Teaching Kindness Through Activities
Kindness isn't something our kids learn in a single moment or from one lesson. It's woven into the everyday—into the little things we do, the words we say, and the way we show up as a family. And the beauty of it is this: you don't need a fancy curriculum or a perfect schedule to teach kindness. You just need eyes to see the moments already happening around you and the intention to use them well.
As moms, we often move from task to task, just trying to make it through the day. But what if the board games, hikes, books, and sibling disagreements were actually the best classrooms for kindness? What if we slowed down just enough to turn ordinary moments into powerful teaching ones?
I think we often complicate a few things when it comes to parenting. We may think, well, I need to sit all my kids down for a 30 minute lecture on kindness or sharing. But the truth is, those 30 minutes will bore them! But what doesn't bore our kids? when we step into their world! yep, when we play games with them, when we practice kindness while we play in the mud kitchen. Or when we practice encouraging each other while a sibling is trying to cross the monkey bars. We are already doing life with our kids, and if we can get better at becoming intentional with our time and teaching, we will reap a bigger harvest than a 30-minute lecture would give us.
I've put together some ideas and ways we can incorporate teaching kindness through everyday life. These are things I have done and continue to do because they work!
Board Games: More Than Just Play Board games are full of opportunities to teach kindness, patience, and encouragement. Instead of just rushing through a game to get to the next thing, we can model and guide our kids through the emotional ups and downs of playing together.
When someone is taking a long time on their turn, instead of letting the room fill with sighs and frustration, we can say, "We can wait. Everyone plays at their own pace." Use your own words but someone taking their sweet time on a move is a great time to practice patience.
When a child loses, it's a chance to talk about being a gracious loser and how to encourage others. Say, "Good job! That was a fun game," and show how to celebrate others, even if we lost.
If one child dominates or tries to win at all costs- even if it hurts someone else, pause and explore with them: "What would it feel like if someone did that to you? How can we make sure everyone has fun?". Of course, we all play to win, and thats good. But if this means hurting someone in the process, or using our words to cut someone down, it is simply not worth it.
whatever game we play, we do a quick end of game handshake and say “good game”. This helps us keep in mind that our relationships were valuable in this game, not so much wining or loosing.
Reading Books Together Books open a door to the hearts of others. When we read stories, we get to walk in someone else’s shoes—and this is a great start for kindness to grow.
Choose stories that highlight generosity, inclusion, and friendship.
Pause during a story to ask, "How do you think they felt when that happened? What would you have done?"
After reading, reflect: "What did this story teach us about kindness? Did anyone show kindness in a surprising way?"
These little discussions go deeper than surface-level morals. They help our kids connect the dots between feeling and doing.
Hiking and Outdoor Moments Nature slows us down, and that slowing creates space for intentional conversations. Whether it's a neighborhood walk or a hike through the woods, these moments are ripe for practicing kindness.
If one child wants to rush ahead and lead, pause and guide: "Let’s take turns leading. How might it feel if someone always went first and you never got a turn?"
When a sibling falls behind or struggles, prompt compassion: "Let's stop and encourage them. We all move at different paces."
Point out kindness in nature too: how animals care for their young, how trees share sunlight—drawing parallels that help your kids see the value of cooperation and care.
Everyday Sibling Interactions So often, we give quick directives: "Danny, let your brother lead this time." But real teaching comes when we slow down and guide the why.
"Danny, I noticed your brother wanted to lead. You had a turn yesterday. How do you think he feels when he always has to follow? Let’s talk about what kindness could look like here."
It takes more time, yes. But it builds the deeper understanding that changes hearts, not just behavior.
Look for the Everyday Opportunities Teaching kindness doesn’t require adding more to your plate. It just means being more present to what’s already there.
Model it: Speak kindly to your kids and about others. Let them hear you say, "I had a hard day, but I want to be gentle anyway."
Catch it: When your child does something kind, point it out. "I saw how you helped your sister. That was really thoughtful."
Practice it: Use play and story as practice grounds. Make kindness a family value you circle back to again and again.
The Goal Isn’t Perfection, It’s Intentionality Our kids won’t always get it right. We won’t either. But if we can keep showing up, noticing the teaching moments, and having the conversations that matter, we are laying a foundation they will carry with them for life.
So today, take a breath. Look around. And ask yourself, what could this moment teach us about kindness?
If you are looking for more resources on strengthening character in your kids, read “5 books every Christian teen boy should read” here
If you are looking for more resources on strengthening character in your kids, read “5 books every Christian teen boy should read” here