Transform your home into a kindness hub with these creative challenges

Difficulty: Explorer (Level 1)

Kindness isn’t something magical that only a few special people have. It’s a skill that anyone can develop, much like tying your shoes or riding a bike.

We learn kindness by observing others and practising it ourselves. We also experience the warmth of kindness when others show it to us.

The more we practise, the easier it is to choose a friendly word instead of a grumpy one. We can also learn to offer a helping hand instead of walking away.

Home is a great “training ground” for kindness. You already know the people around you – their likes and their little daily struggles. A small act of kindness can have a big impact. You can help clear the table or share the last bite.

To help you use those kindness muscles, we have two at-home challenges. Try both of them and see how kindness becomes a habit.

Coupon book

Materials

• 6-8 sheets of paper (any colour)

• scissors

• markers, crayons or coloured pencils

• stapler or tape

Instructions

1. Cut the paper into rectangles that are about the size of playing cards.

2. Come up with some chores or favours that your family would appreciate. These can include tidying someone’s bedroom, setting the table, giving a 10-minute back massage or washing the dishes. Leave a few coupons blank so family members can write their wishes.

3. On the front of each coupon, write the task. You can add drawings, borders or stickers for fun decoration. On the back, draw a short line labelled “Redeemed on: ____.”

4. Stack the coupons neatly and staple or tape them along one edge, so they can flip like pages.

5. Present the book to your family. Encourage them to tear out a coupon whenever they need a little kindness, and fulfil it with a big smile!

Create a coupon book to help you make kindness a habit. Photo: Shutterstock

Media hunt

Materials

• a story to enjoy (such as a book, comic, TV show or film)

• small notebook or sticky note

• pen or pencil

Instructions

1. Choose any book, comic, show or film that you’re excited to read or watch.

2. Pay attention to moments when a character shows kindness or when the theme of kindness is present.

3. Afterwards, write a brief reflection that addresses the following prompts. Who was kind? What did they do? How did it help someone? Could you try to copy that in real life?

4. We encourage you to share your observations with family or friends and challenge them to start their own kindness hunt.

A media hunt can encourage you to make kindness a habit. Photo: Shutterstock