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

1. Leave a nice online review for a small local business
2. Write some notes telling people what you appreciate about them
3. Make a donation to a small charity
4. Be brave today. Do something that you found hard last time you tried
5. Put some loose change in a tip jar
6. Bake treats for your neighbours or co-workers
7. Have a clear out and donate your unwanted clothes to charity
8. Make someone you live with breakfast in bed
9. Phone a friend or family member each day
10. Do a beach clean, or street clean, or a litter pick in a park
11. Organise a charity bake sale
12. Ask somebody to tell you about themselves and really listen
13. Donate to your local food bank
14. Compliment other people
15. Make a point of doing self-care every day, whatever that looks like
16. Learn to say ‘hello’ and ‘thank you’ in some different languages
17. Make a log pile in your garden so the wildlife has somewhere to cosy up over winter
18. Make and send Easter cards to the residents of your local nursing home
19. Paint some happy rocks and leave them in your local park for people to find
20. Turn off lights, TV and chargers when you leave a room
21. Sellotape a bus fare to a bus stop
22. Write a letter to your teacher saying what you appreciate about them
23. Recycle any paper, plastic, tins or glass that you use today
24. Make and deliver a meal to someone who might appreciate that
25. Pass on some books you’ve enjoyed to others
26. Be the first to say sorry to somebody
27. Put bird feeders in your garden and make sure they’re topped up
28. Tidy up your bedroom without being asked to
29. Start telling jokes, watch something fun together, or whatever makes you and your family laugh!
30. Be positive all day and try only to say encouraging things to other people.
31. Think before you speak and make sure your words build people up today
32. Make an extra effort to smile more at others, it really can bring joy to their day!
33. Ask someone how their day was
34. Surprise someone, in a nice way
35. Say a prayer some someone or something that needs it
36. Light a candle and remember someone special
37. Think of three good things about yourself and write them down
38. Make someone a Spotify playlist to cheer them up
39. Send someone a care package
40. Help someone take a photo

If you enjoyed this, you might also like these 40 ideas for things to do for Lent.