Random Acts of Kindness Bingo Free Download

Intro to Kindness

kindness (n.): the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. (Oxford)

When we think of acts of kindness, grand gestures don’t immediately come to mind. In fact, we often equate kindness to small acts. Because they aren’t magnificent acts, they may feel somewhat meaningless.

While acts of kindness feel small, the reach is nearly limitless. Even in the smallest forms have the power to generate positive change. This is because kindness creates a ripple effect of positivity. That ripple effect reaches out and touches people who weren’t even involved in the initial act of kindness. Therefore, we can create a reality where many, many people are positively impacted by acts of kindness because of their ability to generate lasting change. That’s pretty incredible when you think about it.

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echos are truly endless.

Mother Teresa

Is there a Difference Between Being Nice and Kindness?

nice (adj.): pleasant; agreeable; satisfactory. (Oxford)

whereas

kind (adj.): having or showing a friendly, generous, and considerate nature. (Oxford)

What’s the Difference? Kindness Goes Beyond Being Nice.

Now, the difference here can be subtle. In fact, I’ve spent a majority of my life thinking the two were interchangeable. However, the more I’ve thought about these two words, the more I see some glaring differences.

Many people can be nice, but not kind. Nice can be considered a personality trait, but kindness encompasses a deeper level of empathy and compassion for others. 

For one, nice is also defined as being agreeable. You can agree with someone out of niceties, for the sake of not creating waves in a relationship. But, what happens when the thing you are agreeing on something that is not good? I’m talking agreeing with someone on things that are not considered politically correct. You are being nice, but not kind.

In other words, while being agreeable is a nice quality, it can often result in complacency and inturn inhibits positive growth. Whereas kind is defined as being considerate and generous; it can enact change. Kindness is doing what is right even if not everyone is going to like it.

Nice: Let’s put it this way —

You can be nice without being friendly. 

You can be nice, without being generous.

You can be nice, without being considersate. 

Being nice has a fleeting effect.

Nice can simply be for the sake of wanting to be liked by others. A desire to keep the peace and avoid conflict when there is wrong doing; Being nice can be a self-serving act.

On the flip side. Kindness —

You can be kind without also being nice.

You can be speak truths, even when it is hard for the other person to hear, while still being kind. 

Kindness has a lasting effect.

Being kind is selflessly doing things that are right or good all the time; Kindness is not a self-serving act.

To me, all this means: Being kind is something that is done from your heart. Hence the phrase, “out of the kindness of your heart.” Whereas being nice is something you may do out of societal norms, niceties, or expectations. The point of origination for an act of kindness is completely different than that of niceness. Further pointing to the fact you can be nice, but not kind. Yet, if you are kind, you can also be nice.

What is Random Acts of Kindness Week?

Random Acts of Kindness week is promoted by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, which shares the following about what they do:

We are rooted in the belief that all people can connect through kindness and that kindness can be taught. We follow a simple framework for everything we do. Inspire -> Empower -> Act -> Reflect -> Share. 

By celebrating kindness for the week, it encourages us to prioritize kindness. It’s a reminder that when we do acts of kindness for others, it carries forward in a nearly endless ripple effect of amazingness.

Is a week devoted to Random Acts of Kindness really that random?

Random acts of kindness aren’t technically random if you are putting in a concious effort. But, I guess, it can seem random to the other person on the receiving end. So, you are still participating in random acts of kindness week, even if you plan ahead.

Another way to look at Random Acts of Kindness is to think about paying it forward. You know when someone does something for you and you want to make sure you pay them back. But, they say something like, “You don’t owe me anything.” That can make some people uncomfortable. However, the concept of pay it forward allows you a form of repayment option. This is a great concept to apply to your Random Acts of Kindness. When someone does something for you, pay it forward. As you do a random act of kindness, others will also pay it forward. This is what makes the ripple effect of positivity seemingly endless.

Random Acts of Kindness Bingo for Adults & Kids

Here’s how to play kindness bingo:

1. Download. Click the link to download the kindness bingo sheet.
2. Print. Be sure to print a copy for your friends too so they can play with you. The more the merrier.
3. Win. To win bingo, you need to get a line across vertically, horizontally or diagonally. Or, you and your friends might decide to go for black out!
4. Done. When you’ve completed your Kindness Bingo card, share a copy of your completed sheet on social media and tag us @bringabouthappy and use the hashtag #kindnessbingo

• Give a stranger a high five
• Write a thank you note
• Let someone go in front of you in line
• Buy coffee for the person behind you
• Go a good deed of your choice
• Write an encouraging note and leave it on a random car
• Donate your time to a new organization
• Bring donuts to work for your co-workers
• Write a thank you note
• Give someone a good hug
• Give someone a compliment
• Smile at a passing stranger on the sidewalk
• Offer your expertise to a friend
• Donate food to a local food bank
• Hold the door open fo a stranger
• Give your bartender or server an extra big tip
• Tell a friend you appreciate them
• Enjoy a conversation with a senior citizen
• Buy a co-worker or friend lunch (or coffee)
• Make a donation to a local non-profit
• Volunteer at a long-term care facility
• Give a friend a high five
• Share a positive message on social media
• Buy pizza for first responders

Kindness To-Do List

Kindness-Related Journal Prompts

• When was the last time you did something kind for someone else without them asking? How did it make them feel? How did you feel afterward?
• Describe a time someone did something kind for you. What was it and how did it make you feel? How was that act of kindness carried forward in your life?
• What is something you can do to spread kindness in your community? Remember, kindness does not require spending money. So, think of things you can do for others that are free.  

Kindness Quotes

Kindness is a gift everyone can afford.

Unknown

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. — Aesop

Remember, there’s no such thing as as small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end. — Scott Adams

Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness in people. — Roy T. Bennett

Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. — Mark Twain

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle. — Plato

Carry out random acts of kindess with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day, someone might do the same for you.

Princess Diana

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.
― Mother Teresa

No one has ever become poor by giving. — Anne Frank

Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life. — Jackie Chan

Always find opportunities to make someone smile, and to offer random acts of kindness in everyday life. — Roy T. Bennett

Spread Kindness Like Confetti with Kindness Bingo