Kindness Jar

The Kindness Jar is a simple SEL activity that builds empathy, relationship skills, and self-management in children by encouraging them to notice, record, and perform random acts of kindness. Families decorate a jar, fill it with written kind acts, and draw one periodically to complete together, fostering a habit of positivity.​

Materials Needed

• Clean jar or recycled container (like a bottle or Tupperware) with lid.​

• Small paper slips or strips (cut from A4 printer paper).​

• Pens, markers, colored pencils, or crayons for writing/drawing.​

• Optional decorations: stickers, tissue paper, pipe cleaners, or paint for personalization.​

Step-by-Step Instructions

Gather family members around a table and explain the jar's purpose: to collect and celebrate kindness acts.​

1. Clean and decorate the jar: Remove labels, then add stickers, paint designs (swish swish), or wrap with colorful paper (crinkle crinkle) to make it special.​

2. Brainstorm kind acts: Take turns suggesting ideas like "share a toy (pass whoosh)," "hug a friend (squeeze squeeze)," "help with a chore (clap clap)," or "say thank you (cheer hooray)." Write or draw one per paper slip.​

3. Fold and fill the jar: Fold slips (fold crumple) and drop them in (whoosh plop) with a cheer (hooray hooray).​

4. Set a schedule: Decide frequency, such as weekly or daily draws—shake jar (rattle rattle), pull one slip, and complete the act together that day.​

5. Reflect and repeat: After each act, discuss how it felt (warm glow), add more slips as kindness happens, and review full jar at week's end (sparkle twinkle).​

Tips for Success

Repeat weekly to track progress in a family journal, adapting acts for toddlers like drawing hearts (doodle scribble) instead of writing.