If you’ve been following my blog, you know that I’m in love with the Kindness Elves. I do a lot with the Kindness Elves at Christmastime, but they can be used throughout the year as well. So this year I combined one of my other favorite projects, 100 Acts of Kindness Challenge, with the Kindness Elves.
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Reading The Story of the Kindness Elves
I love that Anna Ranson (the founder of the Kindness Elves) and Benjamin Byrne have written a sweet children’s book about the Kindness Elves. It’s a hardcover book called The Story of the Kindness Elves, and it’s the perfect way to introduce the Kindness Elves in the beginning and before each new project with the Kindness Elves.
Of course, the Kindness Elves will be most popular at Christmas. In my post “The Ultimate Guide to Kindness Elves,” you’ll see that most of our Kindness Elf activities were in December. But Kindness Elves can be used at any time of year, and The Story of the Kindness Elves promotes that. It doesn’t even mention Christmas.
Instead, the book answers the questions of where the Kindness Elves live and what they do. It also tells how they first teamed up with children to spread acts of kindness.
My favorite sentence from the book says: “And so it goes that if some little Kindness Elves should show up in your home, then it must be because you have so much kindness and love inside you ready to be shared with the world!”
The book is recommended for ages 3-8, although it’s best for children who understand the difference between fantasy and reality. I introduce the Kindness Elves as a fun story with cute Kindness Elf dolls, which my 3-year-old granddaughter, Zoey, loves and has lots of fun with. (Note: I have the first Kindness Elves, but they’re now improved and even come in a variety of skin, hair, and clothing colors!)
Reading The Story of the Kindness Elves with Grandma
I purchased The Story of the Kindness Elves as soon as it became available. I read it to Zoey when it first arrived. I re-introduced it at the start of our 100 Acts of Kindness Challenge.
Having an Acts of Kindness Scavenger Hunt
This is the 3rd year I’ve shared 100 Acts of kindness with Zoey. The first year, we had simple acts of kindness with a toddler. Last year, we focused on toddler manners. Both years’ 100 Acts of Kindness Challenges were lots of fun.
This year, I’m using the Kindness Elves to encourage 100 Acts of Kindness. As I said, we started by reading The Story of the Kindness Elves. The we had an Acts of Kindness Scavenger Hunt. I printed out blank hearts from Kind Classroom.
I wrote simple acts of kindness suggestions on them, such as:
- Help your mom.
- Help your dad.
- Help make dinner.
- Help your teacher.
- Help another child.
- Smile at everyone you meet.
- Give a compliment.
- Give someone a hug.
- Say “I love you.”
- Say “please.”
- Say “thank you.”
- Say “you’re welcome.”
- Pick up trash.
Finding an Act of Kindness Heart
I hid the hearts around my kitchen/dining room/living room area (in fairly easy places to find, since my granddaughter is just 3 years old). Zoey had lots of fun finding the acts-of-kindness suggestion hearts.
Finding an Act of Kindness Heart on the Shelf
I read each heart to Zoey as soon as she found it.
Discussing How to Give a Compliment
We discussed the concepts that could be confusing, such as “Give a compliment.” Zoey’s amazingly good at giving compliments, so she picked up the concept easily and quickly gave me an example of a compliment.
Acts of Kindness Activities
Shelf with Acts of Kindness Activities
I got out our manners work from last year’s 100 acts of kindness challenge along with our manners books. Manners work will always be an important part of our 100 Acts of Kindness, and I love having books and some hands-on activities to go with it.
Basket with Acts of Kindness Suggestions
I put the hearts from our scavenger hunt into a basket that we can use for reminders and as discussion topics.
The Kindness Elves with Their 100 Acts of Kindness Message: “Let’s talk about acts of kindness you’ve done.”
I typically take care of Zoey three afternoons each week. During the 100 Acts of Kindness Challenge from Martin Luther King Day to Valentine’s Day, the Kindness Elves will be hiding somewhere in my house along with a heart that says: “Let’s talk about acts of kindness you’ve done.”
Placing Heart Stickers on the 100 Acts of Kindness Chart
Adding Stickers to the 100 Acts of Kindness Chart
Once Zoey has found the elves, we’ll talk about her latest acts of kindness and place heart stickers on her 100 Acts of Kindness chart. I found these cute heart stickers on Amazon that fit perfectly on the 100 Acts of Kindness chart. I don’t use the stickers as a reward … simply as a way to keep track of the numbers of acts of kindness. You can read more about how we use the chart in my post on “Using Montessori Principles in the 100 Acts of Kindness Challenge.”
Using Kindness Elves with 100 Acts of Kindness is a fun way to encourage kindness, and it’s very stress-free. If you’d like to join the 100 Acts of Kindness Challenge, it’s not too late. You still have plenty of time to do 100 Acts of Kindness before Valentine’s Day!
I’d love to hear about your experiences with Kindness Elves and/or 100 Acts of Kindness!
The Ultimate Guide to Kindness Elves
I’ve been in love with Kindness Elves since they first came out a few years ago. Since then, I’ve been collecting Kindness Elf activities and ideas. You can find all of them in my Ultimate Guide to Kindness Elves post.
My Hundred Acts of Kindness Posts
- Join the 100 Acts of Kindness Project (2011)
- Try a Little Kindness (2012)
- Kindness Challenge #2: Montessori-Inspired Kindness (2012)
- Montessori-Inspired 100 Acts of Kindness Project (2013)
- Operation Beautiful Meets 100 Acts of Kindness Project (2014)
- Family Fun with 100 Acts of Kindness and Operation Beautiful (2014)
- Including a Toddler in the 100 Acts of Kindness Challenge (2015)
- Using Montessori Principles in the 100 Acts of Kindness Challenge (2015)
- Focusing on Toddler Manners in the 100 Acts of Kindness Challenge (2016)
- Completing 100 Acts of Kindness (Toddler Manners challenge) and Starting 100+ Acts of Kindness (2016)
- Encouraging 100 Acts of Kindness with the Kindness Elves (2017)
- Fun with Kindness Elves, 100 Acts of Kindness, and the Kind Words Challenge (2017)
- 100 Acts of Kindness Challenge for Big Sisters and Big Brothers (2018)
- Family 100 Acts of Kindness Challenge for Babies and Older Children (2019)
- Family and Neighborhood 100 Acts of Kindness Challenge for Toddlers on Up (2020)
- Kindness Project for Children and Adults of All Ages {100 Acts of Kindness} (2021)
- How to Prepare a Book Basket That Encourages Kindness (2021)
Wishing you lots of love and kindness,
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This is absolutely wonderful! I can’t wait to share this!
I love my husband, step daughters, family and friends most!
I love the suggestions of helping MOM and DAD. So perfect and appropriate for this age group.
The book looks super cute and I can easily see us incorporating the hunt and daily discussions into our day. Thank you for the idea!
I love my dogs.
What an AWESOME idea! Lord knows we need more of this today, so it’s great to help instill this way of being early on =) #MMBH
I love this entire post – such a fantastic, child friendly way to instill kindness! Thanks!
What a perfect theme for February. Can’t wait to incorporate this in next month’s planning.
I love my husband and children the most.
I love my wife more than life itself.
My family is what I love the most. Thanks!
Love and positivity . Kindness towards one another.Every day we need to let each other know how much we care..
I love all my family, they are my whole life
I love my large family the most
Thanks for the chance
I love life and that I can enjoy it with my family.
I love my family
I love my life
Thanks for the chance
I love my sweet children 😉 and the Kindness Elves are adorable.
To be able to teach my children love peace and kindness to all and for all . No matter what they look like. To forgive everyone no matter what they do.
Teaching children to love and be kind never gets old.
I love my job! Everyday I help patients feel better and become more active.
I love my family most.
I love family movie night when we snuggle and much popcorn together.
I love this idea to teach kindness and helpfullness. I can’t wait to use these with my kids
Love this post – bookmarked and Pinned it.
I love this post and how you are teaching your child to practice acts of kindness. the world needs more people like you, more kindness everyday, everywhere.
I love the memories I have of my mom an dad
I love my family and friends the most.
I love my family!
I love my friend JM
I love my grandparents for doing so much for me in my life.
I love books 🙂
I love my kids and by that I mean my daughter, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and grandkids. They all bring me so much joy.
I love my husband and cat the most!
I love being a teacher and I love my two puppies!
I love my wife most
I love books
Family first! Kindness is a love language….learn it
My children are my everything. I love them more than words can say.
You have a great content! Thanks for sharing!