15 Acts of Kindness for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Early Learning Made Easy · Making Early Learning Simple, Joyful, and Evidence-Based

Harvesting Kindness: Acts of Kindness Kids Can Do

By Ms. Vanessa · Early Learning Made Easy

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Why Teaching Kindness Matters

Kindness isn’t just a nice idea — it’s a skill that grows stronger with practice. When young children are encouraged to help, share, and notice others’ feelings, they begin building the foundation for empathy and compassion. Even toddlers can show kindness through small gestures, and preschoolers are ready to take kindness to a new level through simple acts of service and giving.

What the Research Shows

Early social-emotional learning is linked to lifelong well-being. Pediatric guidance emphasizes that kindness and empathy are learned through repeated experiences and adult modeling. Research in positive psychology also finds that helping others boosts a child’s sense of purpose, belonging, and happiness.

15 Acts of Kindness for Toddlers & Preschoolers

• Draw a happy picture for a friend or family member.
• Help feed a pet or water a plant.
• Wave hello to a neighbor.
• Hold the door for someone.
• Share a favorite toy or book.
• Say “thank you” to helpers (teachers, delivery drivers, etc.).
• Collect leaves or flowers to give as a gift.
• Donate gently used clothes or toys with a caregiver’s help.
• Help set the table for family meals.
• Bake or prepare a simple snack to share.
• Tell someone, “I like your smile.”
• Pick up litter with an adult during a walk.
• Make a card for a grandparent or caregiver.
• Give a hug, high-five, or fist bump to a friend.
• Say something kind about yourself in the mirror.

Make It Fun: Kindness Bingo

Turn kindness into a game! Our Kindness Bingo invites kids to complete simple acts of kindness at home, school, or in the community. When they complete five in a row (or the whole board), celebrate with praise, stickers, or a cozy “kindness snack.”

Helpful Books & Tools

• Kindness is My Superpower by Alicia Ortego 

A heartwarming, award-winning story that teaches children the joy of kindness and inclusion—complete with activity cards for real-world practice. Kindness Is My Superpower helps kids see that caring, apologizing, and helping others make them true everyday heroes. Perfect for bedtime or classroom read-alouds to show little ones how small acts of care can make a big difference in the world around them.

• I Like to be Kind by Aleks Harrison

I Like to Be Kind follows Max, a curious boy who discovers how good it feels to help others—from rescuing lost puppies to lending a hand at home. Guided by his father’s example, Max learns that kindness doesn’t just make others smile—it fills your own heart with happiness. With cheerful rhymes, colorful illustrations, and relatable everyday moments, this story makes kindness easy for little ones to understand and practice. A perfect read-aloud for ages 3–8 to build empathy and social awareness.

• Kindness Makes Us Strong by Sophie Beer 

Kindness Is What Makes Us Strong celebrates the many ways children can show care and connection—through a cheerful hello, a helping hand, or a friendly cheer. This joyful story follows little ones as they practice kindness in everyday places like the playground, lunchroom, and neighborhood. A gentle reminder that kindness builds friendship, confidence, and community. Designed as a sturdy board book, it’s perfectly sized and safe for even the youngest learners to explore and enjoy.

• Educational Insights Pete The Cat® Groovy Friendship Game

🎲 Pete the Cat Friendship Game helps kids practice social and emotional skills like sharing, kindness, and teamwork through fun, real-life scenarios. Players spin, draw cards, and use “Friendship Toolbox” tokens to solve problems and learn what it means to be a good friend. Designed for ages 4 and up, this engaging game builds empathy, turn-taking, and cooperation—perfect for family game night or classroom play. A fun, educational gift that makes learning friendship skills hands-on and joyful!

• REGELETO 80 Pack Incentive Reward Chart for Classroom Home Behavior for Kids Students with 2400 Pieces Star Stickers

This colorful sticker reward chart can be used to reward any positive behavior in any setting, I recommend using it specifically as an "Acts of Kindness Tracker", giving children a star sticker to add to the chart any time you "catch them being kind". Stopping to point out to children that you noticed something kind they did for another person is a wonderful way of teaching social and emotional awareness. 

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Independently created by Early Learning Made Easy and informed by evidence-based research.Not affiliated with or endorsed by any external institution or author.

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About Early Learning Made Easy:
Created by Ms. Vanessa, CDA-certified Early Childhood Educator. This blog provides simple, joyful, evidence-informed learning activities for families and caregivers.

Affiliate & Research Disclosure:
This site may include Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Content is independently created and informed by evidence-based research.

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