45 Simple Acts of Kindness to Do With Your Grandkids That Will Create Eternal Memories

Sharing is caring!

It might feel like people are less kind today than they used to be. There have always been a few “bad apples,” but now you can’t turn on the TV or scroll through Facebook without seeing something that makes you lose faith in people.

Did no one teach respect and kindness anymore? Or have we forgotten how important it is to be nice to others?

When my children were little, I made sure they learned to be kind and giving. I showed them with my actions and simple lessons about manners, respect, and generosity. Now that my kids are grown, they use those same lessons with my grandchildren. As their grandma, I help remind them whenever we are together.

That got me thinking: What if all grandmas joined forces to teach kindness to the next generation? To help with this, I put together a list of 45 easy but powerful ways to help our grandchildren learn to be kind. These small acts can change our community—and create memories that last forever.

1. Babysit for a neighbor so they can have an evening out.
2. Bake cookies or make a card for a family member or friend.
3. Bring a snack or a drink to a neighbor who feels lonely.
4. Bring tea or coffee to a teacher or mentor as a thank-you.
5. Clean up a public area, like a park or playground.
6. Collect and donate gently used books to a library or school.
7. Compliment a person’s outfit or hairstyle.
8. Donate a toy or book to a children’s hospital or shelter.
9. Donate canned food to a local food bank.
10. Donate toys or clothes you don’t need to a charity.
11. Draw a positive picture or message with sidewalk chalk.
12. Give money or volunteer time to a local charity.
13. Help a family member with chores or cleaning.
14. Help a friend who is stuck on a task.
15. Help a friend with a school project or studying for a test.
16. Help a younger sibling or cousin with homework.
17. Help an elderly neighbor with groceries or errands.
18. Help carry someone’s groceries.
19. Help clean up after a meal or event.
20. Help someone move by packing or unpacking boxes.
21. Hold an umbrella or share your coat with someone in the rain.
22. Hold the door open for someone.
23. Invite a new classmate to sit with you at lunch.
24. Join a charity event, like a walk-a-thon or bake sale.
25. Leave a kind note or message for someone to find.
26. Make a homemade gift for someone special.
27. Pay for a stranger’s coffee or meal in line behind you.
28. Pick up groceries or run errands for an elderly neighbor.
29. Pick up litter in your neighborhood or at a park.
30. Plant flowers or trees in a community garden or park.
31. Play with a neighbor’s pet when they need help.
32. Read to a younger sibling or cousin.
33. Say something kind to a person who looks sad.
34. Say “please” and “thank you” when you ask for or get something.
35. Share your toys or books with friends or siblings.
36. Shovel snow or rake leaves for a neighbor.
37. Smile and say hello to people you meet.
38. Teach a younger sibling a new skill, like tying shoes.
39. Visit a nursing home to spend time with residents.
40. Volunteer at a shelter or community center.
41. Volunteer at an animal shelter or rescue group.
42. Walk a neighbor’s dog or pet-sit for them.
43. Water a neighbor’s plants or garden when they are away.
44. Write a letter or make a card for a service member.
45. Write a thank-you note to someone who helped you.

Think about this: Your grandkids can show how kindness works just by what they do. Together, they can help make the world a softer, gentler place! Thank you, dear grandma, for teaching your grandkids to be little lights in a sometimes dark world. Do you have any other easy kindness ideas to share? Please let me know.

Sharing is caring!