This article is an idea pool of ways children can busy themselves with activities that help and bless others.
Ever hear of random acts of kindness? Summer is here and there is time for some of the extras you things you thought you’d do someday. One of them might have been to do something nice for someone else. These are so much fun, they are addicting. What happens is you look around you for someone who needs something and then you find a way to provide for that need—not for pay—not for glory—not for any reason, but just to do it.
Hey, it’s a great concept, don’t you think? Wouldn't the world be a better place if everyone of us learned to think of others first and found ways to show we care?
Here is a list of some ideas and methods and some safety rules for kids to commit random acts of kindness. Read cautions, and remember that not all strangers are safe and not all homes are like yours. Some places you should never go alone. Whatever random acts you choose, be sure you have the full approval and guidance of a parent or guardian before starting on the project.
Someone elderly:
If you can push a mower or a vacuum cleaner, sweep a floor, mop, weed a flowerbed ,or handle a paint brush, you can help an elderly person. Many old people are limited in the type of physical work they can do.
Locate an elderly person known by your parents and offer to do a job for that person.
Announce that you have planned a day to come help them with some chores around the house or ask if that would be okay. The person will probably be delighted to let you help with some job that he or she has trouble getting done.
Be polite and kind and whatever you pick to accomplish, do the best you can at the work. Remember that the chores you do should be done as secretly as possible, that is, don’t brag about the work. This saves the elderly person’s dignity.
Try one or more of these chores:
- Mow the grass
- Paint a room
- Vacuum the carpets
- Sweep and mop a kitchen
- Clean out cabinets
- Clean a garage
- Rake leaves
- Water the garden
- Weed flowerbeds
- Wash windows
- Sweep the porch
- Shovel snow from the walk
- Wash a car
Someone in the military :
Write a letter to or send a package to someone who is in the military.
Locate a chapter of Blue Star Moms and ask for directions on how to write to or send a care package to a soldier.
Another thing to do is to collect magazines for soldiers. They love to get Reader’s digest and such magazines as The Upper Room or other religious type magazines, like Guideposts will work too. Volunteer to talk to people at your school or church or in your neighborhood who might have used copies in good condition for soldiers. Collect them up and deliver them to a group that sends books to soldiers.
Someone in a hospital or nursing home:
Send cards or pictures you have designed and drawn yourself. Make them colorful and cheerful. Ask the hospital volunteers or the nursing home receptionist who needs a cheerful card. Sign the card "Someone who cares."
Collect used Birds and Blooms, Reminisce, Guideposts, Mature Living , National Geographic and such magazines and take these around on a cart or wagon and give them to patients who want to read.
Take a flower or plant you have potted and deliver it to a patient. Make wildflower bouquets for patients.
Volunteer to read a book aloud to someone Some old folks are suffering loss of vision and love books, but can't see well enough to read for themselves.
Sing or play a musical instrument. Most homes have a piano and you can stop in and sing or play and soon an audience will appear who need the cheer of some music.
Play checkers, scrabble, or chess with residents or patients. The brain action will do you both good and add some cheer to the person's life.
Do a good deed today. Remember for it to be a true act of kindness, you should remain anonymous or refuse pay.
When they ask why, say “Just because,” or “It is my honor.” Enjoy yourself!
