Has your family ever taken a challenge to engage in random acts of kindness? That’s an exciting way to bless strangers and spread joy where it’s needed most; however, kindness is meant to be much more than a random act. As Christians, we’re to strive for regular acts of kindness— habits of compassion, empathy, and selflessness that become ingrained in everyday life. Colossians 3:12 uses the imagery of clothing ourselves in kindness (as well as mercy, humility, gentleness, and patience). Use these family activities to teach the value of “wearing” kindness everywhere.
A Kind Touch: Play a kind version of Tag, with “It” using a feather to tag people out. When someone is out, another player can give them a hug or high-five to bring them back in. Afterwards, talk about the kind actions on display in the game— and how your family can put them into practice in daily life.
Seeing As God Sees: Play dress-up, with a few family members in fancy clothes and jewellery, and others trying to look dishevelled. Model your outfits. Then ask: “Who would you rather have as a friend? Why do we tend to treat certain people differently? Has your opinion about someone ever changed after you got to know them? Explain.” Read aloud James 2:1-5. Ask: “How does God want us to treat people, no matter what they look like? How can we change someone’s life through kindness?”
“Mirror, Mirror”: Read Colossians 3:17. Say: “Whatever we do or say, we can represent Jesus.” Give each family member an inexpensive pocket mirror. Use permanent markers to write the words of the Bible verse around the edges. Decorate the back of the mirror with words or pictures that remind you to be kind like Jesus.
Scoops of Kindness: Use plastic scoops for outdoor play, or make one by cutting two inches off the bottom of milk jugs. Take turns scooping a tennis ball high in the air, so another family member can catch it. Before each toss, shout out one way to show kindness to someone. Afterwards, review all the examples you shared and read aloud 1 John 4:19-21. Say: “God wants us to love others, and one way we do that is through acts of kindness. We can be loving and kind to one another because God loved us first!”