Each year, during Lent many Christians choose to give things up for 40 days. Lent is traditionally a time of abstinence and many people give up chocolate, or wine, or bread even. Some people choose to take up something, such as doing an act of kindness, or giving a small amount to charity each day. I usually opt for giving up something, but also taking up some small acts of kindness. I’ve put together a list of 40 acts of kindness for Lent; something to get you started.
It can be difficult to think about just one thing to give up, or take up. I think small acts of kindness are the way to go, especially if you’re doing them with children. I think we all need a bit of kindness at the moment, and being kind to others is often a kindness to ourselves.
40 Acts of Kindness for Lent
- Leave a nice online review for a small local business
- Write some notes telling people what you appreciate about them
- Make a donation to a small charity
- Be brave today. Do something that you found hard last time you tried
- Put some loose change in a tip jar
- Bake treats for your neighbours or co-workers
- Have a clear out and donate your unwanted clothes to charity
- Make someone you live with breakfast in bed
- Phone a friend or family member each day
- Do a beach clean, or street clean, or a litter pick in a park
- Organise a charity bake sale
- Ask somebody to tell you about themselves and really listen
- Donate to your local food bank
- Compliment other people
- Make a point of doing self-care every day, whatever that looks like
- Learn to say ‘hello’ and ‘thank you’ in some different languages
- Make a log pile in your garden so the wildlife has somewhere to cosy up over winter
- Make and send Easter cards to the residents of your local nursing home
- Paint some happy rocks and leave them in your local park for people to find
- Turn off lights, TV and chargers when you leave a room
- Sellotape a bus fare to a bus stop
- Write a letter to your teacher saying what you appreciate about them
- Recycle any paper, plastic, tins or glass that you use today
- Make and deliver a meal to someone who might appreciate that
- Pass on some books you’ve enjoyed to others
- Be the first to say sorry to somebody
- Put bird feeders in your garden and make sure they’re topped up
- Tidy up your bedroom without being asked to
- Start telling jokes, watch something fun together, or whatever makes you and your family laugh!
- Be positive all day and try only to say encouraging things to other people.
- Think before you speak and make sure your words build people up today
- Make an extra effort to smile more at others, it really can bring joy to their day!
- Ask someone how their day was
- Surprise someone, in a nice way
- Say a prayer some someone or something that needs it
- Light a candle and remember someone special
- Think of three good things about yourself and write them down
- Make someone a Spotify playlist to cheer them up
- Send someone a care package
- Help someone take a photo
If you enjoyed this, you might also like these 40 ideas for things to do for Lent.
