindness notes and leave them in public places—like library books or park benches—for strangers to find.

These examples remind kids that kindness is a universal language. It also has a ripple effect!

More World Kindness Day Activity Ideas

If you’re looking to add more meaningful projects to add to your lessons, try:

• Kindness Chain or Quilt: Cut colorful paper strips or squares and write acts of kindness on each. Link them together to see kindness “grow.” 

• Compliment Jar: Write positive notes about classmates or family members and read them aloud.

• Gratitude Game: Combine kindness and thankfulness—share what you are thankful for in this simple yet meaningful game.

• Acts of Service: Plan a family or class project—collect food for a local pantry, make cards for nursing homes, or donate outgrown clothes.

Books About Kindness to Read Aloud

Reading picture books is one of the easiest ways to start conversations about kindness. Try a few of these favorites:

• Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud – A classroom classic that teaches how our actions “fill” or “empty” other people’s invisible buckets.

• Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson – A powerful story about missed opportunities for kindness.

• Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller – Shows kids that small gestures can ripple outward.

• Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson – A Utah author whose story perfectly illustrates how one good deed can multiply.

• The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig – Helps kids notice and include others who might feel left out.

After reading, invite children to share examples of kindness they’ve seen or experienced.

Teaching Reflection

Ask your students or children:

• How did it feel to do something kind?

• Did anyone do something kind for you this week?

• How can we make kindness part of every day, not just one holiday?

World Kindness Day reminds us that no act is too small. From writing notes to helping at home, kids can see that their actions matter. When we spread kindness in our local community, we create a chain reaction that crosses borders and brightens lives.

Random Acts of Kindness Day

If you love celebrating kindness in November, mark your calendar for Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 17! This day, created by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, encourages people everywhere to perform small, thoughtful acts that brighten someone else’s day—no reason needed. It’s a perfect companion to World Kindness Day because both remind us that kindness isn’t just a one-time event; it’s a way of life.

While World Kindness Day highlights global unity and empathy, Random Acts of Kindness Day brings those values to life through simple, everyday actions. Together, they create two wonderful touchpoints in the year to teach children that their kind choices can make the world a better place.