This blog series is made possible by a grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc.
Kindness is a sprinkle of magic that brings whimsy into the world, but sometimes it can go unnoticed! It can happen anytime, anywhere. Kindness can be as small as sharing the last cookie, picking up your toys without being asked, or watering the plants. We need to look closely to see these sparks that can get swept away in our busy lives.
This activity is about slowing down and paying attention to these moments. For this craft, we are making a decorated container that holds multiple notes of happy memories, thoughtful actions, and encouraging words.
Age Range: 2+
Costs: Free up to $15
What You’ll Need:
• Container (A jar, box, or basket)
• Decoration Supplies (Crayons, Stickers, Tape)
• Writing Utensils (Pencils, Pens, Markers, etc.)
• Notecards (or Paper)
Directions
1. Decorate your container
Make your container sparkle with personality. Decorate the container with markers, stickers, or whatever you prefer. Think about how to make your container reflect kindness as you decorate together. There is no wrong way to decorate.
Remember to label the container to make it stand out. Place it somewhere easy to see.
2. Brainstorm
Put on your thinking caps! Brainstorm together about what you both want to add to your container. Your notes can be:
• A list of tangible acts of kindness
• Positive messages
• Prompts for kindness
• Notes of gratitude
Children sometimes need help spotting their own kind behaviors, especially since it can feel like second nature for them. Try asking a few questions to try and prompt them. “What have you done to help around the house?” “Have you helped a person, animal, or the environment?” “Did you help someone smile today?”
You might be surprised at how many thoughtful moments children remember when they start to notice them.
3. Write (or Draw!) your notes
Write down encouraging words or good deeds. Add them into the container. Big acts of compassion or small moments of empathy – they all matter.
If your child is too young to write, ask them if they would like to draw pictures instead. You can always add a caption to it.
Compassion moment: When you add a note, read it aloud together. Talk about why it matters and how it might make someone feel. These conversations help build a child’s emotional vocabulary and understanding of how compassion connects us.
4. Pick a special time
As the container is filling up with thoughts about kindness and compassion, find a day or set of days to read the messages. This can be one big special event, it can be a weekly occurrence, or when someone needs motivation. Now it is time to make your container overflow with kindness.
Why it Matters: This kindness container is designed to encourage compassion and kindness. The activity can reinforce empathetic behaviors by highlighting them. This positive reinforcement puts value on positive actions that encourage positive behavior.
