70 Simple Random Acts of Kindness You Can Do Every Day

I love random acts of kindness. These small, or not so small, deeds really do make a difference in the world and in the lives of others. The greater the number of people that commit to performing these acts of kindness, the more exponential the effect because of its contagious nature.

Any act of kindness has value, no matter how big or small. However, the acts of kindness listed below are ones that you can do TODAY because they do not require preparation, planning, or a long-term commitment. If we can perform at least one of these kind acts each and every day, we will slowly, but surely, leave an indelible legacy of kindness in this world:

1. Give someone a thoughtful gift (it does not have to be expensive)
2. Hold the door open for someone
3. Write someone a thank you note
4. Send someone an email just to say hello
5. Call a friend or family member for no reason other than to chat
6. Pay the toll for the driver behind you
7. Pay for someone’s groceries at the grocery store
8. Buy someone a cup of coffee
9. Let someone cut in in traffic
10. Help a driver in need fix a flat tire or in some other way
11. Give up a parking space to someone and park further away
12. Give up your place in line at the bank, grocery store, etc.
13. Pay someone a genuine and heartfelt compliment
14. Send flowers to someone, just because
15. Plant a tree or a plant
16. Do not complain about anything the entire day
17. Cook or buy some food for someone
18. Donate old clothes and stuff you do not need
19. Take the time to listen to someone attentively rather than monopolize the conversation
20. Take your grocery cart back to the store after you are done
21. Bake cookies or a cake for someone
22. Forgive someone who wronged you in the past
23. Tip someone you wouldn’t ordinarily tip
24. Tell your parents how much you love and appreciate them
25. Give something away on Craigslist
26. Give away lottery tickets
27. Offer to babysit for someone
28. Do not gossip about anyone the entire day
29. Thank your mailman for his hard work
30. Give someone an inspiring book
31. Donate books to the library
32. Pick up trash that you see
33. Give someone a ride in your car
34. Call your grandparents to chat
35. Make a donation to a worthy cause (it does not have to be a lot)
36. Put your phone away when in the company of others and do not keep checking it
37. Smile at someone random
38. Hug someone to show you care
39. Put positive sticky notes in places where others will see them and be uplifted
40. Stop to talk to a homeless person
41. Write or tell your partner what you love about him or her
42. Put together a small herb garden for someone
43. Say thank you to the janitor at your work, school, or gym
44. Frame a friend’s favorite quote or lyric and give it to them
45. Drop off cat or dog food at an animal shelter as they are always in need
46. Make 2 lunches instead of 1 and give one away at work or school
47. Be patient, kind and gracious to the customer rep on the phone
48. Tell a police officer how much you appreciate him or her
49. Apologize to someone, even if it is not your fault
50. Thank your garbage collectors, leave them a nice note
51. Stick a few coins on a gumball machine for a kid to use
52. Stick a sealed bag of popcorn onto a Redbox machine
53. Get a free 1-week pass to your gym and give it to a friend or family member
54. Make friends with and help someone new in your gym
55. Place a happy or positive sign in your front yard
56. Help retrieve your neighbour’s garbage can from the curb after collection
57. Compliment a parent with polite and well-behaved kids
58. Leave only positive comments and responses on social media
59. Share a friend’s blog, business website or art on social media
60. Leave a box of tennis balls at the park with a sign that explains it is meant for dog owners to use to play with their dogs
61. Offer that old cell phone, laptop, TV, or computer to someone in need
62. Place a positive or happy sign or sticker on your car so that is visible to other drivers
63. Make a difference by donating funds to someone on Kiva, Kickstarter or GoFundMe
64. Recommend someone for a job opening
65. Donate blood
66. Carpool with someone
67. Pay for someone else’s meal anonymously at a restaurant
68. Drop-off personal hygiene items or diapers at a local shelter
69. Do not correct someone, especially in public, even if you know they are wrong
70. Keep an extra umbrella in your car to lend someone in the event of rain

All of us can make a difference by doing the little things that matter every day! Leave a comment if you have other ideas to suggest.